LGBT rights in Jersey

LGBT rights in Jersey

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Legal since 1990, equal age of consent since 2006
Military service UK responsible for defense (Since 2000)
Discrimination protections None
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships		 Civil partnership since 2012
Adoption Legal since 2012

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the Jersey have become substantially more liberal since the early 1990s. Most acts of male homosexuality on the island ceased to be contrary to the law in 1990. LGBT people have been given many more rights in the law, such as the right to enter into civil partnerships and the right to adopt children (2012). However, same-sex marriage is not permitted and there are no legal protections against discrimination towards LGBT people.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Prior to 1990, same-sex sexual activity was a criminal offence. The age of consent has been equal since 2006.[1]

Gender identity/expression

Transsexual persons are allowed to change their legal gender and to have their new gender recognised as a result of the Gender Recognition (Jersey) Law 2010.[2]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Jersey allows civil partnerships for same-sex couples. The bill for legalization was signed by the Queen on 14 December 2011 and registered by the royal court on 6 January 2012. The law took effect on 2 April 2012.[3] It also allowed LGBT people to register their civil partnership in churches.[4]

In August 2009, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Jersey that a civil partnerships bill would be drafted and be due for introduction to the Jersey House in October 2009.[5]

On 20 October 2009, the States of Jersey voted in favour of civil partnerships "in principle". The vote was 48 in favour, 1 against and 4 abstaining.[6][7] Legislation legalizing civil partnerships was approved on 12 July 2011.[8] On 14 December 2011, the bill received royal assent and was registered by the royal court on 6 January 2012.[9] In March 2012, the government issued orders implementing the law.[10][11]

On 28 May 2014, the deputy Sam Mezec of Reform Jersey party submitted a proposition asking the Assembly of the States of Jersey 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. It was debated by the Assembly on 8 July 2014,[12][13][14] though the legislature elected to delay a vote on its passage, passing an amendment for a detailed study to be concluded by 31 December 2014.[15]

Adoption and family planning

Both joint and step adoption are legal since 2012, which are included in the civil partnership.[16]

Additionally, lesbian couples can get access to artificial insemination.

Discrimination protections

Currently, there are no anti-discrimination laws against discrimination towards LGBT people.

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Since 1990)
Equal age of consent (Since 2006)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriages (Pending)
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. civil partnerships) (Since 2012)
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples (Since 2012)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples (Since 2012)
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military (Since 2000)
Right to change legal gender (Since 2010)
Access to IVF for lesbians (Since 2012)
MSMs allowed to donate blood
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples (Banned for heterosexual couples as well)

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2006/07/05/jersey-politicians-vote-to-reduce-gay-age-of-consent/
  2. ↑ http://www.jerseylaw.je/Law/lawsinforce/htm/LawFiles/2010/L-01-2010.pdf
  3. ↑ http://www.jerseylaw.je/Law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce%5chtm%5cLawFiles%5c2012%2fL-04-2012.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/31/united-reformed-church-could-be-first-on-jersey-to-host-civil-partnerships/
  5. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/jersey/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8235000/8235824.stm
  6. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-14126084
  7. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/8317139.stm
  8. ↑ http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/Pages/Votes.aspx?VotingId=163
  9. ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/01/13/jerseys-religious-civil-partnership-rules-approved/
  10. ↑ http://www.jerseylaw.je/Law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce\htm\ROFiles\R%26OYear2012%2fR%26O-052-2012.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.jerseylaw.je/Law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce%5chtm%5cLawFiles%5c2012%2fL-04-2012.htm
  12. ↑ "CIVIL MARRIAGES: SAME SEX COUPLES" (PDF). States of Jersey. 28 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "Additional information for P.102/2014". States of Jersey. 28 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Gay marriage proposition lodged by Reform Jersey". BBC. 28 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Campaigners criticise same sex marriage law delay". BBC News. 8 July 2014.
  16. ↑ http://www.jerseylaw.je/Law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce\htm\ROFiles\R%26OYear2012%2fR%26O-044-2012.htm