LGBTQ rights in the Falkland Islands

Prior to 1989, same-sex sexual activity was a criminal offence. The age of consent was equalised at 16 in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717085454/http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |archive-date=2013-07-17 }}

{{main|Same-sex marriage in the Falkland Islands}}

The Falkland Islands was initially reluctant to allow for any formal recognition of same-sex relationships in local law.{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2008/09/10/caymans-define-marriage-amid-fears-uk-will-impose-civil-partnerships/|title=Caymans define marriage amid fears UK will impose civil partnerships|date=10 September 2008|work=Pink News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051429/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2008/09/10/caymans-define-marriage-amid-fears-uk-will-impose-civil-partnerships/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

On 13 May 2015, the Attorney General recommended that the Executive Council consider the legalisation of same-sex marriage or civil partnership.{{cite web|url=http://fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/313-05-13-may-2015/2701-91-15p-family-law-review-2015-proposals-for-new-policy-development-and-legislation|title=Family Law Review 2015 – Proposals for new policy development and legislation|date=13 May 2015|work=fig.gov.fk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030070515/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/313-05-13-may-2015/2701-91-15p-family-law-review-2015-proposals-for-new-policy-development-and-legislation|archive-date=30 October 2015}} On 13 January 2016, following a public consultation, the Council instructed the Attorney General to prepare an amendment to the island's Marriage Ordinance 1996, in order to allow same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/355-01-13-january-2016/4894-12-16p-family-law-review-proposals-for-legislative-drafting|title=Family Law Review – Proposals for legislative drafting|date=13 January 2016|work=fig.gov.fk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128181801/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/355-01-13-january-2016/4894-12-16p-family-law-review-proposals-for-legislative-drafting|archive-date=28 January 2016}} The public consultation found that 90% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage and 94% were in favour of civil partnerships for all couples.{{Cite web |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/14/falklands-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill-invites-non-residents-to-share-the-legislation |title=Falklands passes same sex marriage bill; invites non residents to share the legislation |access-date=6 December 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804045711/http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/14/falklands-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill-invites-non-residents-to-share-the-legislation |url-status=live }}

The Attorney General's draft amendment was considered by the Executive Council on 22 February 2017. The Council, considering whether to approve a bill to legalise same-sex marriage and create civil partnership for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, instructed the Attorney General to publish it in the official gazette, thereby commencing the legislative process as a first reading, as well as to prepare further legislation necessary to its implementation.{{cite web|url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/406-03-22-february-2017/5295-32-17p-family-law-review-marriage-reform|title=32-17P: Family Law Review – marriage reform|date=22 February 2017|work=fig.gov.fk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224031613/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/executive-council-papers/finish/406-03-22-february-2017/5295-32-17p-family-law-review-marriage-reform|archive-date=24 February 2017}}

On 30 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly approved a same-sex marriage bill by a 7 to 1 vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/12/falkland-islands-introduces-full-marriage-equality/|title=Falkland Islands introduces full marriage equality|publisher=PinkNews|first=Benjamin|last=Butterworth|date=12 April 2017|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412175908/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/12/falkland-islands-introduces-full-marriage-equality/|archive-date=12 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/marriage-equality-comes-to-the-falkland-islands/04/2017/|title=Marriage Equality Comes To The Falkland Islands|publisher=NewNowNext.com|first=Dan|last=Avery|date=12 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413040023/http://www.newnownext.com/marriage-equality-comes-to-the-falkland-islands/04/2017/|archive-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/assembly-transcripts/finish/415-2017/5320-order-paper-30-march-2017|date=30 March 2017|work=Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands (fig.gov.fk)|title=Order Paper for 30 March 2017|quote=Refer to pp. 123-135 of the PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628052731/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/assembly-transcripts/finish/415-2017/5320-order-paper-30-march-2017|archive-date=28 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/FITVNews/posts/1662754410408650|title=Facebook Post by FITV|website=Facebook.com |date=2017-04-03|access-date=2017-04-08}} The bill allows same-sex couples to marry and also allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples the right to access a civil partnership.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/news/69041/falkland-islands-votes-overwhelmingly-favour-sex-marriage/|title=Falkland Islands votes overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage|last=Marchiano|first=Andrea|date=12 April 2017|publisher=Gay Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412180431/http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/news/69041/falkland-islands-votes-overwhelmingly-favour-sex-marriage/|archive-date=12 April 2017|access-date=12 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/12/falkland-islands-introduces-full-marriage-equality/|title=Falkland Islands introduces full marriage equality|last=Butterworth|first=Benjamin|date=12 April 2017|publisher=PinkNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412175908/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/12/falkland-islands-introduces-full-marriage-equality/|archive-date=12 April 2017|access-date=12 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/marriage-equality-comes-to-the-falkland-islands/04/2017/|title=Marriage Equality Comes To The Falkland Islands|last=Avery|first=Dan|date=12 April 2017|publisher=NewNowNext.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413040023/http://www.newnownext.com/marriage-equality-comes-to-the-falkland-islands/04/2017/|archive-date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/assembly-transcripts/finish/415-2017/5320-order-paper-30-march-2017|title=Order Paper for 30 March 2017|date=30 March 2017|work=Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands (fig.gov.fk)|pages=123–135|format=PDF|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628052731/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/index.php/public-papers/assembly-transcripts/finish/415-2017/5320-order-paper-30-march-2017|url-status=live}} The bill received royal assent by Governor Colin Roberts on 13 April 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.therobsalerno.com/?p=682|title=Falkland Islands Same-sex Marriage Update|last=Salerno|first=Rob|date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628052309/http://www.therobsalerno.com/?p=682|archive-date=28 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://mailchi.mp/84ee3f8727fb/press-release-130417-falkland-islands-legislative-assembly-passes-marriage-bill|title=Press Release: Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Passes Marriage Bill|date=13 April 2017|work=Falkland Islands Government|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170628053000/http://mailchi.mp/84ee3f8727fb/press-release-130417-falkland-islands-legislative-assembly-passes-marriage-bill|archive-date=28 June 2017|df=dmy-all}} The new law, known as the Marriage (Amendment) Act 2017, went into effect on 29 April 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/view/lh/inforce/2017-08-02/fiord-1996-10?query=((Repealed%253DN%2520AND%2520DocType%253D%2522fiord%2522%2520AND%2520PitValid%253D%2540pointInTime(20170802120810)%2520AND%2520DocStatus%253D%2522inforce%2522)%2520OR%2520(Repealed%253DN%2520AND%2520DocType%253D%2522fisl%2522%2520AND%2520PitValid%253D%2540pointInTime(20170802120810)%2520AND%2520DocStatus%253D%2522inforce%2522)%2520OR%2520(Repealed%253DN%2520AND%2520DocType%253D%2522fisl%2522%2520AND%2520DocStatus%253D%2522made%2522)%2520OR%2520(Repealed%253DN%2520AND%2520DocType%253D%2522fiord%2522%2520AND%2520DocStatus%253D%2522made%2522))%2520AND%2520(Title%2520%253D%2520(%2522Marriage%2522))&displayQuery=%5B%7B%22name%22%3A%22Document%20types%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22In%20force%20Ordinances%2C%20In%20force%20Secondary%20Legislation%2C%20Secondary%20Legislation%20as%20made%2C%20Ordinances%20as%20made%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Query%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Search%20for%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Marriage%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Search%20in%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Title%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Search%20using%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Any%20of%20the%20words%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Year%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Number%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22Point%20in%20time%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2202%2F08%2F2017%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22AND%22%7D%5D#pt.i-sec.3|title=Marriage Ordinance 1996; Amending Legislation; Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 - [Ord. 6/17]|date=31 July 2017|work=Falkland Islands Legislation}} A community event to celebrate same-sex marriage becoming legal took place that same day.{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/13/falklands-plans-to-celebrate-same-sex-marriage-bill-next-april-27|title=Falklands plans to celebrate same sex marriage Bill next April 27|date=13 April 2017|publisher=MercoPress|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413101828/http://en.mercopress.com/2017/04/13/falklands-plans-to-celebrate-same-sex-marriage-bill-next-april-27|archive-date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cite tweet|number=858360122522972160|user=Lisafalklands|title=Rainbow Community Fun Day in the #falklands celebrating new family/marriage laws #LGBT |accessdate=29 April 2017|archivedate=29 April 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429215337/https://twitter.com/Lisafalklands/status/858360122522972160|date=29 April 2017}}

