TCI People would be CONSULTED first on Same Sex Marriage promised TCI Premier

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 25, 2022 – As the UK eyes the legalization of same sex marriage in the overseas territories, Premier Washington Misick says no decision will be made in the Turks and Caicos without the input of the people.  In a press conference on Thursday July 14 he explained.

“The people of the Turks and Caicos islands voted me into office and voted this government into office. So no, no decision will be made about marriage or any of that unless the people are consulted and that includes the entire people of these islands.”

Misick said that traditional Bible marriage was the type of marriage most people in the islands subscribed to.  He said it had nothing to do with the equity between people who may decide to have relationships.

“I think we’re all equal before the law but when it comes to the divine law that is another matter,” he said.

Misick maintained that while he was not surprised about the issue being raised in the UK, God had spoken about how marriage should be and the Government would be advised by the voters of the country about which way to go.

“We would not understand any circumstances be following unquestionably the decision that may come out of the house of laws.  We have assurances from the UK that that is not something that they would venture into in terms of forcing the overseas territories.”

The Bill in question is a private members Bill, raised by an openly gay politician Michael Cashman in the UK’s House of Lords and would “empower the Governor of each Territory to make changes to the law in the Territory to recognise the lawfulness of same-sex marriage and allow for the solemnisation of marriage of same-sex couples.”

The bill could affect Cayman, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and The Turks and Caicos Islands.