| Home | An extension to the Site | An Ancestral Service | Vodou Baths | Legba, the Gate | Wanga | Home Clean Home | What is a "Lwa"? | Meeting at the Sea: Met Agwe and LaSirene! | Everyday Steps | Wanga (Magick!) | Magick is for ME!!! | Art | Readings | Vodou and Dreams | Mariaj Lwa | The Dead: Baron, Brijit and Gede | Ancestors! In Vodou and Elsewhere | A petition you can do yourself for your Ancestors | Homosexuals in Vodou | Pictures | New to Vodou? | Links | Gate Sa | Empowerment! | The Power of Ogoun | Initiation Candidates | Lwa Stuff | Zaka | Danbala | Met Agwe Tawoyo | Ezili Freda | Services Houngans/Mambos provide | Lwa Met Tet | Anvwa Mo | Morality | "Houngan Pa Bondye" | Happy New Year 2005
GLBT in Vodou

Vodou

Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered individuals in Vodou.

Often, I am asked how homosexuals are treated within the Vodou tradition, unlike other Afro-Carribean traditions, Vodou does not make an issue about homosexuality.  Homosexuals are not treated any different during Vodou ceremonies, and are not excluded from becoming Houngans and Mambos Asogwe.  All ranks are open to homosexuals and all ceremonies are open to homosexuals, as long as one has the rank. 
 
There are all gay and lesbian peristyles in Haiti, where being homosexual is a must to become a member.  There are also crossdressers that participate in Vodou ceremonies.  I met some in PAP while attending a dance, and they were dressed in full female regalia.  Long denim dresses, earings, kerchief, makeup and sandals. 
 
Homosexual men are said to be under the distinct patronage of the lwa of femininity, Metres Ezili Freda Daome.  Lesbian women most often serve Ezili Danto, who stands for the independent hardworking women.  I have also often heard, from Houngans and Mambos that homosexual Vodouisants get easily possessed.  I've gone to ceremonies, where indeed, homosexual men and women became possessed a very large amount of times.  The lwa do not discriminate against homosexual men and women either.  Ogoun will possess a homosexual man or woman just as much as he would a heterosexual man or woman.  In fact, one Ogou, Ogou De Manye, is said to be both heterosexual and homosexual at the same time, while also being extremely magickal. 
 
While in Haitian culture it is different, it is not so in Vodou.  Homosexual men often have a female partner.  Why?  This is because even homosexuals are expected to have children.  Having children is very important because it is your children who will "gather one up" in old age.  Lesbian women also have men to have children. 
 
Ginen is big, it is open to everyone!