‘Legislative changes’ needed for same-sex referendum- Premier Wheatley
While a date was never announced for the referendum there were indications that Government was initially hoping to have it before the end of June 2023.
“As you know, we would be having… I think there’s a case that 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 is [a matter] persons are going to be hearing about very very soon,” Premier Wheatley had said at a press conference on May 2, 2023.
The court case in reference concerns the validity of the marriage between two women — Kinisha Forbes and Kirsten Lettsome – and whether any prohibition against same-sex marriage in the VI is contrary to the constitution of the Virgin Islands.
Dr Wheatley had also said the referendum is expected to also consider the question of whether new legislation should be introduced to provide persons in a domestic partnership with certain legal rights such as the ability to pass on one’s estate to their partner regardless of sex in intestacy.
The planned referendum on same-sex marriage was gazetted on Friday, June 30, 2023, and Premier Wheatley had said this “resolution will go to the House of Assembly for debate at least 28 days following publication in The Gazette. If the resolution is successful, a date will then be fixed for the referendum,” Premier Wheatley had said on June 30, 2023.
‘Legislative challenge’
Speaking during a press conference on July 25, 2023; however, Premier Wheatley said legislative changes to the Elections Act may need to be done to facilitate the process of having the referendum.
“We are committed to the referendum moving forward,” Dr Wheatley said.
He explained that there was a “legislative challenge” as it pertains to the voting machines, in terms of the length of time the ballots have to remain in the machines before they can be removed.
“And we are going to have to solve that challenge to be able to have use of the machines and there may be one or two legislative amendments that we would accommodate to make the referendum smoother.
“Referendums are basically like having another election, so we may have to contemplate some amendments just to allow for it to go much more smoothly, but I will be able to update about that in the coming months. The Referendum Act was before we had electronic voting,” Premier Wheatley stated.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Christian Concern and UK lawyer Mrs Andrea M. Williams had said in March that the VI, being a nation based on a belief in God as stated in its constitution, should not even consider a referendum on same-sex marriage.
.png)
Follow Us On
23 Responses to “‘Legislative changes’ needed for same-sex referendum- Premier Wheatley”
In the beginning God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, nor Mary and Eve. What a wonderful thing indeed when a man and a woman get married and produce a child together. With same sex that cannot work.
Don’t spoil my evening
Woman and man was created diff
For a reason
Go forth and multiply
Man and man can’t
Woman and woman can’t
Please stop this non sense now kids going to think they can or they should
U all trying to get more ppl to become skittles
These ridiculous books now being sold for kids
I am a rainbow
Last week I saw a young man nails well polished it was disgusting disgusting
Please stop it
The walk
The head spins and snapping of fingers
The makeup
Even with surgery still look Masculine
Please stop this and accept how God made u