Same-sex marriage in Bermuda

Last updated

Same-sex marriage is currently not recognised nor performed in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, but it was legal between 2017 and 2022. However, marriages performed during that period remain valid.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Same-sex marriage first became legal on 5 May 2017, when the Supreme Court of Bermuda declared that same-sex couples had a legal right to marry in the territory after a couple filed suit against the government. However, a bill to ban same-sex marriage and establish domestic partnerships was passed by the Parliament in December 2017 and went into effect on 1 June 2018 though same-sex marriages performed before that day remained legally recognised.

In response to the renewed ban on same-sex marriage, two legal challenges were filed opposing the domestic partnership law. On 6 June 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the parts of the domestic partnership law that banned same-sex marriages but stayed the ruling while the government appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appeals court upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry when it handed down its ruling on 23 November 2018. The government challenged the Court of Appeal's ruling to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which reversed the appeals court's finding on 14 March 2022, and banned same-sex marriage in Bermuda once again. [1] [2] [3]

Background

The Bermudian Government first made clear in 2004 that it would not consider the recognition of civil unions or same-sex marriages. [4] In May 2006, MP Renee Webb tabled a private member's bill to add sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act 1981. The bill was squashed when the Parliament of Bermuda refused to discuss it. Socially, the situation was hard enough that some gay residents had chosen to emigrate, particularly to London, United Kingdom, where Bermudians and other British Overseas Territories citizens have a right to reside, to be able to live openly. One such emigrant noted that same-sex relationships had to essentially be secret, with partners introduced only as "friends" and relationships between two Bermudians as being very difficult. [5] In June 2013, Parliament passed legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation under the Human Rights Act 1981. [6]

On 18 June 2013, Premier Craig Cannonier ruled out same-sex marriage in Bermuda: "I can assure you that under my leadership this is not about same-sex marriage, and under my leadership that will not happen." [7] [8]

An amendment to Section 15 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1974, which required marriage to be between a man and a woman, was introduced to Parliament in 2016. The amendment would have overriden the Human Rights Act 1981's anti-discrimination provisions on the basis of sexual orientation and retain language stating that marriage is limited to a man and a woman. On 8 July 2016, the House of Assembly passed the bill by 20 votes to 10, [9] but on 21 July 2016 the Senate rejected the legislation by a 5–6 vote. [10] [11]

Referendum (2016)

On 11 February 2016, Attorney General Trevor Moniz announced that the government would introduce a bill to create civil unions for same-sex couples. He ruled out the legalisation of same-sex marriage. [12] On 29 February 2016, it was announced that a referendum on both same-sex marriage and civil unions was planned. [13] On 12 March, Premier Michael Dunkley announced that the referendum would take place mid-to-late June 2016. [14] The results of the referendum would not be binding and were described by Dunkley as "only a way to get some clarity on the issue". Voters were asked two questions: "Are you in favour of same-sex marriage in Bermuda?" and "Are you in favour of same-sex civil unions in Bermuda?" [15] Opposition Leader Marc Bean added that once the results of the referendum were announced the government would govern accordingly.

The non-binding referendum on same-sex unions was held in Bermuda on 23 June 2016. [16] [17] [18] Both proposals were rejected by 60–70% of voters though the referendum was legally invalid, as less than 50% of eligible voters turned out. [19]

A November 2015 ruling from the Supreme Court of Bermuda held that the same-sex partners of Bermuda residents should have the same rights to employment and benefits as all other spouses in Bermuda without restrictions from immigration requirements. [20] The government did not indicate that it would appeal the decision; but it asked for implementation of the judgment to be suspended for an evaluation of the full scope of the judgment on such laws affecting "bankruptcy, estates, wills, succession rules, the right to inherit or receive bequests, health insurance legislation, pensions and social insurance". [21] The ruling came into effect on 29 February 2016. [22] [23]

In June 2016, after the referendum, two same-sex couples indicated they would apply for marriage licenses and hope for a court ruling to settle the issue. [24] On 6 July 2016, a male same-sex couple filed notice of their intent to marry with an accompanying letter from their attorney requesting that the banns be posted within two days. The letter went on to state that unless the registrar notified the parties within two days, proceedings would be initiated in the Supreme Court. [25] On 8 July 2016, the Registrar General's office rejected the application to publish banns for the same-sex couple that had applied for a license earlier in the week, [26] which prompted their attorney to file a writ asking the Supreme Court to determine if the refusal contravened the provisions of the Human Rights Act. [27]

