Domestic Partnership Bill heading for defeat

| 29/07/2020 | 134 Comments

(CNS): The u-turn by Kenneth Bryan (GTC) on his previous support for some form of legislation recognising same-sex unions left the government’s Domestic Partnership Bill hanging in the balance Tuesday night, after all members of the Legislative Assembly had had their say. Premier Alden McLaughlin is now expected to wrap up the debate on Wednesday, after which the government bill could be defeated when it goes to the vote.

McLaughlin had released the front bench from the collective responsibly that comes with the job of minister, enabling them to vote as they wish. And as expected Education Minister Juliana O’Connor Connolly and Health Minister Dwayne Seymour both said they would not support the bill on religious grounds. MLA Capt. Eugene Ebanks (WBC) also stated that he did not support the bill because he was a Christian.

Independent MLA Ezzard Miller (NS), however, stuck to his long-held support for a form of non-religions civil partnership open to all couples and gave his backing to the bill, after he noted the importance of not discriminating against anyone. He argued that this bill had nothing to do with religion or the Marriage Law.

However, as expected, all of the official opposition also rejected the idea of any form of sanction for same-sex relationships, citing religion, a lack of consultation and other reasons. They all largely continued to deride or ignore the direct discrimination and infringement of Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden’s rights that had led to the introduction of the proposed bill in the first place.

Day and Bodden are at the centre of this draft legislation, as the couple had originally secured a change to the Marriage Law when they won a legal challenge against government after the marriage registrar refused their request to marry on the grounds that they were of the same sex.

Government won its appeal against that Grand Court decision, but the appeal court made it clear that government must provide a legal framework for same-sex unions. The judges directed the legislature to pass the necessary legislation “expeditiously” and put an end to the long-term discrimination against all same-sex couples.

Although the Domestic Partnership Bill addressed the issue without dealing with marriage or tampering with any religious beliefs, there was still substantial opposition to the proposed law in the community and among members.

Bryan, who has previously pressed the need for legislation to recognise same-sex partnerships, said he was now not going to support the Domestic Partnership Bill because of a straw poll in his constituency at the weekend that came down against it. Despite his previous position indicating that Cayman would have to enact same-sex partnership legislation or become an independent country, Bryan changed course from his former support based on his constituency views.

He gave little recognition, however, to the views or rights of Day and Bodden and their daughter, who reside in his constituency, when he made it clear he would not be voting for the bill because government had not consulted with the people on the legislation.

This means the legislation is now unlikely to pass. And so, it is extremely likely that Governor Martyn Roper or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will intervene directly and either impose this legislation or even re-impose the chief justice’s original ruling legalising same-sex marriage.

But even if the UK does not impose such an order, Day and Bodden, who have been trying now for five years to marry and settle their family in Cayman continue their fight. Their case is expected to be heard by the Privy Council in the UK next year. And if the issue has still not been resolved here at that point, the likelihood that their appeal will win increases significantly, which means the chief justice’s March 2019 ruling that legalised same-sex marriage will be reimposed.


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Category: Laws, Politics

Comments (134)

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  1. Capt. Ebanks says:

    Growing up in Cayman, I was taught to respect elders, our normal neighbours and fear those men that lay with other men. We would call them “chi chi” men and avoid even their associates. Later on in life, I met those who I learnt to respect yet found out later that they rode on a different mule. Despite my earlier fears, I was pleased to find that they “won’t have a go at you” when the guard is down. They do in fact have to like someone before they act. I still remain friends with the gays and learnt from this as if it was a parable from the bible.

  2. Anonymous says:

    The UK’s going to legalize it now anyway so these people just shot themselves in the foot! Ha!
    And if the religious people here think they can go to the British government and tell them off like they did to ours, then they’re in for a treat. The UK will laugh in their faces.

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  3. We need new people in that LA says:

    I only wonder if the constituents of the ones that tanked the Bill will re-elect them? 🤔 I encourage everyone to register to vote as soon as possible and take your places in the trenches of our democracy.

  4. Dino says:

    Why do the gays even want marriage? Don’t they love their freedom to live without being constantly nagged? I wish somebody had banned me from marrying my wife.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    I admit that the wrong decision was eventually made, I agree with Kenneth, if the Bill was so important why no education programme was launched trying to convince the public as to its importance so the Religious zealots might be shown the lighta

    To the average voter the position is this “one judge say SSM … he be wrong, three judge say no marriage but SSU they may be wrong too” EDUCATE the people don’t just force it down their throats no matter how right the position is!

