US: Chairman of Native American tribe to allow equal marriage and officiate same-sex wedding
The chairman of a northern Michigan Native American tribe has said that he will sign an equal marriage bill on Friday, and will then officiate the wedding of two men.
The legislative body of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians voted 5-4 on 3 March to amend its laws to allow equal marriage.
Chairman Dexter McNamara has said that he will sign the bill into law on in Harbor Springs on Friday morning, reports Seattle PI.
He then plans to officiate the wedding of two tribe members, Tim LaCroix, 53, and Gene Barfield, 60.
At least two other Native American tribes recognise equal marriage.
Michigan’s Constitution bans gay marriage, but in January, its Court of Appeals has upheld a policy from the Michigan Civil Service Commission which grants healthcare benefits to same-sex partners of state employees.