UNIBAM - the United Belize Advocacy Movement has become a household name because it's asking the court to overturn Section 53 of the Criminal Code, which outlaws carnal intercourse "against the order of nature" with "any person or animal." UNIBAM says that the law contravenes provisions of the Constitution that protect human dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms.
The case first went to court in January where preliminary objections from both sides were heard.
Justice Michelle Arana delivered her judgment on those matters today.
Michel Chebat, one of five attorneys representing the Churches - which vehemently oppose UNIBAM's effort - gave us the bottom line on the Judge's ruling:
Michel Chebat, Attorney for one of the churches
"In a nutshell what the judge has done is that she has struck off UNIBAM as a claimant in the case which was one of the primary applications made by the church interested party."
"Her ruling is that UNIBAM is an inadequate person and so they could have no rights being affected. So in this case she has struck out UNIBAM as a claimant."
Jules Vasquez
"How consequential is this in the case going forward being that it's a UNIBAM case by the optics of it?"
Michel Chebat, Attorney for one of the churches
"There is a second claimant and so I don't believe it will affect the progress of the case. They can surely continue with one claimant. But in terms of the bigger picture I think UNIBAM being struck off is a significant blow to them."
UNIBAM has been removed, but the first claimant Caleb Orozco stands.
For the churches all their expert testimony was accepted with the exception of Henry Lawrence's which the court found to be too opinionated.
Leave has been granted to all parties to file expert evidence in 60 days - which is when both sides will return to court for case management.
None of the UNIBAM Attorneys were in court but the organization issued a statement this evening, saying that - as the first claimant - Orozco will continue to pursue the case.
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