Same-sex marriage in Jersey

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Jersey since 1 July 2018. The States Assembly passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry on 1 February 2018. Royal assent was granted on 23 May 2018, and the law took effect on 1 July.

Not to be confused with Same-sex marriage in New Jersey.

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  1. Performed in the Netherlands proper, including the Caribbean Netherlands. Registered in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
  2. Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
  3. Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
  4. Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
  5. Cohabitation. Registered foreign marriages confer limited rights. Marriage recognized in some cities.
  6. The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. All EU member states except Romania follow the ruling.
  7. Residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
  8. Unregistered cohabitation or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
  9. Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, though not legally formalized.
  10. Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
  11. Foreign same-sex spouses are eligible for a "Non-Tourist Visa" as a dependent.
  12. Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status
* Not yet in effect
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Jersey, a Crown dependency of the United Kingdom, also recognises civil partnerships for same-sex couples. A bill for legalisation received royal assent on 14 December 2011 and was registered in the Royal Court on 6 January 2012. It took effect on 2 April 2012.

Civil partnerships
Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹
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  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.
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2020 Gay marriage legal across UK, incl. NI
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2021 Blood donation deferral equalised
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In August 2009, Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur announced that a bill to allow civil partnerships (Jèrriais: parchonn'nie civile,[1] pronounced [parʃõnːi sivil]; French: partenariat enregistré, pronounced [paʁtənaʁja ɑ̃ʁəʒistʁe]) offering same-sex couples some of the rights and benefits of marriage, would be drafted and be due for introduction to the Assembly of the States Assembly in October 2009.[2][3]

On 20 October 2009, the Assembly voted in favour of civil partnerships "in principle". The vote was 48 in favour, 1 against and 4 abstaining.[4][5][6] A draft bill legalising civil partnerships was approved by the Council of Ministers on 24 March 2011 and introduced to the Assembly on 31 May.[7][8] The Assembly passed it on 12 July 2011.[9][10] On 14 December 2011, the bill received royal assent and was registered in the Royal Court on 6 January 2012.[11][12] In March 2012, the Government of Jersey issued orders implementing the law,[13] which took effect on 2 April 2012.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

In March 2022, the States Assembly passed a bill allowing opposite-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships as well. It would also allow married couples to convert their marriage into a civil partnership if they wish. The law entered into effect on 24 March 2023.[24][25] Civil partnerships were similarly extended to opposite-sex couples in the United Kingdom in 2019.

Same-sex marriage

On 28 May 2014, Deputy Sam Mézec of the Reform Jersey party submitted a proposition asking the States Assembly to support, in principle, the legalisation of same-sex marriage, and to request the Chief Minister to prepare the necessary draft legislation to give effect to the proposal.[26][27][28] On 8 July 2014, the Assembly voted for an amendment to the proposal, introduced by Senator Ian Le Marquand, to request the Chief Minister to present a detailed study into the effects of allowing same-sex marriage by 31 December 2014. The amendment was passed by 24 votes to 18 and the amended proposition by 39 to 1.[29][30][31][32]

On 26 November 2014, Chief Minister Ian Gorst submitted a report, which included a commitment to introduce legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry in civil and religious ceremonies by the end of 2017, and to create safeguards for religious organisations and officials who do not wish to conduct same-sex marriages, among others.[33][34][35][36] On 14 July 2015, the Chief Minister submitted a proposition to ask the States to decide whether they agree, in principle, that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and to request that the draft legislation necessary to implement it be introduced for approval by the States no later than January 2017.[37][38][39] It was approved by the Assembly on 22 September 2015, 37 to 4.[40][41][42]

22 September 2015 vote in the States of Jersey[43]
Political affiliationVoted forVoted againstAbstainedAbsent (Did not vote)
  Independent (Senators)
7
 – –
1
  Independent (Connétables)
7
2
  • Philip Le Sueur
  • Michel Le Troquer
1
  • Christopher Taylor
2
  • Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard
  • John Refault
  Independent (Deputies)
20
2
  • Andrew Lewis
  • Richard Renouf
 –
4
  Reform Jersey (Deputies)
3
 – – –
Total37417