The case was heard by acting Chief Justice Charles-Etta Simmons of the Supreme Court on 1–3 February 2017. [28] [29] [30]

Supreme Court ruling (2017)

Judge Charles-Etta Simmons issued her ruling in favour of same-sex marriage on 5 May 2017. [31] Judge Simmons wrote that "on the facts, the applicants (Winston Godwin and his Canadian fiancé Greg DeRoche) were discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation when the Registrar refused to process their notice of intended marriage.... The applicants are entitled to an Order of Mandamus compelling the Registrar to act in accordance with the requirements of the Marriage Act 1944 and a declaration that same-sex couples are entitled to be married under the Marriage Act 1944." [31] [32]

The Rainbow Alliance issued a statement praising the ruling: "the ruling is a victory for all same-gender loving people in Bermuda [and] ensures that same-gender couples can enjoy the same legal protections as heterosexual spouses do". The group Preserve Marriage criticised the ruling as "an attack on traditional marriage [and] on Christian and other faith-based traditional values". [33] [34]

Judge Simmons' ruling included a draft order giving effect to the judgement, but she heard from counsel on precise terms of the final order before giving it effect. [35] [36] The final order, which included a requirement on the part of the government to pay the petitioners' legal costs, was published on 22 September 2017. [37] [38] On 9 May 2017, Minister of Home Affairs Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said that the government would not appeal the ruling. [39] The Registrar General posted the first wedding banns for a same-sex couple on 17 May, [40] and the first same-sex marriage ceremony in Bermuda was performed on 31 May 2017 for Julia Saltus and Judith Aidoo. [41]

The ruling was welcomed by the operators of several cruise lines with Bermuda-flagged ships on which marriage ceremonies are performed under Bermuda law. [42] The Preserve Marriage organisation, which intervened in the proceedings, and a separate group opposed to same-sex marriage sought to appeal the decision to the full bench of the Supreme Court, but leave to appeal was not granted. [43]

Domestic Partnership Act 2018

After the July 2017 elections, which resulted in the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) returning a comfortable majority of MPs in the House of Assembly, PLP MP Wayne Furbert stated he would reintroduce a bill banning same-sex marriage to the Parliament in September and that he expected the bill to pass. Furbert stated the bill would need to be passed by only the Senate if it was amended. If it passed in its current form it would not need the approval of the Senate before being sent to Governor John Rankin for royal assent. [44] The government stated that if Furbert's private member's bill passed the Parliament, it would draft a bill allowing same-sex couples rights equal to non-married heterosexual couples, akin to civil unions. [45] After Furbert's announcement, several experts doubted the capacity of the bill to avoid Senate scrutiny, particularly if it was amended to make arrangements for existing same-sex marriages. [46] [47] [48]

On 2 November 2017, the newly elected government introduced a bill to replace same-sex marriage with domestic partnerships. [49] Two weeks of public consultation on the bill was held in various locations. [50] The bill was strongly criticised by human rights groups, the Human Rights Commission and the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda, which called it "an embarrassment" and "disappointing". [51] The law would provide domestic partners with many of the same rights as married couples, particularly in areas such as pensions, inheritance, health care, tax, and immigration. [52] [53] The bill was debated in the House of Assembly and passed by a 24–10 vote on 8 December 2017. [54] It then passed the Senate by an 8–3 vote on 13 December 2017. [55] The provision of royal assent, usually a formality, was debated in the British Parliament and the subject of a lengthy review by Her Majesty's Government and Governor Rankin. [56] Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received calls to withhold approval of the bill. Eventually, on 7 February 2018, Rankin provided assent to the bill, allowing the law to go into effect on a day to be appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs. [57] [58] A number of international politicians and human rights organisations criticised the change and argued that the move would ultimately damage the island's tourist industry. [59] Same-sex marriages performed before the law commenced would remain recognised under the new law. [60] The Bermudian Tourism Authority expressed fears and concerns that Bermuda would experience an economic fallout if the law went into effect. [61]

