Bermuda’s government file appeal to London High Court seeking to uphold ban on same-sex marriages
Currently same-sex couples can only enter into a domestica partnership
By Steve Brown
Bermuda’s government have filed an appeal to London’s Privy Council seeking to uphold a ban on same-sex marriages.
Back in 2017, the country legalised gay marriage but just a few months later, the Bermuda Assembly voted to re-ban same-sex marriage.
A new bill where same-sex couples can enter into a domestic partnership instead and offered the same rights as marriage between a man and a woman, but same-sex couples would not be able to perform it under the title of ‘marriage’.
However, in November, two local courts deemed the domestic partnership act unconstitutional and suspended its implementation, according to Reuters.
Now, the government has appealed the act to the highest court of appeal for British territories because it is a matter of general public importance.
In a statement, the government said: “Constitutional issues are important issues and this Government wants to get it right.”
Local courts said the act violates a clause in the constitution which protects freedom of conscience, handing down rulings celebrated by local lawyers and activists who fought to undo legislation.
Tony Brannon, a gay rights activist in Bermuda, said: “This is a cynical, bigoted, hypocritical attack on the rights and freedoms of others.”