Federal judge orders Guam to issue gay ‘marriage’ licenses starting Tuesday
Mere weeks before the Supreme Court rules on the issue, a federal judge has demanded that the island U.S. territory of Guam issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Guam is the first U.S. territory to be put in this situation, joining the majority of the 50 U.S. states. U.S. District Court judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood, a George W. Bush appointee, issued the ruling Friday, notwithstanding the Supreme Court's expected decision at the end of the month on the constitutionality of redefining marriage. Guam's governor, Eddie Calvo , opposes redefinition but declared, in light of Tydingco-Gatewood's ruling, "I have a solemn duty to uphold the law." Guam falls under the U.S. 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled last year in favor of redefining marriage in Alaska, Arizona , California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington State. However, at that time, Gov. Calvo refused to grant marriage licenses before hearing the Suprem