Sam-sex marriage and Cherokee tribal law

[Heidi]

Hi, DUers,

I'm an Okie now living/working in Switzerland, and read recently that a same-sex couple in Tulsa was recently issued a marriage license by the Cherokee Nation. The wedding has taken place, and now the Cherokee Nation Court Clerk refuses to record the marriage, and tribal officials are scurrying to amend tribal law to issue marriage licenses only for male-female marriages.

Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith is a relatively young man, and I wouldn't be surprised if he had political aspirations beyond tribal leadership. Seems to me that this issue would be an excellent opportunity for Smith to "do the right thing" by favoring equal rights and protection to ALL people, regardless of their gender. This is, after all, the common practice among many Native American tribes; in many tribes, homosexuality is even consider a gift.

Am I the only one watching this story unfold?

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/updates/6382.html

[Doug Decker]

1. Welcome to DU!

I didn't know about this. Thanks for bringing it to DU and thanks for posting here. I hope you love it as much as I do.

:hi:

[Heidi]

3. Thank you!

Hi, Doug,

Thanks for the nice welcome. I already am enjoying DU very much, learning a lot and, hopefully, contributing a little.

I'd ask that all Cherokees who support equal rights and equal protection to write to or telephone Chief Smith or their tribal council member about this issue. It seems that if changes are made in tribal law to prevent same-sex marriages, it will happen very quickly. That's why it's important to act fast to make your voice heard!

I'll post the appropriate addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses later. www.cherokee.org is down right now.

Thanks again for the welcome.

[madrchsod]

2. if i remember right

some tribes treated homosexuals as "different" but never degraded them-they were just different.

[yelladawg]

4. The tribal law is changing

The Indians are getting as nasty as the repugs on this. They seek to make it unlawful for same sex marriage, for homosexuals to even adopt children will be unlawful...don't forget the Indians usually vote repug.

[yelladawg]

5. Newspaper Story

There is a story from the Daily Oklahoman about this posted on www.okdemocrat.com

[Heidi]

6. How to contact Chief Smith

Those who'd like to express their views to Chief Smith may do so by e-mail or telephone:

Principal Chief Chad 'Corntassel' Smith,
Cherokee Nation
Tahlequah, OK 74434

918-456-0671, Ext. 2882
OR (Okla. Toll Free Only)
1-800-256-0671, Ext. 2882
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Or follow this link to find your representative on the Tribal Council:

http://www.cherokee.org/TribalGovernment/LegislativeBranch.asp

Also, here are two more links to Muskogee Daily Phoenix stories about the couple and their situation:

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/stories/20040519/localnews/453357.html

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/stories/20040519/localnews/453361.html

[Heidi]

7. Update

I cannot begin to express my disappointment in how this situation has been handled by the Cherokee Nation.

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/updates/7054.html