Aug. 22, 2008 – Coquille Indian Tribe Becomes First Native American Tribe to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

“At the request of a lesbian couple, the Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast has adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriage.

Tribal law specialists say the Coquille appear to be the first tribe to sanction such marriages. Most tribal law doesn’t address the issue. The Navajo and Cherokee tribes prohibit same-sex marriages…

Oregon voters amended the state constitution in 2004 to prohibit gay marriage. But with its sovereignty recognized by the federal government, the [Coquille Indian] tribe is not bound by the state constitution.”