Bermuda becomes first nation to repeal same-sex marriage

So far the world’s nations have been gradually moving towards same-sex marriage rights, with the only place that’s ever gone backwards being California after Prop 8. Now, following a referendum and legislative approval, Bermuda becomes the second jurisdiction and the first nation to repeal marriage equality.

The Governor has given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017, Government House has just confirmed, meaning the legislation can now take effect.

In a statement this afternoon [Feb 7], Governor John Rankin said, “After careful consideration in line with my responsibilities under the Constitution, I have today given assent to the Domestic Partnership Act 2017.”

The Domestic Partnerships Act passed in the House of Assembly, and then passed in the Senate and will replace same-sex marriages with a domestic partnership which can be entered into by both same-sex and heterosexual couples.

The Minister of Home Affairs claims the new domestic partnerships allow for all the rights and protection afforded to married couples, which sounds nice if true … but then why bother creating a “separate but equal” class of partnership to begin with? Sounds like it’s no more than an attempt to appease the bigots who voted in the 2016 referendum – which wasn’t binding, so the government had no obligation to honor the discriminatory position.

Very disappointing. And hopefully not the start of a trend.

(via Joe.My.God.)