Same-Sex Marriage, Indian Tribes, and the Constitution

Authors

Matthew L.M. Fletcher, University of Michigan Law SchoolFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

This Article explores the impact of a same-sex marriage amendment on the place of Indian tribes in the federal constitution. A same-sex marriage amendment, depending on the text, might serve to incorporate Indian tribes into the federal union as the third sovereign. The Constitution has not been amended to incorporate Indian tribes into the federal union, rendering their place in Our Federalism uncertain and unpredictable. A same-sex marriage amendment that applies to limit or expand tribal authority to recognize or authorize same-sex marriage could constitute an implicit recognition of Indian tribes as the third sovereign in the American system of federalism. Even an amendment that excludes mention of Indian tribes may have something to say about Indian tribes as the third sovereign.

Comments

Work published when author not on Michigan Law faculty.

Recommended Citation

Fletcher, Matthew. "Same-Sex Marriage, Indian Tribes, and the Constitution." University of Miami Law Review 61 (2006): 53-85. (Work published when author not on Michigan Law faculty.)