Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Recognition of same sex unions in the British Overseas Territories

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Among the 14 British Overseas Territories, five – Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, Gibraltar, and the Pitcairn Islands – have legalised same-sex marriage, as has a part of St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha. In the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, only British military and civilian personnel can enter into same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. The Cayman Islands has recently recognised foreign same-sex marriages for immigration purposes. Both Bermuda and the Cayman Islands give limited recognition of same-sex unions for immigration purposes. Bermuda allows joint adoption by same-sex couples.

Six of the British Overseas Territories have no recognition of same-sex unions and two have bans on same-sex marriage, via a constitutional definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Among territories without recognition, Bermuda held a 23 June 2016 non-binding referendum that saw a strong majority opposing 68.5% opposing both same-sex marriage and civil unions, while the Falkland Islands had a popular consultation that led the local government to also consider the legislation of same-sex marriage.

References

Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories Wikipedia