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by pltm
(PLTM) - Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew Fahie said the issue of making same-sex unions legal in the British Virgin Islands is not on his government’s agenda at this time.
The Premier was responding to questions during a press conference on Friday, November 26 in light of the recent court matter where a same-sex couple is before the court seeking to have their marriage legalized.
The couple, Kinisha Forbes and Kirsten Lettsome has filed a Constitutional Motion following a decision by the Registrar General on February 2, 2021, not to issue them with a Marriage License on the basis that the Applicants were of the same sex.
Forbes and Lettsome are seeking a declaration that the marriage between them which took place in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2019, but with effect from July 28, 2011, is valid under the laws of the BVI.
Religious Beliefs Against It
“I have always made it clear my religious beliefs doesn’t allow me to move in that direction. So I would have to see what’s happening but that has been Andrew A. Faihie’s mindset,” the Premier said.
He continued: “So with that in mind obviously there are some legal challenges we will have to see how that goes. But it is nothing against the persons, I want you to understand I don’t ever look down on anyone, we all have our own religious beliefs and that is one that I personally have but at the end of the day the law has to take its course and we will see where it goes from there.”
The territory’s leader said he believes in being transparent.
“I don’t believe in hiding what I am doing and sometimes it is taken out of context by those who want to create mischief. I think everyone is God’s children and he loves us all and it is up to us what we want to do and I wish everyone well no matter what they choose, I am not against persons as individuals but just in terms of my religious upbringing I stated that but I really do respect each and every individual, man or woman.”
However, the Premier informed that “right now I don’t see it as something that I will be pushing but then there’s the law, and there’s a case that’s happening. It is not one of those things on my agenda at all, and it is no offence to anyone. I know that these things create some stir but at the end of the day I don’t want persons to be wondering what I am thinking, it is not one of those things on my agenda.”
While the issue has been shied away from by previous governments, at least one legislator, Hon. Julian Fraser the leader of the Progressives United Party has called for the matter to be addressed.
