BREAKING: Bermuda will officially keep marriage equality

Bermuda couple Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche took their fight for marriage to the country's Supreme Courr earlier this year | Photo: Rainbow Alliance BDA | Twitter

Bermuda’s Court of Appeal has upheld the island’s Supreme Court ruling to keep same-sex marriage legal.

Bermuda first made same-sex marriage legal in 2017. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay couple Winston Godwin and his Canadian fiancé in September.

But then in February this year, Governor John Rankin introduced the Domestic Partnership Act 2017. The Act downgraded same-sex marriages to ‘domestic partnerships’.

Rankin’s move made Bermuda – a British overseas territory located in the Caribbean – the first country to revoke same-sex marriage laws in the world.

In June, the Supreme Court overturned Rankin’s Act, but a month later the Bermudan government filed an appeal to reverse that overturning.

But today the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the Supreme Court’s June decision.

History made in Bermuda

LGBTI advocates in Bermuda celebrated today’s victory.

‘#LoveWins for #Bermuda as we celebrate #justice and #equality for all today with the Court of Appeals’ historic decision. Our deepest gratitude for lead plaintiffs @rodferguson @maryellenjackson and all friends of #OUTBermuda,’ LGBTI advocacy organization, OutBermuda wrote on Twitter.

#LoveWins for #Bermuda as we celebrate #justice and #equality for all today with the Court of Appeals’ historic decision. Our deepest gratitude for lead plaintiffs @rodferguson @maryellenjackson and all friends of #OUTBermuda. pic.twitter.com/Lx9lgPTQ58

— OUTBermuda (@OUTBermuda) November 23, 2018

The battle for marriage equality might not be finished just yet in Bermuda. The Court of Final Appeal is currently hearing arguments to decide whether its decision should be stayed for 21 days to allow the government to lodge an appeal to the Privy Council.

The Judicial Committee of The Privy Council (JCPC) is the court of final appeal for the UK overseas territories and Crown dependencies.

More to follow.