Same sex couple on Guam challenge US territory's marriage laws

Loretta M. Pangelinan, left, and Kathleen M. Aguero smile after filing motions in front of the U.S. Federal Court in Hagatna in Guam Monday, April 13, 2015. The couple is seeking the federal court order to compel the Government of Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services to accept their marriage license application. (AP Photo/Grace Garces Bordallo) (The Associated Press)

Sureta San Nicolas, file clerk for Thompson, Gutierrez, and Alcantara, files motions with the U.S. District Court in Guam on behalf of plaintiffs Kathleen M. Aguero and Loretta M. Pangelinan on Monday, April 13, 2015. The couple is seeking a federal court order to compel the Government of Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services to accept their marriage license application. Their attorney, Bill Pesch stands behind Pangelinan, left, and Aguero, right. (AP Photo/Grace Garces Bordallo) (The Associated Press)

In this April 11, 2015, photo, Loretta M. Pangelinan, left, and Kathleen M. Aguero, pose for a photo in front of the U.S. District Court in Hagatna, Guam. The couple, who have been together for more than nine years, said they plan to file a lawsuit against the Government of Guam for violating their Constitutional rights of equal protection and due process at the U.S. District Court in Hagatna, Guam, Monday, April 13. (AP Photo/Grace Garces Bordallo) (The Associated Press)

A lesbian couple on Guam has filed a legal challenge to the territory's marriage laws after they were barred from submitting a license to wed.

Loretta M. Pangelinan and Kathleen M. Aguero filed their lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court.

The women, both 28, say they have been together nine years and have three foster children.

They launched their legal battle after a failed attempt to file an application for a marriage license earlier this month.

Their complaint says they are challenging "the discriminatory denial of their freedom to marry in the Territory of Guam."

Guam Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson, predicting the U.S. Supreme Court would soon decide the issue for the country, said last week that "upon that decision, Guam will abide."

Attorney Bill Pesch says his clients are hoping to get their case before a judge within a month.