Cherokee court takes same sex-marriage case under advisement

[Thom Little]

The case of a lesbian couple fighting to have their union recognized by their tribe was taken under advisement Thursday by three Cherokee Nation justices.

Dawn McKinley and Kathy Reynolds have asked the tribe's highest court to throw out a lawsuit that halted their effort to file their tribe-issued marriage certificate.

They contend that Todd Hembree, the tribe member and attorney who brought the complaint, had no standing to do so because he hasn't been harmed by their attempt to be recognized as a married couple.

Only someone who can demonstrate that they are being personally affected by the couple's marriage, such as a relative or an employer who would need to award spousal benefits, would have standing, Lena Ayoub, the defendants' lawyer, argued Thursday.

"The women seem to be in high spirits," Ayoub said. "They are hoping this challenge will be dismissed so they can get back to living their lives in private."


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[nofurylike]

1. thank you for this news, Thom Little! eom

[Charlie Brown]

2. The Cherokee are very conservative.

They will never recognize same-sex marriage.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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