Freedom to Marry Goes to Guam

It can be enough trouble keeping track of all of the American states and their varying degrees of LGBT-friendliness. So much so, it's easy to forget about other U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa. Or Guam.

But the same-sex marriage advocates at Freedom to Marry have no such problem keeping Guam on their radar. In fact, the organization recently sent its leader to Guam to advance the issue of marriage equality. It  is only the latest in a multitude of stops promoting the need to eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act.

Freedom to Marry Founder and Executive Director Evan Wolfson addressed the island's lawmakers on Tuesday. Hosted by Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, the presentation aimed to educate politicians about why gay marriage matters to LGBT people.

"We all have a lot of work to do to get our country where it needs to be. America made a promise that everyone is equal," Wolfson said. "Americans over the past decade have been in some serious discussions."

Wolfson detailed the current state of gay marriage in the United States. He claimed to be optimistic and pointed out that 40 percent of Americans currently live in locations that recognize some form of same-sex relationship status under the law. And then he reemphasized the importance of equality in Guam.

"Here on Guam ... our work is not yet finished," he said. "As people go on this journey of thinking about real families and hardship and fairness, more and more people are moving in the same direction."

In July 2009, Benjamin Cruz introduced Bill 185, which aimed to legally recognize same-sex unions. The bill would have given gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights and privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. Unfortunately, the measure got little support and was condemned by the religious communities in the territory. And now the focus is on community education.

Cruz told the GuamPDN that he would not reintroduce a similar bill. However, community education is opening up the minds of other politicians on the island. Senator-elect Aline Yamashita announced this week that she would be open to introducing a future bill supporting equal rights same-sex couples, proving that education really is the key to change.

"It's to address any issue for the equality and equity throughout the island," Yamashita said. "I believe every person is deserving of respect and diversity. And I stand for that."

Photo Credit: love♡janine