Pacific / Northern Marianas

CNMI's Tinian holds first same-sex marriage ceremony

14:24 pm on 27 June 2017

The first same-sex marriage on Tinian in the Northern Marianas was held at the weekend with Jonathan San Nicolas marrying Raymond Sablan.

First same sex marriage on Tinian Photo: RNZI/Mark Rabago

The island's mayor Joey San Nicholas, who conducted the ceremony, expressed his appreciation and honour at being asked to officiate.

He said it was an important step for members of Tinian's LGBT community.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in the U.S. and its protectorates in 2015.

That year, the Saipan Mayor's Office officiated in over 12 same-sex marriages and last year 30 marriage licences were issued there to same sex couples.