Bermuda's repeal of same-sex marriage received significant and considerable international media coverage. [62] The Guardian and The New York Times reported that "Bermuda had become the first country to repeal same-sex marriage". [63] The repeal was met with calls for a boycott. #BoycottBermuda quickly began trending on Twitter and other social media outlets. [64] LGBT groups proposed challenging the new law in court as it "removes an established fundamental human right". Lawyer Mark Pettingill, who successfully argued in the Supreme Court in 2017 that same-sex marriage was a human right, said that any further legal action would need to be heard in higher, namely European, courts. [65]

On 28 February 2018, the Minister of Home Affairs, Walter Roban, announced that the Domestic Partnership Act 2018 would take effect on 1 June 2018. [66] Same-sex couples who wished to marry before that date had to apply for a marriage licence by 12 May. [67] [68] The Commencement Notice was issued on 9 April 2018. [69]

A challenge to the law was filed with the Supreme Court on 16 February 2018. [70] [71] A second lawsuit against the law was announced on 3 April 2018. [72] [73] A hearing was held on 21 and 22 May 2018 before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. [74] [75]

The court ruled on the matter on 6 June 2018, revoking the parts of the law that prevented same-sex couples from marrying and held that "maintaining or restoring a definition of marriage that disadvantaged those who believe in same-sex marriage discriminated against them on the grounds of their creed contrary to section 12 of the Bermuda Constitution". [76] [77] The court agreed to an application by the Attorney General of Bermuda, Kathy Lynn Simmons, to stay the ruling by six weeks to allow the government to consider an appeal. [78] [79] On 5 July, Minister of Home Affairs Roban confirmed that an appeal had been filed with the Court of Appeal. [80] [81] The court heard oral arguments on 7, 8 and 9 November 2018. [82] On 23 November, the court upheld the Supreme Court's ruling and refused to stay the decision. [83] [84] [85] On 13 December 2018, Roban announced that the government had applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the ruling to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. [86] [87] On 29 May 2019, Roban said that permission to appeal had been granted. [88] The government filed the notice of appeal on 12 July 2019. [89] The appeal was heard on 3 and 4 February 2021. [90] The Council handed down its decision on 14 March 2022. It held by a four-to-one margin that the Domestic Partnership Act's ban on the recognition of same-sex marriage was not unconstitutional, and reversed the Court of Appeal's ruling. [3] Lord Hodge, Lady Arden, Lord Reed and Dame Victoria Sharp held that there was no provision in the Bermuda Constitution that would "nullify a legislative provision enacted by the Legislature on the ground that it had been enacted for a religious purpose" and that Section 8 of the Constitution imposed no legal obligation on the government to recognise same-sex marriage. [3] Lord Sales dissented and wrote that a gay or lesbian person seeking to marry are "hindered in the exercise of their freedom of conscience, in violation of Section 8(1) of the Constitution". [3] British academic Nicola Barker responded that the supporters of same-sex marriage would stand a good chance of overturning the Council's ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). [91] The plaintiffs lodged a case, Ferguson and Others v United Kingdom, with the ECHR in July 2022. [92]

A March 2019 estimate showed that the court cases surrounding same-sex marriage had cost between $120,000 and $150,000. [93] However, a May 2019 estimate by the association OutBermuda suggested that the court cases were likely to cost taxpayers as much as $3 million. [94]

Reaction and aftermath

In July 2022, the Parliament passed a law to legally recognise same-sex marriages performed prior to the March 2022 Privy Council ruling. [95]

During a parliamentary hearing in February 2023, Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle questioned the British Government's decision to block a cannabis decriminalisation bill while having not intervened to block the Domestic Partnership Act back in 2018. [96]

Statistics

Between May 2017 and June 2018, 20 same-sex couples married in Bermuda, of which 14 on the island itself and 6 on board Bermudian-registered ships. By May 2019, there had been two more same-sex marriages since the Court of Appeal's judgment in November 2018.

