States ask: "What does Jersey think about gay marriage?"

Tuesday 26 August 2014

The States want to know what the Island thinks about reforming laws to allow gay marriage - but it looks like same-sex couples won't be able to tie the knot until next year at the earliest.

Politicians want to hear what you think before they debate any change and have opened a consultation, but won't be looking at the feedback until late November.

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.

Hundreds turned out for the Island’s first rally last month to show their support for equal marriage and gay rights after the States took the decision to take more time to decide whether there should be any change in the law to allow gay couples to marry.

Potential changes to the law have now been outlined in a consultation and you can have their say by taking part in an online questionnaire.

You can log on to say whether they agree with the introduction of same-sex civil marriage and whether the current system of civil and religious marriages should be replaced by civil marriages only – for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

You can also say whether you think humanist and non-religious marriage should be allowed in Jersey.

The consultation also looks at specific issues relating to grounds for divorce and grounds for dissolution of a civil partnership.

Four public meetings are being held next month to discuss the issues - 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 Town Hall is the venue for the next two 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

The questionnaire can be found on the States website www.gov.je/consult and the deadline for comments is 22 October.