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'Let the people decide' on same-sex marriage issue- Talk show hosts

- support plan by Gov't to hold referendum
The hosts of the Talking Points show are mostly in favour of a referendum on same-sex marriage in the Virgin Islands. From left: Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas-Gaul, guest Maris Hodge-Wright and co-host Elvin Grant during an episode of the show on May 8, 2023. Photo: Facebook
A referendum regarding the matter of same-sex marriages is likely to be executed for the first time in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) ahead of June 2023. Photo: businessinsider.com
A referendum regarding the matter of same-sex marriages is likely to be executed for the first time in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) ahead of June 2023. Photo: businessinsider.com
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- A conversation on same-sex marriage saw various views being expressed during the Talking Points show aired on ZBVI 780 AM and live-streamed on Facebook on May 8, 2023.

The conversation was centred around the recent announcement by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) who noted that a referendum on same-sex marriage will soon be carried out in the [British] Virgin Islands prior to a court case involving a same-sex couple seeking to have their marriage recognised in the Territory.

Referendum 'is a good thing'- Violet Thomas-Gaul

Co-host of the show Mrs Violet Thomas- Gaul, like many Virgin Islanders, said she supports the referendum but is concerned about United Kingdom (UK) interference.

“There’s also the fact that the UK is looking at it, and should they put anything through with the Territories they’re going to try and force whatever they put through down everybody’s throat whether you like it or not. This is a good thing he’s [Premier] doing. Let the people decide,” she stated.

Local businesswoman Maris Hodge- Wright who was a guest on the show said she does not agree with the church marrying LGBT persons but as citizens who pay taxes they should be allowed to be married under any governmental agency licenced to do so.

“I am a Christian but I’m also a citizen. I believe in a separation of church and state. As a Christian, my beliefs are supposed to be that the church cannot marry or should not marry because it goes against their precepts. As a citizen, I don’t think that it’s fair that people pay taxes and don’t have equal rights…I think that as Christians we are to defend the laws of a country, we are supposed to live under our Christian precepts but we cannot enforce and tell the law that you can pay taxes but you can’t have the same rights as I do,” she said.

It's a 'human rights issue'- Damion C. Grange

Meanwhile, co-host Damion C. Grange said while he too is a ‘believer’ in the church, he is also believer in human rights.

“I think it’s a human rights issue…If we legalise alcohol and the church also believes that the abuse of it is just as wrong and they’re other things that are legal in the country that the church does not agree with, I think that the same principle should apply to same-sex marriage. If it’s not for you then it’s not for you. Why are you worried about it?” Grange said.

Referendum is good- Elvin Grant

Co-host Elvin Grant also agreed that the referendum is good since he noted it will inform on what should be acceptable and what the majority of the population deems acceptable.

Mr Grange then interjected that while he agrees with having the referendum, his issue with it is if it is really needed for this particular issue, since it should be considered a human rights issue and Government has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of every citizen is recognised.

He; however, said the church should not be forced to do anything.

