Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has disclosed that the ministry has been receiving applications for same-sex marriages, although same-sex marriage is not legal in Jamaica.

 

During his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Chuck said the ministry has been receiving a higher number of applications for marriage licences, including from individuals from the LGBTQ community. 

 

"Last year we issued 8313 licences and we provided the Minister of Finance or the Tax Administration Jamaica with $33,252,000. We are doing well, Madam Speaker, but we don't mind more marriages so we can provide more money to the Ministry of Finance," he quipped.  

 

"We enjoy when people come for their marriage licence because it means that a family will be created, hopefully, or at least husband and wife," he added. 

 

But Mr. Chuck made it clear that the ministry does not accept applications for same-sex marriages.

 

"Let it be clear we do not support same-sex marriages as yet, or ever. The truth of the matter [is that] people have been coming, asking us for marriage licence for two same sex. This, at the moment, is not permissible," the minister explained.