Bermudians join London World Pride parade
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Wayne Parsons (right) and Benedict Greening at London Pride Celebrations, on Saturday.
Bermudians marched in London’s World Pride parade on Saturday, demanding Government give equal rights to gays and lesbians here.
The annual event in England’s capital to commemorate ‘World Pride’, attracted about 25,000 including Benedict Greening, a campaigner who said they were hoping for “positive change in the law in Bermuda”.
“This change would be such a powerful act for so many Bermudians who currently feel shut out,” he said.
“It would also be a signal for all Bermudians and for the world that our Island values civil rights for everyone; that we’re a modern, progressive Country.”
When contacted by this newspaper, Mr Greening said: “I first marched in 2006, wearing the Bermuda flag with other Bermudians, in London. We have had a ‘pretty much’ continuous presence at London Pride since then.
“There were five Bermudians marching at different times, but also others there as spectators on Saturday.
“We also kept hearing ‘shout outs’ from Bermudians in the crowd including a couple waving a little Bermuda flag and a Bermudian who was acting as a steward for the event,” said Mr Greening.
“There was a great reaction from the crowd, who periodically shouted their support for the campaign,” he added.
According to participants, about 5,000 people marched to highlight the fact that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is still unprotected under Bermuda’s Human Rights Act.
Meanwhile Bermudian campaigner Chen Foley said: “If the Government is as serious about extending human rights protection as [Youth and Families] Minister Glenn Blakeney suggests, one would have expected it to demonstrate leadership, and to have acted far more quickly and decisively.
“It is good that legislative change appears to be back on the agenda but it is disappointing that steps have still yet to be taken to introduce a bill,” said Mr Foley.
Efforts to secure a response from the Minister by press time were unsuccessful.
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Published Jul 9, 2012 at 8:50 am (Updated Jul 9, 2012 at 8:50 am)