The British Virgin Islands is holding firm to its view that marriage must be enshrined in the constitution as a bond between a man and a woman, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley said at a media conference.
Wheatley rejected suggestions that he had independently brought civil unions into the territory's constitutional talks with the United Kingdom. He clarified that the proposed marriage language comes from the House of Assembly's public constitutional review report.
"In fact, we've put forward strengthened language in our constitutional negotiation for defining marriage to be between a man and a woman," Wheatley said.
The Premier drew a distinction between the two issues. Civil unions, he explained, arise from Britain's obligation to ensure Overseas Territories respect the European Convention on Human Rights, a requirement that does not govern marriage itself, but rather legal standing and entitlements for same-sex relationships.
"That doesn't speak to marriage. That speaks to other types of relationships where you have to be able to have, for instance, equivalency as it pertains to government benefits," Wheatley said.
Government officials have previously explored civil partnerships as a way to grant same-sex couples legal status and access to state benefits without classifying their unions as marriages. Governor Daniel Pruce had backed this approach as fulfilling legal, constitutional and human rights duties.
Wheatley also cited two other factors shaping the process: a court case currently underway and Cabinet's earlier decision to put the matter to a public referendum. He stressed that the territory must address its human rights obligations through a separate track, ensuring residents receive full information and a chance to weigh in.
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