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  6. UK will mandate marriage says:

    Good! This will surely mean the courts, and very possibly the UK Government, will interfere and mandate the full right to same-sex marriage, and not some cheap second-class partnership equivalent.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    If same sex marriage was legal 2000 years ago it is well recognized that Jesus would have married Peter.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Though i am uncertain whether or not they are doing it because of relegion or not. I know for sure they are doing it because the majority are against it. And as a nation that claims to be of God it should be expected that people would turn this bill down. After all when things are looking down, whether its covid or Ivan. We turn to our faith. And we can say we have been spared. No deaths in either to our local population. Not the same can be said for the other countries. I encourage people to continue to be strong in your faith meanless. It will come here in time. But it will be against the will of the people.

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  9. Dave says:

    Kenneth has shown his true colors. He’s voted against this bill hoping this will win him back his seat at the next election. SMH A man that talks out of both sides of his mouth – people of Central don’t be taken in by this snake. All the times reported on this news site that he supported civil partnership and now he’s just stabbed those people in the back. Shame on you Kenneth

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think he said he voted the way his people wanted..

      There is no shame in that..

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      • Anonymous says:

        If a million people convince you to do something shameful, guess what, it doesn’t change that it’s still shameful.

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      • Anonymous says:

        say what you like he was the only one to go out and get a good sampling of his constituents..Everyone else thought it wasn’t necessary..and that is where this went off the rails..

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      • Anonymous says:

        Hitler had that theory too. Strangely enough, so does Donald Trump. Guess what genius – support of the popular support does not make a politicians decisions moral or right (or free from shame).

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    • Anonymous says:

      To 3:49. That mothers child is not a snake , and he did what we the people that elected him wanted him to do .

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  10. Central Soldjas says:

    Kenneth i have 247 voting family members in GT Central and we behind you 100% my boy Stop this foolishness now! They can go to UK and live with they unrighteousness TEK Hood!

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    • Charles II From Spain says:

      247? In a family? Didn’t you procreate outside of your district? Learn from me.

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    • Anonymous says:

      247 voting family members? In one constituency? Man, you should be running for MLA yourself. If what you say was believable. Which it isn’t.

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    • Anonymous says:

      There’s tons of gay Caymanians. You gonna tell them to pack up and go?

  11. Anonymous says:

    All to keep you distracted from the fact the economy is about to fall of a cliff when the mortgages become due again. Good luck.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Victory!! 🙌🏽🇰🇾🇰🇾

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, a victory for Cayman’s bigoted homophobes SMH

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    • Anonymous says:

      Indeed, the UK will now surely interfere and mandate full same-sex marriage in Cayman. Had this bill passed, the UK would probably have stayed out of this.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Indeed. Victory for gays who want proper marriage, because that’s the natural consequence of this – be it a dictat from the Privy Council or an Order in Council. Think about that as you celebrate the temporary triumph of prejudice over enlightenment. Those MLAs and their supporters so opposed to gay marriage have basically given the supporters of gay marriage the outcome they wanted on a plate, rather than force the applicants into a compromise. Yeah – crack the champagne. In the morning its all going to taste a little bitter when you realise the consequences.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Religion has nothing to do with God and shouldn’t be use to govern the country and shouldn’t be used to infringe on the rights of others. Let all people choose how they want to live their lives and let God be the judge and jury.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed. LGBTQ+ Caymanians should be able to lead out their lives just as religious Caymanians have been able to.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Well now that the Bill has been defeated … are you all still cussing Kenneth ??? Or all 9 or all 8 (depending on your leaning) ???

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  15. Anonymous says:

    So Bryan is in favour of violence against women and opposed to civil unions between consenting adults. The man is actively out to harm the country and all who live here. This is just my opinion but personally I think he knows he isn’t getting re-elected and has sold his vote in the LA to whoever will promise him the most comfortable life once he’s shown the door. I’d expect to see him appointed to a senior non-elected position very shortly after the next election. After all, the CEO of the Cayman favour bank owes him big time after he spiked the vote of no confidence….

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Just watch the no voters and the abstainers whine, wail and grind their teeth when the UK makes it law. I hope they simply change the marriage law by Order in Council. Will serve them right.
    Who are they to deny happiness ( and sometimes suffering) to other Caymanians?

