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Expect same-sex marriage referendum 'very soon'- Premier Wheatley

- said referendum could come before June same-sex marriage court hearing in VI
A referendum regarding the matter of same-sex marriages is likely to be executed for the first time in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) ahead of June 2023. Photo: businessinsider.com
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said a same-sex marriage referendum will most likely be held ahead of the pending June legal case involving a same-sex married couple- both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and have mounted a case against Government to have their union legally recognised here in the VI. Photo: Facebook
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said a same-sex marriage referendum will most likely be held ahead of the pending June legal case involving a same-sex married couple- both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and have mounted a case against Government to have their union legally recognised here in the VI. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A referendum regarding the matter of same-sex marriages is likely to be executed for the first time in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) ahead of June 2023.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

The Premier made the announcement during a press conference and General Update, on matters in the Virgin Islands (VI) on Wednesday May 2, 2023 when was asked by a member of the press how speedily he intends to deal with the proposed same- sex referendum.

Referendum could come before June court case!

In his response, Premier Wheatley said the referendum will most likely be held ahead of the pending legal case involving a same-sex married couple- both Virgin Islanders, who were married abroad and have mounted a case against Government to have their union legally recognised here in the VI.

“We want to do that, actually very soon…I think there’s a case which is slated for June, so we wanted to be able to have the referendum ahead of that. So that’s one thing of course that persons are going to be hearing about very soon,” he said.

Back in June 2022, Kinisha Forbes and Kirsten Lettsome sued the VI Government, on the grounds that they were denied a marriage license from the Registrar General because they were a same-sex couple.

If the couple were to be successful, section 13(1)(c) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, would be declared as unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void which would lead to same-sex marriage becoming legal in the VI, Premier Wheatley had claimed last year.

At the announcement of the referendum in December 2022, Premier Wheatley had indicated that in response to the legal challenge, the VI Government, who is the respondent in this case, through counsel assigned by the Attorney General’s Chambers, is vigorously defending the local laws, which clearly define marriage between a man and a woman.

Dr Wheatley had also stated that the referendum will further consider the question of whether the state should introduce new legislation that would provide any person in a domestic partnership certain legal rights, such as the ability to pass on one’s estate to their partner regardless of sex. 

49 Responses to “Expect same-sex marriage referendum 'very soon'- Premier Wheatley ”

  • Well (03/05/2023, 09:50) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply

    EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING HERE NOW ???? GUNS / DRUGS / MURDER AND CORRUPTION EVERYTHING THEY DO IN THE UK AND USA , WE JUST HAVE COPY THEM , THATS JUST PUTTING ANOTHER CURSE ON THE COUNTRY , IF THEY SH** WE WE CATCH IT

    • Rubber Duck (03/05/2023, 10:46) Like (26) Dislike (10) Reply
      Can we also have a referendum on restoring the death penalty please?
    • Greg (03/05/2023, 10:53) Like (40) Dislike (9) Reply
      GTFOH! Now our children must openly see men and women hugging and kissing as though it is normal. The BVI is turning into a real Sodom and Gomorrah and the children will think it is OK to follow this MUCK!
      • @Greg (03/05/2023, 13:01) Like (10) Dislike (59) Reply
        Please man, don’t put the children as no excuse for your ignorance and stupidity. you think those children don’t know what it is if they see two women/ two men hugging and kissing? And honestly, the children don’t give a damn or careless.
        • Linda (03/05/2023, 18:02) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
          STFU! I'll bet you are one of the booty bandits who agrees with faggotry. Go somewhere else with that SHT! We care about our children, even if you don't care about yours. Children see things only when nasty adults bring it to them, like you!
        • God (03/05/2023, 18:09) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
          You're the devil no excuse for that kinda mind it is not natural so it should not be introduce to people you all too nasty you need to stop.youre so so wrong and seeking right youre a big fool for that satanic minded people go way.i think what we need if you're any where in the world and you're gay or whatever you call yourselves go to America that's your home not here
      • @Greg (03/05/2023, 14:57) Like (4) Dislike (42) Reply
        Come on now Greg, don’t be such a dim witt. do you think the children care if they see that, they don’t care. They to busy up in the phones, ipads PS5 and hitting up their parents for money everyday. They don’t have time for that nor do they care.
        • WOWO (03/05/2023, 16:21) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
          first the enslave our ancestors body now the want to enslave our mind and soul. your morality or lack thereof is on you and should not be push on others. yall don't want equality only supremacy
        • Greg (04/05/2023, 04:18) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

