Bermuda appeals to London high court to ban gay marriage

Bermuda’s government has appealed to a high court in London to uphold a law banning gay marriage on the British overseas island.

The appeal, filed on Thursday (December 13), seeks to enforce the same-sex marriage ban, which had been challenged by local courts on Bermuda, reports Reuters.

It comes after Bermuda’s court of appeal upheld the right for same-sex couples to marry in the British Overseas Territory in a ruling on November 23.

Following the November 23 decision, Bermuda’s government is appealing to the Privy Council, which is the highest court of appeal for British territories.

Bermuda’s government repeatedly tries to ban gay marriage

The government said in a statement on Thursday: “Constitutional issues are important issues and this Government wants to get it right.”

Court records seen by Reuters reportedly show that Bermuda rarely brings cases to the Privy Council, usually only once or twice a year.

“Constitutional issues are important issues and this Government wants to get it right.”

“This is a cynical, bigoted, hypocritical attack on the rights and freedoms of others,” Tony Brannon, a gay rights campaigner in Bermuda, told Reuters.

If same-sex marriage is upheld, LGBT+ rights activists expect it to set a precedent for other British overseas territories.

The flag of Bermuda flies as houses dot the hillside across Hamilton Harbour, November 8, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty)

Bermuda’s government has been battling to ban gay marriage since a May 2017 Supreme Court ruling on the island gave same-sex couples the right to marry.