Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Cayman Islands succumb to UK demands on same sex marriage

-Chief Justice rules definition of marriage between man & woman only as unconstitutional
Chief Justice, Anthony Smellie, ruled that the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman was unconstitutional and violated multiple rights. Photo: Internet Source
Chantelle Day, left, and Vickie Bodden Bush, with their legal team outside court. Photo: Cayman Compass
Chantelle Day, left, and Vickie Bodden Bush, with their legal team outside court. Photo: Cayman Compass
Progressives United, Chairman, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, recently reminded the House of Assembly Members, the VI has avoided the legalization of same sex marriage “like a plague.” He called on recently elected Premier of the VI, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (pictured here), to confront the matter saying, “It’s an issue you [Premier] has to face… your government has to face it, it’s not something that’s you could avoid or walk away from.” Photo: VINO/File
Progressives United, Chairman, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, recently reminded the House of Assembly Members, the VI has avoided the legalization of same sex marriage “like a plague.” He called on recently elected Premier of the VI, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (pictured here), to confront the matter saying, “It’s an issue you [Premier] has to face… your government has to face it, it’s not something that’s you could avoid or walk away from.” Photo: VINO/File
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands - The United Kingdom (UK) has demanded of its Overseas Territories (OT) and Crown Dependencies—including the Virgin Islands—they legalise same sex marriage and on Friday, March 29, 2019, the Cayman Islands, in a landmark judgment in Grand Court, delivered.

The Cayman Islands' Chief Justice, Anthony Smellie, ruled that the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman was unconstitutional and violated multiple rights.

He subsequently ordered that the local law be changed to reflect that same-sex couples are allowed equal access to marriage as heterosexual couples.

UK’s Demands

His ruling followed a petition by Caymanian Chantelle Day and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush.

The ruling by Chief Justice Smellie, has now set legal precedent for OTs, Crown Dependencies and the Commonwealth and will inherently bring added pressure on the VI which has been resisting the UK’s demands.

Chief Justice Smellie ordered in his ruling that section 2 of the Marriage Law be changed to state “‘Marriage’ means the union between two people as one another’s spouses.”

He also stated: “This Court is … bound not to allow the violation of the Petitioners’ rights to continue without redress. The Constitution, in its mandatory requirement that the Law be brought into conformity, must prevail.

VI Position

Leaders in the domestic political and religious circles have been united in their stance against the demand by the UK.

Only recently, Progressives United (PU), Chairman, Honourable Julian Fraser RA reminded the House of Assembly Members, the VI has avoided the legalization of same sex marriage “like a plague.”

He had called on recently elected Premier of the VI, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (D1), to confront the matter saying, “it’s an issue you [Premier] has to face… your government has to face it, it’s not something that’s you could avoid or walk away from.”

He implored new Premier Fahie to, “show that you have leadership skills, show that you have tenacity that I always thought that you have and deal with these issues.”

Committee Report

The ultimatum by the UK stems from a UK parliamentary committee report which called on the Theresa May-led administration to set a date for all OTs to remove belongership status, legalise same-sex marriages and implement the public beneficial ownership registries.

In its report entitled, “Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Resetting the relationship”, the Committee said, “It is time for all OTs to legalise same-sex marriage and for the UK Government to do more than simply support it in... It must be prepared to step in, as it did in 2001 when an Order in Council decriminalised homosexuality in OTs that had refused to do so.”

