UK shouldn’t impose its same-sex views on BVI
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that the United Kingdom (UK), in framing legislation that affects the BVI, should not impose its own views on same-sex marriage on the territory.
The Premier expressed recently that this is one of several sensitive and important issues he intends to raise at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) for Overseas Territories in the UK.
“We also have certain sensitive topics in terms of how the UK legislates for Overseas Territories – which is something that we would want to see limited – that they wouldn’t impose legislation on us, especially if there’s no human rights concerns that have to be addressed,” the Premier said.
He added that he plans to ask the UK not to impose their own cultural views on the territory and singled out same-sex marriage as the main issue, which he said the UK has openly advocated for.
According to the Premier, such decisions should be left to the people of the BVI to determine whether it’s an area that they want to go into.
After the issue of same-sex unions was brought before the court by a local same-sex couple, the Premier expressed a desire for the issue to be determined definitively through a referendum in the territory, insisting that a judge should not have the final say on such laws in the BVI.
However, Premier Wheatley later explained that his plans had come up against a legislative hurdle after he had initially insisted that the referendum would be held just after general elections held in April.
“We are committed to the referendum moving forward. There was a legislative challenge as it pertains to the voting machines, in terms of the length of time that the ballots have to remain within the machines [after elections] before you can remove them and we’re going to have to solve that challenge to be able to have use of the machines,” Dr Wheatley explained previously.
The Premier also alluded to the need for additional legislative amendments to make the referendum smoother.
“Referendums are basically like having another election, so we may have to contemplate just some amendments to allow for it to go much more smoothly. But I’ll be able to update about that in the coming months,” the Premier said.
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Same-sex marriage is not just the views of the U.K. – many civilised and progressive country has already provided ways for same-sex couple to have equal rights. You (the British Virgin Islands) have a same-sex couple currently fighting for their rights in the court system, so to conclude that this is just another action by the U.K. to force its territories to do what they want is disingenuous. Then again, I expect nothing better from an …. It amazes me the uproar on anything same-sex but silence on pedophilia and the yearly rise in sexual violence against children, by straight men.
Do we want to be part of the commonwealth? If so, then we have to implement same sex marriage as all overseas territories must recognize it. That, or we go independent, and roll the dice on our own sustainability. Which isn’t possible in our current situation. We can’t swing both ways…
What was the outcome of the court case as to wether or not it is constitutional to deny gays the right to marry or not? I don’t really care either way but i feel like once the ‘B’ in BVI still stands for ‘British’ then fighting this is kind of futile. How does the same UN you always running to feel about this?
We love to say “One Love” but then out the other side of our mouth we say “but no gay love, but let’s limit belongership”.
Duplicity abounds.
Wiggy does not agree!
The Premier expressed recently that this is one of several sensitive and important issues he intends to raise at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) for Overseas Territories in the UK.
HE intends to raise at the meeting in UK. this sounds like more trips to me so is UK then Dubai then where else
this is seriously not funny any more if they are more outside than in here it proves we really dont need them
three of them just came back from Africa
sharee singeporee
Luce gone again
You want to have all the woman you want but want to tell other people what to do with their lives. Leave people alone to make the relationship choices that they want just like you making them all over the place.
1. Should all BVI Islanders have the same rights relative to the laws of land, and
2. Is the British Virgin still a member of the U.K. overseas territory?
We have discussed and debated this issue ad nauseum. It’s tiring but worth the fight because the members of the LGBQT etc community should not be treated differently than any other members of this society in my view.
The local government needs to be supporting the rights of all citizens, and recognize that we are a territory of the U.K. and not some independent country on to its own.
I personally like the Premier, but he is dead wrong on this, and he will end up with eggs on his face when this matter is ultimately decided by the courts or the U.K.
Ive said on this forum for many years now: same sex marriage will be recognized and allowed in the BVI at the end of the day. The law will prove ultimately to be on same sex individuals side once adjudicated.
