Puerto Rico is expected to begin
issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples on July 15.
The U.S. territory is responding to the
Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down state bans on gay
marriage. The high court declared in its ruling that gay couples
have a constitutional right to marry throughout the United States.
Nancy Vega, director of vital
statistics, said that her office was in the process of printing new
gender neutral marriage license applications.
The actual marriage certificate will
also undergo changes, she
told NotiCel.
Vega asked that same-sex couples remain
“calm” as the changes are implemented.
An appeal to a judge's ruling upholding
Puerto Rico's ban is currently before the First Circuit Court of
Appeals. The appeals court is expected to overturn the lower court's
ruling.