Puerto Rico: Legislators Threaten Lawsuit To Force Governor To Defend Marriage Equality Ban

Maria Milagros Charbonier

Last week, the governor's office of Puerto Rico announced it would not defend in court the current anti-same-sex marriage law currently on appeal at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.

Justice Secretary Cesar Miranda said that the government can no longer continue to discriminate against the gay community. "It's neither fair nor correct to defend the constitutionality of that law," he said. "Same-sex couples cannot get married and therefore do not have access to those rights. They should be available to all those who love each other, who take care of each other, who work and contribute to this society like everyone else."

Now, opponents of equal rights for the LGBT community are angry and threatening to sue the governor.

"This is a slap in the face to Puerto Rican society," said legislator Maria Milagros Charbonier. "The government should not be playing around with issues as delicate as that of family, which is the cornerstone of our island."

"We believe it is totally contrary to the law, contrary to the constitution of Puerto Rico and contrary to the democratic foundations of our system of government for our governor to have taken a position on same-sex marriage."

(h/t JMG)