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‘We can make laws for ourselves’- Premier on UK same-sex marriage bill

- Bill introduced in UK Parliament to legalise same-sex marriages in British Overseas Territories
UK Lord Michael M. Cashman (L) and his partner. Cashman on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, introduced in the House of Lords a bill to legalise same-sex marriages in British Overseas Territories, including the Virgin Islands, where they’re currently banned. Photo: Provided
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed his objection to the same-sex marriage bill that some United Kingdom (UK) parliamentarians are seeking to force upon the British Overseas Territories. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed his objection to the same-sex marriage bill that some United Kingdom (UK) parliamentarians are seeking to force upon the British Overseas Territories. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed his objection to the same-sex marriage bill that some United Kingdom (UK) parliamentarians are seeking to force upon the British Overseas Territories.

The bill was on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, introduced in the House of Lords to legalise same-sex marriages in British Overseas Territories, including the Virgin Islands, where they’re currently banned.

Private Members bill

Gay rights pioneer Lord Michael M. Cashman put forward the private members’ bill, which is a bill introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers.

The proposed bill extends to six Overseas Territories; Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, [British] Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It will seek to introduce equal civil marriage for same-sex and different-sex couples.

‘I do not agree’- Premier Wheatley

Premier Wheatley told Virgin Islands News Online on July 11, 2022, he is not in favour of the legislation being forced upon the Virgin Islands.

“I do not agree for any legislation to be imposed on the people of the Virgin Islands from the United Kingdom parliament. We have our own parliament, and we can make and amend laws for ourselves,” Dr Wheatley stated.

Bill unlikely to succeed- Cayman Islands’ Governor

The introduction of the bill comes after the UK Privy Council denied marriage equality to both the Cayman Islands and Bermuda in March 2022.

According to Cayman Compass on July 6, 2022, Cayman Islands Governor Martyn K. Roper, in response to queries from the Compass regarding the bill, replied in a statement, “I understand the Private Members’ Bill introduced by Lord Michael Cashman in the UK’s House of Lords on same sex marriage in the Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands, has little chance of progressing. It is not a Government Bill and it is not yet clear if it will even be debated.”

Before a bill can become law in the UK, it has to be passed by both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

According to the UK Parliament website, only a minority of Private Members’ Bills become law “but, by creating publicity around an issue, they may affect legislation indirectly. introduced in the House of Lords”.

Cashman’s bill has been given a first reading in the House of Lords. The next step, which has yet to be scheduled, would be to undergo a second reading, where, typically, the bill is debated by members of the House of Lords.

After that, it goes to ‘committee stage’ where a detailed line-by-line scrutiny is done and amendments added. There is then a third reading and a final chance to make amendments and votes.

If the Lords make changes to the draft bill, it is then sent to the Commons to agree, change or reject it. Once the bill is finalised and passed by both houses, it is sent to the queen for royal assent.

Read the bill here.

54 Responses to “‘We can make laws for ourselves’- Premier on UK same-sex marriage bill”

  • (12/07/2022, 07:58) Like (32) Dislike (20) Reply
    They in the closet in the bvi and blaming the uk
    • @…… (12/07/2022, 08:54) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
      in the closet for many all in the church!!!
    • for real (12/07/2022, 12:34) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Closet mumus would prefer to hide and do they thing. Bunch of hypocrites as always
      • Billy Kimba (12/07/2022, 13:22) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

        The closet is called PRIVACY and that is where b@*ty business should be PRIVATE.

  • which part (12/07/2022, 08:11) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    Which part of the bill requires consultation with the OTs. When will these people stop trying to impose things on the territory whether through direct rule or otherwise, and what is the haste all of a sudden to make this move. Why are they trying to create discord between the OTs and the UN...quite obvious. Self determination is a concept that some cannot seem to understand or respect, I think this is the main issue at this stage.
    • controversial (13/07/2022, 11:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      ....the anti-man law coming, it coming... that wha happen when you are a colony, so if you dont want it, stop being a colony...but whether you for or against that law.... nutting aint goin stop man from lovin woman and woman from loving man and having lots of children....
  • Agreeable One (12/07/2022, 08:24) Like (65) Dislike (32) Reply
    I am always amazed at how 2% of an entire population want the entire population to accept something that is not normal. I respect the right of every ADULT individual to make their own choices, and that is really your business. Please respect my right not to accept your choice. I find it highly offensive that the UK or any one in the UK would force that on any country that does not support that lifestyle, disrespect on the highest level. The BVI respect individual rights but we put Gods right higher than individual rights and will continue to be guided by such. Shalom!
    • Stuck in the dark ages (12/07/2022, 11:27) Like (28) Dislike (28) Reply
      Well lord help any of you so called Christians should any of your children be born homosexual. Y'all stuck in the dark ages. What a tough place to live if you are born that way- so unnecessary that they should be made to feel so ostracized when no doubt their lives are already far tougher in the first place, trying to understand themselves etc. You should try to understand the hardship from their point of view. How does this even affect you??? Its so selfish, your resistance is pure bullying.
      • Pandora's Box (12/07/2022, 12:32) Like (11) Dislike (20) Reply
        You are arguing that marriage must be de-gendered. Marriage has been a gendered institutions since time immemorial. 'De-gendered marriage' opens up another Pandora's box of threats to the basic building block of a healthy society: solid, strong families. 'De-gendered marriage' is also a precursor to transgenderism, which the Virgin Islands will next be asked to promote. None of these things, 'de-gendered marriage' or pretending that a person can change his or her sex, promote what society in the VI or in UK really need: solid, strong families. On the contrary, they serve to further weaken them and de-value the building blocks on which a healthy society is built. Needless to say, 'de-gendered married' couples can never provide what a child should have: the society of his or her mother and his or her father.

        We should respect our fellow residents with same-sex attraction just the same as we ought to others. But that does not mean that we should weaken the foundations of our society by pretending that 'de-gendered marriage' is a marriage or that persons can change their sex by self-definition.
      • Ssk ssk (12/07/2022, 14:42) Like (22) Dislike (13) Reply
        There is no such thing as being born gay. There is absolutely nothing in a hospital anywhere in the word that can identify a "gay" baby. You are deluded. Wheel and come again. Talking pure PISSSS!!!
      • god is watching (12/07/2022, 14:49) Like (21) Dislike (12) Reply
        @Stuck in the dark ages don't be fooled. God did not make anyone this way. It is their rejection of God that caused them to be like this. This homosexual behavior is why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in the first place. God is a perfect God. The lifestyle he wanted man to follow came from the Garden of Eden when he performed the first marriage between Adam and Eve. He did not perform any marriage between Adam and Steve or Eve and Eve. He is perfect, and not the author of confusion. These homosexuals are so confused, that they need deliverance. They want to carry on their dirty lifestyle and still want to get a surrogate to bear children for them to live in that unhealthy home.

        Hear what Paul says in Romans 1:18-30:

        18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

        21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

        24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

        26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

        28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

        HAVE MERCY , LORD! This is His Word and His Word needs no debate! Amen!
        • God isn't watching (12/07/2022, 17:08) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
          You do know that in the collection of fairy stories that is the Bible, Eve wasn't Adam's first wife? He was married to a woman called Lilith, but despite 'God being a perfect God' he wasn't much of a match maker so they got divorced. A failed marriage followed by an eviction, I guess Eden wasn't all it was cracked up to be. If gay people want to get married and be miserable as the rest of us, let them.
    • Silence (12/07/2022, 11:41) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
      So you are saying it is ok for your your way of life and push your agenda on everyone. Ok ... so it's your way or no way?

      There are many more ways of living that do not fall under your way of living. Like you said, "I respect the right of every ADULT individual to make their own choices, and that is really your business. Please respect my right not to accept your choice."

