\n
![\"David](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/burt.jpg?resize=195%2C195\")
<\/p>\nBermuda Governor Expected to Sign Bill to Re-Ban Gay Marriage<\/b>
\n<\/p>\n
Bermuda Governor John Rankin is expected to sign a bill to re-ban gay<\/a> marriage, passed by its legislature this week<\/a>, according to Premier David Burt. Burt made the remarks in an interview with Bernews (above).<\/p>\n \u201cI expect that the governor will ratify the bill of the parliament,\u201d said Burt. \u201cI think history will remember it by a government that chose to be courageous when other governments have failed.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royal Gazette<\/em> adds<\/a>:<\/p>\n The man<\/a> whose court victory paved the way for same-sex<\/a> marriage in Bermuda said it would be a \u201cmonumental symbol\u201d if the Governor refused to give assent to an Act designed to replace same-sex<\/a> marriage with watered-down domestic partnerships.<\/p>\n Winston Godwin said: \u201cIt sends a message that you not only believe in equality of all people but that you disagree with the stripping of rights.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Godwin was speaking after Senate members on Wednesday voted 8-3 in favour of the Domestic Partnership Act, which replaces same-sex<\/a> marriage with domestic partnerships.<\/p>\n The Supreme Court of Bermuda\u00a0legalized same-sex marriage last May<\/a>\u00a0in a case\u00a0brought by Toronto-based Bermudian and Canadian gay couple<\/a>, Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche (above), who\u00a0 preferred to marry in Godwin\u2019s home country Bermuda.<\/p>\n Seeing boycotts and protest on the horizon, Bermuda\u2019s Tourism Authority issued a statement before the vote.<\/p>\n \u201cSince last Friday\u2019s vote, we have seen ample evidence of negative international headlines and growing social-media hostility towards Bermuda that we feel compelled to express our concern about what the negative consequences could be for tourism if the Domestic Partnership Bill passes the Senate this week. We believe the Bill poses an unnecessary threat to the success of our tourism industry.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge you to vote no and appreciate the opportunity to lay out the reasons why. Importantly, we do not view domestic partnerships as a negative in isolation. In fact many jurisdictions permit domestic partnerships without adverse impacts on their economies.<\/p>\n \u201cThe circumstance in Bermuda is different \u2014 and troubling \u2014 in one important way: same-sex<\/a> marriage is already the law of our island and to roll that back for what will be seen as a less equal union will cause us serious reputational damage. We are convinced it will result in lost tourism business for Bermuda.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf Governor Rankin signs this measure into law, it will rip away the right of loving same-sex<\/a> couples<\/a> in Bermuda to marry. That\u2019s unconscionable,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global.\u00a0\u201cWith international business and tourism as its major industries, Bermuda\u2019s people, international reputation, and economy would all be harmed by this legislation. It is crucial that Governor Rankin reject this assault on equality.\u201d<\/p>\n The post Bermuda Governor Expected to Sign Bill to Re-Ban Gay Marriage<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n