[IPSM] Tribe recognizes same-sex marriage

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Fw: Forwarded from seattlepi.com: Tribe recognizes same-sex marriage


  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com:80/local/376329_gaymarriage25.html

Tribe recognizes same-sex marriage

Last updated August 24, 2008 8:56 p.m. PT

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORTLAND -- The Coquille Indian Tribe, based on the southern Oregon 
coast, recently adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriage, and its 
first such wedding is set for next spring.

Oregon voters amended the state constitution in 2004 to prohibit gay 
marriage. But as a federally recognized sovereign nation, the tribe is 
not bound by the Oregon Constitution.

Native Americans are "sensitive to discrimination of any kind," said Ken 
Tanner, chief of the Coquilles.

"For our tribe, we want people to walk in the shoes of other people and 
learn to respect differences. Through that, we think we build a stronger 
community," he told The Oregonian.

The Coquilles are believed to be the first tribe to legalize same-sex 
marriage.

Becky Flynn, regional director of Basic Rights Oregon, a gay rights 
advocacy group, said the impact of the Coquille law is likely to be 
minimal beyond the couple and the tribe. The federal government has the 
legal right to deny recognition to same-sex marriages under the Federal 
Defense of Marriage Act.

The first couple to get married under the new law is expected to be Jeni 
and Kitzen Branting, whose maiden name is Doyle and who legally adopted 
Jeni's last name three years ago. Kitzen is a member of the tribe; Jeni 
is not.

© 1998-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer


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