      Obviously you DO NOT respect "every adult individuals choice."
      Also ... "Please respect my right not to accept your choice."

      No one is asking you to "accept others choices" but you are expecting everyone else to accept and LIVE by your way of life and choices. You can't have it both ways.

      My dear, you are a hypocrite.

      Wishing you kindness and love.
  • Crap (12/07/2022, 08:27) Like (33) Dislike (18) Reply
    Let the UK keep that crap. We have enough on our plate and don’t want any GAY marriages here. The UK is already trying to destroy us, and this will become another Sodom and Gomorrah with them flitting all around on our islands in front of OUR children. Keep that crap in the UK. Overseas territories should not be subjected to them.
    • The queen's gambit (12/07/2022, 14:13) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Consider the chess move to see exactly what is happening here. Keep the focus on self determination and do be led into the trap that is being set before you. Too obvious. Whether or not this becomes law should be self-determined by the OTs and not by the UK...indirect direct rule?
  • No! (12/07/2022, 08:29) Like (19) Dislike (19) Reply
    No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no!
  • national security (12/07/2022, 08:29) Like (19) Dislike (15) Reply
    To the UK, you are responsible for one thing in this territory, its National Security. Everything else is left to the country's self determination. Can you confirm how many bills have been passed to demonstrate your commitment to improving the national security of the country? We have an incompetent police force of which a UK force retiree is the commissioner as has been the string of commissioners over the years. Yet there is an issue with the ignorance and incompetence of the force. What concerns have you raised to show you care. What bills have you passed. What plans have you shared with the people and government to show your commitment. Why are you not focused? What is the real problem here? Is your hate for the people of this territory so great that you have to resort to any means to show how little you truly care? This is a grave concern.
  • Rubber Duck (12/07/2022, 08:36) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think we should hear the informed opinion of the "Bishop " on this matter.
    • Island Peep (12/07/2022, 19:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      You mean the man from Duffs Bottom who was caught in bed with another man?
  • Colony (12/07/2022, 09:12) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    The UK can make laws for its colonies.
  • E is K (12/07/2022, 09:30) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply

    The BVI is full of male and female LGBTQ members, including individuals in the clergy and grocery businesses. BVI doesn't seem to mind it's female to female populations, however its the b****s that seem more to offend. Acceptance to anything outside of what is considered "norms" really does need to be considered. All people are equal in the eyes of God....right?

  • Lavaaa (12/07/2022, 09:40) Like (23) Dislike (15) Reply
    Let them stay in the closet don’t expose our children to this nastiness up front they already have to deal with it on the Television “Programming”
  • And so what (12/07/2022, 09:52) Like (20) Dislike (11) Reply
    LOVE IS LOVE LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE
    • Pandora's Box (12/07/2022, 12:33) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Agree. So why are you brining 'de-gendered marriage' into it. Leave it alone!
  • @ ... (12/07/2022, 09:57) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    U can say that AGAIN , and they are getting brazen these days / SADOM AND GOMORRAH - rite yah
    • undertaker (18/03/2023, 12:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      last time I looked, there was way more SADOM AND GOMORRAH in the churches, then anywhere else.
      What do you call priests raping young boys? Messengers of God???...Hmmm. You are a Hypocrite! Who said: "we are all one family and related"?
      Is it fair to tell me only now, that you are one in-bread bunch with serious psychological and physical (bodily) disorders? Have mercy please !
  • Citizen (12/07/2022, 10:07) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    Where are all the UK people who always on here blogging. You all better keep that nastiness out of here. Let it it had been Andrew suggested this bill, you would of seen the comments.
  • Vincy Drink Gramazone (12/07/2022, 10:24) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    Nothing is wrong w playing in on both teams. If you can join one u should be able to join the other!
  • Toolate? (12/07/2022, 10:26) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
    Why the protest? The BVI have already accepted lesbian and homosexual relationships. We see them everyday and it is not only UK. There are persons here who have been calling for that legislation. In fact there are persons (same sex) who are reputed to be married.
  • Seer (12/07/2022, 10:52) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I concur Hon Sir.
  • Windy (12/07/2022, 11:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ‘We can make laws for ourselves’ Only with approval of the governnor. :-)
  • WOW (12/07/2022, 12:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Man to man so unjust. We might accept woman to women faster but otherwise woman n man
  • hmm! (12/07/2022, 12:10) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply

    SALOPNESS & MALPOPNESS, DOWN RIGHT N***Y PLAYING IN SH**!
    AND NO ALL LOVE IS LOVE, PURE LOVE IS LOVE, THE LOVE THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE ALMIGHTY FROM THE BEGINING OF TIME! THUS THE REASON HE DESTROYED NATIONS THAT INDULGED IN WHAT HE HATED UNPURE LOVE (WRONG SEXUAL LOST). FIRE GO BURN!!!!!!!! AND TO THOSE WHO KEEP TURNING BACK TO SEE IF THEY CAN ACCOMODATE WRONG AND STILL TRY NOT TO OFFEND OTHERS THEY WIIIIIILLLLLL TURN INTO PILARS OF SALT, JUST LIKE LOT! ST**KY SH**Y NAS****ESS, NYARK!

  • Really (12/07/2022, 12:34) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    That's who runs the world transgenders and gays,and lesbian. You see the freemason all in the picture WOW. Your kids wouldn't know a real woman or man soon with all these pride laws coming in place for the New world order
  • Dear Public… (12/07/2022, 12:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It has been 2 months , Since Shaquoy A Smith was murdered in a hit and run .Please if you know something say something .. you can call in anonymously at 368-5682 or RVIPF Intelligence at 368-9339.
    Pleading on this BVILOVE , we speak about daily.
    God Bless.
    Remember he could’ve been your Uncle ,Son , Nephew etc.
    #Justice
    • Hmm (12/07/2022, 14:08) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      Exactly. Where is the UK on national security in the BVI. This is the problem.. where is the solution. The force is incompetent. Look how they handled that case. Where is the update from the Commissioner.
    • We need justice (12/07/2022, 16:33) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Sadly, I can tell you the police department is not to be trusted when it comes to justice. Unknowingly, I was set up by the same detectives of the police force, they force me to sign documents i know nothing about or I could be prosecuted by them, Nevertheless, they refuse to get me a copy.
      I pray for justice for Mr. Smith.
      Trust in this police force does not exist, BVI love they say.
  • Seriously (12/07/2022, 13:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    when you walk into a gathering very soon when them come out of their closet U will be the only strength man in the room
  • end times (12/07/2022, 14:56) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Look at them in that picture, nuh! According to them African movies, "Shameless man! No shame at all. When the Monkey Pox hit you all, you all will know! This is an ABOMINATION unto the Most High God.

