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The Federated States of Micronesia does not recognise same-sex marriage, civil unions or any other form of recognition for same-sex couples. Laws in its four states do not permit marriages between people of the same sex.
Micronesia has two Polynesian outlier islands, Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro, which may, similarly to many other Polynesian societies, recognise a third gender role in their cultures. In Samoa and American Samoa, such individuals are known as faʻafafine and are considered an integral part of Samoan society. Historically, if they wished to marry and have children, they would marry women, thus creating the possibility for marriages between two female-presenting individuals to be performed in Samoan culture. [1] It is possible a similar custom exists on these two islands, where they would be known as hakaahina in the Kapingamarangi language and as hagahahine in the Nukuoro language. [2] [3] A similar third gender structure exists in Chuuk where such individuals are known as wininmwáán (pronounced [wininˈmˠaːn] ), translating to "women who behave like men". However, "this does not necessarily mean that wininmwáán are sexually active with females [or marry females]". [4]
According to the Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation in 2015, Micronesia "had in recent years given several indications of its support for human rights, including those of LGBTI persons. Despite this, the Federated States of Micronesia [h]as yet to introduce legislative change or take other meaningful steps to recognise these rights." [5] It enacted comprehensive legislation including sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination in employment and other areas in 2018, [6] but does not recognize same-sex unions in any form. As a result, same-sex couples cannot access the rights and benefits of marriage, including inheritance, tax benefits, domestic violence protections, and alimony, among others. Civil unions are also not recognized in Micronesia. The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia does not address marriage or the family, and does not explicitly forbid same-sex marriages. [7] There has been no political and societal movements to legalize same-sex marriages or civil partnerships, and the issue is seldom discussed in civil society.
Pohnpei laws recognize three types of marriage: statutory civil marriage, statutory religious marriage (Pohnpeian : inou sarawi), and statutory customary marriage (pwopwoud en tiahk en sahpw). Marriage between partners of the same sex is not explicitly banned, but laws generally refer to married spouses as "husband and wife". Civil marriage requires a marriage license issued by the Governor of Pohnpei, and solemnization of the marriage to be performed by civil authorities. Religious marriages are solemnized by an ordained minister of a religious denomination, whereas customary marriages are solemnized according to local traditions. [8] The Constitution of Pohnpei does not expressly address marriage, but Article 5 on "family obligations" states: "To strengthen and retain good family relations in Pohnpei, as needed, this Constitution recognizes and protects the responsibility and authority of parents over their children". [9]
Chuuk statutory laws do not forbid same-sex marriages, but generally refer to the partners as "husband and wife" or "the male" and "the female". With respect to a marriage involving one or more non-citizens, the statutes say: "The male at the time of contracting the marriage be at least 18 years of age and the female at least 16 years of age..." [10] In addition to civil marriage, the state also recognizes customary marriages (Chuukese : apwúpwúlú fán eóreni) performed according to local Chuukese traditions. The Constitution of Chuuk does not address marriage or ban same-sex marriage. [11]
Customary marriages (Yapese : maabgol ni rogon yalean) are also recognized in Yap. [12] The Constitution of Yap does not address same-sex marriage or marriage explicitly. [13]
The marriage laws in Kosrae assume the partners to be of the opposite sex. [5] Section 16.101 of the Kosrae State Code reads: [14] "A marriage performed in the State is valid, if: (a) The male at the time of marriage is at least eighteen years of age and the female at least sixteen years of age, and, if the female is less than eighteen years of age, the marriage has the consent of at least one of the female's parents or her guardian; [...]". [a] The Constitution of Kosrae states that "the lawful authority to perform marriage ceremonies shall not be vested in those individuals who hold public office, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, Vice Speaker, or any State Court justices." [15] In January 2005, a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages was proposed to the Kosrae State Legislature. A committee chaired by Yosiwo George recommended approval of the measure, but eventually the ban was not passed into law. [16]
Micronesia's largest religious organisations are the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Christ. The Catholic Church does not permit same-sex marriages in its places of worship, while the United Church of Christ, based in the United States, allows its clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages. A resolution to allow same-sex marriages in the United Church was supported by an estimated 80 percent of delegates at the General Synod in 2005. [17] [18] Pastors are under no obligation to solemnize same-sex marriages if this would violate their personal beliefs.
