Governor imposing DP bill, not same-sex marriage
(CNS): Governor Martyn Roper will push through the Domestic Partnership Bill, which was defeated in the Legislative Assembly last week, rather than legislation giving full marriage equality for same-sex couples. Roper will be imposing the law through his Reserved Powers under section 81 of the Constitution and not by an order-in-council directly from the UK. The governor said it was a position he had not wanted to be in but he had no choice because he must uphold the law.
Following the controversial debate in the LA last week, the premier had warned that the UK would likely impose same-sex marriage instead of forcing through the Domestic Partnership Law, an opinion that was supported by a number of local attorneys and other commentators, and was an option that the local LGBT community had campaigned for.
But the governor said in a statement that the Foreign Office had decided that passing a version of the current bill would be the right approach, as this would fully comply with the Court of Appeal judgment.
However, there are flaws with the DP bill, not least the creation of a register of same-sex partners, which people feel could act as an open invitation to abuse same-sex couples. Nevertheless, the governor said he will publish the bill on Monday, opening a consultation period for 21 days before assenting to the bill and making domestic partnerships for same-sex couples legal by September.
Roper said that he will also address various other pieces of legislation at the same time that need to be changed to give effect to the law.
The governor pointed out that the Court of Appeal was clear that Cayman is in breach of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by failing to put in place a framework for same-sex couples that is functionally equivalent to marriage. The Domestic Partnership Bill satisfies that legal requirement and at the same time maintains the current definition of marriage, he said.
“It was my expectation, and that of the FCO, that all lawmakers would recognise their legal responsibility and pass the Bill after debate in the Legislative Assembly,” the governor said Wednesday. But the failure of MLAs to pass the bill left him with no option but to act to uphold the law.
“The question of same-sex marriage is currently before the Privy Council and it will reach a decision on the appeal early next year. I believe it is therefore imperative that the Domestic Partnership Bill is passed into law so that the discrimination suffered by Chantelle Day and Vicky Bodden-Bush, and others in same sex relationships, is brought to an end as required by the Court of Appeal.”
Roper added that this had placed him in a position that he never wanted to be in.
“Since arriving in October 2018, I have fully respected Cayman’s extensive responsibility for dealing with domestic matters. But I cannot simply stand aside when it comes to upholding the rule of law and complying with international obligations, which fall squarely within my responsibilities as governor” he said.
“In seeking to find a way forward, I believe I have been consistent and true to my pledge when I arrived to serve all the people of these wonderful islands to the best of my ability. I hope we can soon put this divisive debate behind us and come together as a people as we continue to navigate our way through a challenging global pandemic,” he added.
The decision to impose the flawed legislation rather than the simple original amendments to the Marriage Law by the chief justice in March 2019 does not rule out full marriage equality in the Cayman Islands in the near future because Day and Bodden-Bush might still win their case before the Privy Council.
It is also possible that the flaws in the current legislation, particularly the discriminatory elements, may lead to further legal challenges. While Cayman’s Marriage Law currently stipulates that the institution is the preserve of opposite-sex couples, the Constitution does not disallow any future right of same-sex couples to marry but rather defines the current right for opposite-sex couples.
See the governor’s full statement in the CNS Library.
- Fascinated
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- Afraid
So, the principle of parliamentary supremacy doesn’t apply to the Cayman Islands and it’s legislature?
Quote from the compass editorial today.
We hope, going forward, that true leadership emerges. Leadership that doesn’t worry about getting back in the House to collect a paycheque. Leadership with conviction and a vision. Cayman needs leadership that’s concerned with improving Cayman – leadership with a spine.
Cayman wake up note the MLA’s that voted against this Bill and who put us in this embarrassing situation. I know Bernie lost my vote.
No. The Legislative Assembly is a creature of the Constitution, which is an Order in Council of the United Kingdom. Thus, Orders in Council, and all provisions in the Constitution, supersede laws passed by the Legislative Assembly. If the Cayman Islands is in breach of its own Constitution, the UK through the powers granted to it or its Governor under the same Constitution permit the Cayman Islands to be brought in line. The Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands found that the Cayman Islands was in breach of international and human rights law, and the Legislative Assembly failed to remedy the breach. The action taken by the Governor, probably on the instructions of the FCO and certainly with their blessing, has been taken to restore the rule of law in the Cayman Islands and bring us into line with the law that applies to us, over and above our own laws or legislators.
True parliamentary supremacy is only possessed by the national legislatures of sovereign countries with the Westminster system.
Since Cayman is a colony its legislature is not sovereign. Parliamentary sovereignty in the UK is also -still, despite Brexit-checked by the Human Rights Act 1988 and the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Absolutely correct. Which is why the Cayman Islands cannot he referred to as a “nation”. We are not independent nor sovereign, we have no parliament but a legislative assembly. Unfortunately, our politicians have demonstrated we are not politically mature enough to understand that leaders must uphold the law of the land, no matter what the electorate wants. The elected officials have now been reminded of who truly holds the power over these islands. When they behave badly, Mummy will hand out the licks to bring them in line. How embarrassing.
Parliamentary sovereignty applies to *parliaments* which are *sovereign*
Not to jumped up parish councils
If you want your legislature to be taken seriously, elect some serious people to it
They have to run which means you have to make public service pay a bigger fraction of what the private sector does and increase the perks and status to compensate. I bet you if the Premier had an official residence, all bills paid, a separate building to run the Premier’s Office and Cabinet Office from (as they have in Bermuda) etc., you would find serious people aspiring to lead and putting themselves on the fast track to the top. As long as you can make 5, 10, 15x the money in the private sector (which, by the way, gives you influence anyway), that’s where the local talent will go. But people would never accept this even though it is the truth.
