Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Churches ‘animated’ over gay rights, silent on community initiatives– Damion C. Grange

Churches ‘animated’ over gay rights, silent on community initiatives– Damion C. Grange

Talking points co-host Damion C. Grange has slammed the church for what he illustrated as silence on community initiates, but suddenly becoming animated on issues related to LGBT rights in the territory.

Mr Grange made the comments during the Monday, May 22, 2023, edition of Talking Points while interviewing new legislator and 4th District Representative, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) on the conversation of more community initiatives for seniors in the district.

Mrs Smith said there is a need for transportation for seniors when it was noted that churches have buses that sit all week and can be put to use as a church initiative once a week.

“Talk about the issue of gay rights and the churches are animated but anytime it comes to community initiatives, them gone back inside the church,” Grange added.

Same-sex marriage should not happen - Hon Hodge-Smith

When questioned on the topic of LGBT marriage rights in the VI, Hon Luce-Smith said due to her upbringing she is of the view that same-sex marriage should not happen.

“However, if there is a referendum and the majority of the voters… they decide that it's ok then I have no problem with it,” she added.

Mrs Luce-Smith; however, questioned whether it was just the marriage or the partnership to have a legal union that would be the subject of the referendum.

“If it’s necessary for a referendum for whatever, you call it… if it's needed, but I think in this case you definitely need to get the majority’s decision on it,” she added.

Fourth District Representative Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), 2nd from right, was a guest of Talking Points on May 22, 2023.



No imposing same-sex marriages in VI - Hon Hodge-Smith

Mrs Smith added that as in the case of other British OTs, there should be no imposition of same-sex laws in the VI but rather, as a democratic society, the people of the territory should have a say.

“If the majority say we are going to have same-sex marriage then we have no choice, but at least we went through the [process] and not that you impose it upon us because this is what you say should be done,” she added.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said on May 2, 2023, a same-sex marriage referendum will most likely be held ahead of the pending legal case involving a same-sex married couple- both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and have mounted a case against Government to have their union legally recognised here in the VI.

“We want to do that, actually very soon…I think there’s a case which is slated for June, so we wanted to be able to have the referendum ahead of that. So that’s one thing of course that persons are going to be hearing about very soon,” he said.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×