New bill by Guam Senator Torres: Go ahead and get married, but keep the middle and last name you wan

Senator Mary C. Torres

Guam Senator Mary C. Torres has proposed a piece of legislation that is intended to bring Guam marriage laws further into the 21st century by giving parties to the marriage the say in what middle and last name they want to be known by afterward, rather than leaving this up to the state, or Guam in this case.

In 2015, lawmakers passed the Guam Marriage Equality Act which removed the language in Guam statute that defined marriage as a union between persons of the opposite sex. According to a release from Senator Torres' office, Bill 158-34 (COR) "allows applicants for a Guam marriage license greater options to change the middle name and surname by which each party wishes to be known upon marriage. Either party who desires to change his or her middle or surname may indicate such election on a marriage license application."

The proposed law, the release continues, "allows applicants for a Guam marriage license greater options to change the middle name and surname by which each party wishes to be known upon marriage. Either party who desires to change his or her middle or surname may indicate such election on a marriage license application.

The law will apply only to Guam marriage licenses issued 180 days after its enactment.

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