Governor Martyn Roper has assented to the Civil Partnership Law, making same-sex partnerships legal in the Cayman Islands.
“Today we will end the discrimination being suffered by Caymanians and others on our islands whilst protecting the institution of marriage,” Roper said in a statement Friday.
“This action does not alter or undermine the strong Christian heritage and values of the people of the Cayman Islands. No-one is being asked to change their long-held beliefs,” he said.
Roper, in his statement, said, in line with instructions from UK government ministers to use his reserved powers under Section 81 of the Constitution, he has also assented to 11 consequential pieces of legislation.
The law changes will take effect once gazetted on Friday.
However, he said, “operationally the Civil Service will require a delay of 21 days before starting to accept and process applications for registration of civil partnerships”.
The law, which was formerly titled the Domestic Partnership Bill, was defeated in the Legislative Assembly on 29 July.
Lawmakers voted down the bill, nine to eight. However, Roper, using his reserved powers to write legislation, opted to reintroduce the bill and assent to it following 21 days of public consultation.
The governor, in his statement, said a number of amendments were made to the draft legislation discussed by the Legislative Assembly.
“These were aimed principally at strengthening the effectiveness of the Legislation. As previously announced, the title has changed to Civil Partnership in response to feedback received. A number of pieces of consequential legislation have been updated to ensure they apply to those who enter civil partnerships,” he said.
Among the changes is a provision to view the names placed on the Civil Partnerships Register. The registrar may allow a person or organisation with an adequate reason to view the Civil Partnerships Register.
In deciding to grant access, the registrar must consider the nature of the applicant’s interest; the sensitivity of the information; the use to be made of the information; and any other prescribed factors.
The legislation also mandates that public notices of civil partnerships be displayed for seven days, down from a proposed 14 days.