By May 2019, three couples had entered into domestic partnerships. [94]

Public opinion

An opinion poll conducted in July 2010 showed that 27% of respondents supported same-sex marriage and 51% were against. [97]

An October 2015 poll conducted by Global Research and commissioned by The Royal Gazette found that 48% of Bermudians supported same-sex marriage and 44% opposed it. [98]

On 23 June 2016 Bermudian same-sex union and marriage referendum was held, turn out was below the 50% required at 46.89% but both questions returned negative verdicts. On same-sex marriage: For 31.51% vs Against 68.49% and on same-sex civil unions: For 36.80% vs Against 62.55%

An August 2020 opinion poll conducted by Global Research showed that 53% of Bermudians supported same-sex marriage. Support was higher among 18–34-year-olds at 64%. 95% of respondents felt that the legalisation of same-sex marriage had not negatively affected them, and 75% opposed the government spending more money on the issue in court. [99]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil union</span> Legal union similar to marriage

A civil union is a legally recognized arrangement similar to marriage, created primarily as a means to provide recognition in law for same-sex couples. Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage.

Same-sex marriage is legal in all parts of the United Kingdom. As marriage is a devolved legislative matter, different parts of the United Kingdom legalised at different times; it has been recognised and performed in England and Wales since March 2014, in Scotland since December 2014, and in Northern Ireland since January 2020. Civil partnerships, which offer most, but not all, of the rights and benefits of marriage, have been recognised since 2005. The United Kingdom was the 27th country in the world and the sixteenth in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Polling suggests that a majority of British people support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Slovenia since 9 July 2022 in accordance with a ruling from the Constitutional Court of Slovenia. The court ruled that the ban on same-sex marriages violated the Constitution of Slovenia and gave the Parliament six months to amend the law to align with the ruling, although the decision took effect immediately after publication. The National Assembly passed legislation to align with the court ruling on 4 October 2022, which was vetoed by the National Council one week later, but the veto was then overridden by the National Assembly on 18 October 2022.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the District of Columbia since March 3, 2010. On December 18, 2009, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill passed by the D.C. Council on December 15 legalizing same-sex marriage. Following the signing, the measure entered a mandatory congressional review of 30 work days. Marriage licenses became available on March 3, and marriages began on March 9, 2010. The District of Columbia was the first jurisdiction in the United States below the Mason–Dixon line to allow same-sex couples to marry.

This article contains a timeline of significant events regarding same-sex marriage and legal recognition of same-sex couples worldwide. It begins with the history of same-sex unions during ancient times, which consisted of unions ranging from informal and temporary relationships to highly ritualized unions, and continues to modern-day state-recognized same-sex marriage. Events concerning same-sex marriages becoming legal in a country or in a country's state are listed in bold.

Same-sex marriage is legal in Aruba and Curaçao, which are constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands are obliged to conduct same-sex marriages following a ruling from the Supreme Court of the Netherlands on 12 July 2024. In September 2021, a lower court in Curaçao ruled that preventing same-sex couples from marrying violates the equality provisions of the Constitution of Curaçao, but left the decision of whether to legalise same-sex marriage up to the Parliament of Curaçao. In December 2022, the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba ruled on appeal that Aruba's and Curaçao's same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional. The court order was set to go into effect on 7 March 2023 if not appealed to the Supreme Court; however, the governments of both Curaçao and Aruba subsequently appealed. On 12 July 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court ruling, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in Aruba and Curaçao with immediate effect.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Estonia since 1 January 2024. The government elected in the March 2023 election, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and consisting of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, vowed to legalize same-sex marriage. Legislation to open marriage to same-sex couples was introduced to the Riigikogu in May 2023, and was approved in a final reading by 55 votes to 34 on 20 June. It was signed into law by President Alar Karis on 27 June, and took effect on 1 January 2024. Estonia was the first Baltic state, the twentieth country in Europe, and the 35th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

In response to court action in a number of states, the United States federal government and a number of state legislatures passed or attempted to pass legislation either prohibiting or allowing same-sex marriage or other types of same-sex unions.

