Gay Marriage is Legal in The Falkland Islands




Good news from the bottom of the world – gay marriage is legal in The Falkland Islands!

1,500 kilometers off the coast of Argentina, The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Colony with a population of 3,000 people. During a recent public consultation, 90% of those asked about same-sex marriage responded favorably.

 Furthermore, 94% agreed that civil partnerships should be available to everyone: homosexuals and heterosexuals.

 The law has now been changed in line with these results. 

 Meaning that The Falklands now allows both gay marriage and straight civil partnerships.  The latter exceeding current UK legislation.

A statement released by the Government and reprinted in The Merco Press read:

”The move sends a clear and powerful message that all couples have an equal right for their relationships to be recognized under the law, including all associated protections, rights and responsibilities. It reflects the Falkland Islands’ tradition of openness, tolerance and respect for others. 
“The Falkland Islands will now recognize same sex marriages and civil partnerships between couples, enabling those who choose to work or settle here to benefit from the same legal recognition and rights as those in an opposite sex marriage.
”The legislative changes will put civil partnership on an equal footing with marriage and it will be an option open to any couple who wish to solidify their relationship with legal underpinning, but who do not wish to take the traditional route of marriage. 
“The Falkland Islands expects to extend the right of civil partnership to residents of the Falkland Islands, as well as to those who may choose to travel to the Falkland Islands on holiday or specifically for the purpose of entering into such a union.
”The Falkland Islands is proud to join the list of 22 other countries that recognize same sex marriage (either nationwide or in some parts). The Falklands also joins an even shorter list of countries that recognize civil partnerships between all couples. 
This is heartening as homosexuality was only decriminalized on the island in 1989.

The Falkland Islands join a number of British Overseas Territories including the Isle of Man (2016) and Pitcairn (2015) in allowing same-sex marriage, and we hope to see more in the future.  





 

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