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    • Anonymous says:

      11.50 or any human being.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I cannot wait!!!

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    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      Agree completely. A marriage should entail all the legal benefits and consequences due the happy couple, regardless of their race, gender or sexuality.

      Religion should have no bearing whatsoever upon these laws, in the same way that the Holy Bible is not referenced in the aptly named Penal Code, nor any other of our laws. I think it is fine to preface public meetings with a prayer, but it should be understood that those are blessings made upon the people and the meeting, and not in any way proffering guidance in legal or criminal matters. Those are laws made for people, by people.

      That’s not to say that ANYone is demeaning churches or religions by requiring them to be separate from the rule of law. There are God’s Laws, which are enforceable only by Him. There are human laws, enforceable by people and their enforcement agents.

      We seem to be continually confusing the two. They should forever remain separate, in the eyes of the law. When we have members of Legislative Assembly unable to act in accord with Cayman Islands Laws and Human Rights and instead defer to their own personal beliefs, it is past time to retire them.

      What are the churches afraid of? I can only guess. I think the possibility of two men getting married in church horrifies them. This seems an easy fix, to me. Churches should have the right to refuse service, and by the same token, suffer the consequences when people shun them for their actions.

      Imagine the tourism boon (someday) when couples from all around the world travel here to our verdant isles to get married. ALL couples.

      There has never been a marriage that harmed me or my family in any way. It’s really none of our business, however I wish all married couples the same happiness and joy that my love and I have been blessed to have.

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    • Anonymous says:

      That won’t happen. sorry.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Great, no the UK can come in and legalize same sex marriage.

    These bigots are going to push this to the place it should have been in the first place. Great news! Love Wins 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Elect clowns, expect the circus to come to town.

    Our MLA’s are as incompetent as they are uneducated and unprofessional. As long as we keep electing them we should expect no different.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Same guy who didn’t support women’s right not to get beat up at work?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Which one are you talking about – none of them weighed in on the bar staff beating episode. How about one of them charged and found guilty – but no conviction recorded – of heating and throttling his girlfriend?

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  20. Anonymous says:

    If we are going to hide behind the bible, here are some verses that we have conveniently ignored.

    – Six times as many verses dedicated to commanding man to not eat shellfish. It goes into great detail actually, anything that isn’t a fish with gills is basically forbidden. (Leviticus 11:9-12 et al.)

    – The command that rapists must be punished by paying 50 shekels of silver to the father of the rape victim, and then marrying her. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)

    – The command that any woman who is not a virgin when they get married must be stoned to death. And if they are a virgin, then women must be submissive to their husbands for the rest of their lives, never ask another man a question, be silent in church… there’s a lot on this, ladies. (Deuteronomy 22:21, then close your eyes and point somewhere on pretty much any other page from there)

    – A preposterous amount of verses dedicated to instructing you which people you could own as slaves, instructions for how you should treat them, how they can earn their freedom, etc ad literal nauseam. (start with Exodus, then see instructions above RE women)

    – The command that if you see your neighbour working on the Sabbath, you have to straight up murder them. Immediately. (Exodus 31:14)

    Let’s not pretend that this is anything else but bigotry.

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    • Anonymous says:

      As you correctly say there are plenty of biblical instructions on slavery. In the 1800s how do you think those who supported slavery justified their opinions? They pointed to the Bible, of course. History does not look back on those bigots favourably and nor will it on these MLAs who support discrimination and prejudice by telling is it’s in the bible.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What about the fact that if you truly read the Bible, Jesus was in fact gay. He actually had 11 male lovers

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      • Anonymous says:

        You and your bullshit !!

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      • Simon says:

        Are you really on some hard Jamaican cannabis seriously? “Jesus is or must be gay” seriously a new thing within 2020 Leftists now all say! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆

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        • Anonymous says:

          I’m a republican and I agree with Jesus being gay.

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        • Anonymous says:

          I wish the regs we got from Jamaica was anything good enough to describe as “hard” as someone with zero experience would.

          Locally grown.. vastly superior.

    • Anonymous says:

      The bible contains contradictions, namely old testament and new., but for a purpose and to understand it, means refraining from picking verses to suit one’s argument. Homosexuality existed before and after biblical times and always will to the end of time.

