GEORGE TOWN  – The Governor of the Cayman Islands Martyn Roper on Friday approved a law making same-sex partnerships legal in the British Overseas territory.

“Today we will end the discrimination being suffered by Caymanians and others on our islands whilst protecting the institution of marriage,” said Roper.

“This action does not alter or undermine the strong Christian heritage and values of the people of the Cayman Islands. No one is being asked to change their long-held beliefs.”

The Governor, in his statement, said this is in line with instructions from UK government ministers to use his reserved powers under Section 81 of the Constitution.

The changes to the law came into effect on Friday, after being gazetted.

However, the Civil Service requires a delay of 21 days before starting to accept and process applications for registration of civil partnerships”.

The law, which was formerly titled the Domestic Partnership Bill, was defeated in the Legislative Assembly on July 29, when lawmakers voted down the bill, nine to eight.

But the Governor, using his reserved powers to write legislation, opted to reintroduce the bill and assent to it following 21 days of public consultation.

Roper said he hopes that citizens can now move forward with their lives and come together as a community.

“Let us refocus our energies on pressing matters, such as responding to the global pandemic, rebuilding our economy and protecting our environment.”

The governor urged everyone to “recognise that same-sex couples have the right to legal and financial protection like everyone else. Accepting diversity and difference shows to the world that we are a caring community based on mutual respect, tolerance and equality for all.”

Roper said he hopes that citizens can now move forward with their lives and come together as a community.

“Let us refocus our energies on pressing matters, such as responding to the global pandemic, rebuilding our economy and protecting our environment.”

The governor urged everyone to “recognise that same-sex couples have the right to legal and financial protection like everyone else. Accepting diversity and difference shows to the world that we are a caring community based on mutual respect, tolerance and equality for all.

Meanwhile, the group known as Colours Cayman – a local non-profit that aims to foster a safe and comfortable social environment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community  –  has welcomed  the Governor’s approval of the law.

However, the group, in a statement, also stressed that absolute marriage equality is “the only true means of achieving equality” and has applied to the Privy Council to intervene in support of same-sex marriage in the Cayman Islands.