Ak-Chin Indian Community sued for same-sex marriage ban


Dancers from the Ak-Chin Indian Community in Arizona. Photo from Facebook

A member of the Ak-Chin Indian Community in Arizona is suing her tribe for refusing to recognize her marriage.

Cleo Pablo, a tribal employee, married Tara Roy-Pablo, a non-member, in May. Their union is recognized by the federal government and in every state now that the U.S. Supreme Court resolved a major marriage case.

The ruling, however, does not apply to the tribe, whose laws specifically outlaw same-sex marriages. Pablo is now suing in tribal court to protect her rights as well as those of her wife and their children.

"If you don't practice Indian law, tribal courts, people are so shocked at how different things are," Pablo told KSNV. "Things don't work the same."

Pablo first filed a claim with the tribe that was posted by Turtle Talk. She followed up with the lawsuit after she didn't hear back, the complaint states.

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This woman is fighting for gay marriage in one of the only U.S. places where it’s still illegal (The Washington Post 11/25)
Native American takes tribe to court to fight for same-sex marriage (KSNV 11/24)

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