Zeus & Ganymede
(Greece, myth) Ganymede was the most handsome man ever born, according to the legends and became one of Zeus’ lovers. Zeus fell in love with Ganymede when he spotted him herding his flock on Mount Ida. Zeus then came down in the form of an eagle or sent an eagle to carry Ganymede to Mount Olympus where Ganymede became cupbearer to the gods. Upon hearing that Ganymede was to be cupbearer as well as Zeus' lover, the infinitely jealous Hera was outraged. To save him forever, Zeus set Ganymede among the stars as the constellation Aquarius. His name in Latin is Catamus, which gives rise to the term “catamite” an early term for homosexual males. --Trisha Pierce & Chelsee McDonald
Ahsonnutli
(Navajo/Apache Culture, myth) In the Navajo pantheon Ahsonnutli is the god/goddess who created the sky. Set four giants to holding the sky and giving birth to the four winds. Also known as the first human of the forth age and gave birth to twins. Ahsonnutli is a hermaphrodite deity, in whom the Navajo culture would gain a lot of understanding and acceptance to transgendered and intersex people..-- Edurne Lecuona, Jami Crawford & Gladis Acosta-Gonzales
Ungud
(Australian Aboriginal culture, myth) is a snake god who is sometimes male and sometimes female. Ungud is associated with the rainbow and erections of medicine men. He is a cosmic multi-colored python that lives in deep waters. He helps the people by sending down rains during times of intense heat.— Marcy Seale & Amy Olearain
Gilgamesh & Enkidu
Gilgamesh & Enkidu (Mesopotamia & Babylon, Gilgamesh's supposed historical reign was between 2700 and 2500 bce) are characters of an epic poem The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known pieces of literature. The presence of two other king’s names used in the poem has lent to the credibility to the existence of Gilgamesh as a historical figure. The basic story is about the love affair between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Enkidu is a royal advisor of sorts to Gilgamesh interpreting his dreams and protecting him from harm. Together they slay the bull of Heaven. Enkidu is killed by the Gods in vengeance for this act and Gilgamesh is left to mourn the loss of his lover. –Logan Robb & Danielle Dontas
Hermaphroditus
(Greece, myth) was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite. At the lustful sight of fifteen-year-old Hermaphroditus, Salmacis the Naiad (a kind of minor water goddess) unsuccessfully attempted to seduce him into her pool. When Hermaphroditus was not looking, Salmacis wrapped herself around him, and the gods granted her wish that they become one being. Hermaphrodite was the name given to people with both masculine and female characteristics for many years, though today we use the more general term, intersexed. – Jennifer Mann & Ashley Cordova
Tu Er Shen
(China, myth) is a deity who manages the love and sex between homosexual men. Tu Er Shen became a god after he was put to death for peeking at another man in the public baths. After death, when he went to see the gods, they thought it unfair that he died because of love, so the gods decided to make him a god. Images of Tu Er Shen can be found in temples in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and Fuji. In order to cater to the needs of modern homosexuals, the religion has been resuscitated in Taiwan. The present temple, in Yonghe City was founded by Lu Wei-ming (盧威明), a Taoist priest, who is also homosexual.— Cecilia Gutierrez & Gabrielle Jones
Chin
Chin (Mayan culture, myth) is one of the names mentioned by Las Casas for a dwarf god said to have introduced homosexual relationships to the Maya. The nobles would take the boys of the lower class to be the lovers for their sons. Under customary law, such relationships, between men of different ages, were akin to legal marriages, and any attempt on the honor of the younger partner was punishable as adultery.— Karina Gero-Limoges & Cecilia Gutierrez
Damon & Pythias
(Greece, myth) were lovers. Pythias was sentenced to death for supposedly plotting against the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius. Pythias wanted to go home to say good bye and Damon volunteered to take his place while he went. Pythias didn’t come back when he was supposed to but just as Damon was about to be killed, Pythias showed up. Damon told him he would do anything for him, even give up his life. Dionysius was so taken with the lovers' truth and loyalty, that he didn’t kill either one of them and kept them on as counsel to his court. --Brittany Lewis & Kristi Hayes
Xochipilli
Xochipilli (Aztec culture) was the god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, maize, and song in Aztec mythology. Xochipilli was the patron of homosexuals, priests and male sex workers. His name means Flower Prince. He was a patron of writing and painting. He was believed also to represent the psycho-active plants used in so many Mesoamerican rituals. In statues that have been unearthed of him, reflect certain psycho-active plants such as mushrooms and tobacco on his body.-- Alex Jensen & Tamara Larson
Califia
(Spanish) is a mythical black warrior queen who ruled on the island of California. Her character was created by Spanish writer Garci Rodriguez De Montalvo. Her character is based on both the leaders of the ancient Greek islands of Lesbos and the stories of the famous Amazon warriors said to have been encountered by several Spanish conquistadores, as well as the African slaves that were brought to America on the first Spanish ships. Califia creates an army of women to leave the island and join the Muslims in a battle against the Christians. --Whitney Dame