100%. This sad state of affairs has put our political immaturity on the world stage for display. How embarrassing.
The Cayman Islands is NOT a nation, sovereign or independent. Our Legislative Assembly is full of school children who feel they have some kind of power. We had an opportunity to do the right thing, show the UK we are capable of losing Section 81 of the Constitution that gives the Governor to do exactly what he did, but alas we have fools in the LA who don’t fully understand how our own political system works and that not even them are above the law.
The devil is alive in Cayman.
And those devils quote scripture.
Yeah, in our government.
well would you look at that, the sky is not falling in on us all.
I was promised by all the bible thumpers that if we even hinted at same sex marriage that God would descend upon us and there would be fire and brimstone, the end of the world but looking outside the suns still shinning.
It strikes me as downright arrogant to think that God would give particular attention to what goes on on this island, do you all think we are really that important? God didn’t sink England to the bottom of the sea when they legalized same sex marriage so why would he do so to us? Are we really so narcissistic to think we are the chosen people? that if we legalize it that would trigger Armageddon?
Please name the people that promised you that same sex marriage in Cayman would bring about the end of the world. Your desire to sensationalize and inflame the issue with your bigoted comment will not work.
Literally anyone who goes to church.
Anthony Eden literally said natural disasters were caused by gay people.
Who’s the Bigot again?
No, I suspect you need to read that comment again.
I believe its called mocking sarcasm…
You can’t have a serious conversation with someone who legitimately believes that Eve ate an apple, paving the way for all that is evil…
The UK has spoken and unsurprisingly, they have decided that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation must end.
Meanwhile, our athletes are potentially banned from Olympics. Shouldn’t we be outraged about that?
There’s so much to be outraged about with this back-peddling regime, it’s hard to know where to start.
Maybe they have decided that discrimination on the basis of religious affiliation is the way to go.
Ah yes, the good old “I can’t discriminate against other people anymore, I’m the real victim” argument. No one is saying you can’t practice your own religion, nor are they saying that the churches need to invite it. They’re saying “Mind your business”.
Ignorant comment, some of the greatest intelligent people on this planet are people of faith whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish.
But whose God is the real one?
Let’s be honest. You can’t really be that intelligent if you honestly believe in the garden of eden story… I mean, that’s just beyond silly. And the promise of 72 virgins…?
If you’re really intelligent, you will see through the nonsense and see why religion is really thrust upon the masses.
Well, he needs to exercise his powers again and free us up on this mask wearing bullsh*t now. Totally off subject but, I really don’t give a damn about this gay thing. Sick of hearing about it now.
Yes the masks don’t do anything. CDC & WHO both state they do not protect and can cause harm.
FAKE NEWS. Both the CDC and WHO encourage mask wearing:
“CDC reviewed the latest science and affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.”
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0714-americans-to-wear-masks.html
“WHO has updated its guidance to advise that to
prevent COVID-19 transmission effectively in areas of community transmission, governments should encourage the general public to wear masks in specific situations and settings as part of a comprehensive approach to suppress SARS-CoV-2 transmission.”
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks
Certainly no cure for stupid.
You’re probably driving around in your car with your mask on. Stupid.
simple queation for the great ‘christian’ leaders of this great ‘christian’ ‘nation’:
what would jesus do?
Turn the water into wine and attend the wedding service.
Who’s wedding was that in the bible? And why was Maria in charge of the kitchen.
These fundamentalist Christians in our midst don’t seem to be interested in Jesus and his loving tolerant views, 9:41. They are obsessed with the angry vengeful God of the Old Testament, always banging on about hellfire, damnation, sulphur pits, everlasting pain and misery for sin and all that B.S.
Only when it suits.
Look at the Bodden Town man who was caught on a video (viral) pleasuring himself in the presence of a minor. The church chose to apply the ‘those without sin, cast the first stone’ philosophy to that situation when what they should have applied is the ‘if the right hand causes you to steal, chop it off’ philosophy.
We really should ask ourselves why? Was she a consenting adult? She wasn’t an adult at all and could not have consented. Yet, two consenting adults is an abomination in the eyes of these people.
The Church ? Wasnt it the courts that dealt with him?
The way this was allowed to unfold is what I have an issue with. If the appeals court ruled that Cayman needs to provide legislation to recognize same sex relationships and to extend the benefits and privileges to homosexual couples that are enjoyed by heterosexual couples then we should not have ended up in a position where the possible outcome of a vote in the LA would have resulted in the country not upholding the ruling of the court. If it was also the intention of the governor &/or the FCO to not respect the possible rejection of the DPB then they should never have allowed the matter to come up for a vote to begin with.
The LA is almost entirely uneducated. What do you expect?
You can lead a donkey to water…
I heard a story about a donkey, same fellow also told one about what happens when there is a full moon….. similar reasoning may explain the voting in the LA
surely you mean jackass
They were giving the LA the chance to follow the courts ruling. When our bigoted politicians failed to so then,it should not come as any surprise, the UK will step in and put the law in place. If you have any respect for the rule of law yu would have known this was going to happen. If you heard Alden’s speech prior to the vote he warned the members what the outcome of voting no on the bill would mean. It is time to accept that human rights apply to all humans not just the Christian straight ones.
Hopefully.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways and works through the G’vner to by-pass the bigots.