51 Responses to “Cayman Islands succumb to UK demands on same sex marriage”

  • Eagle Eye (30/03/2019, 13:11) Like (21) Dislike (36) Reply
    White people with k9 dna need to stay on a continent by their selves.They dont respect other races for hundred of years now.earth will be better off without them.
    • @Eagle Eye (30/03/2019, 15:57) Like (23) Dislike (31) Reply
      Black people with donkey dna should not be allowed to comment...
      • WE GO LOWER (03/04/2019, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        1st of all Eagle Eye stop talking about your own MOTHER like that cause obviously a DONKEY can birth a human, you are here. Second of all....yuh MUDDA.
    • cromwell (30/03/2019, 16:21) Like (26) Dislike (9) Reply
      You are the reason the UK is taking an interest in this British territory, vile, discriminatory racist commentary such as yours is unacceptable in the civilized world. If you made such a public statement in Europe you would be arrested, and rightly so
      • Real reason (01/04/2019, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        This is not the reason the UK is taking interest, and you know it. If I give you the reason, you would just say I am racist, when in fact, its the other way around
      • WE GO LOWER (03/04/2019, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Wait this can't be I wanna be pro black cromwell? You sell out stephen uncle tom azz fool. Stay in your lane old timer. Go make your head stone and shut all the way de phuk up.
  • Fran (30/03/2019, 13:20) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    We CAN WALK AWAY from it. They cannot for e their beliefs down our throats.
  • Oceana (30/03/2019, 13:55) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    This has little to do with local politicians and their prejudices. It is a question of whether local marriage law is consistent with the Constitution and whether the Constitution is aligned with international law. It only takes one bold couple to challenge our laws all the way to the Privy Council if necessary.
  • Let it be... (30/03/2019, 14:02) Like (45) Dislike (27) Reply
    BVI needs to get with the program and let consenting adults live their lives as they see fit. It shouldn't matter to me or you who our neighbour marries. Its their business not ours.
    • wize up (30/03/2019, 19:47) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
      @ Let it be: you sound like a freak: whoever you run into first when the door bell rings will get it from(the brother or the sister...no discriminating)
      • @ Wise Up (31/03/2019, 10:51) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        Your ignorance is showing. Change your name.
        • wize up (31/03/2019, 15:05) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
          @@ wize up: my ignorance been showing for so many years from about 1955(sorry to disappoint U but your comment wont change anything..keep it straight and keep it clean
        • wize up (31/03/2019, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          @@ wize up: my ignorance been showing for so many years from about 1955(sorry to disappoint U but your comment wont change anything..keep it straight and keep it clean
  • No No No!! (30/03/2019, 14:36) Like (22) Dislike (20) Reply
    What a low down dirty shame. Not in BVI please!!!
    • wize up (31/03/2019, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ no no no: I don’t where in the BVI you live(may be you live at the foot of Jose Hill): the man on man conduct & the woman conduct) live and direct in our territory for many many many years: just keeping it in the closet for social reasons(pointing fingers & name calling): most of these new laws are politically motivated because the gay & lesbian community comprises of many voters so various political parties have become more sympathetic to certain levels of social conduct even if such behaviour is not biblical(be real we have same sex behavior right up in here and it is common knowledge)......
  • Help (30/03/2019, 14:38) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Lord send labourers, send labourers
  • BOOM!!! (30/03/2019, 15:51) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    CANNOT have both!

    EITHER God’s laws as they pertain to marriage designed by the Creator;

    OR man’s (and his man-made constitution)
    • Love's Law (30/03/2019, 17:23) Like (17) Dislike (10) Reply
      Honestly can't believe that the Universal Creator gives one hoot about who's having sex with who...as long as it's not an adult with a child, or a person who is raping another person.
      As long as there is mutual love involved, I believe the Creator accepts that.
      But I know, lots of people don't believe in Live and Let Love...they believe in judging others.
      • Sodom & Gomorrah Says: (31/03/2019, 08:56) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply

        Go read the Bible inspired by the Universal Creator.
      • lollll (31/03/2019, 09:34) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply

        The substance of your comment sounds more like mutual LUST.
      • Love v Lust (31/03/2019, 13:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Read again your blog because you seem to be passing judgment yourself. Get the facts from the Creator’s inspired and recorded word, the Bible. It distinguishes LOVE from LUST.