All this prancing up and down and shouting that the country will be going to hell will ultimately be for naught.
The country is in hell already with all these shootings, drug runnings, and murders. THe BVI has one foot in hell already. Gay folks are not responsible for the state of this territory which has become a lawless place with a clear underground dangerous drug economy.
Same sex marriage will not be recognized by a referendum as the Premier proposed (which has an inherit bias) but it will be recognized thru the court.
So get off same sex couples neck. Let them live their lives as you live yours. Love is love.
Dont want to marry someone of the same sex? Dont. No one is holding a gun to your head to do so, or for a church or minister to perform the ceremony.
This country has bigger fish to fry than disallowing people of the same sex who love each other and wish to marry.
The BVI has too many more important issues that needs urgent redress. This country needs fixing badly.
So Mr. Premier, rather than running off to the U.K. on some fruitless trip yet again, how about:
Fixing our terrible infrastructure? Addressing the rising crime rate and the insecurity of the country that comes with that? Addressing drug running in the BVI? Fixing our unstable electricity grid? Fixing our education and healthcare woos among many other myriad of problems.
Mr. Premier,surely you can see the problems each time you travel and return. You have a means of comparison in how other people live and their countries are ran.
Your focus is on the wrong things while the country is going to hell in a handbasket. Do your job and get out of the way of people who simply wish to live their lives as they wish.
Since No Referendum is forthcoming I think our Constitution be suspended, HOA dissolved making way for New Elections and US seeking Independence from UK. We definitely cannot seek Independence with this current HOA. No disrespect is intended but personally, I think in its present state the BVI is going NO WHERE. The people of this Territory deserve Better and it doesn’t seem like this could be achieved as is…..
As if he really cares about morals. This is just to score points with the Christian community. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. Mankind will make laws to live by and we have to go along with it, no matter how disgusting the laws can be. If two of the same sex want to marry and desecrate a church then let that be on their heads. If a pastor or Bishop is willing to defy God and wed gays in a church then let that be on their heads. All we can do is pray.
Showande need to go work on the COI recommendations from looking points. The desperation is uncanny.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2014/07/472572
“especially if there’s no human rights concerns that have to be addressed”
THIS IS A HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERN!! GAY PEOPLE ARE HUMAN TOO & DESERVE EQUAL RIGHTS AS EVERYONE ELSE!!
Why is it that two people who are in love & want to be married are legally stopped from doing so because of nothing but their sexuality!?!?
Some of us don’t care about Christian community when we out carding our wives and husbands but going to try to dictate what is allowed for other people based on Christian community. If you believe in god then let him do the judging. When lava time come you might find yourself right next to them in hell for some other sin you thought god was turning a blind eye to.
since we debating biblical law lets ban adultery too
You’re saying it’s fine that gay people should have less human rights than straight people (i.e., the ability to marry the person you love).
Please tell me how that’s not a ‘human rights concern.’
Mr Wheatley, you’re a disgrace and I will never vote for you or the people who associate themselves with you.
Let people love who they want to love. It doesn’t affected the way you live your life.
@HonestTruth……. The church desecrates itself all on it’s own… come again
Since we cannot speak about the incompetence of our Government we have to raise issues which do really not affect most people. Just like Trump. What is the saying I am an axe so tell the trees I am one of them, having a wooden handle, even I will cut them down. Spreading hate is all they are capable of doing, not the work they are supposed to do.
Please ah Beg don’t bring Church into this Forum as a Deterrent because I guarantee you there are some Pastors and Bishops in the BVI who would perform same sex ceremonies or some who have already performed same sex ceremonies just for the US Dollar. I kid you not.
Well finally I proud of u for standing up from this Adam and Steve crap they pushing on us
Let the gays rant on
I don’t have time to read those nasty comments
It’s already disgusting my children has to see men with bags heels n women clothing and makeup
What they think it is ???