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Wisconsin since October 6, 2014, upon the resolution of a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on same-sex marriage. On October 6, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of an appellate court ruling in Wolf v. Walker that had found Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. The appellate court issued its order prohibiting enforcement of the state's ban on same-sex marriage the next day and Wisconsin counties began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately. Wisconsin had previously recognized domestic partnerships, which afforded limited legal rights to same-sex couples, from August 2009 until they were discontinued in April 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Gibraltar</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights have evolved significantly in the past decades in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1993 and the age of consent was equalised to 16 in 2012. The Supreme Court of Gibraltar ruled in April 2013 that same-sex couples have the right to adopt. Civil partnerships have been available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples since March 2014, and in October 2016, Gibraltar voted to legalise same-sex marriage with the Civil Marriage Amendment Act 2016 passing unanimously in Parliament. The law received royal assent on 1 November and took effect on 15 December 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Bermuda</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is legal in Bermuda, but the territory has long held a reputation for being homophobic and intolerant. Since 2013, the Human Rights Act has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the Cayman Islands</span>

LGBTQ+ rights in the Cayman Islands are regarded as some of the most progressive in the Caribbean. While the British territory still has a long way to go, it continues to relax its stance on this subject. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in the Cayman Islands. Same-sex unions became legal in 2020.

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Nevada since October 9, 2014, when a federal district court judge issued an injunction against enforcement of Nevada's same-sex marriage ban, acting on order from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A unanimous three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit had ruled two days earlier that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Same-sex marriage was previously banned by an amendment to the Constitution of Nevada approved in 2002. The statutory and constitutional bans were repealed in 2017 and 2020, respectively.

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Alaska since October 12, 2014, with an interruption from October 15 to 17 while state officials sought without success to delay the implementation of a federal court ruling. The U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska held on October 12 in the case of Hamby v. Parnell that Alaska's statutory and constitutional bans on same-sex marriage violated the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. On October 15, state officials obtained a two-day stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which the U.S. Supreme Court refused to extend on October 17. Although Alaska is one of a few states which enforces a three-day waiting period between requesting a marriage license and conducting a marriage ceremony, at least one same-sex couple had the waiting period waived immediately after the district court's ruling. They married in Utqiagvik on October 13 and were the first same-sex couple to marry in Alaska.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Tennessee since the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015. Governor Bill Haslam quickly announced that the state would abide by the court's decision, and same-sex couples began to marry in Tennessee. Previously, Tennessee had banned same-sex marriage both by statute and its State Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories</span>

Among the fourteen British Overseas Territories, eight – Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands – recognise and perform same-sex marriages. In the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, only British military and civilian personnel can enter into same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domestic Partnership Act 2018</span>

The Domestic Partnership Act 2018 is an act of the Parliament of Bermuda. It provided for the creation of domestic partnerships for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples and prohibited same-sex marriage, making the Parliament of Bermuda the first legislature to abolish same-sex marriage after it was initially legalised.

This is a list of notable events in LGBT rights that took place in the 2010s.

Same-sex marriage is currently not recognised in the Cayman Islands. The island's statutory law limits marriage to different-sex couples. A lawsuit with the Grand Court successfully challenged this ban in March 2019; however, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling in November 2019. Same-sex civil partnerships are legal following the enactment of the Civil Partnership Law, 2020 on 4 September 2020.

The recognition of same-sex unions varies by country.

