Guam attorney general orders same sex marriages in territory

By John Mack Freeman

Guam Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson ordered clerks in that territory to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. This is the first United States territory to recognize and issue same sex marriage licenses. The order followed the territory being sued by a lesbian couple after their marriage license application was denied. Via LGBTQ Nation:

Despite the order, Leo Casil, the acting director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, told the Pacific Daily News that officials won’t accept applications “until further notice.”

Casil said he just received a letter from Barrett-Anderson, not a legal opinion.

Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo’s office said in a statement that the Legislature can take action or residents can hold a referendum to change the law “if it is the will of the people of Guam to make same-sex marriage legal” while the issue is reviewed.

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.

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