A lesbian couple from the Navajo Nation says it's time for the tribe to establish marriage equality in the wake of historic rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Navajo Nation Council passed the Dine Marriage Act of 2005 to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Jennifer Martinez, 39, says the law discriminates against gay and lesbian couples.

“It’s time for our tribal leaders to recognize equality, especially in the gay community. When a person tells their family there gay, they are disowned and bashed for being gay," Martinez told The Navajo Post. “That’s not right.”

Martinez's partner, Leigh Anthony, 29, blames high suicide rates on the reservation to discrimination against gay and lesbian tribal members. She was kicked out of her home when she told her parents about her orientation.

The Navajo Nation and the Cherokee Nation, the two largest tribes, restrict marriage to unions between one man and one woman. Five tribes so far have established marriage equality.

Get the Story:
NAVAJO GAY COUPLE WANTS THE NAVAJO NATION TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE (The Navajo Post 6/27)

Supreme Court Decisions:
US v. Windsor (June 26, 2013)
Hollingsworth v. Perry (June 26, 2013)

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