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    • Albert conolly says:

      Your are reading from the old law,Thats the reason Jesus was sent.Through him,we meet the Father.I personally think we should not quote the Bible in certain instances,as You will always find yourself with a double edge sword.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Personally, I like “bunch of crap” better than “bigotry”.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Me, young Caymanian voting for the first next election.

    Things I like:
    – the environment
    – tolerance and diversity (incl. same-sex marriage)
    – fast internet
    – less traffic through a functioning public transport system (NOT NEW ROADS)

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  22. Anonymous says:

    cayman can’t go 5 mins without humiliating itself on the international stage…..business as usual after covid…

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    • Anonymous says:

      Clearly you don’t watch world news to view real embarrassment and humiliation on a global scale. Cayman’s minuscule internal strife ranks well below.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Anybody better than the DONALD!

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      • Anonymous says:

        No, but its bloody funny. The video clips of idiots trying to grind a rail and getting it right in the crotch are entertaining irrespective of how small a village they come from. Video of a man sincerely professing his belief that womens sexuality is driven by the moon, and men should take advantage of it, are priceless, whether he is a politician from a small BOTC or a red neck from a small town in Alabama no one has ever heard of. This has potential for going viral. The fact someone can come out with this on camera is pure comedy gold. Its like seeing a living, breathing dinosaur – incredible, yet real. The fact that he’s the Minister of Health and not someone the streets and obviously in need of psychiatric help is the icing on the cake.

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    • Anonymous says:

      HA! Cayman is a shinning example in this dark world!

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Having watched Bryan’s contribution to the debate (mainly because I had run out of paint to watch dry and couldn’t find the pliers to pull my fingernails out), I have to say it was one of the worst political performances I have ever witnessed anywhere – stupid, incoherent, ill-judged and self-serving.

    The man has no idea what democracy means and he is incapable of distinguishing it from base, squalid mob rule.

    Clearly a man as weak of intellect as courage.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    My father was a politician for years and once explained that anyone in politics who makes decisions based on straw polls was as useful as a chocolate teapot! Politicians are elected to represent their people but also to do what is right for the good of all the people. A straw poll will only show the opinion of those who show up which will only be a sliver of the actual voting catchment populous. The bigger issue here is that this is not just a voter issue. This affects every single person on this island: 60k plus and not only the 27k voters, so how a politician can change his mind based on the opinion of a hundred people who turn up? He was elected based on his open minded approach – a 21st century politician. That’s gone now and he’s just fallen in line. Well done sir. Shame

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    • Anonymous says:

      And it’s the smallest minority who usually make the biggest noise when it comes to human rights.

      There weren’t many people out in force trying to abolish slavery, but they were out in force to keep it.

      The people of the world have had enough.

      Black lives matter,
      LGBTQ lives matter,
      Women’s rights matter,
      We matter.

      I heard the most disgusting person on that rooster show this morning talking about how he was a Christian but the attack he had on the gay community here was full of devilish rage. The host continued to let him speak his vitriol just as he lets Kennth Bryan (a man of no values who doesn’t know how to poll constituents) continue on his show every Thursday.

      STOP GIVING THESE DEVILS A PLATFORM FOR SPEWING FAKE CHRISTIANITY!

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      • BeaumontZodecloun says:

        I gave you a thumbs up, but I think we should always give “them” a platform for voicing their opinions. I WANT to know what people in the community and particularly politicians think. I NEED to know this. I don’t want to truncate anyone’s ability to voice their opinions.

        Talking to each other, participating in discussions, even writing in this forum — it’s how we communicate our interests and views to each other. The Cayman Islands are evolving, as many young territories have, and we have our share of growing pains. I hope we always do, because when we become complacent and give up, that’s the genuine horror.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    Ah yes, again with the bible and religion and selective interpretation when it suits. Let’s ignore David & Johnathan and Ruth & Naomi. Let’s ignore the Old testament, way too much backdoor entries going on in that version. Chances are, the MLA’s wouldn’t know a bible if it slapped them in the cheeks when being held by waitress dressed in naughty school uniform….but that’s for another say

    anyway, if we can pick and choose and interpret gods law at will, i’m advocating to choose which side of the road i’ll drive down today whilst freebasing some powder that i’ve decided isn’t illegal for me

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  26. Anonymous says:

