Tag Archives: British Overseas Territories

Cayman Islands Overturn Marriage Equality Ruling

The Cayman Compass reports: The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the government, overturning Chief Justice Anthony Smellie’s previous ruling that legalised same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands. At the same time, however, the court ordered government to “expeditiously” provide Chantelle Day and her partner, Vickie Bodden Bush, with legal status equivalent to marriage, according to …

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Cayman Islands Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The Cayman Compass reports: Same-sex marriage is legal in the Cayman Islands after a landmark judgment in Grand Court this morning. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie ruled that the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman was unconstitutional and violated multiple rights. He ordered that the local law be changed to reflect that same-sex couples are allowed equal …

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BERMUDA: Same-Sex Marriage Legal Again (For Now)

Bermuda’s Royal Gazette reports: Same-sex marriage campaigners were victorious in court today after the Bermuda Government lost a legal battle. The Court of Appeal dismissed the government’s claim that former Chief Justice Ian Kawaley erred in a ruling that reopened the door for same-sex marriage. An application by the Government to stay the decision was also refused today, meaning same-sex …

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BERMUDA: High Court Un-Repeals Same-Sex Marriage

The Royal Gazette reports: Gay couples will once again be able to marry in Bermuda, after the Supreme Court this morning upheld a constitutional challenge against the Domestic Partnership Act. Chief Justice Ian Kawaley, delivering his judgment before a packed courtroom, said the sections of the Act which revoked the right to same-sex marriage were invalid because they were inconsistent …

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BERMUDA: Cruise Line Funds Marriage Appeal

Bermuda News reports: OUTBermuda and Maryellen Jackson have filed legal action in the Bermuda Supreme Court seeking an order declaring that provisions that “have the effect of revoking same-sex marriage” are in contravention of the Bermuda Constitution, with the local legal action — which marks the second filed about the matter — being backed by the Carnival cruise line. Carnival …

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NOM Claims Credit For Bermuda Marriage Repeal

Via press release: NOM played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the tremendous victory in Bermuda. Our team advised pro-marriage supporters there on strategies to preserve marriage and I travelled there twice to meet with activists from Preserve Marriage Bermuda to discuss potential strategies. In 2016, Bermuda conducted a national referendum to advise the Parliament on whether gay ‘marriage’ should be …

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BERMUDA: UK-Appointed Governor Approves Repeal Of Same-Sex Marriage, Replaced With Domestic Partners

The Bermuda News reports: The Governor has given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017, Government House has just confirmed, meaning the legislation can now take effect. In a statement this afternoon [Feb 7], Governor John Rankin said, “After careful consideration in line with my responsibilities under the Constitution, I have today given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017.” …

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BERMUDA: Parliament Repeals Same-Sex Marriage, Governor Gets Bill, Tourism Authority Raises Alarm

Minutes ago the Bermuda Senate voted 8-3 to repeal same-sex marriage and replace it with domestic partnerships. Last week the Bermuda House approved the bill in a 24-10 vote. The bill now goes to the governor and if he signs it, Bermuda will become the second place in the world where same-sex marriage was repealed after having been legal. The …

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BERMUDA: High Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage One Year After US Hate Groups Helped Shoot It Down

Last June, Bermudan voters overwhelmingly rejected same-sex marriage by a 2-1 margin in a non-binding public referendum. The opposition had been rallied with the support of US hate groups including the Alliance Defending Freedom, which provided materials featuring quotes from anti-LGBT activists Ryan T. Anderson and Mark Regnerus. Which brings us to today. From the Royal Gazette: A gay couple …

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