Their union may not be legitimate and no official licence is issued, but gay marriages are reportedly being performed in The Bahamas by a small fraction of local pastors and JP’s who are denying their involvement in this illegal act if questioned, The Guardian has learned.
Reports of illegal same sex marriages surfaced last week when former President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council Council, Reverend J.C. Wallace, claimed that two men were married by a local bishop at a resort in Grand Bahama for a fee of $15,000. Bishop William Thompson, who presently serves as president of The Bahamas Christian Council denied such claims, and Acting Deputy Registrar Joyanne Pratt said no gay couple has ever presented an application or marriage and no license was issued.
However, a lesbian who agreed to speak to The Guardian on condition of anonymity on Thursday, claimed that she was recently married on June 21 by a Justice of the Peace on Grand Bahama for $500.
“He said don’t let anybody know, only if it’s somebody that is really really close to us who we can trust,” said the 30-year-old female in an exclusive interview with The Guardian. “The pastors are doing this and they are doing it for the cash,” she alleged.
“This JP did not have a problem performing our marriage for us. We did not receive a marriage certificate and it was more like a dedication service and rings were exchanged. I tell other people that I am married, and even though it is not legal, I have been in this [gay] world since 1993.
According to the gay female, her 27-year-old partner was referred to the JP because he is known to perform such marriages. She said the intimate and clandestine ceremony was held at the JP’s office in Freeport while she and her partner were on summer vacation.
The lesbian newlywed said her marriage may not be legitimate but she truly loves her partner and views their marriage is a lifelong partnership. “I always tell people that if you are ashamed, do not do it because you are going to be criticised and people are going to have their opinion. You can’t kill someone for their opinion, so if you can’t handle it, I suggest you don’t do it,” the lesbian warned.
A second lesbian, who also spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, said the Registrar is being excluded and a licence is not needed for these gay marriages because it is a private act.
“I know pastors who are conducting these marriages but it is a big secret,” the lesbian alleged. “If you ask them, they will definitely deny it. It is one of those things that we [the gay community] all know about, and it has been going on for a very long time.”
Bahamas Christian Council President, Rev. Dr William Thompson told The Guardian on Thursday that the Council would ensure that any pastor or Justice of the Peace performing same sex marriages is hauled before the courts.
“If anyone can point us to a pastor who is doing this, we will quickly have them brought before the courts. It is against the law and it will not be condoned.”
By TAMARA McKENZIE, Nassau Guardian Political Editor
