None of us will probably vote for same-sex marriage – Hon. Skelton
The programme resumed last night on a local radio station following a lengthy period away from the airwaves and featured several ministers of Government and other Representatives affiliated with the National Democratic Party (NDP).
A caller expressed that persons in the Virgin Islands were very ‘upset’ at the recent passing of the legislation. He mentioned that a caller on a previous programme had questioned whether same-sex marriage would be included in the Government’s proposed agenda of ‘marriage tourism’ and received a response in the negative.
“We want to know where the Government stands concerning this law?” the caller asked emphatically.
“We were not amending the marriage act to accommodate any same-sex [marriages],” Hon. Skelton expressed, “what we amended the marriage act for is to make the BVI a more attractive destination for the traditional marriages that we have now.”
The Minister for Health revealed that, “none of us will probably vote for same-sex marriages…”
He insisted though, that as a colony of Great Britain, the Virgin Islands would have no choice in applying the legislation locally.
Host of the programme, Mrs Eileene L. Parsons, stated that she had told someone that persons may be refused same-sex marriage by churches in the VI but the Registrar’s Office would have no choice but to perform the ceremonies.
“People are free to do what they want with themselves,” she added, “and this will have to go the same way [as the 'Rasta Law'].”
Meanwhile, when asked the question which was given by the caller, Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, noted that his Government had not yet discussed the issue. “From a point of view of what we believe as far as same-sex marriage is concerned, that is something that as a government we have not discussed yet.”
“When it comes to Tourism, we welcome all people to come to the BVI,” Dr Smith stated, “whether they are young people, old people, men, women or whatever persuasion.”
He added that this was a free country and “we respect other people’s belief and what they practice." From a point of view of the economy, Dr Smith continued, “we basically welcome everybody.”
The Premier was quick to add that everyone had their own opinion and beliefs on the issue and it was something that he was sure would be discussed at some time in the future, but not right now.
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26 Responses to “None of us will probably vote for same-sex marriage – Hon. Skelton”
a more fire pan them b. man and lesbian them
Fundamentalists don't employ tolerance. They pick and choose scraps of the Bible or the Koran and claim they are unchanging laws, even while they ignore whole other orders these books also tell them. (should we stone the adulterer? BVI don't enough rocks!) Of course, what they choose just reflects their personal prejudices and doesn't have nothing to do with what the invisible fairy in the sky likes or don't like.
Fact is, church-based BVIslanders are large block of voters in every district. Looks like our govt. aint going to stand up to them OR the UK - so it will happen from London, and politicians can pretend they didn't want it.
Personally, I don't got no problem with same sex people loving each other, either physically or in the heart. Aint my business what they get up to in their own private space. More love = a better world.