ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Attorney General Cajeton Hood said Tuesday that the proposed amendments contained in the Rights and Freedom Bill will not be creating a loop hole that could result in Grenada legalising same sex unions.
“The amendment does not affect the status quo at all in anyway, the amendment does seek too, nor does it at all give additional right to anybody who wanted to get married before the amendment.
“I want to be very clear on that, the amendment does not seek to nor give any loophole or any extra power or any extra right that was not there before,” said Hood.
The bill is one of seven that will be voted upon during the October 27 referendum for a new constitution and gender equality according to the legislation provides for both men and women to be entitled to equal rights and status in all spheres of life, especially in economic, educational, political, civic and social activities.
“This therefore goes to the heart of the matter of the intention of the Bill, the Intent is equal rights for both men and women and not one having more rights than the other,” Hood said while stressing that government will not in any way go down that route even as he acknowledged that any lawyer can build any case using any law.
Urging the general public to inform themselves with the facts of the issues, he said they should not listen to rum shop talk.
In recent days, several religious bodies have begun campaigning against the Bill saying that despite it good intention it creates a loop hole for gay marriage.
Hood further explains that Grenada’s Marriage Act has not changed and there is no proposal to change it. “The amendment doesn’t speak to marriage,” he said.
Grenada’s marriage law does not contain a definition.
Junior Education Minister Simon Stielle said that the present administration does not support same sex marriage and it is not the intention of Keith Mitchell government to weaken any legislation that will create any loop hole within the law.
“There is not intent to weaken any provision that will provide for same sex marriage…the Bill speaks to equal opportunity, it does not speak to same sex marriage,” said Stielle, who reminded journalists that Prime Minister Mitchell has openly said he is not in support of same sex unions.
Hood said that as a country, he trusts that the voting population see the opportunity that is presented to play an important role in the having a saying in the supreme law of the land.
‘It’s the first time the people are having a say and no politician can do it, it now up to people,” he said
The Bill needs to be passed by a two third majority of those voting in the referendum to become law. (CMC)
