Same-sex marriage in the Falkland Islands

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Falkland Islands since 29 April 2017.

On 13 May 2015, the Attorney General recommended that the Executive Council consider the legalisation of same-sex marriage or civil partnership. On 13 January 2016, following a public consultation, the Council instructed the Attorney General to prepare an amendment to the island's Marriage Ordinance, in order to allow same-sex marriage. The public consultation found that 90% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage and 94% were in favour of civil partnerships for all couples.

The Attorney General's draft amendment was considered by the Executive Council on 22 February 2017. The Council, considering whether to approve a bill to legalise same-sex marriage and create civil partnership for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, instructed the Attorney General to publish this in the official gazette, thereby commencing the legislative process as first reading, as well as to prepare further legislation necessary to its implementation.

On 30 March 2017, the Legislative Assembly approved the Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2017 by a 7 to 1 vote. The bill allows same-sex couples to marry and also allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples the right to access a civil partnership. The bill received royal assent by Governor Colin Roberts on 13 April 2017. The new law, which amended the Marriage Ordinance 1996, went into effect on 29 April 2017. A community event to celebrate same-sex marriage becoming legal took place on 29 April 2017.

Sections 3A and 3B of the Falkland Islands Marriage Ordinance state:

The marriage of same-sex couples is lawful [and]...a same-sex marriage solemnised under this Ordinance has and must be treated in the same manner and afforded the same status as a marriage between a man and a woman.

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