Posted on 05/05/2005 5:32:40 PM PDT by Scenic Sounds
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. vetoed a same-sex marriage ban passed by the Navajo Nation Council. However, the veto could face an override in the council and the gay marriage ban could still become law.
While Shirley said gay marriage is not an issue on the Navajo Nation because currently gays are not requesting marriage licenses, the Navajo gay community, concerned with freedom of future choices, disagreed.
Shirley said the law would generate feelings of disharmony and disunity among Navajos and violates a central Navajo belief in goodwill.
"The legislation veiled a discriminatory aspect in the guise of family values, which goes against the Navajo teaching of non-discrimination and doing no psychological or physical harm," Shirley said.
The Din￩ Marriage Act of 2005 would have added language to the Navajo Code that defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prohibited marriage between Navajos of the same sex.
The act prohibits marriage between parents and children, including grandparents and grandchildren of every degree, between brother and sisters of one-half degree, as well as whole blood between uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews.
Karen Francis, public information officer for the Navajo Council Speaker's Office, said the matter could return to the council during its summer session in July. An override of the president's veto requires at least 59 of the 88 members to vote in favor of the override.
"We just received the news today that the president vetoed the legislation,'' Francis said May 2. ''There has been no word on whether any delegate will introduce legislation to override the veto."
Sherrick Roanhorse, Navajo, told Indian Country Today that the traditional Navajo way honors the Naadleh, or two-spirit persons, and that the council act discriminates.
"This act is one that divides the Navajo people and promotes discrimination against gay Navajo people. This is wrong. Traditionally, Navajo people are tolerant and do not promote divisions among their people. Respecting all kinship is the foundation of our people, the family," Roanhorse said.
"Naadleh is a term to describe a two-spirit person. Some say a true two-spirit is a hermaphrodite and try to justify discrimination against those who may not be hermaphrodites: gay people.
"Today, Naadleh has evolved into a broader term that includes all gay people. Naadleh are essential to the Navajo way of life. They exist in our history, creation stories, songs, and ceremonies."
Roanhorse said that as an intern in Washington last summer he saw firsthand the debates that took place in both houses of Congress.
"There was an ugly battle between those who cherished the notion of marriage between a man and a woman and those who saw marriage as an evolving one. Ultimately, most Democrats and moderate Republicans wanted the definition of marriage to be determined by states themselves."
Roanhorse said he did not expect the legislation to come home to Navajoland.
"I have no real idea why the council chose to seek the passage of the resolution, Din￩ Marriage Act of 2005. Some delegates mentioned the promotion of family values and a better foundation for the Navajo youth. I am a young Navajo and I do not need the government to bestow their views on me. It is not the role of the council to promote personal beliefs of elected representatives of the Navajo people. If the council wants to promote harmony, they should not take actions to divide us and promote discrimination."
Roanhorse said the council did not need to waste its time on this legislation. "The Navajo people have other needs, such as more funding and support for Navajo jail facilities, scholarships, and roads."
Praising Shirley for the veto, Roanhorse said Shirley showed true leadership and demonstrated that the president is looking out for the best interests of the Navajo people. He said the Navajo Council must decide whether to continue this respect or override the veto.
The act and Navajo reactions to it attracted national interest.
Roanhorse, a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, a national Republican gay and lesbian advocacy group, asked the organization and its members to urge Shirley to veto the act.
Log Cabin Republicans USA said the act was similar to state legislation opposed in New Mexico. "As you know, Log Cabin Republicans of New Mexico strongly opposed so-called 'defense of marriage' legislation in the last session of the New Mexico Legislature because of its discriminatory nature, and we stand with our allies in the Navajo Nation in opposing this legislation, as well."
After signing the veto, Shirley said same-sex marriage is an issue the Navajo people should decide in an initiative, rather than by the vote of 67 of the 88 council members in the session.
"To do otherwise is to allow the Navajo government to unnecessarily intrude and interfere into private, personal lives," Shirley said in a statement.
While the council's purpose in passing the act was to strengthen the family, Shirley said the core of the disintegration of the Navajo family is not addressed in the legislation.
Shirley said he strongly supports and encourages family stability, and the need for Navajo husbands and wives to love, care and support each other and place their children as a first priority in their busy lives. It is the basis of personal sovereignty and harmony meant by the Navajo teaching of h'zh,,jik'ehgo nanitin.
Shirley said the Din￩ Marriage Act does not address the rampant domestic problems across the Navajo Nation, such as family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, gangs and the breakdown of the Navajo family.
Councilman Larry Anderson of Fort Defiance sponsored the council resolution.
It's spreading like wildfire.
Is everyone gay now?
There's hope yet.
Apparently, not every buck who prances around the camp fire in gaily colored feathers and buckskin loin cloth is a warrior.
There goes the reservation.
Well right now I'm feeling far from sad.......oh, you mean......
No, but this "issue" is being pushed like crazy by gay activists.
Yeah, and they didn't even make a token attempt to find a representative to argue the other side of the issue.
We must fight back.
You know I have never been to a reservation but all the Indians I know (save one female and one gay) were Republican. The reservations are a demo haven from what I understand.
The Navajo support gay marriage? I just assumed it would be against their culture - but I could be wrong..... Or at least the chief seems to think it's A-OK.
this is the third time this same story has been posted in the last three weeks. Just stating a fact.
I would imagine that they'd have to allow polygamous marriages too if they really want to practice tolerance and non-discrimination.
That's a point! I'll bet both sides are using a lot of the same arguments that we hear on this issue. ;-)
Personally I don't recognise LCR's as conservative, cuz...well, they aren't!
LCR's?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.