In December 2023, the Holy See published Fiducia supplicans , a declaration allowing Catholic priests to bless couples who are not considered to be married according to church teaching, including the blessing of same-sex couples. [19]
The Federated States of Micronesia, or simply Micronesia, is an island country in Micronesia, a subregion of Oceania. The federation consists of four states—from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae—that span across the western Pacific just north of the equator, for a longitudinal distance of almost 2,700 km (1,700 mi). Together, the states comprise around 607 islands and a combined land area of approximately 702 km2 or 271 sq mi.
Geography of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), a country located in the western Pacific Ocean, and in the Micronesia cultural and ecological sub-region of Oceania. While its total land area is very small at 702 km2 (271 sq mi), it has the 14th largest exclusive economic zone at 2,996,419 km2 (1,156,924 sq mi).
Demographic features of the population of the Federated States of Micronesia include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects. The indigenous population of the Federated States of Micronesia, which is predominantly Micronesian, consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. English has become the common language. Population growth remains high at more than 3%, but is ameliorated somewhat by net emigration.
The flag of the Federated States of Micronesia was adopted on 30 November 1978. The blue field represents the Pacific Ocean. In an echo of U.S. heraldic practice, the stars represent the four federated states: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap, arranged like the points of the compass.
Nukuoro is an atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia. It is a municipality of the state of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. It is the secondmost southern atoll of the country, after Kapingamarangi. They both are Polynesian outliers. As of 2007, Nukuoro had a population of 372, though several hundred Nukuorans live on Pohnpei. Fishing, animal husbandry, and agriculture are the main occupations. A recent project to farm black pearl oysters has been successful at generating additional income for the island's people.
Chuuk State is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It consists of several island groups: Nomoneas, Faichuuk, the Hall Islands, Namonuito Atoll, Pattiw, and the Mortlock Islands. Chuuk is by far the FSM's most populous state, with 50,000 inhabitants on 120 square kilometers. Chuuk Lagoon is where most people live. Weno island, in the lagoon, is Chuuk's state capital and the country's biggest city. It may hold a referendum on independence in the near future, although this referendum has been repeatedly postponed.
Yap State is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the westernmost portion of the country. The state borders Palau to the southwest, Guam to the north, and Chuuk State to the east. According to the state's population census carried out in 2020, the total population is 11,577 residing across a total area of 119.54 sq km, though a large majority of the area is water. The only town area in the state, Colonia, serves as the state capital.
The Federated States of Micronesia Football Association or FSMFA is the governing body of football in the Federated States of Micronesia, and of the national team. They are not a member of FIFA or a regional confederation.
The Federated States of Micronesia's National Police is the small national police force of the Federated States of Micronesia and is a division of the FSM Department of Justice.
Christianity is the predominant religion in the Federated States of Micronesia and represents an integral part of the nation's identity.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Micronesia may face legal difficulties not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been illegal since 2018.
Women in the Federated States of Micronesia are women who live in or are from the Federated States of Micronesia, an independent sovereign island nation composed of four states. Thus, FSM women includes women from the States of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae.
The Federated States of Micronesia Athletic Association (FSMAA) is the governing body for the sport of athletics in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
The Federated States of Micronesia is a United States Associated State consisting of 4 states across the Western Pacific Ocean. The estimated population in 2015 was 105,216. Formerly the FSM was a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) but in 1979 formed its own constitutional government. FSM has a written constitution which took effect in 1979 and has been amended only once in 1990. By virtue of membership in the United Nations, the FSM abides by the UN Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Key human rights concerns in FSM include judicial delays, government corruption, discrimination against women, domestic violence and child neglect.
Parliamentary elections were held in the Federated States of Micronesia on 5 March 2019, alongside a referendum on calling a Constitutional Convention. All 14 seats in Congress were up for election, and all 13 incumbents standing for re-election were returned to Congress.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Federated States of Micronesia refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The church's first known missionaries arrived on July 5, 1978. As of December 31, 2022, there were 5,966 members in 23 congregations in FSM. The LDS Church has congregations in every state in the FSM.
A referendum on nine proposed amendments to the constitution was held in Micronesia on 4 July 2023. Eight of the amendments were proposed by the Constitutional Convention elected in 2019, and one amendment was proposed by Congress. All nine amendments passed, and were officially ratified by President Simina on 4 October 2023.
The electoral districts of the Federated States of Micronesia are the divisions of Micronesian territory made in elections in the Federated States of Micronesia. These subdivisions are called "districts" in elections for the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. In elections for the State Legislatures of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, and the State House of Representatives of Chuuk - there are named senatorial regions for their Senate elections. Local government of municipalities in the Federated States of Micronesia is carried out by elected officials chosen by the inhabitants.
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