As part of the debate on constitutional review in the Virgin Islands, Sixth District Representative in the House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines has called for the constitution to clearly define marriage with the aims of countering global trends of legalising same-sex marriages.

Her radical position came at yesterday’s, July 27, 2020, Thirteenth Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, during a brief contribution on the topic of constitutional reform.

“In light of world efforts to legalise same-sex marriages, we need to ensure that our constitution recognises the right to marry as only a man and a woman,” Hon Maduro-Caines noted.

She said while the VI may not be at the state of independence, there is an opportunity for constitutional advancement short of being an independent nation and that constitutional reform will put the Territory in control of local matters, especially those that come from outside pressures.

There have been efforts in the recent past from parliamentarians in the UK for the Overseas Territories to legalise same-sex marriages.

Gov't has no agenda for same-sex marriages - Premier Fahie

Also, Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and other Opposition Members had raised concerns that the Territory would become ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ and that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration would be legalising same-sex marriages and prostitution.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), at the July 2, 2020, HoA siting, said the Government has no intention of legalising same-sex marriages and it is not on the agenda.

It has been over 13 years since the last constitutional reform in the VI, which happened in 2007.

It remains unclear if the Fahie administration would use the constitutional review process to concrete its position on same-sex marriages.