          Ask your Sc**ty Mother. You making an insulting statement saying our children don't care about what they see and that they are too busy with electronics to notice proves you are the DIM Witt! Not only that, your ilk children will see it too, but that is normal for yous, right? Go back to where you came from with that colonial Slave owner attitude you feel. Our children are not zoo animals with no brains or feelings. Go on, Ask your Sc**ty Mother who birthed a sewer dweller like .....

    • Can’t Be the Same People Who Use God’s Name for Their Agendas (03/05/2023, 14:45) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      Imagine knowing the law then suing when in contravention of the law. You could hear foolishness!

      The same people who promoting this are the same ones who want to call God’s name in their mouth saying they’re saved, Christians, and that they love God.

      People we have to respect God’s Laws. You respect your parents, your relationship, your employer, try not to break certain laws BUT want to completely ignore what the Word of God says then play that played-out song There’s a Place Up There for People Like You at their service when you fully-well know some people were far from God living like they run the world.

      Romans 12:2
      Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

      Romans 1:32
      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.

      Romans 1:27
      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.

      Leviticus 18:22-24
      22 Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
      23 Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
      24 Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.

      Leviticus 20:13
      If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

      Don’t even come talk about judging because Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

      Romans 15:14
      I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

    • Who Do You Choose to Follow - God or Mankind (03/05/2023, 16:58) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
      Mark 8:36 - 38 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.
    • What will it profit a man? (03/05/2023, 23:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Exactly. The UK/US are determined to spread their wicked agenda. It is all about control. And God is angry. First they would start off with gay marriage, next they want to tell you Transgenders are male and female and can use any bathroom. Then they want to add it to the SCHOOLS curriculum and be teaching our innocent children about sex in kindergarten. Wicked generation of vipers. Yall souls are in hell already. Repent before it is too late. Antichrist spirits
  • Hmm (03/05/2023, 09:52) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    them colonizer putting pressure on showande boy!BVI we in trouble
  • abomination (03/05/2023, 10:20) Like (29) Dislike (8) Reply
    These are the type of things we are being forced to accept as normal under white supremacy captivity and domination. It will only get worse but we continue to play along like grinning idiots.
    • @abomination (03/05/2023, 11:11) Like (12) Dislike (26) Reply
      With the amount of murders, gun battles, turf battles, sexual harassment, victimization, nut cases loose on the streets and the list goes on and on same sex marriage in the BVI is the least of the problems going on in the BVI. It is going to happen anyway. Deal with it, it is what it is and keep on moving down the road.
    • Oh, Tortola (03/05/2023, 12:29) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
      That is why we must become our own sovereign state and leave the UK in their mess. Them said it is not everything you see happening in the outer world you must bring to BVI. Let them people who like to live with dogs keep far from our shores.
  • ras (03/05/2023, 10:39) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    fiya
  • Curse (03/05/2023, 10:50) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    More curse upon the land. Lord help us. What you have alredy said is true from the beginning. Need no debate.
    • @Curse (03/05/2023, 12:49) Like (5) Dislike (25) Reply
      I hate when you hypocrites keep inserting Lord and God in the mix. We are all damn curse anyway, how much more curse can come upon the land. Whore houses, rum shops on every corner, incest, family members doing each other, church members doing the nasty with each other under the cover of darkness right here in the good ole mysterious and dark BVI.
  • Have Mercy (03/05/2023, 11:01) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    On us Lord, for we know not what we do. Let's see what our jelly backs ministerial ministers do about this. Can we the ppl take the wrath of God. Premier didn't u learn from the previous Premier?It's either we are a Christian society or not. We cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. Be warned.
  • hmm! (03/05/2023, 11:20) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    SAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOP!!!!!!!
  • Law Abiding citizen (03/05/2023, 11:23) Like (18) Dislike (13) Reply
    Here’s a legitimate question. We appose same sex marriage, but yet we’re okay with fornication, adultery, eating pork (all sinful in the Bible). If the argument for apposing same sex is based on the religious doctrine, shouldn’t we also appose the other sins?
    • WHAT!!! (03/05/2023, 12:23) Like (12) Dislike (13) Reply
      “Law abiding citizen “
      Great comment,
      people follow all your bible rules No shrimp or lobster , make sure that you do not wear clothes made of two different materials,
      All you good christians can not just pick the parts you like and ignore others.
    • @Law Abiding citizen (03/05/2023, 16:46) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      lets act as if we don't shame people for those actions let act as if people don't lose their families when they are caught in the act of adultery, let act like it openly accepted. let act like we don't turn our nose up when friends eat pork and bacon around us. all of it is still wrong accepted or not
  • NLS (03/05/2023, 11:31) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The BVI is Nature's Little Secret with all the gems and traditions our forefathers truly believed and stood for. Let's not disappoint them with the new global agenda. We MUST stand for something or we CAN/WILL fall for anything/everything. Some doors should always remain closed.
  • Jane (03/05/2023, 11:39) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    This important referendum should be scheduled once the enormous backlog of applications for residency and Belongership are addressed. To do otherwise is to positively exclude persons of their vote.
  • Disinterested (03/05/2023, 11:41) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Virgin Islanders have no representation in Parliament yet laws passed in Parliament are forced on the VI and other OTs, ie, capital punishment. Same sex-marriage should be put before the voters via a referendum to determine if it is something a majority of Virgin Islanders want and are comfortable with. The issues should not be forced on Virgin Islanders. IMO same sex is unnatural and cannot procreate.

