Michigan Indian tribe votes to recognize marriage equality

The legislative body of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has voted to recognize same-sex marriage. The tribe is based in Harbor Springs, and the vote was held this past Sunday.

The 5-4 vote in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage sends the statute to the tribal chairman, who can either sign or veto it. The tribal council would need seven votes to override a veto.

Little Traverse Bay Bands Chairman Dexter McNamara told the Petosky News that "I'm going to have to think about it." 

Two other U.S. Indian tribes recognize gay marriage: the Coquille Tribe in North Bend, Oregon (2009), and the Suquamish Tribe in Suquamish, Washington (2011).

Michigan voters passed a state constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2004, but Indian tribes are self-governing.