National
Shirley cites major opposition to gay marriage ban


An "unprecedented" number of people supported his veto of a bill to ban same-sex marriage, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said on Monday.

On the other hand, Shirley said no one has called or e-mailed his office in favor of the Din� Marriage Act of 2005. But that isn't stopping Navajo Nation Council delegate Larry Anderson, the original sponsor, from seeking to override Shirley's veto.

Among those who have spoken out against the effort is Sherrick Roanhorse, 24, a University of New Mexico student, Log Cabin Republican and former Congressional staffer. He said Anderson's bill denies Navajo teachings about two-spirit people and that it embraces Western values rather than Navajo ones.

�This act is against tradition, our own culture and our way of life,� Roanhorse told The Farmington Daily Times.

Get the Story:
Same-sex marriage do or don't? (The Farmington Daily Times 5/17)
War of words over gay marriage veto (The Native American Times 5/17)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

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