Yesterday this newspaper published two stories about the British Parliament’s overwhelming vote in support of legalising gay marriage.Locally the LGBTQ community welcomed the news, saying “legalising marriage validates a person’s existence and relationship more than people can understand”.But is Bermuda a tolerant enough society? Could it, emotionally, deal with an issue as contentious as legalised same sex marriages?Judging by the fuss over a gay cruise coming to the Island, the apparent slow progress in extending equality legislation to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as well a sense that the churches have a stranglehold over politicians on the issue, the answer is probably no.Leaving aside the issue of a long-term gay partner not having the same rights as a married couple in the event of the partnership breaking up, or even the value of the pink pound or dollar, if Bermuda is to be able to call itself a go-ahead society, it must demonstrate real tolerance of issues like this.Some will call it a sin, others will call it an act of love, either way we should respect each other’s choices. Being gay and in a same-sex marriage does no one any physical harm after all, so there is no real effect on society, no extra costs.The opposite is probably true. It is difficult to imagine a public relations backlash over the taking of such a mature decision.This newspaper is running a poll on its website, www.royalgazette.com about whether same sex marriages should be legalised. Although not scientific it will be interesting to see the result.Ÿ What do you think? E-mail acting Editor Jeremy Deacon — jdeacon@royalgazette.bm