On December 19th, 2022 it was announced by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley, that it was the position of cabinet that a referendum on same-sex marriage take place in the Virgin Islands providing residents the opportunity to share their views on the matter in order for a decision to be made. That referendum has not yet taken place. However, at a recent press conference held by the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement on Friday February 24th, 2023 candidates where questioned on their stance on same sex marriage and abortion.
Deputy Chairman of the movement Hon. Melvin Mitch Turnbull, an ordained minister at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church and 2nd District Representative stated definitively, “I will stand on the biblical principles for which I was raised and for which I believe in: that marriage is between and should be between a man a woman.”
Chairman of the Movement, Ronnie W. Skelton and At-Large Candidate said, “There is a bit of confusion that I myself is not clear about so until that happens, now that you ask me the question in a public forum, I will try to make sure that I look at it in a more objective way and see exactly what is being asked.”
At-Large Representative and Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development said, “And I would go out on a limb to say that perhaps in the case of same-sex marriage, a referendum needs to happen. These people are human beings as well, and we have to understand that while you may believe something should be a certain way, we have to respect the beliefs of others and so let us as a community, a Virgin Islands community, decide the way to go.”
It is expected that the question will be posed to other candidates contesting the 2023 general elections.