Couple cleared for HR challenge in marriage refusal

| 14/09/2018 | 120 Comments
Cayman News Service

Chantelle Day (left) and Vickie Bodden

(CNS): Chantelle Day, who is from the Cayman Islands, and her British fiancée, Vickie Bodden, will be pursuing a human rights challenge in the courts in addition to a judicial review of the registrar’s refusal to grant the same-sex couple the opportunity to marry. Day and Bodden, who are now living in Cayman, are pursuing their goal to legally marry here and settle with their adopted daughter. Although the former governor and the deputy governor have both acknowledged that the Cayman Islands will have to adopt some form of civil unions for same-sex couples, the government is choosing to fight Day and Bodden in the courts. 

The case, which is being heard by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, is still in the early stages, but in a short hearing yesterday they were given leave to add a constitutional challenge under the Bill of Rights to their existing judicial review application.

The chief justice also indicated that Bodden should be allowed to remain in the Cayman Islands until the case is heard, as is the norm when people are involved in legal challenges that can take considerable time to dealt with.

When the couple arrived back in Cayman with their daughter last month, the immigration department gave Bodden the right to remain here for six months. She cannot be a dependent of Day because they are not allowed to marry, and so she is at risk of being separated from her family.

During this recent hearing, a representative for the Attorney General’s Office attended but did not wish to reveal the grounds for either the government’s opposition to the judicial review or the human rights challenge.

Day, who is an attorney with a local offshore firm, moved back to her native Cayman in August with her family. She chose not to marry in the UK because that union, while legal in Britain, would not be recognised here because she is a Caymanian.

The women have both expressed their wish to marry in the country where they intend to live and bring up their child, and ensure that the union is legal and recognised in the same way marriages are for heterosexual couples.

Consequently, the women opted to test their belief that the law and Cayman Islands Constitution does provide a route for them to marry, opening the door for equality under the law for all couples.

The case is expected to be back before the courts early next month to confirm the process and timeline for the trial.

To assist Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden in their legal battle, visit their Gofundme page.

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Comments (120)

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  1. Cayman designer says:

    So excited for these women and for any other same sex couple locally… Lets continue to encourage and support them, many will bring you down and few will lift you up.

    I support Logical People rights!

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    • And I Rise UP says:

      Much ado about nothing.The court will a,e a decision based on co side ration of European Hu an Rights Law which our Sovereign is attached to at present and adheres to. So at the end of the day, if there is a favourable is favourable to the petitioners there is a strong possibility of an uprising of the majority of ultra conservative Caymanians who will press the now weakened CIG to a referendum on this matter, and then we wil no longer be known as the Cayman Islands but as The Land of Referendums. So mote it be.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    If you people spent as much time worrying and complaining about animal abuse, teen pregnancy, people suffering with mental issues, physically abused victims, rapes, mount garbage, gangs killings, robberies, government corruption, the port, humane society flooding, high utility bills, high cost of living, suicides, losing our beach access, you see where I am going with this? Please get on with your own lives and let these two women get on with theirs and raising their child. Nothing to see here, move on for PEACE sake!!!

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  3. Concerned Citizen says:

    I agree with Unison. I think the government should be out of the business of marriage even traditional marriage. Government sucks at everything. Why should we involve government in our social affairs?  Like Unison said, its opening a pandoras box. Who cares about your gay wedding or your traditional wedding? No one should be threaten by law to acknowledge it. The day that happens I’m leaving Cayman because with the amount off CCTV and surveillance here I know it will be an oppressive regime. And I am a religious person. I will speak whats on my mind and protect my children. So I will see alot of conflict if Cayman government tell me I must accept something I see is against my conscience.

    And lets say, god forbid, they legislate this SSM law and attempt to subsidize gay marriage and straight marriage the same way. That would be terrible because gays can’t have children, and the procreation, raising, and protection of the next generation is the sole reason why government intervenes in traditional marriages. The government interest of production is children. Gays will be milking the government funding that will belong to traditional marriage families, and that to me will be a disaster. We are already complaining about our Needs Assessment. Imagine you have a line of gay couples ahead of a married couple with children, receiving social benefits because we implemented SSM?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wtf what kind of funding does government give to married couples that my wife and I been missing out on??!

      I am baffled but at the same time not surprised that you could have such a view.

      “We can’t recognize same sex marriages else they’ll hog up all the hand outs from gowerment!”

