Gay Guide Caribbean - British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands consist of 36 islands and are a British protectorate in the Caribbean. In January 2001, the British government lifted local bans on homosexuality. The new constitution of 2007 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The British Virgin Islands are extremely backward in their standards of care for people living with HIV/AIDS, not only in comparison on a broad international level, but also in comparison with most of their neighbouring countries. Britain has assured the British Virgin Islands that it will not put pressure on their protectorate to legalise gay marriage. So it is very unlikely that homosexual marriage will be possible here in the years to come. The Islands' culture is very conservative and dominated by religion. Public expression of affection of same sex partners can cause problems, there are numerous reports of attacks or insults. Therefore, most homosexual locals remain in the closet, homosexual life takes place in secret.