Sex & Society

Asserting their independence from Federal law, the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon has passed legislation to officially recognizes same-sex marriage. This contradicts the state's constitution which was amended in 2004 to prohibit gay marriage.

However, as a federally recognized sovereign nation, the tribe is not bound by the Oregon Constitution. Take that!

Acceptance of homosexuality differs from tribe to tribe in North America with many turning against traditional belief in two-spirited people, where member of a tribe whose sexuality was different were often given a place of respect. Shaman were often two-spirited.

Ken Tanner of Ashland, chief of the Coquilles explained, "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."

This may be the first tribe in the US to make such a bold move, and only time will tell if the feds will challenge the Coquille law as a way of testing the limits of tribal independence. Guess whose side we're on!

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