The Bermudan government has decided to appeal the historic June 6 verdict by the Supreme Court of Bermuda that overturned their decision to ban same-sex marriages.
“Just one month ago, LGBTQ Bermudians inched closer to our goal of restoring marriage equality,” said Roderick Ferguson, the original litigant. “We regret this ill-advised and costly decision to appeal the Supreme Court’s finding, and we will summon our voices and resources again as a united community to prevail.”
Non-profit OUTBermuda, which served as a co-litigant in the original lawsuit, will again join with Ferguson, Maryellen Jackson and other allies in seeking to defeat the appeal.
“We have strength not only in justice, but in our numbers – including our respected faith leaders, like Sylvia Hayward-Harris, along with citizen-activists including Julia and Judith Aidoo-Saltus, Chai T, Wesley Methodist Church, and Douglas NeJaime,” said Adrian Hartnett-Beasley, one of OUTBermuda’s directors. “We’ve made outstanding progress with our business advocates, led by Carnival Corporation, and many encouraging Bermudian-owned/based businesses and employers.”
OUTBermuda issued their own battle cry for justice following the contested announcement.
“We will never surrender equality for all Bermudians, and especially the LGBTQ families and couples who deserve it,” their statement said.
Legal counsel will again be provided by Rod S. Attride-Stirling at ASW Law Limited and Mark Pettingill with Chancery Legal.