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However, small signs are pointing towards acceptance and the demolition of tribal stigmas. While millions of Americans are fighting for marriage equality on both state and federal levels, Native Americans are also debating the matter in their respective tribes. In 2008, the Coquille Tribe of Oregon became the first Native American tribe in the United States to introduce same-sex marriage and give way to marriage equality. Even though there is no marriage equality in the state of Oregon, the Coquille are recognized as a sovereign nation, therefore they are not bound by the state's Constitution. In 2011, the Suquamish tribe of Washington also legalized same-sex marriage. In 2013, a third tribe joined them when the Tribal Council of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Michigan also voted to recognize same-sex marriage. Other tribes and tribe leaders have also emphasized the importance of acceptance and marriage equality; and numerous organizations work toward to an end to discriminatory measures that violate the traditional beliefs in 'goodwill' and 'respecting all kinship'" (Why Marriage Matters to Native Americans).
The first gay couple to get married in the tribe of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians