Same sex marriage is currently illegal in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who will lead the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitutional Negotiating Team to the United Kingdom (UK) later this year, has said the issue of same sex marriage will be discussed. Photo: YouTube

During the first public engagement session ahead of negotiations with the UK, on May 5, 2026, the team was asked about the issue of same sex marriage and whether the UK’s pro-same sex marriage position could be imposed on the VI. Same sex marriage is currently illegal in the  VI. 

Premier Wheatley confirmed, “We know, of course, that’s an issue that is going to come up. That’s an issue they have already signalled will come up, and we’ll have a discussion.”

The Premier said the VI’s negotiating team has a position and the UK’s negotiating team will have theirs.

The issue of imposition

Dissecting the question, Premier Wheatley looked at the issue of imposition separate from the same sex marriage discussion. 

“Part of our contention is that we don’t want a relationship with the United Kingdom where anything is imposed on us. That is part of our contention…the UK describes our relationship as a modern relationship, and in that modern relationship, imposition should play no part.”

Dr Wheatley added that in our societies, there is a democratic process and the “will of the majority must be respected, especially as it pertains to our laws”. 

Protection for minorities 

He, however, said every democratic society must have protections for minorities. “This is why the discussion of human rights is important because it has been determined through various organisations, the United Nations and others, that there are certain rights which are inalienable and they are universal to all people.”

Despite the fact that you may have the majority, it doesn’t give the right to abrogate the rights of others who may not agree with the majority.

“We know this as a society. In a society which is diverse, one of the most important things we can have is tolerance, tolerance for persons who are different than we are. So we exercise tolerance, we exercise love; but that does not mean that the minority can dictate to the majority.”

Public engagement continues later today, May 26, in Virgin Gorda, at the Catholic Community Centre from 5:30 P.M.