Praise Her!
IDIOT MUCH
Funny. Same thought came to mind after reading your response to the original poster.
And you’re not being bigoted with your statement?
Google “bigot etymology” and see how you get on.
There is an absolute need for a focus on local and regional civics studies in our schools because it is clear that a number of Caymanians do not understand the role the mother country plays.
Understand that the Cayman Islands is NOT a nation. We are neither independent or sovereign, we don’t even have our own parliament. Every time I hear “small island nation” it rankles my core, because we are not that. We are an Overseas Territory that has to follow the law of the UK lands.
The Governor was put in a terrible situation by politicians who continue to pander to an electorate they choose to keep ignorant.
The Governor would have been shirking his responsibility if he did not step in and deal with disobedient politicians who chose to not uphold the Constitution. I have heard countless times that we need to remain dependent on the UK in order to keep our politicians in check. I can think of no better example to support that theory than what has played out with the DP bill. While I believe we need to prepare for eventual independence, this current situation demonstrates we are still politically immature and unable to have full trust that our elected officials would do the right thing.
The electorate is not ignorant and knows exactly what they want.
The problem here is the structures that have been put in place to make people feel that they are anything more than dogs at the end of a leash. It is time to do away with the pretense of democracy and acknowledge reality.
Independence is not the way to go. Everybody knows that the bigger and more powerful countries take advantage of the smaller countries and the countries that are not able to defend themselves. The world order is not about right and wrong. It is about the powerful and the weak.
So we have the lesser of myriad evils?
When the LA vote against payroll taxes, the governor should not shirk from his responsibility. The UK and other OTC have payroll taxes on individual. Cayman soon to follow!
A lot of comments here. Wait until God has His say.
She has
He just did. Yet again. God is love. Not discrimination, bigotry and prejudice.
Right, I am sure God has better things to do than focus his attention on a tiny insignificant island in the Caribbean that is looking to lessen discrimination….
I spoke with him yesterday, he is cool with it…
She doesn’t care either way, only you and your fundamentalists cult members do
CiG to the rescue. The civil service never fails.
You do realise that the Governor is not part of the civil service, right?
Don’t people say God works in mysterious ways? Maybe God has already spoken, quite loudly and bluntly: end discrimination! Love thy neighbour (even if they are not like you)!
And here’s to good old Cayman
The land of booze and cow cod
Where JonJon speaks only to JuJu
And JuJu speaks only to God
11.14 You’re a poet and you didn’t know it!
I stole that from anonymous.
God has no interest in politics! You should read the Bible a bit more a realize that the separation of Church and State is mentioned in the Bible.
This is a very unfortunate situation. Governor Martyn Roper, in exercising his authority to override democracy, has place himself in the unenviable position where he possibly no longer enjoys the confidence and respect of the majority of the citizens in the Cayman Islands. My concern is that his relationship with the people going forward will largely be one of forced obedience and hidden resentment. That in itself is untenable.
The government put him in that “unenviable position” but not following the rule of law. The Cayman Islands is NOT a nation, as it is not independent and sovereign. As long as you have the Queen as your head of state, you have to follow the law of HER lands. In Cayman, we have not devolved enough to even having our own parliament, hence the Legislative Assembly.
Caymanians need to be better educated in civics studies, to understand the powers of local government and the role the UK plays as long as we remain an Overseas Territory.
The Governor was placed in this most unfortunate position because our politicians continue to pander to an electorate that they prefer to keep as ignorant as possible.
@ 7.39
In Cayman, we have not evolved enough to even having our own parliament, hence the Legislative Assembly.
FTFY
We also have a judicial system which at times keeps the parliament in line.
So much for the inalienable right to self determination for all including colonies. It’s intolerable that any other country should override the collective will of others in this day and age. It’s not as if we are a rogue nation where we the virus is rampant and no one seems to know what they are doing (a bit like the UK). But then again the UK is also being forced to do what they dont always want to do, by the EU. Which is why the UK wants to get the hell out of the EU! Anyway, let’s get on with it, there’s nothing to see here and the sun will still shine tomorrow.
Self-interested “lawmakers” do not have any inalienable right to suppress legal rights, or buttress those with bad laws that pander only to a fringe right-wing segment of the electorate. That’s why this course correction, and knuckle wrapping is happening. Open your eyes to the first recorded consequence of maladministration in decades. Let’s hope this is the first in a series of necessary recalibration interventions before the next election.
The constitution, which includes a right to private and family life, was passed democratically. The courts in Cayman held that the current laws of Cayman did not provide a framework for same sex couples to have those rights under the democratically passed constitution and instructed the legislature to act. The legislature has ignored its responsibilities under the democratically passed constitution.
The way I see it, the Governor is ensuring that the legislature doesn’t ignore the democratically passed constitution, to ensure that the democratic process and the rule of law are upheld.
What a fallacious comment. The LA debated and voted on the bill following a democratic process. That’s their duty, not to PASS a flawed piece of legislation because you say so.
If the legislation were flawed, it would be the LA’s duty to amend it, or pass alternate legislation, to ensure that the rights guaranteed under the democratically passed constitution are afforded to same sex couples, as the Caymanian court has required…
I didn’t say so. The court did. Read the judgment.
You will be delighted to hear that FCO/Roper are also correcting the defective language of the Bill which had required a public registry of gay people.
Do they get a private registry? What about transparency about who is legally bound to who?
8:47 I am confuse, did not the Legislature act?
