LGBTQ rights in the British Virgin Islands

{{Infobox LGBT rights

| location_header = the British Virgin Islands

| image = LocationBritishVirginIslands.png

| caption = British Virgin Islands

| legal_status = Legal since 2001

| gender_identity_expression = No

| recognition_of_relationships = No

| recognition_of_relationships_restrictions =

| adoption = No

| military = Yes

| discrimination_protections = Yes, sexual orientation only

}}

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the British Virgin Islands face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the British Virgin Islands since 2001.[http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717085454/http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |date=2013-07-17 }}

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Before 2001, anal sex and oral sex for both heterosexuals and male homosexuals were criminal offences, referred to as "buggery" under the British Virgin Islands Criminal Code. Lesbian activity has never been illegal. Age of consent is set at 16, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Sexual acts between two consenting adults in private were expressly decriminalized by an Order in Council in the British Virgin Islands (and other British Overseas Territories) by the British Government pursuant to Sections 3(1) and 3(7) of the Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order, 2000.{{Cite web|url=http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/united_kingdom/uknews35.htm |title=Britain Scraps Homosexuality Laws |publisher=Glapn.org |access-date=19 January 2011}} According to section 4 of the order, the law has retrospective effect. There are two exceptions to the law: group sex and sex in public remain criminal offences and may also lead to charges under gross indecency and other minor sexual offence laws.{{Cite web |url=http://www.islandsun.com/archives/2000-December/211200/local3-v4i35.html |title=Local News – British Virgin Islands |publisher=Island Sun |access-date=19 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713064306/http://www.islandsun.com/archives/2000-December/211200/local3-v4i35.html |archive-date=13 July 2011}}

As a British Overseas Territory, the British Virgin Islands Government is required to comply with their obligations under international human rights instruments. Specifically, this includes an adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights, which highlight a responsibility to ensure non-discrimination and equality.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/british-virgin-islands/?profile=all |title=Country Profile: British Virgin Islands (British Overseas Territory) |publisher=Fco.gov.uk |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413120721/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/north-central-america/british-virgin-islands/?profile=all |archive-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=dead }} The European Convention on Human Rights has been recognised by the courts as having legal effect in the jurisdiction.Wang Zhongyong v Union Zone Management (unreported) (BVIHC (Com) 0126/2011

Recognition of same-sex relationships

{{main|Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories}}

Same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legal in the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands is an extremely religious society,The Constitution of the Virgin Islands defines the territory as one which "believes in God" (article 2(1)). See also: Christianity by country. and no discussion relating to legalisation has yet occurred in the House of Assembly.

In 2015, Premier Orlando Smith, whilst affirming his personal opposition to same-sex marriage, indicated that he is open to public consultation on the issue.{{cite web|url=http://bvinews.com/new/bvi-public-to-decide-on-gay-marriage-if-necessary/|title=BVI public to decide on gay marriage if necessary|publisher=BVI News|date=16 July 2015|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040350/http://bvinews.com/new/bvi-public-to-decide-on-gay-marriage-if-necessary/|archive-date=4 October 2017|url-status=dead}} However, the Marriage (Amendment) Act 2017 made no provision for same-sex marriages, and politicians speaking in the House of Assembly took time to comment on the absence of such provisions and express hostility to same-sex marriage and LGBT people more broadly.{{cite web |url=http://bvinews.com/new/we-dont-support-gay-marriage-here-visitors-told/ |title=We don't support gay marriage here, visitors told |publisher=BVI News |date=8 December 2017 |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830004922/http://bvinews.com/new/we-dont-support-gay-marriage-here-visitors-told/ |url-status=dead }}

Church leaders have indicated hostility towards the possibility of legalisation,{{cite web|url=http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?module=news&page=Article&articleID=1336737366|title=Church Leaders Hopeful BVI Will Stand Ground Against Same Sex Marriages|publisher=BVI Platinum news|date=2012-05-12}} and political leaders have taken an unsympathetic approach in public.{{cite web|url=http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?page=Article&articleID=1360240744|title=None of Us Will Probably Vote For Same Sex Marriage - Health Minister|publisher=BVI Platinum News|date=2013-02-19}} His Majesty's Government has confirmed that it will not impose recognition of same-sex marriages in the British Virgin Islands by way of an Order in Council.{{cite web|url=http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?page=Article&articleID=1390223634|title=UK Will Not Force BVI To Accept Same Sex Marriage - Governor|publisher=Platinum News|date=20 January 2014}}

In 2021 a local couple sought a judicial review challenging the constitutionality of the refusal to recognise their same-sex marriage (celebrated in the United Kingdom).{{cite web|url=https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=33331 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Same-Sex Couple Moves To Court To Have Marriage Legalise |publisher=BVI Platinum News |date=1 November 2021}} The proceeding was stayed pending the outcome of appeals to the Privy Council in two cases involving Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, though evidentiary proceedings were continued in July 2022 as the government defended the island's statute banning same-sex marriage in the court.{{cite web|url=https://bvinews.com/christian-council-loses-appeal-bid-in-same-sex-marriage-case/|title=Christian Council loses appeal bid in same-sex marriage case|work=BVI News|date=29 July 2022}} In December 2022 the Premier of the British Virgin Islands Natalio Wheatley announced the government would seek to pass legislation authorising it to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage and expansion of domestic partnership rights in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://bvinews.com/bvi-to-hold-referendum-on-whether-to-legalise-same-sex-marriage/|title=BVI to hold referendum on whether to legalise same-sex marriage|work=BVI News|date=19 December 2022}}

In 2024, the Constitutional Review Commission’s report recommended government to ban same-sex marriage in the Virgin Islands.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-06 |title=Constitution report proposes same-sex marriage ban |url=https://bvinews.com/constitution-report-proposes-same-sex-marriage-ban/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=BVI News |language=en}}

Discrimination protections

The 2007 Constitution prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation:[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1678/contents/made The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007], articles 9 and 26.

:Whereas every person in the Virgin Islands is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual;

:Whereas those fundamental rights and freedoms are enjoyed without distinction of any kind, such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, association with a national minority, property, family relations, economic status, disability, age, birth, sexual orientation, marital or other status, subject only to prescribed limitations;

:"Discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different persons on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, association with a national minority, property, family relations, economic status, disability, age, birth, sexual orientation, marital or other status

Living conditions

The British Virgin Islands is a conservative and religious society. Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend, and LGBT people generally keep their sexual orientation a secret and stay in the closet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalgayz.com/gay-life-in-british-virgin-islands/|title=Gay Life in British Virgin Islands - GlobalGayz|website=www.globalgayz.com}} There are reports of same-sex couples and LGBT people being harassed and even physically attacked. Some of these violent attacks have been justified or excused by locals as simply "following the Bible".