References

  1. ↑ Emma Farge (24 November 2018). "Bermuda top court reverses government's gay marriage ban". Reuters .
  2. ↑ "Bermuda appeals to London high court to enforce gay marriage ban". Reuters. 14 December 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Fiona McWhirter (15 March 2022). "Banning same-sex marriage not unconstitutional – Privy Council". The Royal Gazette.
  4. ↑ Titterton, Sarah (28 February 2004). "Island will not consider legalising gay unions, says Minors". The Royal Gazette . Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  5. ↑ Huish, Sirkka (3 July 2009). "I could never be open about my sexuality at home and had to move to London".
  6. ↑ "MPs approve historic Human Rights Act changes". The Royal Gazette. 15 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Hainey, Raymond (18 June 2013). "Cannonier: Gay marriage "will not happen"".
  8. ↑ "Premier Cannonier: No Same Sex Marriage". Bernews . 19 June 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (8 July 2016). "Bill stops same-sex marriage". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Bermuda Senate narrowly rejects anti-marriage bill
  11. ↑ Senate rejects Human Rights Act Amendment
  12. ↑ Civil union legislation plans unveiled
  13. ↑ Bermuda plans referendum on same-sex marriage
  14. ↑ Jung Thapa, Saurav (26 March 2016). "Bermuda Plans Referendum on Marriage Equality and Civil Unions". Human Rights Campaign. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "House: same-sex referendum likely in June". The Royal Gazette. 12 March 2016.
  16. ↑ Bermuda same-sex marriage referendum set for June 23 Jamaica Observer, 12 May 2016
  17. ↑ Referendum (Same Sex Relationships) Act 2016 Bermuda Laws Online
  18. ↑ Referendum (Same Sex Relationships) Notice 2016 Bermuda Laws Online
  19. ↑ Jones, Simon (24 June 2016). "Voters roundly reject same-sex marriage". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Bda Bred Co v Min of Home Affairs et al [2015] SC (Bda) 82 Civ" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "Same-sex ruling: the likely implications". The Royal Gazette. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "Same Sex Partner Rights Take Effect Today". Bernews. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016.
  23. ↑ "Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Community, Culture and Sports" (PDF). Parliament of Bermuda. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2017. Mr. Speaker, the Chief Justice's declaration in the "Bermuda Bred" case comes into effect today, 29 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "Same-sex couples set for court fight". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  25. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (6 July 2016). "Gay couple seek consent to marry". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  26. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (8 July 2016). "Gay couple's marriage application rejected". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  27. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (13 July 2016). "Gay couple fight to marry". The Royal Gazette . Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "Gay marriage case returns to court". Royal Gazette. 30 January 2017.
  29. ↑ "SSM: Government reiterates case for denying banns". Royal Gazette. 1 February 2017.
  30. ↑ "Same-sex: Fear over multiple partner marriages". Royal Gazette. 2 February 2017.
  31. 1 2 "Landmark same-sex ruling". The Royal Gazette. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  32. ↑ "W Godwin et al v Registrar General [2017] SC (Bda) 36 Civ" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2017.
  33. ↑ "Rainbow Alliance: 'Love always wins'". The Royal Gazette. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017.
  34. ↑ "Preserve Marriage: 'Ruling is attack on values'". The Royal Gazette. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017.
  35. ↑ "W Godwin et al v Registrar General [2017] SC (Bda) 36 Civ" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2017. Refer to pp.48–49 for the Judge's draft order to be reviewed by counsel
  36. ↑ "Judge sets out potential redraft of Acts". The Royal Gazette. 6 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017.
  37. ↑ "Government to pay same-sex legal costs". The Royal Gazette. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017.
  38. ↑ "Order of the Supreme Court in the matter of; W Godwin et al v Registrar General [2017] SC (Bda) 36 Civ" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 22 September 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2017.
  39. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (10 May 2017). "Government will not appeal same-sex ruling". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  40. ↑ "First banns posted for same-sex couple". The Royal Gazette. 17 May 2017. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017.
  41. ↑ "Bermuda has first gay marriage". The Royal Gazette. 2 June 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017.
  42. ↑ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (11 May 2017). "Same-sex marriage ruling welcomed by liners". The Royal Gazette . Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  43. ↑ "Health minister represents gay marriage opponents". The Royal Gazette. 28 September 2017.
  44. ↑ "Furbert: same-sex Bill looks hopeful". The Royal Gazette. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017.
  45. ↑ "Same-sex couples to have rights protected". The Royal Gazette. 28 August 2017.
  46. ↑ "Senators may have power over Furbert's bill". The Royal Gazette. 15 September 2017.
  47. ↑ "Pettingill: UK may prevent marriage Bill". The Royal Gazette. 8 September 2017.
  48. ↑ "Furbert silent on same-sex Bill | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  49. ↑ "Bill to replace gay marriages introduced by government". The Royal Gazette. 2 November 2017.