      No one is threatening you lol. You don’t even have to change your mind and accept it.You just want to have your way (hating homosexuals) or the highway, while a Caymanian simply wants to return home with her lover and child.

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    • you’re not concerned, just hateful says:

      Thank you. As a gay local, I’m just super thrilled to this response. Elated. Such kind words.

      It makes no sense to attempt to reason with someone who has no sense of equality or respect.

      If you’re a Christian, and God happens to be real, you sure as hell will he denied entry.

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  4. Slacker says:

    I loved the good old days when we could own slaves and women were not allowed to vote. If only we could have stopped changing laws at that time, the world would be perfect.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Whatever happened to “Judge not lest ye be judged yourselves.” If you believe that their lifestyle is an affront to God, isn’t that between them and God? I personally don’t agree with it but I also believe that it’s not my business and at the end of the day it’s not going to affect me one bit. Let them marry, let them live together and when they die let them work it out with God. I go to church every Sunday and if they get married I will still go to church. Not one aspect of my life will change.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Problem is most religious people aren’t like you. You sit next to those that align themselves with “god”.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Take gender and religion out of it. How is it right that in this situation expats are being afforded more rights than Caymanians? Simply put, it is not and never can be right.

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    • Anonymous says:

      But one of them is a Caymanian and she wants to have rights! You’re a deplorable. Go away if you can’t read.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I’m surprised there are only 70 comments at the time of reading. I guess by Monday afternoon there’ll be 150+

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    • Anonymous says:

      Come on CNS readers…don’t disappoint me…on 88 comments? It’s already 12:38 on my watch…

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      • Anonymous says:

        The eden-bots really let me down man…3:32pm and only 108 comments…I guess they’ve run out of fuel.

  8. anonymouse says:

    Unison, in your view, is the ability to freely practice one’s faith a natural right or a privilege?

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    • Unison says:

      Your question seem to be implying that the same way a religion is allowed to exercise its freedom, gays should be able to have certain laws dressed as “rights” enforced on the populace. Please think about what your question is implying. …

      That religions in a true democratic setting SHOULD NEVER ENFORCE BY LAW THEIR BELIEFS ON OTHERS, so likewise gay groups and organizations should never enforce by law the recognition of their lifestyle on others.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Even if we accept your belief that being gay is a choice (which is isn’t but we’ll ignore that for the minute) your logic still does not any sense. No one is trying to make you gay, no one is imposing the gay lifestyle on you, they just want to be able to live their lives.

        Christians, on the other hand, are the ones imposing their beliefs of everyone else at every turn. Can we just get through one meeting without a blasted prayer! If I wanted to pray I’d go to church.

        When same-sex marriage becomes law, you won’t even notice. You personally do not have to recognise same-sex marriage. You are free to carry on with your twisted beliefs just as before.

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        • god is good says:

          Three things – unison is not a christian. I am sure he wrote he is a deist or believer in God before. but he opposes same-sex marriage law because unlike you, he believes it will affect everyone. He also did not mentioned anything about being gay is only a matter of choice. I think choice do play a huge role in being gay. I can’t accept your born-this-way claims. I like his response in 1:13

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          • anon says:

            Agree with your logical rebuttal regarding unison. Until there is PROOF that people is born this way, I will continue to believe it is a choice. There is NO medical proof that people are born gay, just a lot of misinformation to suit people’s narrative. If So, put up a link. I’ll wait. In anycase, I believe the government shouldnt stop them if they want to get married. Its their choice to stop their bloodline. getting married under a religion is different though. Religions can have their own preference.

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        • Hypatia says:

          You would swear these homophobes think that gay people have some sort of underground society where they plan on how they’re going to convert the straights. Hilarious.

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      • anonymouse says:

        Unison, you make the point time and time again that freedom should only be afforded to gay people only if their sexuality is genetic. But do we not afford religious freedom, even though there is nothing about religion that is in born?

        Regardless of what religion one chooses, we afford EVERYONE the right to practice their faith, or to practice no faith at all, should they so choose.

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        • Unison says:

          How I see. Religious freedom is a Natural Right because it is something we ALL hold in common. Everyone has a belief or no belief system, a conviction of what is ultimate reality.

          A “gay right” should never be legislated on the ENTIRE country to acknowledge or recognize as a Natural or Universal Right – because not everyone is attracted to the same sex.

          And just like a government should never legislate a religious law on everyone respecting a religious faith or institution, so likewise a same-sex marriage law respecting a gay group is no different.

          For gay folks can start their own church, do their own marriages without the aid of the state. They have a “share” in the democratic environment like all other groups and institutions.

          Unison

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          • Anonymous says:

            Anon 7:25 you really put Unison on the spot along with all the other bigots on here. They can’t give a clear cut answer without writing an essay on hocus pocus religious dogma.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Do you believe that the ability to love is something we all hold in common? Or that straight people are the only ones who have the ability to love?

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  9. Anonymous says:

    @4:42

    You are dead wrong.

    I am an atheist and I do not support gay marriage.

    Similarly, I do not “support” intentional single parents either.

    Reasons being, EVERYTHING (studies, research, religion, academia points toward “traditional” nuclear families (and thereafter communities) being the superior and advantageous environment for producing the best human beings possible.

    Male + female human energy is not something to be quickly discarded e.g., after all, there would be no consciousness without.

    Unfortunately, many today are in a rush to discredit what they maliciously and or mistakenly attribute to religious conservatism.

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    • \\http:420 says:

      I’m a straight male who has decided that I don’t want to have kids. How is this any different than had I been gay or asexual, from birth or by choice?

      Supporting gay marriage doesn’t stop people from being loving the other sex or cause you to.

      Supporting gay marriage doesn’t open us up to allowing child marriage.

      Supporting gay marriage doesn’t devalue your heterosexual relationship nor infringe on your rights. If anything, it’s further support for the great ability to dedicate your love to another human.

      A homosexual Vietnam war veteran had inscribed on his tombstone:

      When I was in the military,
      They gave me a medal for killing two men,
      and a discharge for loving one.

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    • No skin atheist says:

      This isn’t about two men or two women, this is about equality. People who are against love are the select who are contributing to dividing this country. I’m an atheist and a straight male who recognises this. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. These consenting adults who love each aren’t asking for anything else.

      Also.. If you know what concsiousness is and how it came about please come forward with your hypothesis regarding this phenomenon and you might just win a nobel prize.

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      • Stephen says:

        Love is love and equality? These are not arguments, they are slogans you gays use. Any campaign to change social policy based on emotions as opposed to properly analysed and thought through consequences is trying a bait and switch manoeuvre. These are exactly the same techniques and slogans used elsewhere and rather than enforce the strength of the argument actually detract from it.

        It seems that the advocates of equality are very selective on what equalities they decide to campaign on and enforce and who they enforce them on. The overriding common denominator is that it is aimed at children. Children are the most vulnerable members of society, physically, mentally and emotionally. When it comes to equality, the end result is that it gets forced onto children.

        Thats my views.

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        • Anonymous says:

          He said straight male so “you gays” doesn’t work. Go back under the rock you crawled from.

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        • Anonymous says:

          How are children harmed by the existence of same-sex marriage?

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          • Unison says:

            There have been studies to suggest that same-sex parenting does not harm a child in any way. However, the statistical results from these studies are usually from random selections – and not entire population. Our common sense approach is that children develop best in being raised by their biological parents.

            I contend that is the case because I believe in BIRTH RIGHT, and no government or institution should come in the way or hinder what an innocent should be entitled with. If same-sex marriage is legislated, I can tell you same-sex parenting will be encouraged and many children will miss out in having that privelege of growing up seeing real mom and dad.

            As well, the government will be encouraging female children to be raised by homosexual men. I know advocates of gay lifestyle will detest what I type, but we are witnessing these things in the U.S. and U.K. before our eyes as we speak. What psychological effects follow, no scientific study may ever be able to explain.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Why not allow gay couples to have the same right as heterosexual couples? All of this controversy over some god no one can prove exist. Theres no other reason why the dinosaurs here don’t want to get with the times. The deluded truly believe a wizard will descend from the sky and shoot lightning bolts out his arse to annihilate the homosexuals. Religion is a cancer that divides us and it is slowly dying from this world. Peace.

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  11. Unison says:

    LEAVE THIS PANDORA’S BOX ALONE

    Here we go again about rights. What rights my dear commenters?  Learn: there is a huge difference between “gay rights” (more like priveleges) and NATURAL RIGHTS whereby everybody is entitled too by virtue of human birth and existence.

