Cherokee Nation Supreme Court takes same sex-marriage case under advisement

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The case of a Cherokee Nation lesbian couple fighting to have their union recognized by their tribe is taken under advisement.<br/><br/>Three Cherokee Nation justices will have to

Friday, December 2nd 2005, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The case of a Cherokee Nation lesbian couple fighting to have their union recognized by their tribe is taken under advisement.

Three Cherokee Nation justices will have to decide whether to dismiss or continue the case brought against Dawn McKinley and Kathy Reynolds.

The couple has asked the court to throw out a lawsuit that halted their effort to file their tribe-issued marriage certificate.

They say the tribe member and attorney who brought the complaint Todd Hembree has no standing because he hasn't been harmed by their attempt to be recognized as a married couple.

Hembree, who is also representing nine tribal counselors who are opposed to the marriage, says tribal law clearly prohibits same-sex unions.

Hembree says they could have a ruling from the justices as early as next week.