I know that you are too young to remember, but it wouldn’t do any harm to educate yourself on history. Particularly, on democracy being overridden in the Cayman Islands.
The British Government had to come to the Cayman Islands and override what people considered to be their democratic right to own slaves after emancipation.
In fact, some people were so incensed that they demanded, and received, compensation for having to give up their slaves. Perhaps you can start a petition whereby all people offended by same sex unions can be compensated. Maybe a monthly tithing by government to each church is a reasonable price to pay.
Another clear example of why the perceived “majority” is not always right.
I am still not clear whether the DPB will afford my foreign partner the right to remain and work here for as long the good Lord gives us life on this earth.
Can someone clarify this for me?
If you are Caymanian and enter into a domestic partnership, your parter will be entitled to the same rights as the spouse of a Caymanian.
After 7 years I hope.
Spouses of Caymanians can apply for a residency and employment rights certificate (RERC) immediately, but cannot apply for Caymanian status in their own right until seven years have elapsed. Neither RERC or Caymanian status is available if the union is a union “of convenience” entered into with the primary intention of avoiding, or benefiting from, any of the provisions of the Immigration Law.
Under the DPB there is no requirement for your partner to live with you or for you to be in a relationship at all. Nothing in the bill states these are requirements so they can live with you but they don’t have to.
I don’t think these are requirements of marriage, either.
There’s nothing in the marriage law that requires married couples to live together either…
It is time for a referendum on independence
How will that help? As an independent country we would simply be sanctioned and black listed into compliance.
The government put him in that “unenviable position” but not following the rule of law. The Cayman Islands is NOT a nation, as it is not independent and sovereign. As long as you have the Queen as your head of state, you have to follow the law of HER lands. In Cayman, we have not devolved enough to even having our own parliament, hence the Legislative Assembly.
Caymanians need to be better educated in civics studies, to understand the powers of local government and the role the UK plays as long as we remain an Overseas Territory.
The Governor was placed in this most unfortunate position because our politicians continue to pander to an electorate that they prefer to keep as ignorant as possible.
great point. These simple minded people wanna go pick shit with the chickens.
And your property would be worthless.
Lol where do you people come up with this crap huh?
Then time for a civil war then
@ 10.20 Please, please, PLEASE have a referendum and watch some of your MLAs change tack in the blink of an eye from’ex-pat bad’ to ‘who will rent our overpriced accommodation, buy our clapped out second hand cars, use our exorbitant taxis, shop in the family supermarkets, eat in our (mainly) overpriced restaurants and bars, rent our watersports…etc..’ They are not daft. They KNOW what side their bread is buttered. But good luck and last ex-pat to leave put out the lights.
ya that way we can be just like Jamaica.
So we can drive this country literally underwater faster than it’s currently headed. Pull you head out of the sand and get over it. Independence in this instance is beyond foolish. Burning down the house to get a piece of toast.
how about just you? as in you yourself can declare independence and go create you own country.
independence! Really now! Tell me sunshine just how will we sustain ourselves should we do that? Go back to the days of thatch or exporting conchshells?
Your thought is noted but not supported. We are in pampers when it comes to independence; can’t you see that if it was left to the churches and some of our legislators we would be wearing black and white apparel and chasing agoutis in lieu of wild turkeys?
Bahahaha good luck paying taxes when you don’t have an economy anymore.
Governor Martyn Roper should just suspend the constitution and continue to rule by fiat. There is no longer a need for MLAs or for the people to waste time voting for political representatives. The foolish belief that the Cayman Islands was a representational democracy has been exposed for the lie that it is.
That would take the corruption and inefficiency out of CIG. Excellent idea.
Yes. It would move the corruption and inefficiency to the FCO and the governor’s office.
It would save a lot of money from their inflated salaries, pensions and kick backs.
That is one of the best suggestions I’ve seen on this site
31 thumbs up, 3 thumbs down. Now I know who I think I’m agreeing with on this forum I am not. If you want direct rule by Englishmen go back to the UK.
9:34, you say Cayman is a “representation democracy”. Clearly, you are wrong, because if it was, it would have heeded the court order to institute domestic partnerships — but it refused to do so. So, it is not a representational democracy (which would necessarily be law-abiding). Check your facts!
You’re right…Cayman is not a representational democracy – It is a British Overseas Territory granted a certain level of autonomy – until the lawmakers don’t follow the law then the UK has to step in.
Uh huh. Who sells parts for that fiat?
https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-samsung&sxsrf=ALeKk03vs_9AsvjJWWfL0xqNWerpz2gSdQ%3A1596731346840&ei=0i8sX9bqMoT8tAXetbywBA&q=fiat+definition&oq=fiat+def&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIICAAQsQMQkQIyBQgAEJECMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAOgcIABBHELADOgcIABCxAxBDOgUIABCxA1CqDViLEWCLHGgAcAB4AIABigKIAf4HkgEFMC4yLjOYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp
The foolish belief that the Cayman Islands was a representational democracy that follows its own constitution has been exposed for the lie that it is.
RIP Democracy.
No – RIP Theocracy
Thank god for that!
No, democracy voted for this on 20 May 2009:
No person shall be hindered by government in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of conscience.
Nothing in any law or done under its authority shall be held to contravene this section to the extent that it is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society:
in the interests of … public order …
or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to observe and practise any religion or belief without the unsolicited intervention of adherents of any other religion or belief.
Celebrating with some DP tonight..Who’s in?
Do you quake like a duck
The Earth Quakes…ducks Quack.