    I don’t call this legislation “Same Sex Marriage.” I give it a Libertarian term, a name that reveals it true authoritarian nature:  I say its Same Sex Social Recognition and Programming the Youth!  You must “recognized” the gay lifestyle and teach it in your schools; or else you will be facing lawsuits, fines, or dealt with forcefully by the law! Sorry, you can thumbs me down all you like, but this is how I see it!

    Right now as we speak this global programming effort is in full trottle in the U.S. and our U.K. It is obvious that these “enforced gay rights” are infringing on more important freedoms, like the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to parent your own child. And children have rights too – like the right to a mom and dad. These “enforced gay rights” will also cause anti-discrimination laws to be legislated, which at first sounds great (and the naive and gullible tweets about love and equality), BUT we are witnessing in other countries where these same anti-discrimination laws are being abused to fining and arresting people for speaking their consciences – calling every mutter against promoting the gay lifestyle a hate speech!

    [Making a point – CNS may not post this comment, but sorry to burst your bubble – how can you discriminate against a gay person when there is no scientific findings that they are born that way? Isn’t strange that governments are supporting rights that are not real rights?! They must be getting paid big monies to push the LGBT agenda]

    No, my dear commenters, by you legislating (or, supporting) a “gay law” on this small island that doesn’t need it, you are opening a PANDORA’S BOX whereby numerous laws will have to be enacted to ensure the rights of all are secured!  AND THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN!  I am just basing my judgement on what I am seeing in the larger countries!  REMEMBER – this gay lifestyle sexual revolution is a new experiment; especially, on young people in the UK causing gender confusion and sadly mutilations supported by parents. This movement is just starting. Why should Cayman rush to follow the other messed court systems?

    As well, if we “enforced” such laws on the populace, it will mean massive change to documents, their wordings on passports, birth certificates, etc… even changing our Childrens and Family laws. Is Cayman prepared for that against their will?!  So we are talking about COST too for the massive change on this rock. Right now we are witnessing court cases around the world, one after the next because of “gay rights” infringing on other rights! Just legislating one law, and you open the panda box for this to happen.

    Moreover, ENFORCING a mandate on what people should recognize and shouldn’t recognized, is not only against Libertarian values, but I believe is against the spirit of Democracy. It is like enforcing a state religion on everyone. Therefore I support all Caymanians who oppose “gay laws” being pushed or legislated.

    I am happy that certain members of our government are standing up to the name calling and attacks from the LGBT fans here.

    Please, before you start singing about RIGHTS, EQUALITY,  LOVE, and its a NEW BLACK THING, please THINK!  What is at the end of this road in terms of Liberty?

    There is a saying my commenters, learn from wisdom – “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

    Unison :/

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    • Anonymous says:

      Actually, gay rights and natural rights are the same….it’s natural…only us humans contort it with religion and with rights. Life is just is. Sit down and quiet your mind and calm your mind and breathe…observe the breath….it just is…everything is just is..no judgement with anything…it just “is”

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      • Unison says:

        Wrong. Natural Rights deals with what all are universally entitle to have, like: life, liberty, and not to be discriminated because of your race, color of skin, et cetera. You are entitle to these rights because you are a himan being.

        Natural Rights apply to a gay person like any other person. But “gay rights” are based on sexual orientation that you are “conditioned” with – not born with it.

        There is no scientific evidence that determines a gay person is “born” gay. No gay gene found.

        Hence, politicians should make laws defending the Natural Rights of all human beings. But such “gay rights” like they should have a separate bathroom, they should be considered like a race or ethnic group, or they should be protected from a person openly refusing to accept their lifestyle – whereby they can fine and have people arrested. In my humble opinion, is a miscarriage of Justice.

        These “rights” shouldn’t be call rights. They are special priveleges for a minority.

        Unison

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        • LEM says:

          I agree with you 100%… being gay is a choice no one is born that way! Keep expressing your thoughts and findings in relation to this topic, I for one is learning from you. Thank you.

