Working for equal rights and acceptance for all LGBTQ+ individuals
Many LGBTQ+ individuals face unequal rights and a lack of acceptance compared to their cisgender or heterosexual peers.
Liberate actively engages in dialogue with the States of Guernsey (the Bailiwick’s government) and its departments to advocate for legal and policy reforms.
Our vision is a future where everyone, regardless of ability, age, belief, gender identity, race, sex, or sexuality, is treated equally under the law.
Law changes send a strong message that discrimination is unacceptable, fostering a sense of value and belonging for vulnerable individuals.
An inclusive society also brings numerous benefits, and promotes mental and physical well-being for marginalised people. LGBTQ+ individuals are statistically at higher risk of self-harm, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, often due to past shame, stigma, discrimination, and isolation.
By implementing laws and policies that challenge discrimination, society can significantly reduce these risks. Supportive environments have been shown to bring LGBTQ+ individuals on par with their non-LGBTQ+ peers in terms of these challenges.
Below we’ve included some answers to frequently asked questions about the options available to LGBTQ+ individuals and the quality of life they can have in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. There’s also a timeline of LGBTQ+ Rights in Guernsey and the journey Liberate has been on so far.
Can I get married as an LGBTQ+ person in Guernsey?
Yes – we have two separate marriage laws, one for same-sex marriage and one for opposite sex marriage.
If you are transitioning or planning on transitioning without getting a Gender Recognition Certificate, this will affect which law you can get married under. For example, it will determine whether you can get married in a church (for example).
It’s worth noting that our same sex marriage law does not contain the ‘spousal veto’ that some laws have – which is good news!
We also have an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding celebrant company here called Queerly Beloved which is run by members of our Liberate crew!
You can find out more about getting married in Guernsey here:Â Royal Court.
Can LGBTQ+ people adopt and foster in Guernsey?
Yes they can! Get in touch with the Family Placement Service to ask about starting your rainbow family.
Do Trans people have access to gender affirming healthcare in Guernsey?
Yes. We have access to fully-funded and timely healthcare for our Trans community, including for Non-Binary and gender nonconforming people. Please see the ‘Medical Transition and Healthcare’ section on this website for more information.
Are there surrogacy laws in Guernsey?
Sadly there are no surrogacy laws in Guernsey, and so surrogacy would only be available off-island.
Can female same-sex couples access funded assisted reproduction?
Yes they can. Please note that the States made a decision in 2002 not to fund IVF at all for anyone but they do fund intrauterine insemination as long as it is unstimulated.
Contact the States of Guernsey’s Health and Social Care department for more information on this.
Can both same-sex parents be named on their children’s birth certificate?
Not at the moment. Same-sex parents cannot currently both be named on their children’s birth certificate, despite the UK having allowed this since 2009.
An interim solution was found for same-sex parents to be included on their child’s birth registration documents, birth certificates will then be retrospectively changed when the law is updated.
The States of Guernsey agreed to look at this before the end of the current political term in the first quarter of 2025. It was agreed to update this legislation in the States of Guernsey as part of the Anti-Discrimination debate and law reform.
Are LGBTQ+ people protected from discrimination?
Sort of…. Guernsey introduced Anti-Discrimination legislation in 2023 which covered sexuality but we are still waiting on legislation to cover Trans and intersex people.
Trans (and in theory intersex) people have limited protection from discrimination in their own place of work but not in goods and services at current. This is due to be introduced in Phase 2 of the Anti-Discrimination Legislation which should come in to place sometime before 2030…
Human Rights Law does apply to Guernsey, please visit Human Rights in Guernsey for more information.
If you experience discrimination please contact the Employment and Equal Opportunities Service for advice.
Does Guernsey have hate crimes laws to protect LGBTQ+ people?
No, as of 2024 we currently have no hate crime laws in Guernsey for crimes motivated by LGBTQ+ hatred (e.g. homophobia, transphobia or biphobia). Hate crime laws are needed for people to be able to address incidents that are not covered by other legislation. Guernsey is not exempt from the global rise in hate crimes against minority groups in recent times.
Guernsey does have The Racial Hatred (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2005 which protects on the grounds of ‘colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.’ This could be useful to anybody who experiences intersectional hate crimes based upon LGBTQ+ status and any of the above grounds.
What should I do if I experience homophobia, bi-phobia, or transphobia in Guernsey?
Depending on the circumstances you may want to report it to the police.
If it is in your workplace you can speak with HR as you are protected under various Anti-Discrimination laws.
Or, you can get in touch with us and we can help you work out what the best course of action may be, we can even speak with businesses and organisations on your behalf if you wish.
If you experience discrimination please contact the Employment and Equal Opportunities Service for advice.
Is conversation therapy legal in Guernsey?