I don’t know if everyone sees that this is not just about the DPB but about the UK and the governor getting involved in our local politics. This is just the start of things to come and it has nothing to do with Same Sex Marriage..
Watch this space…and this governor..
What’s the solution for the Legislature ignoring the court and rule of law then? Checks and balances exist for a reason and the Governor only had to step in because more than half the fools we elected wouldn’t uphold the rule of law.
Which rule of law did we break? The Government appealed the ruling against the Port because they didn’t wan to set precedent of the Courts making decisions for the Legislative body..What’s the difference here..Overreach much??
If you would care to read the decisions of the Chief Justice and the Court of Appeal you will see which rules we transgressed without some form of marriage equality or DP law.
Our constitution affords people the right to a private and family life. Our courts have made clear that this right is afforded to EVERY person, whether they are gay or straight, and directed the legislative assembly to act to put into place a framework where that right can be afforded to everyone. The LA had the opportunity to do that in the way they thought made the most sense for these islands, but they failed to do that.
They upheld the will of their constituents.
No they did not. Perhaps the CMA can try to organise a referendum and see how far that gets.
You’re lucky they did not impose full marriage. That will happen soon.
Minister Rivers was quite clear when she explained that Gov. Roper had the constitutional power to do this. Suckoo did not believe it and McLean just blew hot air (as usual) but O’Connor should have known as well as the Premier that this would happen.
Bam!! Ken Bernice Al Arden Blunders Eden Jules Seeemoure Cap what are you going to do the Governor has come for you.
Ezzard Premier Tara Joey Austin Roy David Moses all look like geniuses now. Actually Ezzard could be a good addition to the unity Government.
Ezzard for life!
For the most part Ezzard is a statesman. Sometimes he could be more diplomatic, but he is mostly on point in the way he perceives things long-term and we need more of that. Mac and the Captain, JuJu, Arden and Anthony need to make way for young blood—we need solid replacements for them all. Jon Jon is in his people’s hands. The rest of them have a few months to plead their reelection case.
These eels were instructed that the UK would inevitably force it, so cunningly devised to vote against it, so they could retain a devout image to an increasingly small percentage wacko zealot base. However, they loose sight of the fact that as standing lawmakers doubling down against the law, they disqualify themselves as arbiters and authors of legality in the Cayman Islands. That also includes position-swapped Tara, who was gender affairs minister and did nothing to address this then. Let’s not forget this and remind ALL of them of just how offside they were, and the intervention that was necessary as a consequence, if any of that lot try to run for re-election. We can’t just turn the page on this culture of kamikaze politicking anymore.
7:06 What PART of the Premier SPEECH you missed!
Now that Governor Martyn Roper has decided to exercise his super powers it is only right that he also uses those same super powers to fix the long standing issues on unconscious bias and systemic racism.
Over to you Governor Martyn Roper!
I don’t believe it is on conscious at all. That has been carefully contemplated
Please keep in mind that Mr. Roper did not unilaterally make the decision. He works for the UK and this is happening under the direction of the UK. Anyone upset or surprised by this is living in a cave. It is our politicians that let us down not Martin Roper. The courts pretty much spelled out what would happen if the DP bill was not passed. It did not pass. Welcome to the real world.
You do not have to like it, but it will be law and you will need to comply.
Yes he works for the U K 100% but he paid by the Caymanian People Government
Caymanians should be proud of this decision because it means that the rule of law is alive and well in Cayman. I am writing this from Jamaica where our courts and legislature are loath to uphold even the most basic of human rights.
This is a wonderful day for your country and it bodes well for the future.
You’re welcome here anytime…
Yeah right. Half the comments about Jamaicans on this website are tantamount to hate speech.
And how are same sex relationships treated in Jamaica?
Homosexuality-at least male homosexuality-is a crime in Jamaica. That law is from 1864. It is called in legislation the “abominable crime of buggery.”
Gay relationships are basically kept very private. You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable people, that is a fact. In Jamaica that is women, children, gays, the disabled, the mentally ill and the poor.
When will it change? I don’t know. Not so far in my lifetime, but it has gotten better.
His Excellency may well have made the best decision given the factors at play here. To give said individuals under discussion their deserved human rights, yet also retain the definition of marriage as being between a male and a female is a wise decision. One must give respect where it is due. Obviously there are those of the LGBTQ lobby who will not be satisfied and the ‘inch to mile’ metaphor will come into play. There are also those who will refuse to recognize this decision as valid and/or acceptable. Will this issue now be put to rest? That remains to be seen. Are there members of the LA who have been disingenuously using a manipulative and deceitful subterfuge for their own political expediencies and/or a plausible deniability? Decidedly so, yes. Is there still an overwhelming abundance of shared hypocrisy and outright bigotry emanating from both sides of this divide? Obviously so, yes. Are both sides overtaken by a level of hubris and ill willed derision of those who do not share their opinions? One does not need an answer for that as it is on full display right here, right now.
Do explain the hypocrisy of both sides.
Been there and done that, you most pathetic of fakes, as purposefully blind as a bat. Maybe you are, maybe you are not, but one thing for sure, you are definitely a twat. If you refuse to see, then that is on thee, people like you, I wish not to be. There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Good luck with that, you disingenuous shit, you are the rotten fruit, and to hell with it. I have spoken my position, to many a chagrin, and the truth which I myself do not own lays within. Continue your abuse, I’ll take it on my chin, for my skin has become not so very thin. I’ll wait for the day when the truth will win, and try not to grin when you enter the bin. One of many so willingly blind that you refused to see. Have fun with that, you are the bug who went splat. None of these things will continue into perpetuity and then you will have no choice but to see. What is to be shall be. I shall be me. Now please run along and enjoy your tea. You bore me. Anybody wanna buy duck eggs at a million a pop?!? No soup for you!
