Heather Purser is an LGBT advocate, diver, and member of the Suquamish tribe in Seattle, Washington. [1] [2] She is known for pioneering same-sex marriage rights for her tribe, making the Suquamish tribe the second Native American tribe to amend their laws to recognize same-sex marriage, the first being the Oregon Coquille tribe. [3] [4] Purser is openly lesbian and came out during her teens. [3]
Around 2009, Purser began approaching her tribal leaders to ask them about recognizing same-sex marriage, making her the first to do so within her tribe. [5] She did not seek assistance for her efforts, as she worried that others were unconcerned with same-sex marriage rights and would not be interested in helping her. [5] In March 2011, Purser attended a tribal meeting where approximately 300 of her fellow tribes people were in attendance to again ask for recognition of same-sex marriage. [1] Her request was met with an "enthusiastic yes", which led to tribe officials unanimously voting to legally recognize same-sex marriage in August 2011. [1]
For her efforts, Purser was recognized by Seattle mayor Michael McGinn during the city's annual Human Rights day celebration on February 16, 2012. A month prior, Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire heralded Purser as a role model and inspiration. [6] [7] Gregoire would later use Purser's story during a 2012 news conference to introduce similar legislation for the state of Washington. [6] Purser was invited to the conference and was able to speak with the governor. [6] Later that year, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GBSA) granted Purser the Business and Humanitarian award for "voice of social justice." [8]
Heather Purser is an LGBT advocate, diver, and member of the Suquamish tribe in Seattle, Washington. [1] [2] She is known for pioneering same-sex marriage rights for her tribe, making the Suquamish tribe the second Native American tribe to amend their laws to recognize same-sex marriage, the first being the Oregon Coquille tribe. [3] [4] Purser is openly lesbian and came out during her teens. [3]
Around 2009, Purser began approaching her tribal leaders to ask them about recognizing same-sex marriage, making her the first to do so within her tribe. [5] She did not seek assistance for her efforts, as she worried that others were unconcerned with same-sex marriage rights and would not be interested in helping her. [5] In March 2011, Purser attended a tribal meeting where approximately 300 of her fellow tribes people were in attendance to again ask for recognition of same-sex marriage. [1] Her request was met with an "enthusiastic yes", which led to tribe officials unanimously voting to legally recognize same-sex marriage in August 2011. [1]
For her efforts, Purser was recognized by Seattle mayor Michael McGinn during the city's annual Human Rights day celebration on February 16, 2012. A month prior, Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire heralded Purser as a role model and inspiration. [6] [7] Gregoire would later use Purser's story during a 2012 news conference to introduce similar legislation for the state of Washington. [6] Purser was invited to the conference and was able to speak with the governor. [6] Later that year, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GBSA) granted Purser the Business and Humanitarian award for "voice of social justice." [8]