    Moreover, the current same-sex court challenge may reach the Privy Council and if the Privy Council rule in favor of the plaintiffs it may become law in the BVI.
  • Poormankind (03/05/2023, 12:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know they can make an order in council and just send it down to us to put on our books. The White House waiting to declare it law. If we don't like the law, we need to tell UK .. go up the ghut where the sun is not shining and stay there. When are the young things going to leave their "father" (King)?
  • NO!! (03/05/2023, 12:41) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    No Same Sex Marriage Please. Don't destroy our country for this UNNATURAL BEHAVIOR. Why would the Almighty God made made man and woman. Are you saying God made a mistake. Read about Sodom and Gomorrah!!! DONT PLAY WITH GOD!!
  • ReX FeRal (03/05/2023, 13:18) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is disgusting on all fronts.
  • who cares (03/05/2023, 13:49) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is not a concern for the country, we have more important things to address.
  • Our kids (03/05/2023, 14:34) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Soo now our kids will think it’s ok to dress like a girl or boy
    What are we setting for our kids generations omg this is disgusting why why why?

    Are we to go hide and live in the mountains get away from this type of society?
    Are this country not a Christian society?
    Have we forgotten our lords commands?

    • kids (03/05/2023, 15:00) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      Yes it is okay, if your son puts on a tutu and wants to dance then encourage him. Marriage is a legal right not a biblical command, if the Christian Church does not wish to recognise its their prerogative however the world will move on recognising the beautiful spectrum of God's children on the planet. Be happy.
      • @ kids (04/05/2023, 02:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Are u crazy ?
        My son will never put on any dress or makeup
        I will tech my child the right thing this is wrong no matter what u say.
    • @ Our Kids (03/05/2023, 15:04) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      You sounds like an idiot!! What does the Law has to do with whether or not your boy dress like a girl or your girl dress like a boy? It is the parent responsibility to raise their children the right way.
      • @@ our kids (04/05/2023, 03:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        U know exactly what I meant
        And YES I’m a idiot when comes to my child and my family
        Get out here wogh your nastiness
        Our kids are not to be groomed into this period.
  • herbs power (03/05/2023, 14:56) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    We voted to get out vip and still ended up with this mess of a premier.
  • Tired of it (03/05/2023, 15:34) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    So very tired of this coward's approach to Human Rights.
    • WOWO (03/05/2023, 16:11) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      what human right? they already have a right to get married, what they are looking for is preferential treatment
  • Really (03/05/2023, 15:52) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
    Wake up people. I been saying this for years. You all have to start paying attention to details. The biggest thing is the liquid chip in the mRNA COVID 19 vaccine that has AI technology which makes you half human half AI. Wake up people every thing I said is happening
  • WOWO (03/05/2023, 16:10) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don't even trust the people of the VIs anymore. Just hope they vote against this ungodly unnatural colonizer mess
  • Satan Country (03/05/2023, 17:24) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    The US went to Africa to pay Africans 60 million to accept the alphabet people. Countries like Uganda are under threat of losing trades because of their “human rights” situation. Because that’s what the so called “first world nations” do when they don’t get their own way. They use trade to bully nations. They preach about democracy and sovereignty but then covertly corrupt nations for their own benefits. China doesn’t lecture Africa on morals and values, they only care about money and trade so Africans told the US to buzz off and went to trade with China. (China isn’t innocent either but right now, Africans see them as the better bet because they don’t feel bullied by China.)

