Bermuda becomes first country in world to repeal same-sex marriage

[DonViejo]

Source: The Guardian



British island territory swaps marriage for domestic partnerships for LGBT couples in move criticised as attack on equal rights

Guardian staff and agencies

Thu 8 Feb 2018 04.57 EST

Bermuda has become the first country to legalise and then repeal same-sex marriage, in what critics have called an unprecedented rollback of civil rights by the British island territory. Bermuda’s governor has signed into law a bill reversing the right of gay couples to marry, despite a supreme court ruling last year authorising same-sex marriage.

Walton Brown, the minister of home affairs, said the legislation signed by Governor John Rankin would balance opposition to same-sex marriage on the socially conservative island while complying with European court rulings that ensure recognition and protection for same-sex couples in the territory.

Bermuda’s Senate and House of Assembly passed the legislation by wide margins in December and a majority of voters opposed same-sex marriage in a referendum.

“The act is intended to strike a fair balance between two currently irreconcilable groups in Bermuda, by restating that marriage must be between a male and a female while at the same time recognising and protecting the rights of same-sex couples,” said Brown, whose ruling PLP party proposed the repeal.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/bermuda-repeal-same-sex-marriage?CMP=twt_gu

[nwduke]

1. Boycott

Bermuda!

[Marthe48]

2. Shame on Bermuda

Mark Twain said Bermuda was a little piece of Heaven on Earth. Well, that's shot.

[Chakaconcarne]

3. idiots....

I would venture to say that most people who make a point to travel are advocates of lgbt.

but perhaps tourists are not important to bermuda..

[Bayard]

4. Has Pence been visiting there?

[SunSeeker]

5. Ug. It's a tiny island. Why can't they learn to accept differences?

[jmowreader]

6. This could work out well for us

Let’s promote Bermuda to our homophobic friends as the perfect place to emigrate to, as they have gotten rid of that nasty gay marriage once and for all.

We’ll be rid of them until Bermuda reinstates same-sex marriage as a way of encouraging them to leave.

All kidding aside, I love the right-wing definition of freedom: the right to do anything you want, as long as I approve of it. Which is also the definition of totalitarianism, but we won’t mention that.

[dchill]

7. "..recognising and protecting the rights of same-sex couples,

How, exactly?

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Bigotry, plain and simple.

Can't say I am surprised. Nor will I be surprised if more places like that start doing the same, or even it washes up on our shore.

Separate but equal coming to a location near you.