Information sessions regarding same sex marriage are to be held next week.

The Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports has organised the sessions in response to a petition that was presented to the Bermuda Government in May 2015. They will focus on the situation in other jurisdictions as well as the current local situation, and there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

Community minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: “When I received the petition from Mr Tony Bannon and supporters, I assured them that Government would take into consideration the proposed request allowing same sex marriage in Bermuda. The Department of Human Affairs has presented to Cabinet research regarding what other countries have enacted in legislation and what steps can be taken. At the public information sessions we plan on sharing what we’ve learnt as well as give our citizens an opportunity to respond.

“We want to encourage community engagement and dialogue around the subject. It is important after reviewing the research about what other countries have done that we, in Bermuda, have frank and honest dialogue about same sex marriage.”

The sessions will be held on Monday, September 28 at the Berkeley Institute and Thursday, October 1 at Bermuda College North Hall at 6pm.