    How much is the US, UK and UN bribing our leaders to accept something the people don’t want? Why do we never hear about how much they are bribing the Middle East or China to accept the LGBT? Homosexuality is illegal in those places and their governments actively stomp it out. (Yes, even in China.)

    Oh wait…they can’t be bought because the relationship works the other way around. The Middle East doesn’t need the US, the US needs the Middle East. China is busy trying to make their own sphere of power to overrule the US. So the US shuts up and look the other way for the sake of maintaining fragile relationships.

    In 2021 it was discovered that Uganda is sitting on trillions of dollars worth of gold. There is more gold in Ugandan soil than is in current circulation or in reserves around the world right now. So-called western countries are afraid of losing their power and influence on the world stage. They try to control any nation that is a threat to usurping them. Gold isn’t the only thing they found in Uganda these past few years. If Uganda makes the right moves and the people develop their nation well, Uganda has the potential to become the next Dubai. They can become the power center of Africa.

    Ukraine and Russia were close. There are people in favor of reunification in both those countries. Russia is oil independent. In fact, Russia has so much oil that they supply many European countries not just Germany. News wasn’t reporting this but Europeans were becoming more favorable towards Russia than they had in the past years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. If that favourability had continued to increase, NATO could have been broken.

    Ukraine supplies 30% of the wheat to the world, including countries like Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan. Clearly that relationship was a threat to the US so what did they do? They broke it up. They ousted the pro-Russian unification government and put in a pro-US sympathizer leader. Then they bragged about in tv because they know people are too dumb to even think things through.

    Oh yeah, neither Russia nor Ukraine were pro-LGBT either then suddenly Ukraine eased their stance. I wonder why.

    Now we’re on the brink of WW3 and they are trying to sell it as human rights.

    Back to us. What does this have to do with us?

    These bigger countries look down on Africa and the Caribbean because they see us as pawns. Our role is just status to them for now. Maybe we’ll send our own people to join them in war when it breaks out. Ever heard the saying “The sun never sets in the British Empire”? More powerful nations are in a power struggle right now. Pawns become queens when they cross the board. Western countries are trying to hold on to every little piece they have because the value of our cooperation has gone up.

    Part of conquering people and building and empire is erasing the identity and value of the conquered and replacing it with the conquerer’s. The US is involved with a lot of nonsense. They like to sell evil by painting it as good. Remember how they convinced Americans to go to war with Iraq? They told their people they were fighting to bring freedom to the Middle East. Over 20 years since then and many countries are worse off for it.

    I remember years ago when Prop8 passed in California. I remember Christians in America saying it would lead to all sorts of sinful acts. Pedophilia, beastiality, incest. Academics called their concerns a slippery slope. A few years later homosexual marriage became legal in all US states and territories. Now in the US, Canada and the UK men walking into women’s bathrooms in broad daylight and abusing women and little girls. There’s no respite because those same men go to women prisons (if arrested) and continue their abuse. Parents are sterile their children and if one parent says no they can lose custody of their child. If both parents say no, the government can take their child away. In some cases, kids are being transitioned as school without the parent’s knowledge. And opposing these things are seen as bad. Backwards. People are being compelled by law to lie and pretend reality doesn’t exist. All sorts of depravity are being forced on people in the name of equality. Go look up what MAPS are. Go look up what the most popular genre of adult content is on adult sites. Go look up the age of the people who are watching it the most. It’s a mad world out there. You all better wake up and pay attention. That storm is circulating overhead.

