Rowan Jette Knox, a Canadian author and coffee shop owner, has announced a new identity as 'two-spirit.' Knox, who was previously a straight woman, then identified as non-binary, and subsequently as a transgender man, shared this latest development on social media last month. The author, 50, stated that this declaration is a significant step as he reconnects with his Indigenous heritage.
Knox, formerly known as Amanda Jette Knox, explained on the platform Threads that he is of Indigenous descent and embraces the two-spirit identity, which traditionally signifies individuals embodying both masculine and feminine qualities. He noted that intergenerational trauma and the impact of colonialism have contributed to a disconnect from his Indigenous father, who left when Knox was an infant. Knox expressed a desire to learn and reclaim these cultural teachings.
This announcement follows a public journey of identity evolution. Knox's son, Alexis, came out as a transgender girl at age 11 in 2014. Knox's husband, who later came out as a transgender woman, and Knox had been married for 19 years before their separation. The couple, along with their transgender partners Dani and Dame, previously formed a four-way open relationship, described as a 'polycule,' which has since dissolved. Knox is now in a separate relationship with his girlfriend, Dani.
Knox underwent a double mastectomy in October 2023 and began a testosterone program in 2023, sharing his experiences with transitioning and embracing his male identity. He previously expressed joy in discovering his true gender, stating it took time to come to terms with it.
The term 'two-spirit' is recognized within the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym, commonly used in Canada. Recently, Canadian lawmaker Leah Gazan proposed an expanded acronym, MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+, to include Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit individuals alongside other identities.