Sections 3A and 3B of the Falkland Islands Marriage Ordinance 1996 as amended in 2017 state:{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/download/pdf/40964ca1-39a1-408f-90dc-882d2ad308d8/b33f39d7-f116-464e-b4f4-7db23218b2f0/fiord-1996-10_2017-07-31.pdf|title=Marriage Ordinance 1996|date=31 July 2017|work=Falkland Islands Legislation|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802092545/https://www.legislation.gov.fk/download/pdf/40964ca1-39a1-408f-90dc-882d2ad308d8/b33f39d7-f116-464e-b4f4-7db23218b2f0/fiord-1996-10_2017-07-31.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|The marriage of same-sex couples is lawful [and]...a same-sex marriage solemnised under this Ordinance has and must be treated in the same manner and afforded the same status as a marriage between a man and a woman.}}

The 2017 law reform relating to marriage and civil partnership included a new provision to the island's Marriage Ordinance stating that "a parent in a civil partnership...has the same rights and responsibilities towards a child as a parent to a child in a marriage". The official reasons attached to the amendments to the ordinance included a note stating that "...parents to a child may be two mothers or two fathers".

There are no known IVF/assisted reproductive technology services available for same-sex couples.

Article 16 of the 2008 Constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation:{{Cite web |url=http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/images/constitution/The-Falkland-Islands-Constitution-Order-2008.pdf |title=The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231841/http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/images/constitution/The-Falkland-Islands-Constitution-Order-2008.pdf |url-status=live }}

:In this section, the expression "discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different persons on any grounds such as sex, sexual orientation, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

The Crimes Ordinance 2014 provides for fines or imprisonment of up to 7 years for a person who "uses threatening words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, and intends by doing so to stir up religious hatred, or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation".{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/view/whole/inforce/2019-07-17/fiord-2014-13|title=Crimes Ordinance 2014|website=legislation.gov.fk}} The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Ordinance 2014 allows courts to treat an offence committed on the basis of the victim's sexual orientation as an aggravative factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/view/whole/inforce/2019-07-17/fiord-2014-12|title=Criminal Procedure and Evidence Ordinance 2014|website=legislation.gov.fk}} Moreover, the Prisons Ordinance 2017 requires prison staff to treat all prisoners equally without distinction to, among other categories, sexual orientation,{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/view/html/inforce/2019-07-17/fiord-2017-3|title=Prisons Ordinance 2017|website=legislation.gov.fk}} and the Communications Ordinance 2017 forbids the distribution of material which incites hatred or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.fk/view/html/inforce/2019-07-17/fiord-2017-2|title=Communications Ordinance 2017|website=legislation.gov.fk}}

Although the UK's Gender Recognition Act 2004 does not extend to the Falkland Islands,{{not in source|date=March 2024}} the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Ordinance 2014 states that "at law, the gender of an individual is his or her gender as registered at birth, unless the person possesses a gender recognition certificate issued under section 9 of the UK Gender Recognition Act 2004, in which case the person's gender is the acquired gender."

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Category:Law of the Falkland Islands