50 Responses to “'Let the people decide' on same-sex marriage issue- Talk show hosts”

  • Real (11/05/2023, 10:10) Like (42) Dislike (8) Reply
    Nonsense. yet this country supposedly a Christian country and still bringing nastiness to tables to discuss
    • Madussa (11/05/2023, 13:25) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      The British are coming! The British are coming! With every nasty vile thing, they can think of and what they practice, so wherever they go in the world they can feel at home and comfortable. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD and landed high and dry.
    • To Real (11/05/2023, 14:32) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with you. I am so disappointed to hear what some of these so called Christian people are saying on this same sex issue. God does not want this for the BVI. He want to give us freedom in all respect including from the UK but in both instances some are chosing to further enslave themselves and all of us. I now understand what is meant by History never repeats itself, only the people.
    • my2cents (11/05/2023, 19:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      A Referendum allows the people to vote on an issue and put an end to it. Without the referendum it will be forced upon us. This is the time and chance to prove we are a true christian country. I hope that helps you to understand that the referendum gives us the people the choice.
      • Linda (13/05/2023, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ my2cents. Exactly, they need to bring the referendum to we the people so our voices could be heard. Our NAY votes would stand loud and clear. There wouldn't be any doubt about what we don't want here. Let the weirdos get married somewhere else in the perverted world they live in. Stop trying to shove everything that happens in the world down our throats. Our islands are too small to handle the onslaught that they are trying to send our way. LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!
  • Hmm (11/05/2023, 10:14) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    Let the ppl decide, yes. However, radio stations such as this can influence others from the right principles vs "human right". Ppl some just goes along with the majority although they feel and know differently.
    • @hmmm (11/05/2023, 14:37) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are 100% correct. Please note The Governor and UK fully support samesex marriage in the BVI & is behind the scenes demanding same sex marriage be legalized in the BVI. It is part of their strategy for us in their GLOBAL BRITAN document. We are falling their new world order trap which God warned us not to do. I cry for my BVI. OUR LEADERS HAVE TO STAND UP. Better to please God and anger man than to please man & anger God.
  • asking for a friend (11/05/2023, 10:14) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    well sah why is this an issue?
  • the people (11/05/2023, 10:18) Like (36) Dislike (4) Reply
    WE DONT WAN IT!
  • Lunacy (11/05/2023, 10:23) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply

    Why the $%^& do we have representatives if they can't represent the minds of the people. THE BVI HAS BY MAJORITY EXPRESSED THAT WE DONT WANT SAME SEX MARRIAGE. Time for our leader/premier to say "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN" end of story.

    • lodger (11/05/2023, 12:00) Like (0) Dislike (11) Reply
      What majority is this? From the blogs? Hardly a national vote. If we hold a referendum we will have to think carefully about what question will be asked. It will need to confirm to whatever the UK is saying exactly. Remember there is a difference between church and state. Legalising same sex unions does not mean churches (christian or otherwise) have to perform ceremonies.
      • @lodger (11/05/2023, 15:21) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        What do you mean 'what majority'? You know that 'world wide' MOST human beings of colour and nature itself do not support homosexual behavior. This is mostly a Caucasian racist agenda.
    • @lunacy (11/05/2023, 17:34) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
      The vote has never been given to the opl. There was never a chance for anyone to have a voice. Me? Live and let live. If you are happy! Remember you so called christians piping in: if you believe in god then he loves ALL.
  • Comment (11/05/2023, 10:23) Like (30) Dislike (9) Reply
    Maris Hodge-Wright do you truly understand what it means to be a Christian? As a Christian believer, you are not to compromise on any sinful behavior 'in church' or 'in the public domain'. If you lack understanding on this fundamental principle of the Gospel of Christ, you may be just a 'FAN' of Christ Jesus and not a 'born-again' follower that have a true relationship with the Creator of all. Many people sit in church each Sunday filling up a seat. Do you know that demons also sit in churches too? A 'TRUE' relationship with Jesus is what matters to God!
    • The Giver (11/05/2023, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
      Maris is right, personally I don't agree with same sex marriage but would I stand in the way of others who which to get married no it is there right. The same bible says love the person not the act. We as Christians need to say what we believe and hold true to that fact we also need to stay out of others affairs when their views differ, each tax paying citizen in this country has the same set of right's how many religions are there in this country, but I do not here anyone saying this or that one should be pushed out, let us consider our ways and be wise and loving.
      • @The Giver (12/05/2023, 10:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Maris and you are very wrong...

