OUTBermuda has declared that “we will never surrender equality for all Bermudians, and especially the LGBTQ families and couples who deserve it.”
The group’s statement was made in response to the Government of Bermuda’s decision to appeal the historic June 6 verdict by the Supreme Court of Bermuda that overturned the Government’s decision to ban same-sex marriages.
Said Roderick Ferguson, the original litigant: “Just one month ago, LGBTQ Bermudians inched closer to our goal of restoring marriage equality. 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.”
OUTBermuda, which served as a co-litigant in the original lawsuit, will join again with Roderick Ferguson, Maryellen Jackson and many allies seeking to defeat the Government’s appeal. Adrian Hartnett-Beasley, one of OUTBermuda’s directors, noted that “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. We’ve made outstanding progress with our business advocates led by Carnival Corporation and many encouraging Bermudian-owned/based businesses and employers.”
Legal counsel again will be provided through the services of Rod S. Attride-Stirling (ASW Law Limited) and Mark Pettingill (Chancery Legal).
OUTBermuda is a registered charity (#973) which promotes and supports the wellbeing, health, dignity, security, safety and protection of the LGBTQ community. Our mission is to advance human rights, and the promotion of equality and diversity relating to Bermuda’s LGBTQ people. Learn more and support our work and this lawsuit at www.OUTBermuda.org
