LGBT rights in the Cayman Islands

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Cayman Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in the Cayman Islands.
On 29 March 2019, the Chief Justice of the Cayman Islands issued a ruling declaring the territory's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. However, the ruling was stayed and then overturned by the Court of Appeal on 7 November 2019. The Court of Appeal called on the Cayman Government to implement civil unions or a legal equivalent, and ordered the Government of the United Kingdom to step in if the Cayman Government failed to do so. A civil partnership law was enacted on 4 September 2020.
Legality of same-sex sexual activity.
Same-sex sexual acts were expressly decriminalised under Britain's "Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order, 2000", which took effect on 1 January 2001.
Britain's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights report on its Overseas Territories on Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands stated in 1999 stated that "The United Kingdom Government is concerned that all Overseas Territories should adopt – as most of them, indeed, already do – substantially the same position as obtains in the United Kingdom itself in respect of capital punishment, judicial corporal punishment and the treatment as criminal offences of homosexual acts between consenting adults in private".
The repeal of the anti-gay law was condemned by conservative groups and politicians, several of whom made conspiracy theories of a supposed "secret gay lobby trying to destroy Cayman values and Christianity".
The age of consent is higher for homosexuals (18) than it is for heterosexuals (16).
Recognition of same-sex couples.
The "Marriage Law" of the Cayman Islands defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The Constitution of the Cayman Islands notes the right of opposite-sex couples to marry, though it does not explicitly mention same-sex unions.
Since then, incremental reforms have been made to recognise some rights for same-sex couples. In July 2016, the Immigration Appeals Tribunal ruled in favour of a gay man who sought to be added to his spouse's work permit as a dependent. Later that year, the Legislative Assembly voted against a motion to hold a referendum on the legalisation of same-sex marriage. A lawsuit brought by a dual Caymanian-British same-sex couple, Chantelle Day and Vickie Bodden, challenging the ban on same-sex marriage, was lodged in the Grand Court in June 2018. Oral arguments were heard in the case in February 2019, with a decision by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie in favour of recognising same-sex marriage published on 29 March 2019.
However, the decision was later reversed by the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal. The appellant's arguments were heard in court for three days, starting on 28 August 2019. The Court sided with the government and on 7 November 2019 it overturned the Chief Justice's previous judgment. It called on the Government of the Cayman Islands to introduce civil partnerships and called on the UK Government to step in if the Cayman Government failed to do so. The petitioning couple filed an appeal to the UK-based Privy Council, with oral arguments set for 23 February 2021. 
On 26 June 2020, the Cayman Government introduced a domestic partnership bill to the Legislative Assembly. The bill failed on a 8–9 vote, and consequently, as required by the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Her Majesty's Government intervened. On 4 September 2020, Governor Martyn Roper assented to the "Civil Partnership Law, 2020" and 11 consequential pieces of legislation which came into effect on the same day. Under the changes, civil partners are allowed to jointly adopt, share health insurance, immigrate together and enjoy other rights extended to married couples. Civil partnerships are open to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Discrimination protections.
In 2009, a draft constitution excluded LGBT rights. The British Foreign Affairs Committee described the decision to exclude sexual orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination as "deplorable" and raised concerns that it breached human rights laws. It raised the possibility that Cayman residents could be afforded less than the full protection to which they are entitled, under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Military service.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been allowed to serve openly in the British Armed Forces since 2000.
Living conditions.
Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend. Cayman society tends to be conservative when dealing with issues such as LGBT rights, though the younger generation is considered to be increasingly culturally liberal.
The gay scene in the Cayman Islands is limited, with no specific gay nightclubs or beaches. However, several hotels and tourist areas cater to gay clientele.
Homophobia.
While the Cayman Islands is officially secular and the Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, the government has been particularly vocal and unapologetic in expressing its anti-gay attitudes. In 1998, it forbade a Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying over 900 gay travellers from porting. The Tourism Ministry stated: "We cannot count on this group to uphold the standards of appropriate behaviour expected of visitors to the Cayman Islands." The ban drew criticism from human rights groups and travel agencies, some of which advised a boycott of the islands. In 2008, police arrested a Massachusetts gay man after he kissed his partner on a nightclub dancefloor. He was later released.