Young Suquamish woman wins effort for same-sex marriages

Wednesday, August 3, 2011  

It took a few years but Heather Purser was finally successful in getting the Suquamish Tribe of Washington to recognize same-sex marriages.

Purser, 28, started lobbying tribal leaders after she finished college. She was encouraged to keep going but felt nothing was happening despite regularly attending council meetings.

But with the support of her family and relatives she decided to bring up the issue at a general council meeting in March. She was pleasantly surprised when everyone supported same-sex marriage.

"The room exploded with 'ayes,'" Purser told The Seattle Weekly. "I was so shocked. I was really in disbelief because I had been expecting there to be a fight."

The Suquamish join the Coquille Tribe of Oregon in recognizing same-sex marriages.

Get the Story:
Pacific Northwest tribe adopts law recognizing gay marriage on reservation (AP 8/3)
Meet Heather Purser, the Woman Who Singlehandedly Got Same-Sex Marriage Approved by the Suquamish Tribe (Seattle Weekly 8/3)

Suquamish Tribe approves resolution for same-sex marriages (8/2)