Same-sex marriage to be debated in Jersey
To this day, same-sex marriages are not legalised across the UK.
Although same-sex couples can be married in England, Scotland, Wales, there are still some areas where couples do not have full marriage equality.
And although it is well-known that couples are not able to marry in Northern Ireland, it is also the case that they cannot be married in Jersey.
The largest of the channel islands is yet to recognise same-sex marriages, and for the first time, will be debating legalising marriage equality later on today.
The States of Jersey will debate changes to the marriage legislation today, which affect 31 island laws overall.
For visitors outside of the island, same-sex marriage is recognised as a civil partnership.
LGBT islanders hope to find out the day they can get married today. Although The States approved same-sex marriage in 2015, the legislation has faced several delays in being introduced.
Currently it is hoped the laws will be in place by spring 2018, but the legislation has been held up by a series of delays, which will mean that not all amendments to the law can be debated today.
“The delay impacts people’s lives directly. As anyone who has arranged a wedding will know it takes about a year in the planning to ensure that venues, caterers, bands, marquees etc are booked,” said Vic Tanner Davy, LGBT group Liberate Jersey’s CEO, to ITV.
“For those same-sex couples hoping to marry in spring or summer next year this is going to throw their plans into doubt and make it impossible for them to book anything with any certainty. As a community, we have been very patient and have waited for over two years for this legislation. We do feel that we have been pushed to the back of the queue whilst other matters have been given priority by the Chief Minister,” Davy added.
As well as this, the debate will include allowing couples to be married in open air locations and giving people more choice in the type of ceremony they want.
Images: Getty
