UPDATE: Tribal Chairman Signs Bill Authorizing The Tribe’s Recognition of Same Sex Marriage

It was an historic day in Emmet County with the first same sex couple legally married in Michigan.

Immediately after the Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians signed a marriage statute authorizing same sex marriage, he married two men.

Tribal citizen, Tim LaCroix and his partner Gene Barfield have been together 30 years and were excited to officially tie the knot.

9&10’s Christina Vecchioni and photojournalist Eric Davis have more from the bill signing, the wedding, and why not everyone supports this.

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The chairman of a northern Michigan Indian tribe has signed a bill authorizing same sex marriage.

Following the signing of the bill, he will officiate at a same sex marriage ceremony in Harbor Springs.

At least two other U.S. Indian tribes recognize gay marriage.

Michigan voters approved a ban on same sex marriage in 2004, but federally recognized American Indian tribes are self-governing and not bound by state law.

Coming up tonight on 9&10 News at 6:00, hear from tribal members about what they think about the bill.

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Tomorrow morning, March 15 the Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians plans to sign the same sex marriage bill, and he also plans to officiate Michigan’s first same sex marriage.

The Tribal Council recently passed the bill in a 5 to 4 vote.

The statute will apply only to tribal members and their spouses.

Michigan voters banned same sex marriage in 2004.