MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog

Autism, Shamans, and Love

I just had the amazing opportunity to attend a pre-screening of the movie, The Horse Boy. It is the true story of a Texas couple and their son’s journey on horseback through Outer Mongolia in an attempt to heal their son’s autism.  Rupert Isaacson, a writer and former horse trainer, and his wife, Kristin Neff, a psychology professor, sought help for their son, Rowan, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. They went to numerous doctors and tried many medications, but all traditional therapies and medications had little effect on Rowan. They discovered that throughout Rowan’s tantrums, many of which could last as long as four hours, that the one thing that helped Rowan remain calm was when he was with horses. Rowan had a natural affinity to animals and he could poke and prod the animals and their response would be a gentle, quiet stillness.

Rupert and his wife discussed bringing Rowan to shamans in Mongolia for healing. Rupert had worked with shamans before through his work as a journalist in Africa. He thought if he could bring Rowan to healers who would work with him and experience their horses, this could possibly bring about a cure. The movie revealed a profound insight into the world of the autistic mind. It showed the courage of parents who traveled half way around the world for their child – only to wonder at various points if the trip was really for Rowan or for them. The movie showed the vulnerability of parents and the everyday uphill battles of living with an autistic child. Rowan gave all autistic children a voice of hope and love.

I do not wish to reveal everything about the movie (it’s playing at the IFC theatre in Manhattan September 30 – October 1 www.ifccenter.com) I do want to say that this powerful movie shows how children can relate to their parents, to the land, to animals, to shamans, and to the world in new ways.  As Isaacson said after the movie ended, “Many cultures have shamans – Africa, Mongolia, Australia, the Rainforest, and the America’s. When you ask shamans from around the world to share their various healing techniques, they all share the same response – love. It’s all about directing love.”

I sat through the first 30 minutes of this movie crying. I was crying for a little boy who had no way of expressing himself except long screaming tantrums. I was crying for the parents who were doing everything they could to help alleviate the suffering of their son. I was crying for family and friends who have been through their own journey with autism. I was crying as a gay shaman who has spent years offering my gift of love to the world for greater healing. At the very end of the night, Isaacson spoke to the audience and told us what he was able to learn from this experience. He told us he didn’t want a cure for autism. He wants healing. Isaacson said that he doesn’t want his son to suffer, but that he wants him to keep his personality – that is what makes him special. This really is a remarkable film about a family’s extraordinary journey, adventure, shamanic and human experiences. Most of all, it is a story of love.

If you are unable to see the movie, I encourage everyone to go and purchase the book, The Horse Boy. 

Abundant love and healing, Mary Anne

This is dedicated to Rupert Isaacson, Kristin Neff, and Rowan for sharing their remarkable story as a testimony of courage and love as well as to the shamans throughout the world – seeking to direct­­ love and consequently healing. This is also, dedicated to the many families who seek healing for their autistic family members.

Homosexuality against African culture, says op-ed

A gentle notice to all progressive souls who need to be reminded that not all anti-gay writing comes from white heterosexual Christian Western males. On allAfrica.com, Pamela Ankunda pens a piece "Homosexuality is Against Nature and African Culture," that pleads for Westerners to realize that "Africa has got its own societal values and morals."

Miss Cleo, lesbian

The story by Greg Hernandez in a recent issue of The Advocate tells of famed infomercial psychic Miss Cleo's coming out.

She says she’s actually not a psychic but more of a spiritual counselor or spiritual adviser.

“I’m more a shaman, an elder in a community who has visions and gives direction to people in their village. My clients and my students are my village. I take care of this community. If you sit down at my table, you have to take away a lesson and not just learn what is going to happen tomorrow. I also perform weddings—both gay and straight marriages—and house cleansings and blessings.”

Two-Spirit Article

Good article about Two-Spirit identity and tradition from Pacific News Service.

News: Cherokee Nation bans gay marriage

According to this news report, the Cherokee Nation has banned gay marriage:

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council has passed a law banning same-sex marriages. The vote followed a public outcry after two women were granted a marriage application by a tribal court last month.

The motion passed unanimously, but it was shrouded in secrecy until moments before council members were asked to vote on it. Several members later said they should have had more time to consider the motion and its implications.

Two-spirits present challenge for Navajo AIDS educators

An article in the Salt Lake Tribune explains that the fluidity of gender rules in Native American cultures presents challenges for HIV/AIDS and public health education. Here's a clip:

American Indians are flexible about letting people choose gender roles -- social roles rather than biological identity -- not always based on their sexual identity, Thomas said.

"The Western perspective is a binary gender class," [Wesley] Thomas [a Navajo who is co-editor of the book, Two-Spirit People: Native American Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality] said. "You're either a man or a woman. It's so inflexible; it's static. Native Americans have more flexibility."

In this world of movable gender lines, the label "gay" for men who have sex with men doesn't always fit. If a man has sex with a male who presents himself to the world as a female, he may not call himself gay.