Navajos: Union is man, woman

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation on Friday outlawed same-sex marriages on its reservation.

The Tribal Council voted unanimously in favor of legislation that restricts a recognized union to that between a man and a woman, and prohibits plural marriages as well as marriages between close relatives.

“Men and women have been created in a sacred manner. We need to honor this,” said Harriet Becenti.

Critics have said the measure’s sponsor, Larry Anderson, was attempting to rewrite cultural history to parallel the clash across the United States between conservative Christians and gay rights activists.

But Lorenzo Curley said Navajo leaders wanted to send a message to young people to respect and live by the tribe’s traditional beliefs.

“We are here to defend the foundation of our society. That’s what is at stake here,” he said.

The Navajo Nation, which has more than 180,000 residents, spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Same-sex marriages are not allowed in any of those states.

Last year, the Cherokee National Tribal Council in Oklahoma voted to define marriage as between a man and a woman after a lesbian couple successfully filed for a tribal marriage application.