{"id":37,"date":"2021-02-01T11:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T11:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.outbermuda.org\/?p=37"},"modified":"2022-07-20T17:05:01","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T17:05:01","slug":"marriage-equality-is-within-our-grasp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outbermuda.org\/news\/marriage-equality-is-within-our-grasp\/","title":{"rendered":"“Marriage Equality is Within Our Grasp\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Click here for pdf version of the press release.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

February 1, 2021 \u2013 This week, leaders and attorneys for OUTBermuda will enter the final appeal in London for Bermuda\u2019s historic marriage equality decision<\/em>. The arguments will be heard before the United Kingdom\u2019s Privy Council on Wednesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 4, 2021. Following the hearings, Bermudians should know the Council\u2019s final decision within the next months. The forthcoming case is summarized here:
https:\/\/www.jcpc.uk\/cases\/jcpc-2019-0077.html <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These historic proceedings will be live streamed on Wednesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 4 from 10.30-13.00 & 14.00-16.00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) both days. To observe the proceedings live at those times, you may visit:
https:\/\/www.jcpc.uk\/live\/court-03.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUTBermuda and fellow Bermudian plaintiffs Roderick Ferguson, Maryellen Jackson, Dr Gordon Campbell, the Parlour Tabernacle of the Vision Church of Bermuda and Sylvia Hayward, will be represented during the proceeding by a Bermudian team and led by Lord David Pannick, Queen\u2019s Counsel. Lord Pannick is considered the pre-eminent human rights and constitutional advocate in the United Kingdom, with extensive global experience. See:
https:\/\/www.blackstonechambers.com\/barristers\/lord-pannick-qc\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUTBermuda Deputy Chair Zakiya Lord said, \u201cWith this milestone, we believe marriage equality, at last, is within our grasp for all Bermudians. Since Bermuda\u2019s historic equality case was first decided in 2017 and despite the Government\u2019s misconceived opposition, Bermuda\u2019s same-sex couples have continued to commit to each other and have consecrated their vows under Bermuda law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co-plaintiff Roderick Ferguson, whose lawsuit spawned the original Supreme Court victory in this matter in 2018, said, \u201cWe now stand before the world to ratify the wisdom of Bermuda\u2019s courts and to preserve same-sex marriage rights in Bermuda. We\u2019re grateful that popular support for marriage equality in Bermuda is greater than ever before, and we trust the Privy Council to rule in our favour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBermuda will be on the world stage this week to advocate for equality under the law for all our families including my own,\u201d said OUTBermuda Chair Adrian Hartnett-Beasley. \u201cWe knew our struggle would be long and difficult, but we have never wavered in seeking justice for all Bermudians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is the highest court of appeal for certain British territories, some Commonwealth countries and a few UK bodies. The Judicial Committee consists of senior judges who are Privy Councillors: they are predominantly Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and senior judges from the Commonwealth. This judicial body is often referred to as the Privy Council<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bermuda Timeline on Same-Sex Marriage:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n