How will this decision help bring the price of duck eggs down to a reasonable level?
As I am overwhelmed with your most genuine of concern for the cost of living, cost of livestock feed, cost of paying back the legalized loan sharks who inhabit the halls of lending institutions, the logistical nightmares resultant from the gentrification of this place and the destruction of arable lands as a result. As I take on board your concern for a reasonable level of pricing and the financial load place upon consumers island wide, thank you ooh so very much. I assume that, being the paragon of integrity and humility which you must certainly be you are in some dire need of an edumacation in this regard. Would you like to meet me in person so that I may give you further elucidation as to the factors at play? I hereby offer to you a permanent invitation anywhere you may choose to enter into said discussion. Would you like to come out of hiding to do so? Pretty please, I for one would love to meet you in person as that would be nice. In the interim, may I humbly suggest that you YouTube the video; True Facts About The Duck by ZeFrank1 for your viewing pleasure. You are welcome.
The true concern is the power the governor has to overrule a vote. This means having the vote was a waste of time. Why bother to have a legislative assembly.
The same power the Governors and Administrators of these islands have had since the inception of their office and the same power that prior to them was held by the Governor of Jamaica
I know it is a hard concept for some to understand in Cayman but we are not an independent country
ipso facto there are persons and systems in place above the local devolved government that have the power to overrule local officials
They’re allowed to play government until mom gets mad and makes rules.
You say that like it happens frequently. Caymanians are not children at play, you bigot.
While it has not quite happened in this manner where the Governor over rode a Government vote, it has happened before where the UK stepped in and we had to bed to its will. Do you not remember the austerity measures of 2009 – the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility? Orchestrated by the UK and every year the elected body had to show Mummy how well we financially planned that year?
We are not a nation, we are not independent and we do not have a parliament. We are an Overseas Territory with a Legislative Assembly that has to have every single law passed assented by the Governor, the Queen’s representative.
You have not told me anything I don’t already know.
really? have you watched the LA in the past few years?
One of the great tragedies of Cayman is that it has enough high calibre individuals to do a professional, proper job of governing, but they can make many multiples the money in the private sector, and Caymanians are too stingy to afford the top positions proper perks that would make the positions attractive even at the lower pay levels. I don’t consider our ‘representatives’ ‘representative’ of Caymanians. Certainly not when my generation and the generation below me comprising a pluraity and soon a majority of the country, are, quite frankly, more evolved, socialised, developed human beings.
Your LA has proven otherwise.
It is the only reason I (and many others) ever considered purchasing property in Cayman.
Which is how slavery was abolished here!
They’re all still slaves to their CMA masters.
Probably because you’ve shown that, while your elected officials know how to vote, they don’t know how to govern.
+1 – Well said, this is one of the best posts I’ve read on CNS.
You put it too highly. How many times has the UK been taken to task by the ECJ or ECHR for its national laws exceeding the permissible divergence (if any) from EU/ECHR law? Would you say the elected officials of the UK do not know how to govern?
If someone decides to vote in ,hypothetically saying, a motion to strip you off your property rights due to popular demand you would want the Governor to step in and protect you, wouldn’t you?
The checks and balances provided by courts would not allow such a thing to go forward as it’s an infringement on your rights. How does nobody on this stupid rock understand this? The issue has been to court (several times) and it was determined that government had to BY LAW provide this framework. It’s no different from the Supreme Court in the US telling trump he can’t do some given thing he’s trying to do and then that’s it. Sometimes it goes back into the courts and sometimes it doesn’t. But at the end of the this is what the courts said.
By your logic, what if some idiot MLA wanted to and voted to bring back slavery…don’t you think the governor should stop that?
Sorry buddy at 6:32 I read you backwards…we’re on the same page
I thank mr.roper for showing that democracy is false and allusion.
thank you they know there place……
I think you meant “illusion” and “their” place. Democracy is not an illusion but it is also not the ability of the majority to just do whatever the hell they want with no checks. Educate yourself starting with some spelling lessons before you mouth off to the rest of us about the place of the UK and legitimacy of democracy.
Amen, God does exist and he has imposed his will through the Governor.
God does his work yes.
Maybe it is something other than God.
Hello, although I could care less either way about the Gay Rights issue I will say this.
Do not think for one second that ANYONE, inclusive of the UK will be able to cause the Cayman Islands to put into operation any law that it does not want.
By this I mean the “LODGE”. There is serious power and money behind this group. Any seeing that it answers to Jamaica its even more powerful.
Now with that being said there are only two ways to go.
1) Get rid of the “Lodge”….good luck on this
2) Accept that there will never be any acceptance of what the UK wants. Just as in the Beneficial Owner law that was pushed. Notice after HOW many years and still nothing. Plenty of REDTAPE why it can not be implemented yet. Same will happen to this proclamation…
You mean “COULDN’T care less…”
Think about it.
Just stop! This the most nonsensical comment I have read in a long time
What a pile of ta ta
Couldn’t care less*
I ‘could care less’ that you’ve been educated in Cayman’s public schools.
Who would have thought a little bar near 7 mile could have so much influence…
nononon you got it wrong, its a secret coven of witches that run the government. They share power with the lizard people
I would have preferred that the UK government stepped in to allow same sex MARRIAGES. But Roper is saving the MLA’s face by doing it this way..
