We met with Guernsey’s Chief Minister this week to discuss key challenges facing Guernsey’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning community. The meeting was arranged so that we could discuss these issues directly with the Chief Minister.
You can read and watch a bit more about the presentation by, our honorary Chair, Martin Gavet, and the press statement that followed here.
You can also read the Guernsey Press report by clicking on the article image, we’d like to thank the Guernsey Press for the additional photographs.
During the meeting the Chief Minister explained the States of Guernsey Policy Council’s plan for what Liberate believes will be one of the most progressive marriage equality laws in the world – Union Civile. Essentially Union Civile is a contract between any two people confirming their union in the eyes of the government.
The Chief Minister made a commitment to Liberate to introduce the legislation in the current parliamentary term and would like us to work with the States to inform the public during the consultation process.
Before the meeting homopobic.co.uk reported that Guernsey’s Equality Working Group was working on proposals for the ‘Union Civile’ law, which would enable government to recognise various forms of partnership irrespective of gender. They reported that the Chief Minister, Jonathan Le Tocq expected some opposition.
‘It is quite a radical move compared to what Jersey has done but if we went for a civil partnership law it wouldn’t be enough,’ he said.
‘I’m the leader of a church as well, so I’m fully aware of how some people feel. Marriage is something mainly defined by religious communities and some of them will be happy to marry gay couples. Those that don’t and want to maintain their traditional view will be able to do that as well.’
When speaking with the BBC the Chief Minister went on to say “The State doesn’t need to define marriage in the way religious groups do. That’s why the new law we’re proposing would create something different for the purposes in which the States would be interested.’ He went on to say ‘I’m a strong believer in the state and the church being separate’
We can’t tell you how excited we are that Guernsey will to be involved in such a radical, ground breaking piece of equality legislation. Makes us proud to be Guerns!