    One thing that bothers me is the consistent mention of Gay vs Christian. The two are not necessarily separate. There are many gay Christians, including clergy and many gay-affirming churches in the world. There are also Christians here that support equality for gay couples. So when you hear individuals using religious arguments to defend the denial of equal rights, remember, they do not speak for all Christians.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Oh Kenneth… why do you have to make me agree with Alden? Kenneth the renowned fence sitter…

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  28. Anonymous says:

    The damned thing was so poorly thought out and drafted it should fail! Just let anyone that wants to get married! Muslims and Jews get married! It is not uniquely a Christian institution and anyone that contends that it is, is just too ignorant to even debate with.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    “And if the issue has still not been resolved here at that point, the likelihood that their appeal will win increases significantly, which means the chief justice’s March 2019 ruling that legalised same-sex marriage will be reimposed.”

    So the members of government that oppose this bill are basically handing us the full legalization of same sex marriage on a silver platter?

    Sounds good to me.

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    • Anonymous says:

      all of this grandstanding is for political reasons – they want to get reelected next year to sit on the fat paychecks they’re getting. They know SSM is coming so they’re doing what they can to seem like they’re on the people’s side.

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  30. JTB says:

    Does Kenneth Bryan have any principles at all?

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    • Anonymous says:

      He does, but they surely aren’t worthy of elected office.

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      • Cayman Mon says:

        R U telling me that the fact that Kenneth stands for righteousness mean that he is not fit for office. Where is the logic in this! More power to you Kenneth. The people of GT will surely return this young man as there representative.

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  31. For Crying in my soup~ says:

    Kenneth just lost my vote!!! What a two faced coward……..

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    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t forget his stance on McKeeva

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    • Cayman Mon says:

      You can smear this young man as much as you want that won’t change the fact that he is a hard worker looking out for his community. “For Crying in my soup @9:00pm, I can assure that he will not miss your vote because next time he surely have mine.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Sadly, I am not surprised. “Religion” has been used as an excuse for reprehensible actions for centuries. Why should Cayman be exempt from ignorance, intolerance and repression.

    The world is watching, listening and forming a clearer viewpoint of the moral character of the Cayman citizenry. And it is not a positive viewpoint.

    Cayman wants to be a respected partner on the world stage????? Nah – Rather live in a closed repressive society.

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    • Cayman Mon says:

      All who vote for this reprehensible bill will be voted out of office..no and, if or butts. Right is right and immorality is just that.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You were a virgin when you got married and consider the eating of turtle, conch and lobster an abomination? Right?

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        • Cayman Mon says:

          Anon at 10.47am Can assure you that I was not Queer and enjoys turtle, conch and lobster. This is not to say I hate Gays; they have been in our midst since time immemorial.

      • Anonymous says:

        Absolutely! Right is right, and immorality is just that. Which is why I support a bill that encourages people to enter into committed relationships, and protects their rights to do so. Unfortunately, for some hate and fear and prejudice outweighs right and commitment.

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      • Anonymous says:

        “Judgement is mine!” sayeth the Cayman Mon.

        Do you want all the rest of the laws adjudicated in church, or just the ones that twist your britches? Can’t you see how ignorant your view is?

        Tell you what. You may hold on tight to Leviticus, but you must also honour every single word in Leviticus. No cherry-picking allowed. How about that? I recommend you study up on burnt offerings. No more pork, lobster or conch for you. I suspect you may have difficulty with 9 Leviticus, where you are told not to pervert justice, and to be kind to your neighbours.

  33. there's neither equality nor equivalency in this bill says:

    Alden’s proposed bill is rotten because it doesn’t provide either equality or equivalency. May the UK step in as soon as possible with an Order in Council that will right this wrong. Cheers for Vickie and Chantelle, two women of tremendous courage. I look forward to the day when their marriage photo is at the top of the front page of this newspaper.

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  34. Anonymous says:

    Enough of this nonsense. Pass the law for same sex civil unions, with partner and partner, and let’s move on and worry about more serious issues like covid 19 , high crime, etc.,etc,etc

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  35. Anonymous says:

    These people are so backwards it makes me sick.

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  36. Anonymous says:

    Good! I hope this charade of equality is defeated and the UK steps in and allows gay people to MARRY just like hetero couples. We need true equality.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sit on da fence, da wa you get.

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      • Anonymous says:

        North Siders told Ezzard to vote no and his meeting proved the numbers, he is going contrary to our vote, hope he remembers that next election.

