American Indian Tribe Legalizes Gay Nups
Some American Indians are using their sovereignty to progress past many of the United States:
The Coquille Indian Tribe has adopted a law that recognizes same-sex marriage.
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.
The Coquilles are believed to be first tribe in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
This, of course, means little to those of us who are not members of the tribe, but it’s still pretty cool.
This is actualy a REALLY big deal. Since Colonial times, Native Americans have forgotten their long and great history with homosexuality and gender identity. Most Native American tribes allowed people who identified themselves as the opposite sex live out their lives as that role, even marrying members of the same sex. Shamans were often chosen from the gays, because they were seen as having two spirts, male and female, thus making them a more perfect being and closer to the gods and other spirits.
I say Cheers to them for getting back to their diversity inclusive roots.
A Native American tribe returning to their roots without making excuses for their homophobic behavior by blaming whites, rare indeed.
Good and more power and prosperity for them!
Those who can, support those who support us as now the Coquille Nation does:
http://www.coquillecranberries.com
http://www.themillcasino.com
I think I read that some Native Indian tribes specifically designated homosexuals as care-givers for children. Much like REBELCOMX point about the idea of two spirits, the gays were thought to be nurturing like women yet strong and protective like men.
Let’s all let them know how cool we think it is, I did.
:-)
http://www.coquilletribe.org/c.....ntacts.htm
And so did I. ;-)
Very cool indeed. Here in Canada the 1st Nations people have their own term for gay people, they call them 2 spirited. Its considered
that a person who has 2 spirits are more spiritual evolved because they have embodied the masculine and the feminine aspects of life.
In other words, they are considered whole, or “holy” and have a especially honored place in aboriginal society. These peoples are closer to their essence spiritually and not all mucked up with religious bullshit and dogma. We could all learn much from them.