        • To Love vs Lust (31/03/2019, 21:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          Well, maybe I am judging a little bit. Intolerant of intolerance. Honestly, when I read the comments people make on these blogs referring to homosexuality individuals as "satanic"...well, I assume the people who say these things don't know have any family members or friends who are gay. If you did, you would know being homosexual doesn't mean you can't love as deeply or truly as a heterosexual person. And it also doesn't mean you that you can't Love God either. Or that God doesn't Love you.
      • @ Love's Law (01/04/2019, 10:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        I don't know which creator you speak of but not Yahweh Jehovah!!
  • Simple: (30/03/2019, 16:22) Like (21) Dislike (12) Reply
    Marriages of two different sources - (1) DIVINE marriages from God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and (2) SATANIC (adulterous/homosexual) marriages.
  • legal (30/03/2019, 16:23) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    Unfortunately we can do very little about this. Sections 19,20 and 26 of the VI Constitution Order 2007 provides the legal basis upon which the UK can impose its will on us in this regard, like it or not. Long story short, by denying same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples as regards the rights enshrined in the Constitution is discriminatory whether we like it or not. Personally, I don’t support the lifestyle and thinks it’s an abomination but the Constitution is the highest law of the land.
    • @Legal (30/03/2019, 17:25) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply

      Adultery is an abomination too but Christians participate in it, support it and condone it.
      • watcher (31/03/2019, 11:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Legal: you are comparing apples with oranges but I take your point in that both are wrong but the discussion is not about adultery, its about same sex marriage in light of the Cayman Islands court decision and whether a similar challenge could be mounted here in the BVI. If it is its likely to succeed on human rights grounds whether its morally detestable or not. To each his own if you engage in it.
  • (30/03/2019, 19:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

    “His ruling followed a petition by Caymanian Chantelle Day and her partner Vickie Bodden Bush.”

    Will the Christians reject or accept as fellow worshippers? It’s legal per the law of the land ...
  • REPENT OF OUR YOUR SINS (30/03/2019, 20:35) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    When you see these things happening, (Same Sex Marriages and all the wickedness taking place in this world) know that the Lord the creator of Heaven and Earth is Soon returing for his people...... The BVI people's foundation came about with the praying Christians that believe in their Bible and the Lord the Creator and the Bible teaching about marriage being between man and woman...... The BVI has been so blessed that we were not destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria....... All the prayers that were said that day of those hurricanes and pleadings to the Lord to save us.... It's his loving mercy,kindness and grace is what saved us....... We should be greatful cause we didn't deserve it because of the way we turn aganist the Lord and his teachings....... But i pray for the Lord to have mercy on all of us, if the BVI have to legalise same sex marriages because its an abomination.......And if you know your Bible the Lord Destroyed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sinful acts of the people along with the same sex marriages.......abomination.... Those Hurricanes didn't just happen just because they want to form.... they were warnings for us to repent of or sinful ways.....But we got so comfortable after the hurricanes passed and everything seemed to be getting normal we turn right back to our sinful ways...So Sad. The BVI my home, it's sad to say it is becoming so corrupt it's not safe as it once use to be. We want to be like the other mordenized countries, but it's dangerous for us.... The more mordenize we become the more problem we will face. So the same sex marriage is just a niche or small portion of the ''World's Agenda "(people who go against Christ the Lord our Saviour) to try and controll the people and try to get them to accept the things of the world that are not right..... BVI don't turn away from the Lord, because he might just turn away from us and that would be the worst thing ever if he did that.....BVI keep praying that the Lord will protect us from evil and to help us to become saved in Christ our Lord..... The Lord is our only refuge and strength, and is always present in our times of troubles....... Call upon the Lord for help BVI.
    • Shane (01/04/2019, 03:17) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Repent of your sins: Everyone knew the people in the bvi would return to their old ways after Irma and Maria once things started normalizing. That’s how the wicked are. They will never change unless they are brought to their knees physically.
  • Sodom & Gomorrah Asking (30/03/2019, 21:09) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply

    The Bible condemns ALL forms of sexual immorality. Not just one type. Now that this last one has been legalized, which in some lands has been the case for years now, what is the BVI Christian community going to do about it? BVI Christians are allowing and accepting other forms of sexual immorality. Are they going to discriminate against this one?
    • @Sodom & Gomorrah Asking (31/03/2019, 11:42) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply

      Two-faced masquerading Christians. Backboneless & double-tongued - claiming to be following God’s righteous decrees but they are not. Fakes and liars.
    • Hit the nail on the head (31/03/2019, 17:32) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are correct...the Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality, but take note that the Bible went out of the way to record the destruction of 2 cities. It was not just because of sexual immorality but the demons of disembodied spirits traversed the world deceiving others to engage in such behaviour as it was a way to demoralize human being and stray from remaining connected to the Creator or to their Source. Homosexuality, transgenderism, and androgny mean going against the grain and perpetuation of the human race is not thought about much. This agenda is being promoted as a way of depopulation. Do you know that all of the models for Victoria Secrets annual runway show are transgenders? Poor things....They are not to be blamed...We must feel sorry for them and pray for them to be released from what their parents have put on them for money, power and fame...many of them are transgendered from very young...5 to 6 years old with hormones, castrated before 11 or 12 years so their voice and body remain looking female. Check the jawline, and the hips of many female celebrities when they are young and compare to when they get old. Do your research and you will find the truth which has been hidden from us for decades. That was part of the experimentation that was going on in Germany during World War II. A good example is Marilyn Monroe, most female looking Hollywood celebrities, and you know who **** and for that reason Joan Rivers life was silenced after she said too much to a news reporter publicly about two important people.
  • Unbelievable (31/03/2019, 08:12) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Religion is the true root of all judgment, war and atrocities against women. It's time for these archaic countries to realize love is love and as long as you are honest, treat every human being with respect and lead with the example of a kind heart...nothing else should matter. If you think God is really telling you that in 2019 2 people of the same sex can't marry. It makes me sad that you're so brainwashed by a man made organization that just takes your money and turns you into a judgemental hateful person.
    Get with humanity.....this shouldn't even be news. One love BVI is soon going to have a new meaning.
  • chad (31/03/2019, 08:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The flood gate has opened. Get ready BVI. Christianity never teaches hate of anyone regardless of their choices, conduct our lifestyles. However, like all religions we set standards that we are expected to live by. Whilst Christians are not perfect, we cannot condone things like theft, dishonesty or sexual immorality, but not because we cannot agree with a particular life choice it does not mean that we hate persons who choose it. We simply hate the choice and will encourage persons to take another path. Whilst people are always very quick to attack Christians and our beliefs - I have not seen anyone demanding that Muslims or Budists or other faiths abandon their beliefs and adopt those of others. When we speak about Constitutional rights we forget that people of faith have the right not to be discriminated against either and be free to speak up and honour their religious beliefs as well. However the concept of 'tolerance' these days tends to mean tolerance of anything except Christ and Christianity. Very sad, but it will not silence us.
  • huh (31/03/2019, 08:33) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    Take the C off the cayman and put a G gayman
  • Simple Math (31/03/2019, 09:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same sex marriage, path to citizenship, etc. EQUALITY. Plus a $300M loan guarantee. That's option 1. Racism, hatred, prejudice. That's option 2. Which do you want BVI?
  • wow (31/03/2019, 09:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unfortunately, this might give way to attacks on the known. Some people might get carry away with emotions with no regards to their audience. How does a Christian Community tolorate and explain to their children?
  • Really (31/03/2019, 12:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A judge made a single ruling on his own. Cayman, it's legislators and its people did not succumb!
  • Hit the nail on the head (31/03/2019, 17:15) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in the secret society or The Lodge? Who put the pressure on him? What did they have over him? Now he and the leadership have invited the dark realm over their country. Woe unto you and the land of Cayman. The prayer warriors there and everywhere, please pray for mercy over this country as Hon. Smellie may not know what he has done.
    • maybe (31/03/2019, 19:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Someone whispered something in his ear that would shut him up. #Hmm
  • Cayman (31/03/2019, 19:33) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Just an FYI - no one in Cayman cares....happy for anyone who loves someone else whether gay or straight to marry. We are a much more civilized, 1st world, educated community & country that's not living in the dark ages. Sad thing is statistically there are lots of gay people living in fear in BVI because of ridiculous bible thumpers like all of you commenting. Probably a son, daughter, niece, nephew, friend....just wishing for acceptance and love.
  • wize up (01/04/2019, 06:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we have killers and arm robbers running around this place for so many years
