Kitzen Branting, 25, and Jeni Branting (nee Doyle), 27, have been a couple since high school. They registered as domestic partners in Washington state last year, and plan to be legally married in Oregon in May 2009.
Same-sex marriage isn’t legal in Oregon, but Kitzen is a member of the Coquille tribe, and the Coquilles recently voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Jeni isn’t a tribal member, but already enjoys tribal benefits as Kitzen’s wife – the tribe recognizes their Washington domestic partnership as tantamount to marriage. The Brantings still want to get married. “We just want to have a celebration with our families,” says Jeni. “We just want to do what everyone else does.” The tribal council agrees that they should be able to.
It will be a happy day when the rest of America catches up with the Coquilles.
Links:
Gay marriage in Oregon? Tribe says yes (The Oregonian)
Yaaaay! We love everybody in Oregon. Well, except for fundies or religious zealots.
Just do a search on, “unchurched belt”. You’ll see Oregon pop up bright as day. Tis a thing to be proud of.