On 14 March 2017, following an oral question by Deputy Mézec, the Chief Minister stated that the bill would be lodged in anticipation for debate in the summer of 2017 and would come into force by December of the same year.[44][45][46] However, on 8 September 2017, the Chief Minister said that the bill would be delayed and that it would not be in force until at least spring 2018.[47][48] A draft same-sex marriage bill was eventually introduced to the States Assembly on 3 October 2017.[49][50] The States debated the bill on 16 November 2017 and agreed to its principles but sent it for further review to the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.[51][52][53][54] The panel's report was presented to the States on 29 January 2018.[55] Controversially, the report included a recommendation asking the States to approve a "tolerance clause" in the bill, which would have allowed traders to refuse to serve same-sex couples goods and services in accordance with their religious beliefs.[55][56][57]

The "tolerance clause" was strenuously opposed by equality and diversity campaigners in Jersey. The equality charity Liberate organised an online petition that received over 5,000 signatures opposing the inclusion of the clause. The charity gathered key support from members of church groups and wedding suppliers opposing the clause.[58][59][60][61]

A final vote on the bill by the States occurred on 1 February 2018, where it passed 42–1.[62][63] The tolerance clause amendment was rejected by a vote of 40–5.[62][64] The bill was granted royal assent in the Privy Council on 23 May 2018 and registered in the Royal Court on 1 June.[65][66] On 26 June, the States approved a proposition to commence the law on 1 July 2018.[67][68][69][70][71] The first same-sex marriage was performed on 9 July 2018 in Saint Helier between Neil Renouf and John Cronin.[72][73]

1 February 2018 vote in the States of Jersey[74]
Political affiliationVoted forVoted againstAbstainedAbsent (Did not vote)
  Independent (Senators)
6
 –
1
1
  Independent (Connétables)
10
  • Simon Crowcroft
  • John Le Maistre
  • Philip Le Sueur
  • Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard
  • Deidre Mezbourian
  • Leonard Norman
  • Michael Paddock
  • Stephen Pallett
  • John Refault
  • Christopher Taylor
1
  • Michel Le Troquer
 –
1
  • Juliette Gallichan
  Independent (Deputies)
23
 – –
3
  Reform Jersey (Deputies)
3
 – – –
Total42115

Jersey law defines "same sex marriage" as "the marriage of 2 persons of the same sex and includes a marriage by conversion [from a civil partnership]".

Religious performance

The Methodist Church of Great Britain has allowed its ministers to conduct same-sex marriages since 2021. The Methodist Conference voted 254 to 46 in favour of the move in June 2021. A freedom of conscience clause allows ministers with objections to opt out of performing same-sex weddings.[75][76] The smaller United Reformed Church has allowed its churches to perform same-sex marriages since 2016.[77] The Quakers have allowed same-sex partnerships in their meeting houses since 2008 and later marriages since 2013.[78]