I think what’s happening is that the governor is enforcing the law as was ruled by the appellate court. His enforcement of the law doesn’t preclude same-sex marriage. He’s allowing the process to take its course. I have no doubt in my mind that come next year we will have full marriage equality. It’s just a waiting game now.
You may never read this Chatelle and Vicky, but just know that you are doing what many of us couldn’t do – we support you and love you and thank you for the sacrifice you are making for us all. God bless!
No he isn’t, this is what they wanted,
I hope all politicians who voted against it are brave enough to resign in protest. And all good Christians should resign from any government boards they are on, whether voluntary or paid.
Absolutely. We could get a great clearout of the mad and the bad as a result of this
Piggies at the trough do not leave the trough. Especially if they are useless piggies.
and give up their UK passports
Couldn’t pay me to have one of those
amen brother/sister. All of them should resign.
Don’t count your chickens …
5.19pm That would be a big job, and I bet people would be amazed at the total.
There is at least one in your peripheral vision at al times…puck puck…
You will not be missed. And frankly, people should’ve resigned IN protest of them voting against it.
Well Come on it nah mean that much
He need to try sit down!! He came here with this as a mission.
This is our voting pool right here. This lack of education is the reason we are here with Roper dealing with this the way he is.
The outcome of the vote in the house was by design. All MLAs wanted the Governor to make the decision. Now they say to the electorate, we had nothing to do with this decision, blame it on the UK and come May 2021, all will be forgotten and these people will vote their silly asses right back in.
Bingo. Political scapegoating 101. The MLAs set-up the higher powers to do what they were unwilling to do to protect future political opportunities.
You need try learn read and write!
??. Try to write that sentence again, with proper grammar and punctuation please.
All these Caymanians calling themselves devout christians and anti LGBT etc. But there are so many that love to eat shellfish, beat their wives, commit adultery and have sex before marriage?
Im not gay, bi, or another than hetro but its 2020, voting against this was only another embarrassment to Cayman, you all should resign now in protest of this being given the recognition it deserved, but wait……$$$$ talks right
And some have dl relationships with persons of same gender on the side.
And donkey rides with others whilst married
On a full moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEARkn-QtQ4
I see a Mexican house up ahead.
Hope it’s not as ugly as the Turkish one.
I mean, they also aren’t suppose to wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.
If they were to follow every piece of their scripture literary then the very act of them navigating their day would cause them to be guilty of multiple sins.
In end, they use their “holy” scriptures to justify their hate.
Incestuous too remember..but those gays!
The Lott of them.
In the eyes of devout Christians, surely divorce has to be one of the worst sins of all, because it breaks solemn vows made in public to God himself (surely the Bible has stuff on that? Fire and brimstone at the very least?) and to each other. But for some reason that’s fine for our devout elected leaders and other prominent Christian citizens who seem to divorce again and again, while at the same time condemning domestic partnerships as a religious outrage. Can anyone justify this sort of hypocrisy on religious grounds?
According to the bible as a twice divorcee I am doomed the gates of hell. Have a one way ticket. They choose elements of the bible that best suits them and the situation. If we are focusing on homosexuals, lets round up the Adulterers, Fornicater, idol worshipers ( not talking about statues, anything you put before God is idol worship – job/finances or material possessions). Lets strip all of these “sinners” of equal rights and only allow equal rights to only the God fearing law abiding persons. rolling eyes sigh sigh
I have no problems per se but the main issue I’m having now is flip flippers – when for example a woman all her life living with a man, have kids with the man and then all of sudden say they gay and need be with a woman
. I’m sure the same scenario work with the men too. I just can’t believe those people are honest and just flip flopping. I believe they are bored and experimenting 
Having cake and coffee 
“i cannot believe other people have a different worldview than mine”
Get over yourself.
Well don’t you think the problem might be that they were gay in the first place and the overwhelming pressure to please family, “friends”, employers, and society in general, meant they didn’t have enough support to be who they are? If we stopped all the negativity against being gay, and fully accept people for who they are, then maybe the problems you point out would decrease dramatically.
Don’t knock it until you have tried it.
There’s many people who will married and have children but are secretly gay. The reason why is mainly because they are scared to reveal themselves, so they go with the flow. We want to create an environment where people don’t have to be scared and keep it a secret all their lives.
7:00 what ever the outcome there will ALWAYS be DISCRIMINATION and SEGREGATION!
congrats, you discovered you are a sociopath. Also I have never understood why people feel the need to type out a message like that have autism.
There are also people who are attracted to individuals regardless of gender. Sexual orientation is a spectrum.
How is being attracted to one person, and then later being attracted to a different person, any different than a person who gets divorced and remarries?
And behold, there arose the sound of great lamentation, and there was a wailing and gnashing of teeth
But the people said unto the bigots, “suck it up, bobo”
How many more Elton Johns will be knighted?
There is only one Elton John.
Alden will be the first one…
Praise the Lord!
It’s about time he actually did something besides smile, agree with everyone and hold tea parties. I was beginning to think that Kilpatrick had never left and had just shaved her head!
Unfair 3:54
Very unfair 3.54 .
Roper is a decent man doing his duty without malice or agenda. We are lucky to have a selfless Governor.
I’m not saying he didn’t do a good thing. I’m saying it’s a about time he did anything at all!