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        • George Fistworthy says:

          “Our vote”?! Your vote happens at a general election and you entrust the constituency’s welfare to the person elected. Why not ask yourself why that is…. because he’s a relatively intelligent man and you appear to be a homophobe and an awful “Christian”

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  37. Anonymous says:

    While I personally support the proposed legislation it is clear to me that many of the MLAs that are going to vote in favor of the legislation are only doing so out of fear of what the UK will do if they vote against it.

    The whole thing is silly. Why have a yes or no vote on what the appeals court has indicated is required by law? If it is required by law then it should just be a matter of implementation. Also, if the ladies are still going ahead with their appeal to the Privy Council then the DP legislation might end up being a waste of time.

    We will have to accept the ruling of the Privy Council and live with the consequences.

    It has always been the case that the majority would rather have the decision forced on them than they willingly accept what they don’t agree with.

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  38. Respectfully says:

    We are one people under God. We just should not allow any gay group to use our government and undermine the rights of the people. I think they are clear. Read the constitution. Nothing there about us kissing up to lgbt, nothing! Their socall rights are not in tune with nature. And we Caymanians believe in nature, God’s creation.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians have mostly destroyed all the nature here in one way or another. Turtles were hunted to brink of extinction. Couldn’t take care of the blue iguanas. Most of the reef is dead or dying. So let’s not make this about “nature” or the natural order of things. This is about your personal views and discomfort with homosexuality which you justify by hiding behind the Bible. Nothing in the Bible is as bigoted towards homosexuality as you make it out to be and are you really so foolish as to think our savior wouldn’t want us to be capable of adapting our beliefs over the past 2000 years since his death? Back then we believed the world was flat and witches were a real problem and diseases could be healed by blood-letting. If we were still that incredibly stupid now God would have wiped us from the earth and started over. We’ve been to the moon for goodness sake and working to travel to Mars! But you can’t get your head around the idea of two same-sex individuals getting married?! I’ll be honest when I say sometimes it makes me uncomfortable but a little bit of my discomfort holds no weight whatsoever compared to someone else’s happiness and civil rights. Get over yourself. Do you stand behind your bible when it comes to adultery? Because this country which follows your natural order of things is rife with it! We have people beating their kids and spouses, stabbing each other at bars, breaking marriage vows, defrauding the elderly, defrauding the people of this country, exhibiting hatred towards foreigners, and just generally being terrible left right and center….but it’s the gays you can’t handle?!

      Really? Look yourself in the mirror and try to wake the hell up. You’re a dinosaur who doesn’t see the asteroid coming…

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      • Anonymous says:

        8.51 But the Minister of Health is governed by the moon and sex. Just as you think it can’t get any worse, how sick and repulsive was that speech!

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        • Anonymous says:

          Yup…believing things are controlled by the moon is an ancient pagan concept…not very Christian at all

          • Jonathan Adam says:

            God knows (go on ahead and attack figure of speech too, have at it), that I am no fan of Seymour so don’t in your silly little mind get it twisted; Maybe this is your pitiful attempt at sarcasm, I do not know, but if you actually think that for one to take note of how the moon affects this earth and the waters and the beings both plant and animal upon it is ‘not very Christian at all’ then I thank you for elucidating to one and all your absolute idiocy.

        • Anonymous says:

          1:49 Have you not have SEX on the FULL MOON yet!

    • JTB says:

      Speak for yourself, bigot, but don’t presume to speak for me

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      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t worry; these homophobes will be sent packing soon enough. The last two generations of young people will see to that.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Keep your beliefs in the walls of your church. The Bible literally says to separate church from state.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman is not “one people under God”. That is your fantasy. There are many Caymanians, “real” Caymanians, who do not believe in your god or perhaps do but not in the same way you do. Grow up and accept this. Have some basic decency. Be fair to others.

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      • George fistworthy says:

        Wasn’t the Christian god forced upon Cayman? Can’t imagine they invented her themselves

    • Just Respectfully says:

      Homosexual behavior is found in nearly all intelligent life, your own reasoning is working against you, educate yourself.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You’re wrong but you’re entitled to be wrong. No-one cares. The only thing you aren’t allowed to do is restrict other people’s freedoms and rights based on your own ignorance. That’s what this is about. You live your life how you want, but don’t try and force other people to live their lives how you want them to.