    I see why the UK wants to rule here in our beautiful islands. It is for them to be on our beautiful beaches with their nastiness! God forbid! Where are the churches in all this? The churches need to make their voices heard. The church is not to sit quietly and accept the situation.
    • hypocrits (12/07/2022, 17:07) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      How you expect the church to make noise on this subject when some of the very on the podium and congregation are involved in this type of behavior?
  • Norris Turnbull (12/07/2022, 15:10) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    The UK need to stop their nastiness spread across the dam globe.
  • yuk (12/07/2022, 16:29) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yea please step in Mr. Premiere we do not want anything forced upon us....
  • wake up (12/07/2022, 18:08) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    Same sex marriage should be legal, why must we insist on staying in the dark ages because religious nuts have been brainwashed.
    • agreed (13/07/2022, 11:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed. They think God's world is the end all be all, when in reality it was imposed on them as well. This country is extremely unselfaware.
  • Stages (12/07/2022, 20:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    DeGENeracy is done in stages through GENerations..... It first started with making heterosexual children hypersexual. The hypersexuality gave rise to curiosity after wearing out the experience before their time. The next stage was to foster and embrace homosexuality to further confuse the confused, this is why it was important to soften people and make them very emotional through tv, trauma and create people who react to emotional stimuli. The next stage which we are at now is trans-sexuality; invoking and crossing of masculine/feminine life forces. The final stage of completely removing the soul from the body is trans-humanism. This is achieved when people are totally disconnected from their "temple" which is not really the body but their mind. It is at this stage society and its structure will crumble as they are now depicting in all of the tv shows and movies how the "World" will end. However, those who are aware will know that their are many many worlds that exist on one planet, so when they say the end of the world..... its the end of a particular way of life for those who lived in that world..... The rest of the planet will progress just fine.
  • Stand your ground Hon (12/07/2022, 22:51) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Don't let them bully you Premier. They had their wicked intentions all along since the so called Panama paper scam. They are master planners but God will have the final say. If you want to keep the curse of Sodom and Gomorrha away, keep those lawless laws out of here. Our children do not need to witness their wickedness. Next thing they will enforce it in the schools and we can't call our children boy or girl. God forbid!
  • Styles. (13/07/2022, 08:20) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    "We have our own parliament, and we can make and amend laws for ourselves,”

    No you can't. COI proved this.
  • Ghost (13/07/2022, 08:22) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I REBUKE in the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS what mr. gay pioneer is proposing. I tear down the plans of the enemy against our territory IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS.. Hon. Premier I urge you NEVER ACCEPT this for our country. The former Premier already legalized gambling while professing Christ. I admired Ex President Obama until he sold out to this idea. I often wonder how could one profess Christ to be His Follower and accept this lifestyle or “ministers” marrying homosexuals.. what God are they serving; what Bible are they reading?.. many like to say that they were born gay, but would God make someone whose actions are an Abomination unto Him? As children of God we are to Love the person but not their gay behaviors.. God’s Word Never lies and this lifestyle would cause them to burn in their Recompense and bring further sin on our land. Sodom & Gomorrah was mentioned, but we need to take serious note re: what God Did to them. He is a Merciful God and He Doesn’t always chastise but He Does for He Hates sin. We are “living in the days of Noah” and Matt: 24 is fulfilling daily. I urge all of you to read it- it’s time for us to seek God before our souls are lost. I Thank God that He is King of Heaven and Earth and not man. We can do and say what we want, but God Has the Final say.
    • whatever. (13/07/2022, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Separation of church and state my friend.

      Your religion only applies to you. Stop forcing it on other people.
  • Ghost (13/07/2022, 08:44) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    What’s upsetting is that the LGBTQ+ community have hijacked God’s Rainbow making it their “Pride symbol”.. i see this is an Abomination unto God.
    • Wrong. (13/07/2022, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your god only applies to you. It does not apply to people who do not wish to believe in the same things.

      Anyone can do whatever they want with any flag. Freedom does not just apply to you. It applies to others too.
  • Don't be Hyprocrites (13/07/2022, 11:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is there a problem with this? How exactly is a bill advocating for giving a minority more freedom, bad, or better yet imposing on other people's freedom? If it were 1922, we would cry wolf for rights, but now what's different? Just because it doesn't concern you, you act shocked and call it uncalled for, unnormal, heresy to God's word?

    Whenever ya'll are put in a similar position you play the victim? Where's the support for ostracised people in our community now huh?

    Even if you try and argue that it's the big bad UK imposing this on us, what do you think they did with Christianity, that you hold so dearly as a strawman for casting out ideals you don't agree with?


    Yall want to act like the politicians are the only hypocrites, guess what?

    The real truth is that the BVI community is plagued with homophobic, hyperjudgmental, and illogical values that will never let its people be truly free.
  • Bloodline (17/07/2022, 01:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of the left people on here have to be from other island or have a mixture of blood from other islands. Sorry guys real BVIslanders don’t practice. I also bet most people on here are dumb college students.


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