Pitcairn Island Passes Gay Marriage but Has No Wedding Plans

Pitcairn Island, a tiny speck in the Pacific that's home to just 48 people, has passed a law allowing same-sex marriage — but has no gay couples wanting to wed.

First settled in 1790, Pitcairn is a British Overseas Territory that has some legal autonomy and is often considered the world's smallest country by population. Islanders are descended from the mutineers of the British navy vessel Bounty and their Tahitian companions.

Pitcairn Deputy Governor Kevin Lynch said Monday the new law came into effect May 15 but initially wasn't published online after the island's website encountered some technical issues. He said the change was suggested by British authorities after England, Wales and Scotland legalized same-sex marriage last year. He said the law change was unanimously approved by the local council.

Seventh-generation resident Meralda Warren said there haven't been any same-sex marriages since the law passed and she doesn't know of any gay couples wanting to wed. As with most law changes, she said, a notice was put up on the verandah of the town hall and a second at the island's general store.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pitcairn-island-passes-gay-marriage-wedding-plans-31933324

Cross-posted in the General Discussion forum.