LGBT rights in the Cayman Islands

LGBT rights in the Cayman Islands
StatusLegal since 2001;[1] unequal age of consent
Gender identityNo
MilitaryAllowed to serve openly in the British Armed Forces
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsCivil Partnerships since 2020
AdoptionYes

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Cayman Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in the Cayman Islands. Despite anti-gay attitudes expressed by certain members of the government, social acceptance by the Caymanian public has been known to be some of the best in the Caribbean. Some have attributed this to the strong British influence in the territory.[2]

The current Premier of the Cayman Islands, Wayne Panton, voiced his support for LGBTQ+ individuals shortly after being elected to Parliament, and, along with other members of Parliament, participated in the Cayman Islands’ first gay pride parade in July 2021.[2] His staunch support of the community has been praised by many in the Caymanian public, who in the past have criticized the government for their unprofessional and often ill-mannered attitude towards this community.[3]

On 29 March 2019, the Chief Justice of the Cayman Islands issued a ruling declaring the territory's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. However, the ruling was stayed and then overturned by the Court of Appeal on 7 November 2019. The Court of Appeal called on the Cayman Government to implement civil unions or a legal equivalent, and ordered the Government of the United Kingdom to step in if the Cayman Government failed to do so. A civil partnership law was enacted on 4 September 2020.[4][5] In March 2022, a London court in the UK upheld the legal ban on same-sex marriage.[6]

  1. ^ State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults Archived 2013-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "Hundreds take part in Cayman's first Gay Pride Parade". August 2021.
  3. ^ "Court upholds Roper's use of power on civil unions - Cayman Islands Headline News". 29 March 2022.
  4. ^ Whittaker, James (23 December 2020). "Same-sex couple wins immigration rights battle". Cayman Compass.
  5. ^ Lavers, Michael (30 December 2020). "Cayman Islands recognizes same-sex couple's overseas marriage". Washington Blade.
  6. ^ "UK court blocks gay marriage for Cayman Islands, Bermuda". ABC News.

© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search