Bermuda Supreme Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban

The Bermuda Supreme Court ruled that a previous law rescinding marriage rights to same-sex couples was unconstitutional on Wednesday, according to The Royal Gazette. The court upheld a challenge to the Domestic Partnership Act because it was “inconsistent with provisions in the Constitution which give the right to freedom of conscience and creed,” according to Chief Justice Ian Kawaley’s judgement. This comes after Parliament passed the Act in December, essentially reversing the court’s view on same-sex marriage and becoming the first country to roll back those rights. A campaign partially funded by Carnival Cruise Lines joined the effort to challenge the law, and the ruling is seen as a win for Bermuda's “weakened” tourism industry.