This tiny island just passed same-sex marriage
(Facebook/st helena tourism)
The small island of Saint Helena has passed same-sex marriage by an overwhelming parliamentary vote.
The South Atlantic Ocean island of just 4,500 people saw its legislative body approve of marriage equality by nine votes to two.
With just Governor Lisa Phillips’ approval needed to sign the bill into law, weddings could happen within weeks on the volcanic island, according to St Helena Online.
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The British Overseas Territory, which measures just 10 by five miles, hit the headlines earlier this year when its tortoise Jonathan, the oldest in the world at 186, was discovered to be gay.
And now the territory – which also includes the islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – has taken a huge step towards LGBT equality.
The move comes at the end of a year in which Germany, Australia and Austria – and others, including Finland and the Faroes Islands – have legalised marriage equality.
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The island’s Attorney General, Angelo Berbotto, told PinkNews: “St Helena has finally voted for same-sex marriage.
“Now there is equality on this little British Overseas Territory.”
Kylie Hercules, a representative who supported the Marriage Bill, said simply: āWe are dealing with peopleās lives and emotions.ā
One of the two councillors to vote against the bill, Cyril Leo, warned it would cause a ādeep divideā on the island.
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He was afraid of the negative reaction from āhomophobic elements,ā but bowed to the majority’s decision.
Councillors should āmake love our greatest quest,ā he said, in a statement which seemed to contradict his previous ones.
Christine Scipio-O’Dean, who voted in favour of the bill, agreed that it was time for the island to accept all its citizens.
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āWe cannot discriminate,” she said. “We must not, and we must strive to ensure equality.”
Representative Lawson Henry said the island’s constitution called for equality, which its legislative council could finally deliver for LGBT people.
āIt is simply about equality,ā he said.
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āIf this house cannot uphold the constitution then why are we here today, and why do we have a constitution?
“This bill has never been about religion, it is about equality and protection of minority groups.”
Henry also warned that if the bill was rejected by Governor Phillips, the island’s reputation would be harmed.
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āWe are a fledgling economy that has just gone into a new form of access,ā he said, speaking about the islandās new airport.
āPeople who would like to visit this island will be looking at things like this.
“If they feel this is an island that canāt uphold its constitution, [it] will cause more damage.”
The Marriage Bill will not compel ministers to marry same-sex couples if doing so conflicts with their religion.
