US territory Puerto Rico on Friday
began recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.
According to Spanish news agency EFE,
the Supreme Court's June 26 ruling striking down gay marriage bans in
all 50 states became final and binding on Friday.
A group of New Progressive Party (PNP)
lawmakers had attempted a last-ditch attempt block officials from
issuing marriage licenses to gay couples by filing an emergency
appeal with Puerto Rico's highest court.
On Thursday, the Puerto Rico Supreme
Court dismissed the group's arguments.
“Puerto Rico cannot refuse to
recognize marriages between people of the same sex. This is the
current law,” the court said.
Gabriel E. Labrode tweeted that the
court had chided plaintiffs, saying that they “show an alarming
lack of knowledge of Constitutional norms.”
“The right to marry for LGBTs is here
to stay. Period,” LGBT activist Pedro Julio Serrano wrote on
Facebook. “Love always conquers hate … forever.”
UPDATE: The
first gay couple has tied the knot on the island.