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        • George Towner says:

          Unison, they are claiming these manmade rights in order to make laws on thier behalf. I hope to God our Caymanian courts are wise enough to tell the difference between apples and oranges.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Well where is the evidence that people are born straight?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dude this is like you as a vegan saying if we allow people to eat meat they’ll spiral into a bad mindset and become cannabals.. Relax!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Did you really write there’s no scientific prove gays were born that way? How about the very basic scientific method of observation? Science can’t seem to prove your magic fairy guy in the sky either but here you are trying and failing to defend what you believe is his (really just yours) stance on the matter.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So many words, so little worth saying.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ironically pretending to be a libertarian while arguing the opposite of the true libertarian stance on the issue

      actually look at the ideology you claim before you start throwing around political terms you clearly don’t understand

      You aren’t libertarian you are a religious fundamentalist who believes the law of the land is the bible sorry to burst your bubble but even in Cayman that isn’t the case, if you want to live in a country where the religious text is the law of the land might I suggest Saudi Arabia
      You’d fit right in

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    • David Shibli says:

      Well said, Unison. Well done indeed. At least CNS did publish and for that we give them credit.
      If it was Facebook or Twitter, such an excellent espousing may never have made it to our ears, or should I say eyes.
      I feel very strongly about this issue and as such, I have provided my name as perhaps we all will one day.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What this bigot is really saying, with talk of natural rights and whether homosexuality is a born trait, is that he believes homosexuality to be unnatural and wrong. He is just to much of a mealy mouthed coward to just say that. The conservative right wing do that now, they dress up their base positions with bizarre arguments designed int he kinds of the alt-right pseudo-academia.

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      • KY1 says:

        Maybe instead of calling people bigoted, you can share us your left wing views.

        You know, one of the biggest warning bells that should be going off in everyone’s mind is the behaviour of those who are trying to force gay marriage onto the public. We see from your writing, the real bigotry is coming from you. We are not blind.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Left wing? How? I am as right as they come, but discrimination against homosexuals is just wrong and biggoted.

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    • Anonymous says:

      By your reasoning, then, you were “conditioned” to be heterosexual and things may have been very different for you had you been raised in today’s world where you would have had different “conditioning”?

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      • Anonymous says:

        You are born being male or female. But we can all agree that despite studies on this subject, there is no conclusive proof that people are born gay. We know there are many factors and yes conditionings involved, and there is choice.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Some people are born both male and female. You obviously don’t know that so I think we should just strike your observation from the board.

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    • Anonymous says:

      When did you decide to be heterosexual?

  12. Anonymous says:

    Spending so much time and energy trying to get in the way of this reform – I think that definitely is what Jesus would do. I remember the New Testament is all about preserving the status quo and out of that people helping people in need and dong good.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    I live with my woman and we have 3 children together, but I cant receive any of her health cover because we are not married.

    We do not believe in marriage.

    That is discrimination – just in the reverse.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t believe in speed limits. What’s your point? I am governed by the same laws you are.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You are not very smart.

        The law in your case protects the rest of society from physical harm by way of your recklessness.

        There is zero comparison.

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    • Anonymous says:

      This is why civil partnership rights for all makes sense.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Been saying that from long time.

        Happy to see at least one of us received support for the very same stance.

        – Who

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      • Anonymous says:

        Only civil partnerships are forced on two consenting adults who want to marry but leagally can’t. I think civil partnerships and legalize gay marriage is the only way to protect everyone.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Question for the room;

    Similarly to Cayman, is the Roman Catholic Church also on your radar as an institution of hate, intolerance, and homophobia?

    (Btw, please miss me with the “church and state” b.s.. At the end of the day both enforce “discrimination”, but one is upfront about it and the other chooses to hide behind a veil.)

    I ask because the RCC has mysteriously escaped the ire of the progressive western world in respect to the trending concept of equal love & marriage.

    Supposed cultures of some countries are NO DIFFERENT from that of the RCC – one of the most powerful and influential institutions on the face of the earth.
    (No to mention they also serve as the most prolific network of value-sharing predatory pedophiles, but I digress.)

    Anyway – just asking for a friend…

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    • Al Catraz says:

      If you actually want a serious answer, it’s really quite simple.

      The Roman Catholic Church is a voluntary institution. If you don’t want to live by their rules, you are free to not do so. If you want to divorce and remarry, go ahead. If you want to eat meat on Friday (old school), that’s fine too. The Roman Catholic Church only has power over YOUR life and YOUR choices if you choose it to be so.

      That is very different from the government of the country of which you are a citizen and resident. You are compelled to obey the laws of that government. It is not at all like a church – in which you voluntarily submit to whatever rules they might have.

