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The Virgin Islands remains firm in its position that marriage should be constitutionally defined as a union between a man and a woman, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley has stated.
Speaking at a recent media conference, Premier Wheatley also made clear that civil unions were not included in the Territory’s ongoing constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom.
“In fact, we’ve put forward strengthened language in our constitutional negotiation for defining marriage to be between a man and a woman,” he said.
The Premier was responding to a suggestion that he had unilaterally included civil unions in the constitutional review process.
“I’m going to correct that. I didn’t make any unilateral decision to include civil unions in the constitutional review,” he stated.
According to Premier Wheatley, the proposed definition of marriage is contained in the House of Assembly’s public report on the constitutional review.
He said civil unions must be considered separately because they concern the UK’s requirement that Overseas Territories comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
“That doesn’t speak to marriage. That speaks to other types of relationships where you have to be able to have, for instance, equivalency as it pertains to government benefits,” Premier Wheatley explained.
Civil unions are being considered as a way to provide legal protections and access to government benefits for same-sex couples without recognising those relationships as marriages.
The issue has previously drawn public attention after Premier Wheatley indicated that the Government was considering civil partnerships to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples. Governor Daniel Pruce subsequently supported the proposed move, describing it as a matter of legal, constitutional and human rights obligations.
Premier Wheatley also pointed to an ongoing court case and Cabinet’s previous decision to hold a referendum on the subject.
“I wouldn’t conflate the two things,” he said.
“What we are seeking to do through our constitutional review” is adopt clearer language defining marriage as between “a male and a female”, the Premier added.
He said compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights must be considered separately, with residents given information and an opportunity to express their views.
Speaking at a recent media conference, Premier Wheatley also made clear that civil unions were not included in the Territory’s ongoing constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom.
“In fact, we’ve put forward strengthened language in our constitutional negotiation for defining marriage to be between a man and a woman,” he said.
The Premier was responding to a suggestion that he had unilaterally included civil unions in the constitutional review process.
“I’m going to correct that. I didn’t make any unilateral decision to include civil unions in the constitutional review,” he stated.
According to Premier Wheatley, the proposed definition of marriage is contained in the House of Assembly’s public report on the constitutional review.
He said civil unions must be considered separately because they concern the UK’s requirement that Overseas Territories comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
“That doesn’t speak to marriage. That speaks to other types of relationships where you have to be able to have, for instance, equivalency as it pertains to government benefits,” Premier Wheatley explained.
Civil unions are being considered as a way to provide legal protections and access to government benefits for same-sex couples without recognising those relationships as marriages.
The issue has previously drawn public attention after Premier Wheatley indicated that the Government was considering civil partnerships to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples. Governor Daniel Pruce subsequently supported the proposed move, describing it as a matter of legal, constitutional and human rights obligations.
Premier Wheatley also pointed to an ongoing court case and Cabinet’s previous decision to hold a referendum on the subject.
“I wouldn’t conflate the two things,” he said.
“What we are seeking to do through our constitutional review” is adopt clearer language defining marriage as between “a male and a female”, the Premier added.
He said compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights must be considered separately, with residents given information and an opportunity to express their views.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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