As reported in the Guernsey Press recently, there are already same sex couples in Guernsey waiting to get married, once the legislation has gone before the States.
Liberate vice-chair Ellie Jones said the law to introduce same-sex marriage, which is set to go before the States of Guernsey next month, was an important step forward from an equality point of view.
‘I know of at least three or four couples who have been waiting until same-sex marriage was in place in Guernsey’, she said. ‘They want to marry where they live and where they consider home’.
If the legislation is approved next month, it marks another milestone in a journey, dating back to 2006, when the States of Guernsey first supported an investigation into legally recognised civil partnerships.
But there are still some further stages to pass. The legislation will be sent to the UK for Royal Assent and the States will then trigger the main law.
If passed, it will mean that couples can get married in a civil ceremony or in a church, if the religious organisation agrees.
While is has been a long time coming, Ellie said that since the vote in December in favour of same-sex marriage, the States had moved swiftly. ‘It is important from a general equality point of view. All Guernsey citizens should be treated the same’, she said.
She said it also created a massive amount of acceptance and would be a major step away from prejudice and barriers. ‘It shows how much we have moved on’, she said. ‘Seeing everyone’s love as equal’.
The legislation will go before the States at it’s next meeting on Wednesday 21st September.