      Now, in modern democracies, laws can be changed, and often are. In addition to that, there are fundamental principles of equality regardless of innate characteristics which, albeit over time, can over-ride laws which unfairly penalize persons based on innate characteristics. Persons of African origin were not really considered fully human in the Americas for quite some time. Likewise, women were not considered to be fully capable of recognition as equal persons under the law.

      Women and persons of African origin did not change. The law did. The law had to change, because it no longer became tenable for the enfranchised to deny their humanity and equality. How did we get by with hundreds of years of tradition of enslaving Africans before recognizing that Africans and Europeans are all humans? How did we get by with hundreds of years of denying political rights to women? Well, on either scale, the recognition that Africans and women have rights is very, very recent.

      To pretend that we have not, for a long time, been mistaken, or have been capable of having been mistaken, is simply arrogance. Western societies were wrong about Africans for centuries, wrong about women for centuries, and one thing has remained very consistent – it is hard to admit that a tradition has been wrong.

      But, honestly, to not recognize the difference between disagreeing with a church, and having the option of not subscribing to that religion, on the one hand; and the inescapable authority of the laws of one’s jurisdiction, is just silly.

      Seventh Day Adventists claim the sabbath is Saturday. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that receiving blood transfusions is wrong. Neither one of those groups forces me to conform to their beliefs. They are free to believe those things and live accordingly. I am free not to. With government, it doesn’t work that way.

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  15. Ron Ebanks says:

    I am happy I born when I did , because now I have seen it all. The good and bad , and ugly and pretty and everything else in between . As I am leaving the world more divided than I found it .

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  16. Ron Ebanks says:

    Do we stop and realize that we are going to end up having two different type of human rights Laws . Then one kind of human wouldn’t have enough rights and would always fight for more human rights . And there goes the other kind of people rights getting thrown out with the bath water, and the fighting goes to a knockout stages . Then that would be unpleasant life we all will have to live with .

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  17. Anonymous says:

    If they have been living together in all this time where ever there are living then why don’t they just stay there and enjoy their life. Why are they making a big issue to living in Cayman????

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    • Meme says:

      Awhhh because chantelle is caymanian and she has a right to live here.

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    • Jotnar says:

      Because one is Caymanian? Are you saying gay Caymanians should have to chose between living in the land of their birth and living with their partner? Sure sounds like Cayman for straight Caymanians only.

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      • Anonymous says:

        TO be honest, most of us Cays trying to get the hell out of here these days!

        These girls better think twice about long-term residence here…..place is not good anymore.

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  18. BeaumontZodecloun says:

    You know what the government has to do in order to pave the way for these two women to be legally married in the Cayman Islands? Nothing. They have to get out of the way, and allow existing human rights laws to prevail.

    It is all of US that are attaching conditions on their lawful and rightful marriage. Why does it matter to anyone if they get married? Who does it hurt? The terms of their relationship are none of our business.

    Does their marriage infringe on anyone else’s rights? NO!

    I want my government to stand down and get out of the way and support equal rights for all Caymanians.

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    • Dave says:

      We went through this a little while ago with whites vs blacks and figured out how bad of an idea it was.

      Let’s not have a repeat with straight vs gay and just be friends, shall we? I’m in a heterosexual relationship for the record.

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      • lol says:

        So there’s a gay gene?

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        • Anonymous says:

          Some people are hell bent that we weren’t designed to eat meat and that veganizism is the right way to live.

          Do their opinions form enough argument to justify keeping it illegal to eat jerk chicken, or would that law just be fulfilling personal agendas?

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          • lol says:

            No, your comparing gays to blacks, and saying they have the same rights. So I’m kindly asking you kindly:

            Is there a gay gene?

            Please, I want to know if Im not marching in parades and defending something fictitous.

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            • Anonymous says:

              Is there a religious gene? Or a political gene? We don’t tell people they can’t get drivers licenses because they are Jewish, or can’t vote because they’re a member of the PPM.

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              • lol says:

                Exactly. And so we also don’t allow the religious, political, Jew, and the gay to make laws against our will. We’re getting somewhere 🙂

                • Anonymous says:

                  the law already exists. how is this so hard to understand? our constitution prohibits the government from denying to some people rights that are afforded to others. just like the government can’t deny Jews the right to practice their faith, or conservatives the right to vote, the government can’t, under our constitutions, deny gay people the right to marry.

                  no one is trying to change the law. they’re trying to invalidate an invalid law that conflicts with the constitution.

