The Bermuda Rainbow Alliance has praised a recent Supreme Court judgment, which granted the ability for unmarried couples to apply for joint adoption.

In the ruling, Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman found that the Adoption Act was discriminatory on the grounds of marital status as it only allowed married couples to jointly adopt.

He also ruled that it was indirectly discriminatory on the grounds of sexual orientation, as same sex couples were also unable to adopt because same sex marriages are not recognised in Bermuda.

As a result, he ruled that couples should be allowed to jointly adopt regardless of marital status, provided they have been living together continuously for a period of no less than a year.

In a statement, the Rainbow Alliance said: “The Rainbow Alliance finds Mr Justice Hellman’s judgment on the adoption case to be a positive, progressive, and hopeful indicator of equity for the LGBTQ community.

“We believe that children deserve a loving, responsible parent or parents, and are proud that the courts agree.

“We understand the government has the option to appeal this decision, but it is our hope that they will support equity for LGBTQ people like they did in 2013 with the historic legislation that expanded the protection for discrimination.

“The Rainbow Alliance stands in solidarity with LGBTQ people who seek equal legal rights and justice.”