One community, two countries — and a word that predates the border. Two-Spirit people describe the journey not as coming out but as coming in: back into roles their nations honored for centuries. Partner with Pink Media for respectful, protocol-first reach into Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ audiences across the US and Canada — a focused, two-fold approach built for brands, funders, destinations, and cultural institutions.
The Opportunity
There are a variety of ways in which we can market with Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ communities — from the gathering and powwow circuit to the organizations working on both sides of the border, the health-equity funders, the Indigiqueer creator renaissance, and Indigenous tourism. Partner with Pink Media for respectful, well-briefed reach into these audiences across the United States and Canada, because this community does not organize itself around that border. Our campaigns are two-fold — and both halves start from protocol.
First, we focus on getting your message and story out to a hyper-targeted LGBTQ+ audience online via traditional online advertising, mobile apps, video advertising, and more — with cross-border delivery across the US and Canada and geo-targeting around gathering host cities and Indigenous tourism regions. Second, we get your message out via strategically-placed social media posts and community & creator partnership — which in this market means approaching host organizations early and asking what is needed, rather than pitching visibility packages.
Two-Spirit is an Indigenous-specific term — a cultural and often ceremonial role, not a synonym for LGBTQ+, and not for non-Indigenous people to self-apply. Respecting that distinction is the price of entry, and getting it right is the single most important cultural-competence test in this market. It is where every brief we write begins.
Our Campaign Framework
A comprehensive strategy that reaches Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ audiences through paid advertising channels AND organic social, community & creator partnership — simultaneously, and on the community's terms.
We focus on getting your message and story out to a hyper-targeted LGBTQ+ audience online via traditional online advertising, mobile apps, video advertising, and more.
On the programmatic ad exchange, we deliver across the US and Canada in one plan — layering LGBTQ+ and Indigenous-interest data selects onto LGBTQ+ websites, and geo-targeting down to the ZIP or postal code around gathering host cities and Indigenous tourism regions.
For advanced placements, we utilize Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology — serving campaign films within LGBTQ+ households on all smart devices, including Connected TVs (CTV). Canada's federal usage now puts 2S at the front of the acronym, and cross-border creative should reflect that.
We tap into the online conversations and communities on your behalf — amplifying your support, commissions, and partnerships within Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X and more.
This includes both social media hyper-targeted advertising and our #ILoveGay social media network — plus introductions and partnership work with host organizations on both sides of the border. The protocol is to approach early and ask what's needed — drum honoraria, dancer prizes, travel, food — with sober-space rules and photography consent respected without exception.
Commission, don't imitate. This market has world-class painters, poets, filmmakers, beaders and designers. If your campaign features Two-Spirit culture, a Two-Spirit creator should have made it — and been credited and paid. We build that into the brief, not the addendum.
The first guide in the series to cover the United States and Canada together, because this community does. Our editorial summary covers the history and the word from We'wha to Winnipeg 1990, the census and Trevor Project data on both sides of the border, the powwow and gathering circuit, the organizations, health equity and MMIWG2S, the Indigiqueer renaissance, and the protocol-first playbook — with a full report available to buy or subscribe.
Targeting Capabilities
Pink Media's programmatic platform delivers across the US and Canada in a single plan, with built-in features that go far beyond standard LGBTQ+ advertising.
The US and Canada in one plan — matching how this community organizes itself, rather than splitting it at the border.
Target and report by any region — country, province, state, DMA, ZIP or postal code, or a radius around gathering host cities.
Connected TV with ACR technology on all smart devices — premium placements for campaign films and commissioned creative.
Built-in campaign feature to adhere to the Digital Advertising Alliance's (DAA) rules & regulations — compliant by default.
Real-World Targeting Examples
These examples illustrate a sampling of what we can offer. Campaigns are monitored and custom-tailored to remove underperforming placements and double down on what's working.
The Market by the Numbers
A snapshot from the Two-Spirit / Native & Indigenous LGBTQ+ Market Guide — one of the fastest-compounding audiences in the LGBTQ+ economy, and one of the least competed-for.
Identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination in the 2020 Census.
In the United States, per the Williams Institute — AIAN adults identify as LGBT at above-average rates.
5.0% of Canada's population in 2021 — and 2SLGBTQI+ is now official federal usage.
Identify as Two-Spirit, per the Trevor Project — a young, growing, identity-confident cohort.
Sources: the 2020 US Census, Statistics Canada 2021, the Williams Institute, and the Trevor Project, as compiled in Pink Media's Two-Spirit / Native & Indigenous LGBTQ+ Market Guide. Read the summary.
Pink Media brings 30 years of LGBTQ+ marketing expertise to this market — reaching Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ audiences across the US and Canada for brands, funders, destinations, and cultural institutions, on a protocol-first basis, 24/7, 365 days per year. We work with any budget, starting at $1,500 per month.
Ready to Connect?
One partner. A clear plan. Real results. Tell us about your brand, foundation, destination, or institution and let's build a strategy that reaches Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ audiences with the protocol this market rightly requires.