The chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians says he will sign a same-sex marriage bill Friday.
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The chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians says he will sign a same-sex marriage bill Friday.
Chairman Dexter McNamara says after signing the bill in the morning, he will officiate the wedding of two longtime friends, 53-year-old tribe member Tim LaCroix and 60-year-old Gene Barfield.
The legislative body voted to amend the tribe's laws to allow same-sex marriage earlier this month in a 5-4 vote.
At least two other U-S Indian tribes recognize gay marriage. The Coquille Tribe in North Bend, Ore., began recognizing the unions in 2009, and the Suquamish Tribe in Washington State did so in 2011.
The Little Traverse Band will be the first in Michigan. The state's constitution currently bans gay marriage.
