US: Utah Air Force base gives go ahead to same-sex marraiges

An Air Force base in the US state of Utah has given its approval for same-sex marriages to take place on its facility.

Just weeks after the state began issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, the Hill Air Force Base began allowing the ceremonies to take place on the facility.

Richard Essary, a spokesman for the base, told the Salt Lake Tribune that same-sex marriages will be available on the base which holds 20,000 military and civilian personnel.

No marriages have taken place as of yet on the base, however the chaplain has been told that the base will follow the law, Essary said.

According to records, at least one gay couple resides in the base. Records reflect that one couple took advantage of a “join spouse” program which allowed them to transfer to work together.

Same-sex marriages are allowed by the US military, however few have taken place because of where the bases are located – mainly in southern states, which do not allow same-sex marriages.

Last Friday, same-sex couples in Utah began queuing to marry after Judge Shelby ruled that the state’s equal marriage ban was unconstitutional.

The US state of Utah earlier this week officially filed to ask the US Supreme Court to put on hold the issue of marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Last week US District Judge Robert Shelby refused to block his own ruling making equal marriage legal in the state.

Yesterday, supporters of equal marriage in the US state of Utah have asked the Supreme Court to reject a request to put a stay on equal marriage in the state.

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