Heather Purser came out before dozens of Suquamish
Tribal members at a general council meeting last March.
She told the tribe she was a lesbian & asked her people
to recognize same-gender marriages at the tribe’s
Washington state reservation. After 4 years of lobbying
tribal members the 28 year old didn’t know how much
support she had. "When I turned around to sit back
down I was shaking," Purser recalled Tuesday. Then
the council put the issue to a voice vote of the people.
"Everyone said aye. No one said nay," Purser said.
So on Monday the Suquamish Tribal Council ratified
the people’s wishes & recognized gay marriage, making
it only the second tribe in the country known to do so.
The new law allows the tribal court to issue a marriage
license to 2 unmarried people, regardless of their sex,
if they’re at least 18 years old & at least one of them is
enrolled in the tribe. Gay marriage is still illegal in the
state, but the Legislature this year approved a measure
recognizing same-gender unions from other jurisdictions,
which include other nations. State lawmakers also have
approved a so-called "everything but marriage" law,
granting same-gender couples many rights but still falls
short of heterosexual couples.
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View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage
Heather Purser came out before dozens of Suquamish
Tribal members at a general council meeting last March.
She told the tribe she was a lesbian & asked her people
to recognize same-gender marriages at the tribe’s
Washington state reservation. After 4 years of lobbying
tribal members the 28 year old didn’t know how much
support she had. "When I turned around to sit back
down I was shaking," Purser recalled Tuesday. Then
the council put the issue to a voice vote of the people.
"Everyone said aye. No one said nay," Purser said.
So on Monday the Suquamish Tribal Council ratified
the people’s wishes & recognized gay marriage, making
it only the second tribe in the country known to do so.
The new law allows the tribal court to issue a marriage
license to 2 unmarried people, regardless of their sex,
if they’re at least 18 years old & at least one of them is
enrolled in the tribe. Gay marriage is still illegal in the
state, but the Legislature this year approved a measure
recognizing same-gender unions from other jurisdictions,
which include other nations. State lawmakers also have
approved a so-called "everything but marriage" law,
granting same-gender couples many rights but still falls
short of heterosexual couples.
Exclusive Audio Chat with Nicole Conn
about her new film “A Perfect Ending”
that stars Morgan Fairchild, John Heard,
Barbara Niven & newcomer Jessica Clark
& more @ OUTTAKE VOICES™
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage
I came out to my family when I was 16 and decided to campaign for gay marriage in my tribe after college. I wanted to feel accepted by my tribe. I was expecting a fight to be ugly. But I was so shocked. I guess I was expecting the worst out of people. I was expecting the worst out of my people. Everyone said aye as my father and brothers looked on.
ReplyDelete"I’m proud that she stood up for herself and took a stand. You bet," said Heather’s father, Rob Purser. "A father’s main concern is that your children are happy, and you do what you can to help them."