Guam Lifts Ban On Same Sex Marriage

This week, Guam took big steps in becoming the first US territory to recognize gay marriage. According to the New York Times, Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson, Guam attorney general announced that she had ordered that marriage licences be processed for same-sex couples. “Today I have issued a legal memorandum… advising the department to immediately begin accepting and processing applications for marriage licences from persons of the same gender,” she said in a statement. Per the Times:

The U.S. District Court of Guam falls under the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has ruled in favor of gay marriage. Barrett-Anderson said her directive stems from the 9th Circuit’s decision in October finding state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional. The Department of Public Health and Social Services should treat “all same gender marriage applicants with dignity and equality under the Constitution,” the attorney general said.

Guam’s stance on gay marriage came under fire last week when lesbian couple Loretta Pangelinan and Kathleen Aguero filed a lawsuit after their application for a marriage license was rejected. While more traditional lawmakers in Guam like governor Eddie Baza Calvo are predicted to block same-sex marriage legislation, the couple is reportedly thrilled with the actions of the attorney general and see it as a change in the country’s attitudes towards marriage equality.