Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories Recognition of same-sex unions in the British Overseas Territories Among the fourteen British Overseas Territories, nine – Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Bermuda, the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and recognise and perform same-sex marriages. In the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, only British military and civilian personnel can enter into same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. The five Caribbean territories have no general recognition of same-sex unions. Three of them specify the right of opposite-sex couples to marry in their constitutions. The Cayman Islands
British Overseas Territories personnel. They all share the British monarch (Elizabeth II) as head of state. The fourteen British Overseas Territories are: The term "British Overseas Territory" was introduced by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, replacing the term "British Dependent Territory", introduced by the British Nationality Act 1981. Prior to 1 January 1983, the territories were officially referred to as "British Crown Colonies". Although the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man are also under the sovereignty of the British monarch, they are in a different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom. The British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies