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Downstate tribe to perform gay marriages

Petoskey News-Review

HARBOR SPRINGS, MI (AP)--   The chairman of a northern Michigan Indian tribe says he'll sign a same-sex marriage bill Friday, then preside at the wedding of two men. 

The legislative body of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians voted 5-4 on March 3 to amend the Harbor Springs-based tribe's laws to allow same-sex marriages.

The Petoskey News-Review reports that tribal Chairman Dexter McNamara says he'll sign the bill Friday morning.  McNamara then plans to officiate at the wedding of two longtime friends, 53-year-old tribe member Tim LaCroix and 60-year-old Gene Barfield.

At least two other U.S. Indian tribes recognize gay marriage. The Coquille Tribe in North Bend, Oregon began recognizing the unions in 2009, and the Suquamish Tribe in Suquamish, Washington did so in 2011.

Michigan's Constitution bans gay marriage.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.