See also

References
  1. "Les Parchonn'nies Civiles". Société Jersiaise (in Norman).
  2. "Jersey States to propose Civil Partnerships", International Finance Centre, 2 September 2009
  3. "Legal rights for same sex couples", BBC News, 3 September 2009
  4. "Jersey votes to allow civil partnerships". 20 October 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  5. "New rights for homosexual couples". 20 October 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  6. "Thisisjersey.com". www.thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  7. "WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR – ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 3rd MAY 2011" (PDF). Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  8. DRAFT CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (JERSEY) LAW 201
  9. "States backs civil partnerships". BBC News. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  10. Jersey, States of (20 November 2011). "Votes". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  11. "Jersey's religious civil partnership rules near implementation". 13 January 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  12. "Jersey recognises civil partners". BBC News. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  13. "Jersey gets civil partnership law". BBC News. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  14. "Civil Partners Causes Rules 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  15. "Inquests and Post-Mortem Examinations (Amendment No. 8) Rules 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  16. "Adoption (Amendment No. 3) Rules 2012". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  17. "Royal Court (Amendment No. 14) Rules 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  18. "Civil Partnerships (Consequential Amendments) (Jersey) Regulations 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  19. "Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law 2012 (Appointed Day) Act 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  20. "Civil Partnership (Approved Premises) (Jersey) Order 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  21. "Civil Partnership (Forms, Registration and Fees) (Jersey) Order 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  22. "Marriage and Civil Status (Approved Premises) (Amendment) (Jersey) Order 2012". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  23. "Marriage and Civil Status (Forms, Registration and Fees) (Amendment No. 5) (Jersey) Order 2012". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  24. "Jersey approves civil partnership law for all genders". BBC News. 3 March 2022.
  25. "Civil Partnership (Amendment) (Jersey) Law 2023". jerseylaw.je. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  26. "CIVIL MARRIAGES: SAME SEX COUPLES" (PDF). States of Jersey. 28 May 2014.
  27. "Additional information for P.102/2014". States of Jersey. 28 May 2014.
  28. "Gay marriage proposition lodged by Reform Jersey". BBC. 28 May 2014.
  29. "CIVIL MARRIAGES: SAME SEX COUPLES (P.102/2014) – SECOND AMENDMENT" (PDF). States of Jersey. 8 July 2014.
  30. "Same sex marriage law delayed in Jersey". BBC. 8 July 2014.
  31. "Gay marriage decision rejected by the States". Jersey Evening Post. 8 July 2014.
  32. "Equal marriage debate on hold". ITV News Channel TV. 8 July 2014.
  33. EQUAL MARRIAGE AND PARTNERSHIP: OPTIONS PAPER REPORT – NOVEMBER 2014
  34. "Paper outlines equal marriage plans". BBC News. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  35. Jersey, States of. "Commitment to allow same sex marriage". www.gov.je. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  36. Express, Bailiwick. "Ministers: "We'll bring in Gay marriage law by 2018"". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
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  38. "Same-sex marriages to be introduced in Jersey by 2017?". jerseyeveningpost.com. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  39. "Jersey and Guernsey could have same-sex marriage by 2017". 15 July 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
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  41. "Equal marriage proposal accepted by Jersey States". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  42. "States supports same-sex marriage". BBC News. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  43. "Vote for Same-sex marriage, divorce and dissolution – paragraph (a)". 22 September 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  44. "Marriage and Civil Status (Jersey) Law: Proposed amendments". 10 January 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  45. "WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY S.Y. MÉZEC OF ST. HELIER – ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 14TH MARCH 2017" (PDF). 14 March 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  46. "STATES OF JERSEY OFFICIAL REPORT – TUESDAY, 14th MARCH 2017" (PDF). 14 March 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
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  48. "Disappointment as marriage is delayed". 8 September 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  49. "Additional information for P.91/2017". States of Jersey. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  50. "Major changes to Jersey's marriage laws move another step forward". ITV News. 3 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  51. "Public Business – States' decisions made at the Continuation Sitting of Thursday 16th November 2017" (PDF). States of Jersey. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  52. "Vote for Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law 201- (P.91/2017) Principles". States of Jersey. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  53. "Same-sex marriage laws in Jersey face further scrutiny". ITV News. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
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  56. "Vote against 'tolerance clause', Christian leaders tell politicians". Jersey Evening Post. 29 January 2018.
  57. "Report published on Jersey's same-sex marriage laws". ITV News. 29 January 2018.
  58. Jersey, Liberate (20 January 2018). "We say 'no' to discrimination against same sex couples". Liberate. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  59. Jersey, Liberate (29 January 2018). "Senior Church leaders from the Anglican and Methodist Churches call for Jersey to reject the tolerance clause". Liberate. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  60. Jersey, Liberate (29 January 2018). "Jersey wedding suppliers say 'no' to the tolerance clause". Liberate. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  61. Jersey, Liberate (31 January 2018). "Open letter to States of Jersey members ahead of the marriage debate". Liberate. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
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  63. "Gay marriage law approved by the States". Jersey Evening Post. 1 February 2018.
  64. "Equal marriage legislation passed by Jersey politicians". ITV News. 1 February 2018.
  65. "Orders approved at the Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 23rd May 2018" (PDF). Privy Council of the United Kingdom. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2018.
  66. "Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law 2018". Jersey Legal Information Board. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  67. "Vote for Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law 201- (Appointed Day) Act 201- (P.87/2018)". States of Jersey. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
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  69. "1 July 2018". Liberate. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  70. "Same-sex marriages to be legal from Sunday". Jersey Evening Post. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  71. "Jersey to introduce same-sex marriage from 1 July". BBC News. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  72. Heath, Ian (10 July 2018). "History is made Jersey as first same-sex wedding takes place". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  73. "First same-sex marriage in Jersey". States of Jersey. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  74. "Vote for Draft Marriage and Civil Status (Amendment No. 4) (Jersey) Law 201- (P.91/2017) Third Reading". 1 February 2018.
  75. Harriet Sherwood (30 June 2021). "Methodist church to allow same-sex marriage after 'historic' vote". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  76. Harry Farley (1 July 2021). "Methodist Church allows same-sex marriage in 'momentous' vote". BBC News.
  77. May, Callum (9 July 2016). "United Reformed Church approves gay marriage services". BBC News.
  78. "Quakers and same-sex marriage". Quakers in Britain (British Yearly Meeting). Retrieved 4 October 2023.
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