The resolution to initiate the territory’s first-ever referendum, on Same-Sex Marriage, has been gazetted. Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley made the announcement during a brief update on current matters on Friday.
Premier Wheatley further elaborated that if the resolution successfully passes in the House of Assembly, a date for the referendum will be announced in due course.
The referendum has been considered by Wheatley as a means to fortify the BVI’s position against the potential forced legalization of same-sex marriage in the territory.
The news of the referendum first surfaced in December 2022 when Premier Wheatley addressed the public regarding an ongoing legal decision before the High Court.
The case involved a same-sex couple, both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and subsequently sought legal recognition of their union within the BVI. Should the court decide in favour of the couple, the decision could invalidate Section 13(1)(c) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, which currently stipulates that marriage is valid only between a male and female.
Premier Wheatley emphasized that such a ruling had the potential to disrupt the “social and religious fabric of society.” In response to the legal challenge, the Government of the Virgin Islands expressed its intent to vigorously defend existing laws and uphold the authority of the democratically elected legislature in making decisions on matters of this nature. Wheatley firmly stated his belief that issues of social and religious significance should not be decided in the courts.
The Premier called upon the people of the Virgin Islands to voice their opinions on the matter of marriage and stressed that legislators should be obligated to heed the wishes of the populace.