Organisers Choose Sweden As New Location
The Geoscience & Society Summit — which was originally scheduled to be held in Bermuda this year but was cancelled with organisers citing the Domestic Partnerships Act — will now be held in Sweden next year.
This was announced by the organisers, who said, “The American Geophysical Union and Geology and the Public Interest have chosen Stockholm, Sweden as the location for the 2019 Geoscience & Society Summit [GSS], 18–21 March 2019. Stockholm University and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research will host participants from diverse global communities and sectors.”
Screenshot of part of their announcement sent via email:
Back in February of this year, the organisation said: “An issue has arisen with the location for the Geoscience & Society Summit slated for 23-28 September in Hamilton, Bermuda.
“Less than a year after legalizing same-sex marriage, Bermuda has reversed course and is implementing a law that prohibits same-sex couples from marrying.
“As a result of this change, Bermuda no longer meets AGU’s meeting location requirements, and we are evaluating the options for relocating. We will provide an update as soon as we have more information.”
In March of this year, the Geology in the Public Interest group said, “The meeting was originally planned to be held in Hamilton, Bermuda, in September of this year.
“We were just about to issue a call for abstracts and registrants when we received word that less than a year after legalizing same-sex marriage, Bermuda reversed course and is implementing a law that prohibits same-sex couples from marrying.
“The British Foreign Office declined to block the measure, making Bermuda the first place in the world to slip backwards in this fashion. As a result, Bermuda no longer meets AGU’s meeting location requirements and the other co-sponsors have similar concerns.
“The overall purpose of our meeting is to promote collaboration and inclusiveness, and we think that given this development we would have a hard time defending Bermuda as a meeting place. Thus, we are evaluating options for relocating.
“We have also decided to postpone the meeting until late March of 2019. This will allow us more time to reorganize effectively and increase our fundraising efforts.”
Following the Bill’s passage in the House of Assembly in December 2017 a #BoycottBermuda hashtag began being used on social media, which spiked again following the Bill being given assent.
While we are not privy to all booking information so cannot state with absolute certainty, the Geoscience & Society Summit is the only entity we are aware of that announced they would cancel a convention over the matter, and according to the most recent tourism statistics, the island’s tourism industry has recorded its ninth consecutive quarter of growth in vacation air arrivals and spending
Obviously since that time, the situation regarding same sex marriage has changed again, with another court challenge resulting in Chief Justice Dr Ian Kawaley ruling in favour of same sex marriage last week, with the judgement saying that the provisions of the Domestic Partnership Act that serve to revoke same sex marriage rights are invalid.
Last week’s ruling was the second court ruling in favour of same sex marriage, meaning Bermuda has legalized same sex marriage, then restricted it, then had a court ruling to make it legal again, and the matter is not yet settled, as the Court granted a six week stay to allow time for appeal, and the Government confirmed they “will be appealing subject to any legal advice that we receive.”
Was there supposed to be a same sex wedding going to be held at this Geological Scientific Summit? Just asking…if so than we understand the reason for the change. If not than you can have whatever sex in the privacy of your own hotel room. Might get away with going to a beach late a night.
Have fun in Sweden! We will drink a Rum Swizzle in your memory…
Just “wow”. They have what is called “principles”.
Sweden is called the rape capital of the western world. Where are The Geoscience & Society’s principles on protecting women?
Is the ‘American’ GSS aware of the multitude of human rights abuses and unjust laws in their own country? If they had principles they would change their name and domicile then. #cherrypicked causes.
“Have fun in Sweden!”
I’m sure they will.
Have fun not getting any foreign investment in bermuda…enjoy your rum.
“Have fun not getting any foreign investment in bermuda…enjoy your rum.”
Have you ever actually took a look around Bermuda?
There’s nothing BUT foreign investment.
So yeah, Black & Cokes all around please my good sir.
Yes we will tree hugger! Peace.
Congratulations more Revenue lost idiots
Hardly. The HP has already filed the calendar.
Those pesky unintended consequences of bigotry.
It was a real conference too, not like the CoH Mayor’s thing.
The conference will talk about the sustainable use of natural resources. The jetting off to Sweden with all the extra carbon emissions hopefully will not impact the groups principalled sensibilities.
Perhaps they should try Detroit and inject some much needed cash into that economy.
The conference will talk about the sustainable use of natural resources. Jetting off to Sweden with all the extra carbon emissions hopefully will not impact the groups principalled sensibilities.
Perhaps they should try Detroit and inject some much needed cash into that economy.