This morning, former Wagnerian editor Gene Barfield ’75 married his partner of 30 years, Tim LaCroix — both of Boyne City, Mich. — becoming the first same-sex couple legally married within the State of Michigan. The wedding ceremony took place at the government headquarters complex of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, a federally recognized tribe of Native American people. Legislation permitting same-sex marriages, only recently approved by the tribal council, was signed into law by Tribal Chairman Dexter McNamara this morning at 10 a.m.; at 10:01, Gene and Tim’s marriage ceremony began. Tim is a tribal citizen, and Gene became his legally wed non-tribal spouse under the laws of the tribe. In a Wednesday email, Gene wrote, “I am the luckiest, happiest man in the world [because] I get to marry the man I've loved for 30 years. There is no way to say thanks for how my friends are pouring out their love on us, so I will happily spend the rest of my days telling you all how much I love you.” This photo shows Tim LaCroix on the left, Gene Barfield at center, and Fred Harrington, who performed a Native American ceremony closing a symbolic loop for the couple’s relationship following their wedding vows. (Photo courtesy BRANDON HUBBARD/Petoskey News)
