FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2025
Contact:
Diné Nation, Inc.
Email: info@dinenation.org
PINEDALE, NM — Diné Nation, Inc. welcomes and commends today’s historic opinion (AG-04-25) issued by the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, which concludes that provisions of the Diné Marriage Act of 2005 prohibiting recognition of same-sex marriages contracted outside the Navajo Nation are inconsistent with the Navajo Nation Bill of Rights and the fundamental Diné principle of K’é.
The Attorney General’s opinion directs Executive Branch agencies to recognize same-sex marriages validly performed outside the Navajo Nation for all purposes, including employment benefits, family entitlements, and spousal rights. The opinion affirms that denying these rights on the basis of sex violates the Navajo Nation Bill of Rights, which guarantees equality, liberty, and protection under the law for all persons.
“This is a monumental step toward restoring harmony, respect, and inclusion for all our Diné relatives,” said Titus Jay Nez, Founder of Diné Nation, Inc. “Our traditions have always recognized the sacred role of nádleehi and others whose identities transcend binary definitions. This opinion brings our governance back in line with our traditional laws — Diné bi beenahaz’áanii — where all people are treated with dignity.”
The opinion also references the Diné Bahane’, the Navajo Creation Story, noting that gender diversity has always existed within Diné society and that those who do not fit strictly male or female roles were never considered lesser. This acknowledgment reconnects contemporary Navajo law with ancestral teachings of balance and inclusion.
Diné Nation, Inc. emphasizes that this opinion does not impose foreign values but rather reaffirms the enduring Diné belief in equality, kinship, and mutual respect. It represents a return to the spiritual foundations that have guided Navajo governance since time immemorial.
“Recognizing our LGBTQ+ relatives’ marriages is not a departure from tradition — it’s a return to it,” added Nez. “Our people have always embraced balance and diversity as strengths. We call upon the Navajo Nation Council to act swiftly to amend or repeal discriminatory language in the 2005 Diné Marriage Act to fully align with the Navajo Nation Bill of Rights and this opinion.”
Diné Nation, Inc. stands ready to work alongside Navajo leaders, community organizations, and traditional practitioners to ensure all Diné are respected and protected under Navajo law, in accordance with the sacred principles of Hózhó and K’é.
About Diné Nation, Inc.
Diné Nation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching and revitalizing the Navajo language, culture, and traditional values. The organization advocates for equity, education, and the strengthening of Diné identity across generations.
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