    MAPs are demanding to be considered part of the alphabet soup and accepted by some. The slippery slope wasn’t so slippery after all. Even more astonishing is the fact that we aren’t even at the bottom yet. Go read academic papers that argue and justify these things. You’ll be stunned. Amazed people are paying to be educated by some of these people. Amazed they aren’t arrested.

    Honestly, take a break from whatever you entertain yourself with after work and go research some academics. The state of academia right now is appallingly immoral.

    The good news for us is we can see where so called LGBT rights lead. Go watch the news. Go see see what books kids are being forced to read in school. Go see how girls are losing their chance to go to college. Go see how families are being broken apart and destroyed because of selfish people. And it all started with that line. You know the line.

    “What other people do in their bedroom is no business of mine.”

    Except it didn’t stay in the bedroom.

    If that’s what you want for this territory then I don’t know what to say. Don’t think you’ll be able to hold your corner and your life and family will be spared when that Pandora’s box is opened.

    What doesn’t this have to do with anything? It’s all connected, that’s what.

    In order to conquer people you have to attack them on all fronts, mental, physical and spiritual. Countries that aren’t in physical wars right now are in spiritual wars and propaganda is coming from all sides. Confusion is the goal because it creates weakness.

    Right now there are some seriously evil people in the world and they have a lot of power. They see themselves gods so they wreak havoc on countries, millions of lives affected for their own personal gain. Humanity is being attacked on all fronts and there are no small players.

    Evil things will be sold to you as good. It will pull on your compassion and your kindness and your own love for your fellow human beings. It will appeal to your ego and intellect. It will turn your world upside down and have you questioning yourself and your beliefs. Then it will present itself as the only true answer. You’ll be tempted to say yes. You’ll be shame to question or express doubt. You’ll be shamed to say no. But that’s a trick. Don’t say yes. For if you do, it will look good and feel good in the beginning. You will think you’ve done something good. You will feel accomplished. But that won’t last. Confusion and destruction will come next.

    Don’t go voting for something thinking you’ll be bringing peace and enlightenment. Because the people who have what they keep trying to give us are not happy, they are not peaceful, they are not free and they are not wise.

    Lastly I just want to say I don’t support violence against people outside of self defense. So however you may feel or think about someone else, whether you approve of how they live or not, I don’t support harming them. You can still disagree with them, just don’t harm them.

  • God’s Judgment (03/05/2023, 18:17) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    We vote NO! I’m not going to be judged with you and you’re crazy abominable laws. If you push this, BVI will be severely judged!
  • Na. (03/05/2023, 23:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Not a @&^%$

  • Really (04/05/2023, 11:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    No Sin is Greater than the other. In the BVI people seem to think that THEY are soo righteous when in fact you are openly committing adultery... openly committing fornication... Robbing each other blind.. back Biting each other to death... But yet you refer to the Bible....One commandment that is stressed there is for each of us to LOVE each Other.... Now if We practice this you would not carry on like Judgmental Freaks because you will realize that LOVE HAS NO COLOR AND IT HAS NO FACE...LOVE IS FREE.... So Man or Woman should not matter as Long as We are True and Genuine.
  • FEO GOMEZ (04/05/2023, 13:36) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

    UK got what they wanted a BOY as Premier and he will be given the respect wh***s give to " BOYS". He will ask how high when UK says to jump.

  • ... (04/05/2023, 15:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    good day anyone know of any abandon or damaged homes for sale on tortola?
  • no surprise (04/05/2023, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bvi government all about the money nothing with sense .... before ayo help the people of the country with their art and drink etc y'all want to grow weed and legal same sex marriage.....u done off to a bad start already.....we stand for nothing. Rename BVI Monkey land cause y'all like to follow but can't get. Nothing right
  • HMMM (05/05/2023, 10:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BLAZE FIIIRRRREEEEE BLAZE


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