After several controversial town hall meetings were held on legislation that would allow for same-sex civil unions on Guam, Acting Speaker of the 30th Guam Legislature B.J. Cruz has introduced an amended version of Bill 138.  But the question remains where the changes in the bill will be enough to garner support from the Catholic Church, which staunchly opposes any union involving same-sex couples.

 

After a series of town meetings were held to allow the public to provide comments on legislation that would allow for same-sex civil unions on Guam, Cruz has introduced a substitute version of his proposed legislation, which was prompted by, as he says, "Considerable debate in the community about the bill."

 

The acting speaker introduced the original version of Bill 138 on behalf of the Guam Youth Congress, but as a result of several concerns raised in the community and discussions with the Catholic Church he decided to keep the bill the same number, but with revisions.  "I met with the archbishop and he asked that we not use the word 'marriage', and we not use the word 'union'," Cruz recalled.  "There was some concern about solemnization the ceremonies that were conducted we've taken out the ceremony and its just going to be a registration where you go in and before a notary public you would attest to the fact that you' re in this committed relationship with this other person"

 

The revised measure essentially allows for domestic partnerships between heterosexual and same-sex couples without going through any sort of official ceremony. All the couples will have to do is fill out a license application on a form prescribed by Public Health and pay a fee of $30.  "You get a document back that you can present back to your health insurance company that you can present to the Retirement Fund that you can show in the event you want to show because the person got killed in a car accident or something.  Take it to the hospital and say, 'Let me in the room, I may have a different last name, but this is my life partner.'  And this allows me into the room and into ICU."

 

Cruz adds that although the bill may be different than the original version, he's hoping guam's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community will understand.  "You would have the same rights that a married couple has," he explained, "that's what we're trying for and I'm trying to convince the LBGT community - and also the larger community - that it's the rights that we're trying for.  Let the U.S. Supreme Court when it finally decides its going to give us what it is we really want.  The more important thing is we keep our eye on the ball and get the rights we want to and protections we need."

 

According to Archdiocese of Agana spokesperson Tony Diaz, the head of Guam's Catholic Church, Archbishop Anthony Apuron, has yet to review the amendments to the bill.  However, when the original legislation was first introduced it was clear where he stood, saying, "The Catholic Church, on Guam and universally, is opposed to any legislation, which attempts to legalize relationships between individuals of the same sex as civil unions akin to the institution of marriage."

 

Coincidentally, according to the archbishop's pastoral letter issued to the church community on July 5, starting today and through next week a novena is being held to the Holy Family in support of marriage.  Today's prayers are being offered for "our island leaders to stand against all that threatens the sanctity of marriage".