        2 Peter 3:16 — New Living Translation (NLT)
        16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

        1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV
        9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

        4. Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”

        5. Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
  • hmm (11/05/2023, 10:52) Like (12) Dislike (9) Reply
    If only she had this kind of energy to promote AND support their family business LMAO that's why the majestic ones soon take over LOL Before she support her husband, she up and down chatting p¡$$
  • Lord (11/05/2023, 11:06) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    All the ceremonies will be kept at New Life lol
  • RedStorm (11/05/2023, 12:33) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    It should not be a discussion end of it. There is no human rights according to the United Nations Declaration, so please let me know , where these two people rights falls, in between that they are human and gender of male and female or male and male,or female and female? The latter is not mentioned in the Holy Bible which give rights to God established action ,”0n the six day he made male and female, he made them” for worship and procreation. If you put all female on an island and return in fifty years, you will only find dry bones and dead bodies, nothing there would procreate. If you put male and female on an island and return in fifty years, you will find a whole nation. Lets girls be girls and boys be boys.

    Now, these two girls are fighting for the rights to be called husband and wife,or to be recognized as married couple should not happen in these islands, as these islands would not be able to deal with the wrath of God. So let’s not start something we cannot finish. Have any of the panel personnel ever research the history or read the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, then it would have been best to do so, before going on the panel, as it would have given an insight of God’s plan for mankind.
  • John The Baptist (11/05/2023, 12:34) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter". Too much compromise
  • TF? (11/05/2023, 12:40) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    she bout to open pandora box, and she ain't going be able to close it back....

    I guess you want cover pedophiles too? They paying their taxes. And why stop there? A lil bestiality never hurt nobody.....

    Lady yuh talking a bag ah rubbish!
  • Asking for a friend? (11/05/2023, 12:48) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Do we live in a democracy or a theocracy? The rest of the democratic world has figured out this issue already. Time to decide BVI what you want to be.
    • @ Asking for a friend? (11/05/2023, 15:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Whatever can change, but God's Word never change. shame on some of the churches for making people believe in a changeable god. His Word is Yeah, and Amen! will always stand the changing world does not have an effect on it. It was written knowing that the world is changing, however; it is clear through out the Word that He will never change. Amen!!!
  • my 2 cents (11/05/2023, 13:19) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    If you have not walked in my shoe don't comment on my behavior. We don't know what makes people gay. As far as I see it God made us in His own image and likeness. Gays and Straights. The majority of gays act totally different from a straight person. That to me is not a choice. I am straight but that does not give the right to tell a gay person that their feelings don't matter. I have seen it first hand.
    • Note. (11/05/2023, 16:37) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      The majority of people who are gay, has at some time in their childhood been molested. If they are honest they will tell you that this is the case. I know of a few and they well all molested as children.
    • @ my 2 cents (11/05/2023, 21:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      God showed be what this all is… ‘a spirit of perversion’ attacking the minds of some humans and causing them to behave in this manner. It is a spiritual strong hold.
  • TROj (11/05/2023, 14:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The world is at a crossroads. Too much madness is going on. The news generation will judge us and sentence us to purgatory for being too viral with serious issues like this. No moral instance is being upheld. soon incest and polygamy will be legalized.
  • Truth (11/05/2023, 14:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The argument being made that a civil union or marriage is the only way to ensure that a 'partner' will inherit in the death of one partner, is false. Because all they need to do is make a Will to will their property to the one they want to leave it to. They can each make a Living Will, or whatever they call it legally. It don't have to put the territory through all kinds of loops to satisfy their wishes. I have nothing against people choosing to live how they want, as it suits them, but consider the bigger picture, society is not all about satisfying our every whim and fancy. i WILL NOT TAKE PART IN ANY REFERENDUM ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE. PERIOD.
  • Really (11/05/2023, 16:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    You can tell the nasty mindedness of these people. Leave that nastiness in America…
  • Really (11/05/2023, 16:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wake up people,this is exactly what I been warning you all about. It's an agenda brought to you by the ELITES . They want all switched genda, and all opposite sex together because it goes against the Almighty Father. Learn to use your brain I'm these times because not only is America which is Babylon will fall but every country,state, island,and continents will fall so be prepared. Get ready for the digital beast system which is starting World wide in July they said
    • ? (11/05/2023, 21:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      did you have a stroke writing this paragraph because this makes absolutely no coherent sense
  • NONSENSE!!! (11/05/2023, 20:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everybody want to be a talk show host talking crap!!! Y’all go help people in need who don’t have food to give their kids, who suffering from the high cost of living, who can’t pay their bills, from sitting down talking CRAP!!!
  • not ready (11/05/2023, 21:53) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Maris you said you are a Christian, I’m taking that it means you have a relationship with Christ. Your answer should be a strong “no”. May heaven and earth bear witness to what you have said. When judgement falls on the BVI for being partial about it, I hope you think on what you have said. You better Repent publicly.
    • True (12/05/2023, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Her heart has been revealed.

