VAP celebrates Two-Spirit LGBTQ during Pride Month

Miss Gay Idaho At Large Crystll Blu and emcee Spirit Wildcat at the June 18 celebration.

By OLIVIA YOKOYAMA
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Victims Assistance Pro­gram hosted a Two-Spirit LGBTQ Celebration at the Delbert Farmer Festival arbor June 18 to show ap­preciation and allow other Two-Spirit people to be open and proud of who they are and where they come from.

Joe “Spirit Wildcat” Wadsworth served as emcee.

The celebration in­volved the community for Pride Month to celebrate with one another and share their experiences and stories.

One of the keynote speakers spoke about her experience of being a mother to a Two-Spirit child was Shayna Martin who shared her story about her daugh­ter Angela Chandler — her reconnection with her, and how she experienced the transition of her child.

Angela Chandler shares her story.

Shayna explained how her family was sup­portive came together and the family showed uncon­ditional love. “My biggest take away as a mom and a parent, we always say we love our kid unconditional and we do but there is always that element in change, and it doesn’t matter in what capacity in change, all they want is your support, all they want is for you to say I love you.”

Angela spoke about coming from Birming­ham, Alabama and her experience about the community being sup­portive while living there. Angela said, “Give people a voice, especially trans people right now.”

Crystll Blu 2024 Miss Gay Idaho At Large, is also the first ever Miss Gay Pride and first Sho-Ban to serve in the state of Idaho. She opened up about the beginning of her experience with her pageants and the Two-Spirit people need to stick together. She shared her experience with her mother and step-mother about her winning the title. Her mother would love and support her no matter what.

Blu spoke about when she competes at Nationals she wants to implement the fact of being Native American and also being transgender. The message brought to the communi­ties attention was there are trans people among the community, men and women.

Children play games at the event.

“The event went pretty well, and was a great attendance. I was very thankful that the community was open. We don’t force our presence to be known we are just here, being who we are and making our own way of life.” Wildcat said.

The VAP program had many other sponsors that showed their appreciation for the LGBTQ month. Games and prizes were presented for the youth and gift bags were gifted from the VAP in apprecia­tion.

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