WILLEMSTAD - Rennox Calmes is not giving up in his battle against the introduction of same-sex marriage. The parliamentarian is proceeding with his plans to amend the constitution. He aims to add an article explicitly stating that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. On July 12, the Supreme Court in The Hague ruled that same-sex couples in Aruba and Curaçao can also marry. The member of the one-man faction Trabou pa Kòrsou views this ruling as Dutch interference. According to him, the judges know nothing about the culture and values of the islands. 

The Aruban government immediately stated it would respect the ruling. In Curaçao, the ruling is also being followed, with the first LGBT couples already registering for marriage at Kranshi. 

Calmes’ proposed legislation was scheduled to be discussed in the Central Committee of Parliament on June 19. However, the meeting was adjourned because the Speaker of Parliament wanted to first seek advice on the procedures to be followed. The Charter requires that the opinions of the Kingdom Council of Ministers be heard first. Amending the constitution requires a two-thirds majority.