Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Sep 15, 2024

Premier announces referendum on same-sex marriage in VI

Premier announces referendum on same-sex marriage in VI

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced a special referendum on the matter of same-sex marriages in the Virgin Islands (VI) to allow the local electorate to consider and decide on the question of whether same-sex marriage should be legal in the territory.

The Premier in a statement released today, Monday, December 19, 2022, said the referendum was decided at a special meeting of Cabinet held on Friday, December 16, 2022, where Cabinet members have decided to refer the matter to the local electorate.

“This will be the first referendum in the history of the Virgin Islands. It will be held at some point after our general elections, so that the question can be considered without distraction.”

He added that this referendum will also give those with strong views on the matter, including the local religious community, the opportunity to defend what they believe to be socially and morally right. 

The decision to head to a local referendum comes as a case is being heard in the High Court, which potentially can impact the social and religious fabric of the VI society. 


The Premier said the referendum will also give those with strong views on the same-sex marriage matter, including the local religious community, the opportunity to defend what they believe to be socially and morally right.

Legal case on matter currently in Courts - Premier 

“A same-sex couple, both Virgin Islanders, were married abroad, and have mounted a legal challenge to have their union legally recognized here in the Virgin Islands. If they were to be successful, section 13(1)(c) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, would be declared as unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void. As a result, same-sex marriage would become legal in the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said.

In June 2022, Kinisha Forbes and Kirsten Lettsome sued the Government of the Virgin Islands, claiming that they were denied a marriage license from the Registrar General because they were a same-sex couple.

The Premier said that in response to the legal challenge, the Virgin Islands Government, who is the respondent in this case, through counsel assigned by the Attorney General’s Chambers, is vigorously defending the local laws, which clearly define marriage between a man and a woman.

Dr Wheatley added that the referendum will also consider the question of whether the state should introduce new legislation that would provide any person in a domestic partnership certain legal rights, such as the ability to pass on one’s estate to their partner regardless of sex. 

“This approach would satisfy our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, while protecting the sanctity of marriage,” he added.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Switzerland Unveils Alps, a High-Speed Supercomputer for AI
Hong Kong Criticizes UK Lawyers for UN Appeal on Behalf of Jimmy Lai
Keir Starmer Accused of Breaking Rules Over Party Donor Gifts
Poorest Families in UK Forced to Sleep on Floors Due to Lack of Beds
Ed Davey Urges Immediate NHS Investment
Staff Overwhelmed Due to New Child-to-Staff Ratio Rules in English Nurseries
US and UK Alarmed Over Potential Iran-Russia Nuclear Collaboration
Father Convicted of Rape Stripped of Parental Responsibility
Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' Series Displayed Together for the First Time in London
Queen Elizabeth II Statue Sparks Debate in Northern Ireland
Prince Harry Turns 40 Amid Royal Family Estrangement
British Policing Minister's Bag Stolen at Police Conference
UK To Implement Junk Food Ad Ban to Combat Childhood Obesity
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Visits US for Talks with President Biden
‘Living Nostradamus’ Fulfills Four Predictions, Foresees More Events
AI's Role in Changing Belief in Conspiracy Theories
Russia and Ukraine Exchange 206 Prisoners in UAE-Brokered Deal
Gisele Pelicot: From Survivor to Feminist Icon
Royal Navy's First 'Narco-Sub' Drug Seizure in the Caribbean
Northern Lights Illuminate Skies Over the UK
Citizens' Jury Supports Change in Assisted Dying Law
Russia Can End the War Now, Says PM as Putin Warns West
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Crew Makes History With First Private Spacewalk
Jon Bon Jovi Heroically Rescues Woman on Nashville Bridge
Fragmented EU Defence Industry Needs Urgent Coordination
Keir Starmer Accused of Concealing Impact of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts on Pensioners
Keir Starmer Urged to Publish Winter Fuel Payments Impact Assessment
Ex-CIA Officer Sentenced to 10 Years for Espionage
UK Economy Stalls for Second Consecutive Month
Downing Street to Begin Search for New Cabinet Secretary
UK Government Introduces Bill to Ban Rental Bidding Wars
Scottish Opposition Questions Cuts to Free School Meals and Rail Fares
NHS Delays in England Cause Thousands of Unnecessary Deaths, Inquiry Reveals
NHS Restricts Obesity Services across England, Investigates BMJ
Bill Gates Warns of Imminent Threats: War and Pandemics
Over One Million UK Carers Living in Poverty
Equitable Future Threatened by Climate Crisis and Consumerism
Calls for Inclusive and Diverse Stories in UK English Curriculum
UK Government Confirms £500m Subsidy for Tata Steel
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Warns of Tough Budget Ahead
Unions Fear Labour's Net Zero Plans Will Cost Jobs
PM to Address Critical NHS Report Demanding Reforms
Kamala Harris Wins Post-Debate Survey Against Donald Trump
Impact and Aftermath of 9/11 Attacks on the US and the World
Iran Denies Missile Deliveries to Russia Amid New Sanctions
Kamala Harris Claims to Own Guns, Denies Supporting Mandatory Buyback—Yet Said the Opposite Weeks Ago
Outrage in Uxbridge: 12 Police Officers Arrest Woman Over a Sandwich, Then Arrest Bystander for Swearing
Polaris Dawn: Historic Private Spacewalk Initiated
Sir Paul Marshall Acquires The Spectator for £100 Million
Neighbours Criticise Germany Over Extended Border Controls
×