WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: People celebrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the ruling in favor of same-sex marriage June 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Thousands of people in Puerto Rico celebrated Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling to allow gay marriage as authorities rushed to approve legislation extending marriage rights in the socially conservative U.S. territory.
Just hours after the court's decision, Gov. Alejandro García Padilla signed an executive order requiring government agencies to become compliant with the ruling within 15 days. As a result, the island's Health Department and other agencies are expected to begin issuing marriage licenses by early next month.
Justice Secretary César Miranda said that while it was not immediately clear whether the ruling also meant that gay couples in Puerto Rico could now adopt, he said he would accept and support the change.
Miranda praised the Supreme Court ruling as "a huge step in the quest for equal rights. You cannot deny people the right to love."
All U.S. Supreme Court rulings apply in the U.S. territory.
Several gay couples in Puerto Rico previously had filed a lawsuit challenging local laws including those that prohibit same-sex marriage and the recognition of such marriages. The island's Justice Department originally fought the lawsuit but announced earlier this year it would no longer defend the laws. The case then was put on hold pending a Supreme Court ruling.
Supporters of the ruling gathered at the seaside Capitol building to celebrate, while religious leaders across the island rejected it.
Monsignor Daniel Fernández, Catholic bishop of the northern city of Arecibo, said he would continue to protect the institution of marriage as it is meant to be: "By nature, marriage exists and can only exist between a man and a woman," he said.
Garcia acknowledged opponents in a statement, saying, "I ask all of those who are people of faith like me to understand that no one is allowed to impose their religious beliefs on others."
Some lamented that Puerto Rico did not take the initiative to allow gay marriage, and they asked the government to ensure that other marginalized groups including transgender people also receive equal treatment.
"It's time to truly make Puerto Rico into a more fair and equal society, and not depend on decisions from the outside to achieve this," said José Rodríguez, spokesman for the group Heterosexuals in Favor of Equality.
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