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Bermuda passes bill to outlaw Same-Sex Marriage

A Bill to out-law Same Sex Marriage was passed in the House of Assembly of the tiny overseas Territory of Bermuda last night July 8, 2016. Photo: Internet Source
Left: Premier of Bermuda, Hon Michael H. Dunkley abstained from voting on the Same Sex Marriage bill. Right: Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith’s ruling National Democratic Party Administration has sent mixed signals as to their position on Same Sex Marriage in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Wikipedia/VINO
Left: Premier of Bermuda, Hon Michael H. Dunkley abstained from voting on the Same Sex Marriage bill. Right: Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith’s ruling National Democratic Party Administration has sent mixed signals as to their position on Same Sex Marriage in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Wikipedia/VINO
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, off eastern North America. It has a population of over 64, 000. Photo: Internet Source
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, off eastern North America. It has a population of over 64, 000. Photo: Internet Source
HAMILTON, Bermuda- With developed countries moving in a different direction, the tiny overseas Territory of Bermuda surprisingly passed a bill last night July 8, 2016 to out-law Same Sex Marriage.

The Amendments, aimed at solidifying marriage as between a man and a woman, were passed in the House of Assembly, despite vocal opposition.

In the wake of the vote, the ruling One Bermuda Alliance backbencher Hon Mark Pettingill said he is ashamed of his party. “How it will affect my position [in the One Bermuda Alliance] over the summer, I don’t know,” according to the local media.

One man, one women

The amendments, tabled by Hon Wayne L. Furbert and further amended by Attorney General Hon Trevor Moniz, state that nothing in the Human Rights Act would override the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1974, which provides that marriages are void unless they are between a man and a woman.

A total of 20 MPs voted in favour of the amended Bill with 10, including Mr Moniz, voting against it.

Hon Michael H. Dunkley, the Premier, abstained from voting, telling the House that he had asked Mr Furbert to set back the Bill for a week so he could discuss the matter with the Human Rights Commission.

Marc A. B. Bean and Zane DeSilva were not present, while Deputy Speaker Suzann Roberts Holshouser was unable to vote because she was serving as Speaker at the time.

For & Against

The vote came after almost two hours of debate in which parliamentarians spoke out strongly on both sides of the issue.

Mr Pettingill, the Progressive Labour Party’s Walton Brown Jr and independent MP Hon Shawn Crockwell, voiced vociferous opposition to the legislation, which they argued was a retrograde step for human rights on the island.

Opening his speech by reading the opening paragraph of the Human Rights Act, Mr Pettingill said that everyone on the island deserved the same rights, regardless of sexual orientation.

“It’s a human rights issue because of what our Human Rights Act says,” he said. “That every human being is entitled to the same service as any human being,” according to the Bermuda Royal Gazettee.

Locally, Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith’s ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration has sent mixed signals as to its position on the issue.

26 Responses to “Bermuda passes bill to outlaw Same-Sex Marriage”

  • VG (09/07/2016, 17:02) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
    Tek note bvi
  • Good thing. (09/07/2016, 17:25) Like (45) Dislike (59) Reply
    This is good.. Admirable.. The right thing to do... They are not stopping them from socializing and chose to do it with who they chose. But its courageous and righteous to save the covenant and purpose of Marriage..
    • @Good thing (09/07/2016, 19:52) Like (27) Dislike (67) Reply
      Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin condemns any people. Proverbs 14:34 God will be pleased with this wise decision .
  • The choice. (09/07/2016, 17:49) Like (28) Dislike (6) Reply
    We have to choose "Good or evil" We must choose and be accountable.. We should take a stand put our hands up and be acknowledge for what we believe..I agree with Bermuda they put their hands up and let the world know what they stand for.. Though some may disagree
  • Glory be to GOD (09/07/2016, 18:23) Like (21) Dislike (9) Reply
    That's great news to hear. Pls send a copy of that law here so we can inact it too. The word of GOD must prevail in our modern soceity. Christ will deliver those who heed to his word. Glory to be to his name.
  • Yes (09/07/2016, 19:59) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope god end this madness
  • RAVEN (09/07/2016, 21:23) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” and now were asking ourselves should "God" be in our national pledge...wow.
  • mvw (09/07/2016, 21:23) Like (6) Dislike (37) Reply
    Its about peoples right i for same sex
  • wize up (09/07/2016, 22:37) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    see what the world has come to; so much mix up mix up.....legal or not these guys will still hump each other ask funny man!!'
  • SHAME (09/07/2016, 22:54) Like (31) Dislike (30) Reply
    Same sex marriage is about the fundamental right granted to any married couples. For example to grant the power of attorney to his/her spouse in an emergency. This is not about religion. If you want to argue religion, why do some straight people molest children or sleep with disabled family members? Look in the mirror BVI before you judge!
    • carson grey (10/07/2016, 07:17) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
      U have a right to your opinion but ur arguing shit. Whats ur moot point again? Same sex marrige is disgusting to say the least.
  • ballheaded (10/07/2016, 01:04) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Our cabinet has a big anti man
  • chad (10/07/2016, 07:53) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    An actual civilized island and society impressive. Oh and I'm not against gays I just think the idea of going as far as marriage is utterly ridiculous.
  • Voter Too (10/07/2016, 09:17) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Going God's way is the best and doing so your nation will defintely prosper.Way to go Bermuda. God bless you all
  • VG-1 (10/07/2016, 13:39) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    i've always heard that our islands were founded on christianity . If this is true then this shouldn't be up for a vote. marriage is an act ordeaned by God himself between a man and a woman.
    • Stopit!! (11/07/2016, 15:00) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      When and where did God ordained marriage? Some person or persons wrote in the Bible and gave you and said thus saith the Lord. Lord never seen or said anything. They didn't tell you that what was in the first five books that the Egyptians wrote it? They didn't tell you your first Bible came about in 1611? Search God within yourself, not what man told you. The ship that left West Africa laden with slaves was sponsored by the British. Its name was JESUS. Read, my people. Stop letting people brain-wash you. Garden of Eden.. and snake talking.. Come on!!
  • Eagle Eye (10/07/2016, 15:39) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marriage is not call marriage if same sex is tie by law.call it garbiage,a word closer to garbage thank you.
  • ------------------- (10/07/2016, 15:55) Like (59) Dislike (0) Reply
    good move Bermuda ayo not in that!
  • Yeah yeah (10/07/2016, 22:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “That every human being is entitled to the same service as any human being,” 

    Yes, ad long as that "service" is from the opposite sex........lol
  • can'tbreed (11/07/2016, 01:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them can't mek kids right, why even place the bible between them nature says they wud die!!!!!!
  • You people... (11/07/2016, 04:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...get on my nerves with your hypocrisy. I'm saying that to you as a str8 man. You tout how much of a christian community we are and fight against same sex anything, but you close your mouth and sit on your hands when it comes to other non christian issues such as gambling, strip clubs and the million and one bars in the BVI. Stand against those issues too.
  • Do Right (11/07/2016, 09:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thank the people of Bermuda and the Politicians of Bermuda for standing up against wrong and sin. Marriage is between a man and a woman plain and simple. Men who lay with men or woman who does the same are hell bound unless they turn from their nasty ways and confess thein sins and ask for forgiveness. If the creator wanted same sex unions He would have have created Adam and Eve. He would have created Adam and Steve instead.
  • jah know (12/07/2016, 11:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    legalize the weed and leave the b***y man thing where it is



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