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American Samoa don’t want the Marriage Equality decision to apply to them
American Samoa are ‘undecided’ as to whether they will comply with the June 26 ruling which legalised gay marriage in the US.
The Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi says he thinks its not compatible with Samoan culture. ‘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.’
Malielegaoi made these comments to a local news source, the Samoan Observer.
In response to the ruling, a lawsuit to determine if American Samoans are US citizens is working its way through the US judicial system. This will decide whether the territory will have to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision.
American Samoa is part of an island chain with Samoa, an independent country. In both, Christianity and conservative attitudes shape the culture.
Samesex activity is illegal in Samoa; but there is cultural acceptance of transgender people, who are know as Fa’afafine.
Despite this many of the Fa’afafine oppose samesex marriage, in line with the larger population.
The post American Samoa don’t want the Marriage Equality decision to apply to them appeared first on Gay Star News.
Jack Flanagan
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