      • Jotnar says:

        We figured out that passing laws to stop people discriminating between blacks and whites was a bad idea! What are you, leader of the Cayman Aryan Brotherhood?

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        • Dave says:

          You must’ve misunderstood me. I implied racism, discrimination, being prejudice, etc is BAD. Not good.

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    • nauticalone says:

      Exactly! I agree completely.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Very little of US in this regime.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Good luck ladies! We’re with ya!

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Government, just because the court will tell you to make the necessary changes will not make you appear any better. So just go ahead and make the changes. Do not waste our tax money on “fighting” this issue.
    Every Caymanian should have the right to be happy, live with any other consenting adult, and enjoy the benefits offered by our other laws. Why is that so difficult to accept?
    Welcome home Chantelle & Vickie.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Go for it ladies, about time this place had a shakedown. Sadly this is actually what CIG wants, a court case that they lose so they have to change the law. Then they can say to their supporters “it wasn’t us”…shows a complete lack of honesty, and absolutely no testicular fortitude on CIG’s behalf, whilst wasting these ladies time and money on something they will ultimately win. I hope they get all costs awarded too. Good luck ladies.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    What a waste of time, effort, energy and money!! So many more important things to fight for in this world other than this crap.

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    • E. Nygma says:

      No one screamed that CMA was wasting time, effort, energy or money was being they organised an event where thousands of people gathered in the Lion Centre for a hate rally for under the facade of “Traditional Caymanian Values” ironically the keynote speaker wasn’t even Caymanian but I guess by “Caymanian values” we mean generic christian talking points that we don’t even hold our own leaders to i.e. XXXXX isn’t exactly a paragon of virtue, yet the the Ministers association has no qualms about supporting him or his governments
      They can call it whatever they want, the name changes nothing about the underlying message. No one is fooled when the Westboro Baptist Church spreads the same messaging, but as long as their tone is civil and they don’t use naughty language we allow churches and religious leaders in Cayman to spread essentially the same messaging in a different wrapper.
      The entire CMA website is dedicated to anti-LGBT propaganda, “research” and features essentially no other topics, nothing about charity work, or church projects, nothing in relation to church services or groups simply anti gay messaging spun to make it seem as if they are the victims under attack or the ones being discriminated against.
      CMA is nothing more than the political arm of the Church organizations, releasing letters against anything the elected members of the Legislative Assembly do that they disagree with. Promoting the political goals of their far right ideologies and acting as the victims throughout.
      In any other country they could (and would) be recognized as nothing more than a hate group, but here in Cayman once you cover your hate filled thesis in flowery language and niceties you can get away with saying just about anything except of course if you disagree with them
      In Cayman insulting religions is illegal, disturbing religious assemblies is illegal, and wounding religious feelings verbally, in writing, or with gestures is illegal under Part V of the Penal code

      So despite what the association claims to support, they have no interest in opposing views or debate, they simply wish to dominate all spheres of Caymanian life with their decisions made in advance in accordance to a 2000 year old collection of texts.

      See for yourself:
      http://www.caymin.ky/

      Take note of the cute voice messages now being used by the leadership of the Association to try to stir up opposition to the issue in any possible way

      Take note of the Premier’s Statement during the Rally for “Traditional Caymanian Values”:
      “I equally want to make it clear that no matter what my own religious beliefs, or indeed the beliefs of the other members of my Government, as your Premier I also have an obligation under the law and the Constitution, and indeed given my religious upbringing under the teachings of Christ, to ensure that all people, but especially any minority group, regardless of differences, receive fair treatment and respect under the law and constitution of our Islands.” – Premier Alden Mclaughlin (11 September, 2016)

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      • Anonymous says:

        I guess couples who are infertile, asexual, or choose not to have children also shouldn’t be allowed the right to marry then, according to the Cayman Islands minister association.. Quoted from that cultist website.. They claim allowing same sex marriage takes away from the value of real marriage because the point of marriage is procreation..

        WTF

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    • Anonymous says:

      Please feel free to go ahead and fight for those other things, as the actions of these women have no bearing on your ability to do so.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yet you have no sympathy. What if your child wanted to fight for his/ her rights to marry who they want? Will you say the same thing to them? That fighting for their rights is a waste of time, effort and money? That there are more important things to fight for? Smhh, should be ashamed of yourself.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Nicely spun. Good luck with that.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Go back to sleep. You missed the entire point of the discussion.

