Berdache
Definition
An offensive term historically used for a Native American person whose gender identity or social role was not exclusively associated with their biological sex. It has also been used to refer broadly to a transgender person.
Quick Facts
| Term | Berdache |
|---|
Meaning
“Berdache” has been used in anthropological writing for people among Native American cultures whose gender identities or social roles were not exclusively those associated with their biological sex. The term has also been applied broadly to transgender people.
Historical descriptions using the word have included people with varied gender identities and roles. The category should not be treated as synonymous with transvestism or homosexuality.
Usage and connotation
Berdache is tagged as offensive and as a slur. It appears mainly in older anthropological or historical discussions rather than as a neutral contemporary label.