This U.S. Territory Is Still Refusing To Grant Marriage Equality
American Samoa, the unincorporated island territory in the South Pacific, remains undecided on whether or not they wish to adhere to SCOTUS' ruling on marriage equality.
According to the Associated Press, the territory is now the only remaining part of the U.S. to not begin implementing same-sex marriage rights to its 55,000 citizens.
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Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi[/caption]
The prime minister of the Independent State of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, expressed a firm intolerance of gay marriage to the Samoan Observer three years ago.
As long as I am here, gay marriage will never be a part of Samoan culture and society. Just because it is being legalized everywhere else does not mean we should bow to the influence of the outside world.
As long as I live and until kingdom comes, gay marriage will never be allowed in Samoa, never. Gay marriage contradicts everything Samoa stands for.
The American island chain follows the same Christian, conservative doctrine that independent Samoa adheres to, where being gay is currently illegal.
7,025 miles away from Washington D.C., American Samoa has filed a lawsuit in the wake of the July 26 Supreme Court ruling to determine whether or not its population counts as US citizens.
“We’re still reviewing the decision to determine its applicability to American Samoa, and I have no specific comments at this time,” says American Samoa Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale.
h/t: Gay Star News