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      • Cayman W says:

        Oh spare us! They are free to marry. Its just we dont recognize it. Are you saying people should be forced to recognize their marriage? Don’t be silly. Thats very self-centered if you ask me.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Certainly an absurd waste of our money fighting something our “leadership” should already know we have a civil obligation to provide, by virtue of being a UK Territory.

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    • anon says:

      Exactly, so just let it pass and move on. Shouldn’t have to fight for it at all. Should be a non-issue. Consenting adults, not hurting anyone.

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      • Oblivious says:

        Hello! The law will be “forcing” demands on people, children, and parents that don’t want to accept the lifestyle as acceptable !!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      FACTS family. Facts….but they sleep.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly, a good reason why the Government should just change the law to move with modern times and everyone can get on with their own lives.

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    • Stuart says:

      Your first sentence explains itself. If its not important for us then why should it bother anybody. We should go on living our lives and not judge anybody on their sexual preference. Its obviously importantant to you. Though your second sentence is true that there are so many more important things. We dont need to side with anyone we need to worry about making ourselves better to everyone. The folks fighting for these rights dont want to ruin your world. They just want to live in the same one

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Tony, Al, wha ya say now?

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    • Anonymous says:

      You have your right to your opinion and they have their right. You are not the arbiter of anyone besides yourself. As long as you live you will just have to accept the opinion of others and sometimes others might differ from you. Get used to it.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    I am a Father who has been fighting the judicial system for highly discriminatory rulings in child custody matters. I sincerely hope cns gives the numerous Fathers who have wrongly lost custody of their children due to the fraud that takes place in closed chambers, will eventually get as much coverage on cns as this matter does.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yaaaassss !!! My brother went through the system. “Best interest of the child” my a*s. More like how much money can we take out of this Father’s pocket for these lawyers while keeping the mother angry enough to keep fighting.

      In what flippin world is a 4 days a month suitable for a child to spend with their Father (who is a great Dad) while the mother is a drunk, popping pills, committed perjury, and hardly feeds her child.

      This family court is pathetic and shameful.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Preach for far to long men have been unfairly treated by the courts.

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  25. Bertie ; B says:

    All the best ladies , welcome them to this new century , keep up the fight , hope to see you all soon .

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  26. Anonymous says:

    Quick someone get the popcorn!

    Bible thumpers claiming to be the victim because they can’t have their way to force their indoctrinated lifestyle onto everyone in this country in 3.. 2..

    Allowing two people to live in peace and love each other isn’t going to make you gay and no one is telling you that you must be. Sheesh.

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    • Don't put me in your Boat! says:

      I don’t believe in your Bible, but I sure as hell believe in a God, and in morals.

      I support the government in fighting against this legislation.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why are your morals objectively right? Just asking…

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        • Don't put me in your Boat! says:

          Good question.

          Because objective morality is based on the intrinsic value of every person.

          If morality is subjective (left to everyone defining their own right and wrong) then the world will be in absolute chaos and sin!

          For all criminal judicial systems of governments around the world, are based on objective morality or universal principles, and assumes everyone has free will to make us accountable for our actions.

          Homosexuality is a sin against the natural order and human body. The lifestyle poses a threat to the public when it is “enforced” to be recognized, and infringe on people’s freedoms. You don’t need a Bible or become religious to see its immoral.

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          • Anonymous says:

            It is not natural for us to be gluttonous with high fat, high sugar foods, yet take a look at the statistics of diabetes and heart disease and notice junk food isn’t illegal.

            “homosexuality is a sin” is not an objective statement, it is a subjective opinion.

            Yes, you can’t procreate in such relationships but I’m in a heterosexual relationship and we have no plans to have kids either.

            Do you also agree that condoms should be illegal since they block the body’s natural way of procreation? Are we also immoral for choosing not to live in a way that allows natural procreation?

            Notice how you want your subjective views to dictate other people’s.

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            • Don't put me in your Boat! says:

              Now, now, did I ever said I want my subjective views to be dictated on other people?… or, is it the other way around? You and your lgbt crew

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          • B.Towner says:

            Well said

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    • Anonymous says:

      No one is stopping them from living in peace and love with each other. They are doing that right now.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You can read a Bible but fail to acknowledge where this article mentions they risk losing their daughter to deportation?

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