Same-sex marriage isn't an issue for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina but a local pastor says it's only a matter of time.

The Eastern Band extends "full faith and credit" to any marriage that is considered legal in any state or reservation. That would appear to recognize a same-sex union that was performed under Cherokee Nation law in Oklahoma until the tribe banned such marriages.

Merritt Youngdeer Sr., a Baptist preacher, hopes that doesn't happen but he told The Asheville Citizen-Times that the tribe will have to confront gay marriage soon enough. "It's coming," he said.

NOTE: Online article expired. Article summary above is from Indianz.com.

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Article title: Lesbian couple seek tribe's legal blessing
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times, 8/9/2005