  39. Dante Alighieri - Ebanks says:

    The hypocrisy demonstrated by elected members in this debate and false narratives used to justify their position to deny basic rights of equality and ignore the real issue of discrimination against their own people is shocking and speaks volumes about the current leadership.

    They all need to be voted out in 2021 and be exposed for their hypocrisy and judgement seeking to play God. Their own cupboards are full of skeletons wrongful acts and sins based on the morals Christian heritage they speak of to justify their decisions including adultery, domestic abuse, homosexuality, bisexuality, bare false witness against their neighbor, corruption, theft, vainglory or pride, greed or covetousness, lust or inordinate or illicit sexual desire, envy, gluttony, which is usually understood to include drunkenness, wrath, or anger, and sloth.

    Those that blindly support these leaders and elected members are just as bad because the voters have the power to make changes. I am embarrassed by their actions and ignorance.

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    • Anonyminniemouse says:

      When it comes to our hopes/wishes that some of our MLA’s do the right and humane thing, I believe your pseudonym’s namesake probably said it best “lasciate ogne Speraza, voi ch’intrate” “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here”

  40. Anonymous says:

    Separation of church and state!

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  41. Anonymous says:

    There is a special place in Hell reserved just for these mla’s

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    • Paul says:

      No, that will be too easy – how about deportation to Australia just like the convict days in 1700s? 🤔🤔🤔

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      • Jonathan Adam says:

        ‘Deportation to Australia’ you say? Are you even remotely aware of the ludicrosity of your statement? Are you not aware that people where sent there, having escaped the finality of the English hangman’s noose for the crime of buggery according to the laws of the time? Do you not know that these ‘crimes’ where punishable by death? It is laughable when English people talk about human rights. It is both ironic and just as ludicrous when people in Brussels, Belgium of all places give their edict of human rights also. Do you or anyone know the Belgian (after the German influence) colonial history which culminated in the genocide in Rwanda between the Hutus and the Tutsi tribes? Australia you say? Did a dingo consume your access to history and the perspective which it provides?

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  42. Anonymous says:

    Another disappointing move by Kenny. I didn’t think he would make any impact when he got elected, how wrong was I. We must remember when electing officials. Lack of action in areas that are so impactful such as this law, but also not removing McKeeva will be what his one term will be known for. Shame, he’s so young, he’ll have to live with this for a very long, long time.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Proud of Kenneth for going to the people and voting not what he wants but what his constituents want. Personally, I don’t think the bill should be defeated but think more highly of Kenneth daily.

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      • George Fistworthy says:

        Let’s see evidence of his “straw poll”… surely there must be social media coverage…. or did he just make it up because the bigots promised him a cushy position next term?

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  43. Anonymous says:

    Multilple MLAs: “you can’t be gay because the Christian Bible says so”

    Straight Caymanian Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Atheists, etc with the constitutional right to be so: “Are we a joke to you too?”

    “You have the free will to believe in whatever you want as long as it aligns with my personal beliefs” should be their motto.

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    • Ricky says:

      And I can’t be black, because I am white. Or maybe because I identify as black! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆

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  44. Paul says:

    Time to force an Order in council on all UK territories, to immediately legislate SSM! Back in 2001 the Cayman Islands refused to legalize gay sex – so the UK government within Westminster passed an Order in council to force the issue. History always repeats itself everytime! 📚📒📘

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  45. Anonymous says:

    Don’t think this is over yet..McKeeva has already been contacted by Alden to ensure that Eugene abstains so that the vote falls to “yes dear” Barbara sitting in his chair. She will fall in line and vote yes…

    Alden knows how to work his leverage particularly now that he has McKeeva by the balls and there was a good reason for Julie giving the civics lesson to Barbara regarding the way she can vote so that she know what to do today..

    Now all hands are clean and we can go back to normal..Kudos to Alden for a very well orchestrated set-up.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I hope that Capt. Eugene has better sense about him to not be “handled” and stick to his convictions.

      Abstaining, is voting yes in this situation and not sure that is how he wants his legacy to be remembered.

      Hope he sees that both him and Mac will be puppets for Alden after this and this time around they will have no option but to fall in line..

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      • Anonymous says:

        That way Mac can still tell his church that he didn’t support it achieve what Alden wants and the only loser is Eugene. Pretty slick move, I noticed on the adjournment motion last night the Minister of Health and Minister of Education both abstained but Eugene voted in favor which showed he had already been instructed to change his position.

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