      10. Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.
  • run (11/05/2023, 21:57) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Aren’t you a pastors wife and you’re pushing the agenda because you’re a citizen? Utter crap. People you better open your eyes to see people for who they are and run from their churches. They will send you to hell with a first class ticket.
  • hmm (11/05/2023, 23:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wasnt Damian married to the former bank manager?
  • Quiet Rebel (12/05/2023, 04:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the people decide by a majority vote, that is the democratic way if they are comfortable with either Eve and Steve or Eve and Eve or Steve and Steve. We choose elected members and a government by a plurality of the vote so why use the same process to decide this unnatural act? The same-sex people are hypocrites, for they want enjoy parenthood but does not want to experience the joy and pain of child bearing. Left to them, the population would quickly diminish. Let’s vote soonest.
  • Hmm (12/05/2023, 05:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    BLAZE FIIRREEEE BLAAAZEEEE
  • Magical life (12/05/2023, 07:15) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply

    You all sound so stupid critercizing the woman for her opinion? So what if she is a Christian. So what if she is a business woman. Being a Christian and business woman and a former counselor. She has came across people from all walk of life!! If you all want to support the new whare house majestic life,because of Maris opinion. Then go ahead!!!! Her business is going to strive regardless. So if a homosexual dies, which funeral home is going to deal with his/ body? Don't homo have the same rights as the straights? As someone who is close to the situation, there are more HIV positive heterosexual than they are homosexuals right here in the BVI. Alot of you all who are here commenting are a heap of marries undercover guys who are up and down @&^%$g the young boys and paying them to stay quiet. Judge not or you'll be judge. I respect her for speaking up without fear. I will support a business that is open and transparent over a business that is built on lies, drugs, criminal former police activities, greed, envy, hatred, and with money hungry people. That former, dutty po***e is up and down fighting families to bring their corpse to his business.

    • @Magical Life (12/05/2023, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      God's word is enough to correct your statement.

      8. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

      7. Matthew 7:20-25 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
  • Hmm (12/05/2023, 08:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A referendum is good, but what about the education campaign of the issue
  • Lucifer morningstar (12/05/2023, 10:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a SODOMITE WORLD you all just living here lol. HETEROSEXUAL? Yuck lol Man and woman? Yuck lol. ANUS? YESSSSSSSS! Fools they know not what they do lol.
  • Norris Turnbull (12/05/2023, 16:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God already decide fool
  • hm (13/05/2023, 11:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marris, Grange. Show me wherein the bible where it says one should compromise and contradict the laws as they were written? Yall a set a dam hypocrites.

    And this heffa married to a pastor. I guess we know who wears the pants in that household because up to yet he aint say squat. Shame
  • Bash (13/05/2023, 17:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.
    It was Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve nor Eve ans Yvonne.
    Ain ain ain.
    Unwed aex
    Lie
    Cheat
    Steal
    Jealousy
    Envy
    Grad
    Gluttony
    But this aodomite laws that contradicts the laws of the almighty.
    Hm.
    And then every election all politicians calling on God?
    Remember that God don't sleep. He see wa NDPVIM wanted to so Lorna last week


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