A local charity is backing States plans to reform the law which would allow gay marriage in the Island and hopes that one day religious groups will be as accepting of Jersey's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning communities.
Potential changes to the law have been outlined in a consultation which would also allow civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples.
Liberate say the document has been sensitively worded and considers both the views of the LGBTQ community and religious groups who feel they can't solemnise same-sex marriages in their place of worship and who will be able to opt-out of performing them.
Vic Tanner Davy said: “The options being offered to the public are ones that Liberate and Trans* Jersey supports and we have already responded positively to the suggestion that Jersey introduce same-sex civil marriage and same-sex religious marriage. Although truly equal marriage would be represented by the Union Civile, we have moved away from that position because of the disturbance that its introduction would cause to the long-standing relationship of the Church of England to the Crown and the State, something that would necessitate a much bigger and longer constitutional debate.
“We are also supportive of the proposal to open up civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples. In the interests of equality, this is the only fair thing to do. It is something that the UK has not done and for Jersey to be considering this option shows how committed the Chief Minister and his department are to ensuring we get this right as an Island.”
At the moment Jersey’s legislation only allows civil partnerships and if a married gay couple from elsewhere moves to the Island, their relationship here is still only recognised as a civil partnership.
The consultation also looks at specific issues relating to grounds for divorce and grounds for dissolution of a civil partnership. At the moment opposite-sex marriage can be ended on the grounds of adultery but same-sex civil partnership cannot.
The charity’s Jersey Co-ordinator said: “On the question of adultery, we would like to see adultery as grounds for divorce in a marriage removed because that would equalise the grounds on which a marriage or civil partnership can be dissolved. In so doing, it would no longer relegate the sexual congress of same-sex couples to something less than that of opposite-sex couples.
“Adultery is just as emotionally damaging to same-sex relationships as it is to opposite-sex relationships but it can be covered in law by citing the grounds for divorce/dissolution as 'unreasonable behaviour'. We feel that all marriages and civil partnerships would be protected from sexual infidelity via this route and, therefore, removing adultery is appropriate in the interests of equality.”
Liberate’s Chairman Martin Gavet said: “Liberate is an inclusive group and we welcome members regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, gender identity or sexual orientation. It is, therefore, very important to us that religious groups have a means to opt-out of performing same-sex marriages and their freedom of religious belief is maintained. The options put forward by the consultation paper make it clear that places of worship will be able to opt-out in line with the position of their organisation. Having said that, we also hope that in time religious organisations, which currently oppose same-sex unions, will grow in their understanding of LGBTQ issues and the spiritual needs of some of the LGBTQ community.”
Four public meetings are being held this month to discuss the issues in the consultation - the first is being held on Monday 15 September from midday to 1.15 pm at St Paul’s Centre and this will be followed by another from 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm.
The next two are taking place at the Town Hall on Monday 29 September and Tuesday 30 September starting at 6.30 pm.
You can book a place by emailing a.hamon2@gov.je or by calling 01534 440682
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.