Guam, Oceania

Guam is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1976. Until recently gay life in Guam was closeted. In recent years a growing American style gay scene has developed and there are gay bars that come and go: Denial Bar seems to endure. Guam is a small place so islanders, native and foreign-are usually discreet. The Catholic church has some influence but behind closed doors people are more liberal. There is a large US Air Force base on the island which also considerably increases gay life on the island. When a Navy aircraft carrier comes into port the gay bars see more business.

 

 

First ever gay couple marries in Guam

A same-sex couple has become the first to marry in the US territory of Guam. Deasia Johnson of Killeen, Texas and Nikki Dismuke of New Orleans married in a low-key ceremony earlier today. The couple, both military members, kissed to solemnise their vows after both saying “I do”, and the Public Health Director James Gillan… Read more »

Federal Judge Strikes Down Guam’s Gay Marriage Ban

A federal judge on Thursday struck down Guam’s ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional. Plaintiffs in the case, Kathleen Aguero and Loretta Pangelinana, both 28, filed their lawsuit in April, five days after they were denied a marriage license in the village of Mangilao. Guam falls under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of… Read more »

Guam has lifted its ban on same-sex marriage

Pacific US territory Guam has lifted its ban on same-sex marriage, as an alternative to defending itself against a lawsuit brought by a gay couple. The Guam attorney general Barrett-Anderson this week announced that she had ordered that marriage licences be processed for same-sex couples. “Today I have issued a legal memorandum… advising the department… Read more »

Costa Rica Seeks Same-Sex Civil Union Law

San Jose, Costa Rica (Reuters) – Costa Rica will this week put forward a plan to allow same-sex civil unions based on previous initiatives to change the law in the Central American nation, a government official said on Wednesday. Costa Rica follows Chile, which in January became the most recent Latin American country to recognize… Read more »

Gay Guam News & Reports

1 Benjamin Cruz may be the nation’s highest-ranking gay judge 11/97 2 In the Closet: understanding teenage homosexuality on Guam 12/03 3 Guam Considers Recognizing Gay Unions 8/09 4 Guam: Survey 26% Support Same-Sex Marriage 8/09 November 25, 1997 – The Advocate 1 Cruz control: newly appointed Guam supreme court justice Benjamin Cruz may be… Read more »