07/09/2019
OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE FIRST OF THE OCETI SAKOWIN TO LEGALLY RECOGNIZE MARRIAGE EQUALITY
by Marlon Fixico, managing editor of NativeOut
Thanks to the heroic stand taken by Oglala Lakota Two Spirit couple, Muffie Mousseaux and Felipa De Leon and their hard work and efforts over the past several months working with various tribal committees and departments, on July 8, 2019, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council in Pine Ridge South Dakota became the first all the Sioux Nations, the Oceti Sakowin, to legally recognize marriage equality for Two Spirit couples.
Mousseaux and De Leon are Oglala Lakota tribal members from the Pine Ridge Reservation have been together for 14 years. They since been legally in 2015 married by the state of South Dakota but until today they not recognized by the tribe from their reservation. At one time while living on the Pine Ridge reservation Mousseaux was employed as a police officer. In 2006 they were gay bashed, and again in 2009. It was then in 2009 they decided on behalf of their own safety and the safety of Felipa's children, they left the Pine Ridge Indian reservation.
Since their move over the years, Mousseaux and De Leon received many reports of other friends and relatives being gay bashed and committing su***de. Along with these reports they received just as many requests for help, but the real question was, "what can be done?" In 2016 they moved back to live closer to the reservation because of a strong desire to help in any way possible and to be near their families.
Prior to moving back Felipa's niece committed su***de because of being gay bashed and generally feeling hated, not only at school but from her own family as well. Mousseaux and De Leon could not stand Idlily by any longer. Mousseaux reached out to friends from law enforcement and it was suggested they talk with the tribal attorney. That started the ball rolling cumulating in the monumental and historic approval by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council adding amendments to their Law and Order code establishing marriage equality.
Mousseaux stated, “The su***de really hurt us the most because a lot of people did have the opportunity to help the person that committed su***de, but, chose to look the other way... so, with all of these situations/incidents/deaths/violence/sexual assault, happening....trust me, my wife and I would have crying session together, and mad stomping sessions, because, these people that are hurting...are, OUR relatives, friends etc...my background in law enforcement, prompted me to study up on alot of solutions...but, the ONLY solution to have is this. BUILD A FOUNDATION OF LAW.” Which is the route Mousseaux and De Leon have taken.
There is still more work to be done. De Leon states, “Marriage equality is now legalized! We still have our discrimination laws to pass, keep us in your prayers. Wopila”
Mousseaux added, “Right now there is no consequences to bad behavior within the law for protection for LGBTQ2S so, all of our actions have, blood, sweat and tears, and my wife and I have been guided to exactly the path we are walking right now”
“Lastly, Is it ok to ask for help? my wife is the only one working right now and we just have one vehicle. We need help financially traveling back and forth and I am requesting help. We really need assistance with getting LGBTQ2S to come support us at these meetings. We understand we being guided spiritually and we have the passion and fortitude to continue to work on establishing laws make life better for LGBTQ2S people of the Oglala Sioux Tribe... please help”
If you would like to help Mousseaux and De Leon, contact them directly through their pages.