  • Mr. Hodge (01/04/2019, 08:02) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am a follower of Christ... PERIOD! some people don't share my beliefs and that's fine. So lets meet on a neutral playing field. One of biology. lesbian/homosexual relationships are simply unnatural. The male and female bodies were designed for intercourse and human reproduction. Anything outside of that goes against your very design. We have gotten so wise that we have become foolish. Trangenderism, asexuality & gender neutrality are being FORCED and sometimes enforced on a global scale by the LGBTQA agenda. I am not forcing my heterosexuality on anyone so why is there a need to promote, justify and legalize alternative lifestyles?
    • trrefdrfds (01/04/2019, 13:02) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      The actual "biology" as you call it are that people are born they way. It's not a choice they made to rebel against Christianity. Educate yourself and live a life of acceptance instead of judgement. I'm not a believer but I do believe God wouldn't want you spreading intolerance & being disrespectful to a fellow human just because they have chosen to love the same sex.
    • again (01/04/2019, 16:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Studies show that homosexuality is very common in nature so it is very natural. There are also animals which can change their sex as the need. So your biological argument doesn't work. A little research goes a long way. To follow your argument further we should deny marriage to men and women who for whatever reason cannot reproduce if that is the basis for human relationships, which is obviously absurd. And how is the LGBT agenda being forced on you. Are they telling you to become homosexual, to marry a man, to give up your religion? I believe all they are asking for is to be treated equally. In fact it is you forcing your heterosexuality on them by refusing them the same rights as you have.
      • Mr. Hodge (01/04/2019, 17:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ again...what is natural about homosexuality? Our bodies are not designed for that. Heterosexual couples who can't have children has nothing to do with the natural law of human reproduction. Sperm + sperm can't reproduce. Eggs + eggs can't reproduce. Are you suggesting that Humans will evolve into protandrous species??? THAT is absurd. Put gay couples on an island and heterosexual couples on an island and come back in 50 years and tell me which group will thrive. If you also did your research you would understand how laws are being changed as far as criminalizing a person who even accidentally misgenders someone. I don't agree with someone who has a different lifestyle but I don't hate them. However, on the other side of the coin the LGBTQIA equates disagreement with hate. The goal post changes by the hour
        • again (02/04/2019, 14:58) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          Homosexuality occurs across almost all species in nature, so it is natural. Our bodies may not be designed for that but some brains are. I am assuming nothing. I am just stating facts. You argument is that loving relationships can only occur when the ability to reproduce is present. Therefore by your rationale people unable to produce cannot be in loving relationships and shouldn't be married. As far as segregating people to islands based who they love I don't feel warrants comment as it is patently discriminatory. There are enough heterosexual people in the world to ensure our species survives. If you did your research you will see how laws are being introduced calling for homosexual people to be tortured an killed. Cleary biology can't be the reason you disagree with their lifestyle. How does who they love effect you in any way? You say you don't hate these people but you will happily discriminate against them. Nothing they are asking for is anything more than the rest of us have. And no country is criminalizing a mistake, bigotry, hate speech and discrimination is being criminalized.
  • UK (02/04/2019, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This article is just wrong, the case was brought by caymanians in the cayman court.
  • AintChristian (03/04/2019, 07:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You crazy Christians - like proud promoters of the Dark Ages -, and you psychologically messed up macho Caribbean men who are so manly but so ... damn gay underneath all that tough posturing – all of you haters DON"T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS LAW IS.
    Let me explain. Aint no one saying gay people have a right to marry in the same church you worship at.
    No one is saying we are changing the scriptures to allow for gayness.
    No one is saying you all should have to ever encounter these terrifying men and women who love each other.
    All the law is saying is that if two people - man and man or woman and woman love each other and decide to commit as companions to each other for the long term, then the legal rules that apply to man and woman unions - like inheritance, the right to have on power of attorney, recognition in cases of identity, hospitalisation of one party, insurance, ownership of homes etc. - all the real boring things that bureaucratically enable a couple to be recognised by THE LAW, applies to these people.
    They can get married at a registry office or in the presence of a registrar and all the above will become legal.
    This is NOT a bunch of LGTB people invading your nice, safe self-reinforcing church environment and making moves on your macho best friend who you've secretly had your eye on since school days. ;)


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.