U was not born a woman
Get over it
U was not born a man
Get over it
Man n man is really disgusting
That area that $h”” comes out arghhhhh
Not to mention their hard man foot in heels
I don’t think the independence thing is as black and white as most people do. I think there are different levels of autonomy. Even the independent colonies still recognize the British Crown & have immigration status there but they just aren’t in the same situation as they were when they were colonies. Every country should progress towards autonomy. Now the Gay issue, there are many gay people in the BVI. Many undercover and many gay bash in public while in private they are gay. But Gay marriage and acceptance means openly seeing man kissing in the streets in front of children who aren’t gay and making them think it’s normal to bugger and ignore cultural gender norms. This is about maintaining our culture. Black people’s rights were trampled on for centuries by the same folk who are now talking about gay rights. They can do as they choose in their personal life but our state should not condone it.
So this guy:
Supports his ministers stealing money the people
Agreed to fraudulent barge contracts
Agreed to fraudulent CSC contracts
Has not openly criticised the head coach
But.
Is against gay marriage.
What an outstanding Christian.
#hypocrite.
its so amazing how we have integrity in public life but in private life anything goes
I have a thought, why dont we legislate on persons having affairs with other civil servants and then we can work our way onto lqbt
No one willing to tell me who is wiggee
Is Mvw is the only one in the house who supports gay marriage? he needs to come clean
This fella reminds me of one of those Lemurs LOL!
Neither the UK nor any other country has the right to impose its moral inclinations upon the political structure of our government, nor upon the social fabric of our nation.
With regards to those who await the doors of the BVI News site to open, who like flies attacking carrion, to voice their hatred and demonstrate their racism for Black people and VIslanders in particular, and to advocte for a regression to the times of war mongering and stealing of lands, extermination of huanm beings, and claiming their lands, and resources, and stamping their ownership tag on them as belonging to the UK, US, FR, Dutch, etc., we cannot be what you have been all of your life, decades and centuries, RACIST!
How can we be racist when you are the ones who have been so all of your life?
Tola and VG are the most racist places I’ve been.
It was underlying until Irma….now it in your face.
Once a great destination, glad I experienced it pre-Irma. GFYS’ves
You do understand that same-sexuals have their freedom to have their abominable intercourse in private just like adulterers right? Just do not demand us to acknowledge it and know that God is not pleased.
They have their rights no body ain’t take it away. However, giving them a licence to marry is like giving a club owner a clergy licence. Marriage is sacred and created and ordained by the same God they so hate and rebel against. Repent all of you. Hell is hottt
Slavery used to be claimed as a “cultural issue” but it’s actually about human rights. The same is true about civil marriage between two adults of the same sex. The Government needs to get out of this issue and allow adult persons to marry whichever adult they want.
@my2cents They can do as they choose in their personal life but our state should not condone it. Do you own a state? the BVI is owned by the UK.
He have to say that because he is afraid he is going to get string up if he is in agreement. It is going to happen in the BVI sooner than later.
@seer to you and all your funny friends that want to be in that if you think the BVI have a gun problem try and bring that s**t here and make it law we will see this place turned into a cemetery. You and your kind practice that in the UK not here we don’t believe in that.
He is a puppet on a string that has no clue abour the needs of his country
God never forced people to behave. The Jehovah witnesses will be knocking at their door.
Its crazy that we an have men and women marrying the same sex and still people live in fear of being arrested for planting cannabis.
Exactly my sentiments
Why should our kids and younger generation nlw have to think it’s the new
It’s normal
Turning their minds into this
Nooo
It’s like murderers demanding rights to kill
Your comment wholly irrelevant as there is certainly NO drive to LEGALISE adultery, is there? Think sense.
While we are discussing natural law, lets ban RACISM also. Mandatory prisnon time for anyone discriminating against another person solely on account of the color of the/his/her skin.
I can’t wait to get hooked up and be able to wear my wig in public with my own man . Please hurry up UK