Yes. Conversion ‘therapy’ is still legal in Guernsey, as it is in the UK as of 2024. This harmful abuse needs to be outlawed to protect all LGBTQ+ people and anybody else to whom it is applied to.
What are your rights in other countries & where is it safe to travel to?
Different places around the world have different laws and attitudes when it comes to LGBTQ+ people. These rules and how people feel about LGBTQ+ individuals can affect how safe it is in those places.
The thing to remember is that when LGBTQ+ people travel to different destinations, we might face some unique challenges. But if you plan ahead and learn about the places you’re going to, we can have great travel experiences, just like anyone else. In fact, understanding what LGBTQ+ people go through in different places helps bring our community together and makes us more understanding and supportive of LGBTQ+ people all over the world.
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association has created lots of guides and information which is kept more up to date than we could ever do! Take a look around their site. You can also check Trans-specific rights
Does Guernsey allow Intersex birth registrations?
Yes, Intersex birth registrations are allowed by default as the current system does not restrict the sex entry to the binary of male or female.
Do Trans people have access to gamete storage in Guernsey?
Yes! Trans people have access to funded gamete storage for 10 years.
What major changes have we seen since Liberate started?
Since the Liberate’s inception we have campaigned tirelessly for change and we have witnessed and helped to achieve several key changes.
Some of the big ones are:
LIBERATE FORMS on 15 February 2014 and launched a petition for equal marriage, which gained over 800 signatures in one week. Then-Chief Minister Jonathan Le Tocq met with Liberate and agreed to commence a consultation on legal recognition for relationships, regardless of sexual orientation or gender consultation, which would conclude by April 2016.
2014
Complete
GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE: A new policy for Transgender people accessing gender affirming care was introduced by the States of Guernsey in May, meaning that we have some of the most accessible, quality, funded healthcare for Trans people in the world.
2014
Complete
SAME-SEX ADOPTION APPROVED: The adoption law barring joint adoption for unmarried couples was reviewed in June. Full adoption rights to couples in overseas civil partnerships and long-term unmarried same-sex couples was passed.
2015
Complete
Same-sex marriage voted in: Same sex marriage laws were debated and approved on 11 December by a vote of 37–7, after 9 years since a law of its kind was first proposed.
2015
Complete
Income tax law amended to treat same-sex marriages and civil partnerships the same as heteronormative marriages.
2015
Complete
GUERNSEY'S FIRST PRIDE: Liberate hosted Guernsey’s first Pride on 10 September with thousands estimated to have attended. ‘United Through Pride’ pan-island events happened in Jersey too.
2016
Complete
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL APPROVED: A bill to legalise same-sex marriage was drafted to be approved by the States on 21 September. It gained royal assent later that year, coming into effect in 2017.
2016
Complete
State pardons considered: The States of Guernsey announced it was considering posthumous pardons for people who had been punished as criminals under abolished discriminatory laws criminalising homosexuality.
2016
In progress
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CAME INTO EFFECT: on 2 May in Guernsey and Herm, with Alderney and Jersey following in 2018 and Sark in 2020.
2017
Complete
SAME-SEX ADOPTION CAME INTO EFFECT: After being approved in 2015, a Population Management law came into effect in April 2017 allowing same-sex couples to adopt in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
2017
Complete
GUERNSEY'S FIRST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Performed on 14 July between Kirsty Davison and Paula Le Page.
2017
Complete
ALDERNEY'S FIRST PRIDE: After Guernsey's second CI Pride took place on 8 September, attended by approximately 5,000 people. Alderney hosted its first pride the following day.
2018
Complete
Pride in Sport launched: As a first for the Channel Islands and as a commitment to end discrimination in sports.
2018
Complete
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: Liberate became an approved School Support Agency, delivering training to all schools and staff on LGBTQ+ issues, together with the Youth Commission of Guernsey and Alderney.
2019
Complete
SARK SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CAME INTO EFFECT: Sark’s Bill from December 2019 which legalised same-sex marriage gained royal assent in March and came into effect on 23 April.
2020
Complete
EQUAL BLOOD DONATIONS: On 14 June, the Channel Islands followed the UK-model on 'risk based assessments’ of blood donation, meaning all blood donors are asked the same eligibility questions after decades of the blood ban against men who have sex with men.
2021
Complete
Sark same-sex marriage: In January Sark’s Methodist Church recognised and allowed the practice of same-sex marriages. Anglican & Catholic Churches were legally prohibited from Sark & Canon same-sex marriage laws, however.
2022
Complete
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW CAME INTO EFFECT: From 1 October 2023, Anti-Discrimination Legislation was formally implemented, which covered discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation (following gender identity in 2004).
2023
Complete
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW PHASE 2: Following the launch of Phase 1, Phase 2 is set to include age, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marital status and gender reassignment.
2023
In progress