  50. ↑ "Banning same-sex marriage an 'embarrassment'". The Royal Gazette. 8 November 2017.
  51. ↑ "Group criticises domestic partnerships plan". The Royal Gazette. 23 November 2017.
  52. ↑ "Transcription: UK Debate On SSM In Bermuda". Bernews.com. 29 January 2018. Refer to the statement made by Sir Alan Duncan, The Minister for Europe and the Americas
  53. ↑ "Domestic Partnerships Act Tabled In Parliament". Bermuda News. 24 November 2017.
  54. ↑ "House: MPs approve domestic partnerships". The Royal Gazette. 9 December 2017.
  55. ↑ "Bermuda to ban same-sex marriage months after it was legalised". The Guardian. 14 December 2017.
  56. ↑ "Transcription: UK Debate On SSM In Bermuda". Bernews.com. 29 January 2018.
  57. ↑ "Governor Gives Assent: Domestic Partnership Act". Bernews.com. 7 February 2018.
  58. ↑ Domestic Partnership Act 2018 (refer to p. 31 for note on commencement)
  59. ↑ Gay MP says Bermuda's ban on same-sex marriage will damage Britain's reputation
  60. ↑ Bermuda trades same-sex marriage for domestic partnerships
  61. ↑ Bermuda repeals same-sex marriage
  62. ↑ International Media Report On Marriage Law Bernews, 8 February 2018
  63. ↑ Bermuda becomes first nation to legalize gay marriage, then repeal it The New York Times, 8 February 2018
  64. ↑ 'Truly evil': Calls to boycott Bermuda for unprecedented repeal of same-sex marriage
  65. ↑ Pettingill says battle may be far from over
  66. ↑ "Bermuda's ban on same-sex weddings comes into effect". Jamaica Observer. 1 June 2018.
  67. ↑ Simpson, Lisa (28 February 2018). "House: Three more months of same-sex marriage". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  68. ↑ "SSM/Partnerships Policy Takes Effect On June 1". Bernews. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  69. ↑ "Domestic Partnership Act 2018 Commencement Day Notice 2018" (PDF). Bermuda Laws Online. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  70. ↑ Burgess, Don (16 February 2018). "Legal Challenge Filed: Same Sex Marriage". Bernews. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  71. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (16 February 2018). "Lawsuit launched over same-sex marriage". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  72. ↑ "Carnival Supporting New SSM Legal Action". Bernews. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  73. ↑ Lagan, Sarah (3 April 2018). "OutBermuda to challenge Domestic Partnership". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  74. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (28 February 2018). "May date for Domestic Partnership Act appeal". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  75. ↑ "Same Sex Marriage Legal Challenge Underway". Bernews. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  76. ↑ "Summary Judgment: Ferguson et al v. Attorney-General" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  77. ↑ "Ruling: Ferguson et al v. Attorney-General" (PDF). Supreme Court of Bermuda. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  78. ↑ Strangeways, Sam; Johnston-Barnes, Owain (7 June 2018). "Court rules in favour of same-sex marriage". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  79. ↑ "Court Rules In Favour Of SSM, Govt To Appeal". Bernews. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  80. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (5 July 2018). "Government appeals same-sex ruling". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  81. ↑ "Govt Files Appeal In Same Sex Marriage Case". Bernews. 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  82. ↑ Lagan, Sarah (25 August 2018). "SSM appeal to be heard in November". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  83. ↑ Johnston-Barnes, Owain (23 November 2018). "Government loses same-sex battle". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  84. ↑ "Ruling: Ferguson et al v. Attorney-General" (PDF). The Court of Appeal for Bermuda. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  85. ↑ "Court Dismisses Government Appeal On SSM". Bernews. 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  86. ↑ McWhirter, Fiona (14 December 2018). "Government set for a run at the Privy Council". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  87. ↑ "SSM: Govt Applies To Appeal To Privy Council". Bernews. 13 December 2018. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  88. ↑ Strangeways, Sam (29 May 2019). "Same-sex case heading for London". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  89. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (5 September 2019). "OutBermuda accuses Government of stalling". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  90. ↑ "Same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, Privy Council told". The Royal Gazette. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  91. ↑ Fiona McWhirter (19 March 2022). "Same-sex marriage case could succeed in European Court of Human Rights, says UK law professor". The Royal Gazette.
  92. ↑ "European Court of Human Rights Revists Same-Sex Marriage". matrix chambers. 3 July 2023.
  93. ↑ "House: Same-sex battle cost grows". The Royal Gazette. 14 March 2019.
  94. 1 2 Strangeways, Sam (30 May 2019). "Same-sex case heading for London". The Royal Gazette.
  95. ↑ "Same-sex marriages validated". The Royal Gazette. 18 July 2022.
  96. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (7 February 2023). "MP asks why UK does not strike down Bermuda same-sex marriage ban". The Royal Gazette.
  97. ↑ "Gay cruise support twice as high as gay marriage support, survey shows". The Royal Gazette . 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  98. ↑ Poll: support for same-sex marriage
  99. ↑ "OUTBermuda: 53% Favour Same-Sex Marriage". Bernews. 17 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.