Dawn McKinley and Kathy Reynolds celebrated their wedding anniversary Wednesday with their Cherokee Nation marriage certificate in hand, even though they are still battling for tribal recognition of their union.

The lesbian couple received the certificate and exchanged vows in Cherokee a year ago. But a tribal judge issued an injunction against them after reviewing a complaint that alleges same-sex marriages are invalid under Cherokee law. The couple will go before the tribe's highest court in Tahlequah, Okla., on June 3 on their appeal to have the complaint thrown out. McKinley said they wanted to get married for personal reasons and didn't have a larger agenda.

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Article title: Married Cherokee lesbian couple battle for recognition
Source: Advocate May 19, 2005