Guam same-sex marriage case won’t wait for Supreme Court ruling

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In a statement Friday, Calvo said he told his administration to prepare for two possible outcomes from the Supreme Court case: a ruling saying states have the right to define marriage, or one recognizing same-sex marriage as a fundamental right.

If it’s the former, discussion on the matter likely will continue in the Guam, the governor said.

“I believe it will open up the opportunity for further conversation so that the true will of the people can be reflected in our laws,” Calvo said. “And as ardent a defender as I have been for our local law as currently written, I will be as ardent in defending any new law, if that is the will of the people.”

In his statement, the governor also took a jab at another civil rights issue – the right of island citizens to be able to vote for president.

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He said the island’s same-sex marriage law is “being challenged by federal judges that were nominated by a U.S. president and confirmed by a U.S. Senate, none of whom were elected through a process that included the people of Guam.”

Guam residents are U.S. citizens, but they don’t have the right to cast ballots for president. The territory elects a delegate to the U.S. House, but the delegate may not vote on legislation. Guam has no representation in the U.S. Senate.