Mr. Leader of Opposition, what are we to do now sir?? We look to you now. You and your deputy said that this would not happen. That England would not do this
well it’s not England so he was right, it’s the United Kingdom
Build the wall! Keep the whippet-bothering, morris-dancing, jellied eel eating sassenachs oot! Alba Gu Brath!
You jest but I dare you to allow a second independence referendum.
Diddums.
I do look forward to Arden’s penetrating analysis however.
If you believed the UK would do nothing then you are even less intelligent than he is
I think that may have been because he was talking complete b*llocks.
Well done Gov, you are a local hero.
Can’t get the borders sorted so Caymanians can get home but can push through this bill real fast.
If you haven’t made it back to Cayman yet you’re probably poor and we don’t want you.
Would love to understand how the Governor is going to shoehorn Domestic Partnerships into Section 55 of the Constitution… this is not over by a long way…
i suspect we will see a Judicial Review and the Applicant’s will have to overcome the Section 32(5) bar on the Courts examining the actions of the Governor…
or it will all pass and we will live happily ever after!
The subsection 32(5) is a bar on the local courts examining whether the Governor complied with instructions given by the FCO. If a Governor was given instructions and did not follow them or vice versa, he is an FCO employee in that respect, and that is why local courts have no power to look into that relationship. So there is no bar to examining the actual actions of the Governor, only a bar to examining the Governor’s relationship with the FCO. Which makes absolute sense when you understand it properly as a relationship of employment and diplomatic trust.
Thank you Gov. Roper!
It is silly to say that legislators have a “legal obligation” to vote a particular way on anything.
Not if you have even a passing familiarity with the operation of international law it isn’t.
That’s where you’re wrong. The government won its appeal but was instructed by the courts to address the issue expeditiously which they failed to do. Their failure to follow the law activated the governor’s/head of state’s reserve powers.
They really ought to teach more civics in school as to what the role of the head of state is. While the role of the queen and her representatives is to remain politically neutral, she and her representatives must ensure that government is running properly. Its when an arm of government doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do that she or her representatives may intervene.
Good for Mr. Roper.
Nice sentiments but the courts cannot make a legislator vote.
So when the UK legalizes a human having sex with an animal must the Cayman Islands also legalize that?
So when the UK legalizes the consumption of ganga for use at any time must the Cayman Islands legalize that?
If they define it as a human right then yes.
yes, because both of those things are the same…
Most persons support the de-criminalization of marijuana.
Ganja is just a matter of time and would actually do a lot for Cayman.
As for the animals…I guess it would be OK as long as they are over 16 and have their parents’ consent?
Someone doesn’t know the definition of consenting adult and secondly marijuana shouldn’t be illegal in the first place.
That first point is completely disrespectful. You’re suggesting same-sex couples having intercourse is the equivalent of having intercourse with an animal. I’ll pray for you, because something is wrong with your head.
And that second point about ganja, hell yeah legalize it!!
for the first point, no one is asking for that and you’re an idiot.
For the second point, one can only hope
Before all the complaints of the UK have no right etc. British tax payers provide most of the CIG budget. All those pay outs during COVID and from the Nau etc the money isn’t all from Cayman. We benefit from being an Overseas Territory more than the latter.
3:32pm you must’ve had a nightmare. They provided the same amount after hurricane Ivan.
Plus British passport among other things.
British tax payers contribute nothing to the CIG budget.
The British haven’t given us a dollar in years. they helped us pay for a helicopter and then turned around and said we had to share it for free with the other overseas territories..Show me where the UK gave us one dollar other than that..
And please don’t bring up the crap about the Governors Regiment..The only one that wants that is him..
What are you smoking 3:32
UK has money? Since when? Thought they were broke since 1943ish
3:32 pm, you are one crazy one, if you thinks foolish things like that. Please go back.under the rock that you must have been living under for a very.long time. NOT TRUE,that’s a Stupid comment
THANK YOU GOVERNOR!
3:24 Thank the MLAs!
Let the seething begin…..wait until I get my popcorn. This is gonna be good!
Best news ever, thank you Jesus and thank you Governor!!!
Thank you MLAs for the PERFECT PLAN!
Coward. No reason not to go all in.
@ 3.24 Can’t at the moment because the same-sex marriage bill is sitting on appeal with the Privy Council. This can go one of 2 ways.
1. The Privy Council decide that Same-Sex Marriage Lite i.e. the DP bill, is enough to placate people without causing some here to have an aneurysm
or
2. They pull up their big boy and big girl pants and legislate properly and implement the full Same-Sex marriage bill at which point there will be several aneurysms here.
Hopefully it will be number 2. But not the aneurysm part obviously.
the aneurysm’s may not be a bad thing. If people are so outrages that they have an aneurysm then I guess we just have to call it “gods will”
Isn’t a brain a prerequisite to an aneurysm? The most likely candidates you are thinking of would struggle to meet the necessary starting conditions.
CMA really thought that they could pray hard enough, stick their heads in the sand and the issue would go away. Cute.
These are our Caymanian brothers and sisters too. Two consenting Caymanian adults who found love. That’s it.
CMA and the MLAs knew this would happen but in their pathetic gutless way wanted to be able to say it wasn’t us that did it, we opposed it, it was the English! Wimps!
We could have had it our way. Now, please amend it to close the immigration and employment loopholes and call it a day.
“Roper said that he will also address various other pieces of legislation at the same time that need to be changed to give effect to the law.”
All the immigration and employment “loopholes” will become the laws, so Common Law relationships can become Domestic Partnerships without the hassle of Marriage … release the xenophobiacs …
Excellent news! Well done!