A booth promoting the repeal of the Dine Marriage Act of 2005. Photo from Marriage Equality for the Navajo Nation / Facebook
Alray Nelson, the founder of the Coalition for Navajo Equality, calls for the repeal of the Dine Marriage Act of 2005 in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage:
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a historic decision in favor of marriage equality, making it so that same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry and be treated with respect for their marriages across all 50 states. This has little to no impact towards how we treat same-sex couples residing on the Navajo Nation because of the discriminatory Diné Marriage Act. Our Nation has a long march towards equality but we can only move forward. Although the Coalition for Navajo Equality is pleased with the court decision reaffirming our fundamental right to marry who we love, the Diné Marriage Act is still the law of the land. Yet, we believe this victory provides us a foundation to also seek action to its direct repeal. Let me be clear — gay and lesbian Navajo couples only want to be treated with fairness and respect by their Nation. President Russell Begaye and the Navajo Nation Council now have a real opportunity to take a stand and be champions for our equality. Their support will end 10 years of discrimination towards our gay and lesbian couples and their families.Get the Story:
Alray N. Nelson: Navajo Nation's marriage act is discriminatory (The Farmington Daily Times 7/5)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Tribes tread new ground in
states without marriage equality laws (06/24) Keweenaw Bay Indian Community backs marriage equality law (06/10)
Siletz Tribe becomes latest to join marriage equality movement (6/4)
Oneida Nation leaders unanimously back marriage equality law (06/01)
Gregory Smithers: Same-sex marriage within Cherokee culture (6/1)
Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage could impact tribes (04/29)
Steve Russell: Same-sex marriage back before Supreme Court (04/27)
Large tribes remain holdouts in same-sex marriage movement (04/07)
Tlingit and Haida Tribes ensure equal treatment in marriage law (02/23)
Man from Omaha Tribe hopes for marriage equality in Nebraska (02/23)
Group on Navajo Nation still working towards marriage equality (2/23)
Eastern Cherokee leaders reaffirm ban on same-sex marriage (01/14)
Wind River tribal judge presides over first same-sex marriage (11/17)
At least 10 tribes adopt laws to recognize same-sex mariage (07/28)
Siletz Tribes plan to hold advisory vote on same-sex marriages (05/20)
Alray Nelson: Bring marriage equality to the Navajo Nation (04/22)
Rep. Markwayne Mullin, Cherokee, slams marriage ruling (01/15)
Little Traverse Bay Bands council rejects marriage law vote (01/08)
Navajo Nation group seeks marriage equality on reservation (01/03)
Interview with couple about Cheyenne-Arapaho marriage law (10/29)
Amber Bighorse: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes make history (10/28)
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes draw attention to marriage law (10/25)
Editorial: Tribe leading way to marriage equality in Oklahoma (10/24)
Same-sex couple plans wedding under Cheyenne-Arapaho law (10/23)
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes recognize same-sex marriages (10/22)
