Dear Sir,

The first time I voted was in 1998. I, a young black male, helped to bring into power a party (Progressive Labour Party) who understood what it meant to be a person of colour. We had finally defeated the old oligarchy and were bringing in a new era of unity, equality and where everyone was valued in society. I also voted for the PLP in 2003 and 2012. I am also gay.

Fast forward to 2017. It is once again time for me to cast a vote. But this year is different. First, the One Bermuda Alliance has shown me that it has no desire to understand the plight of people of colour, of “non-international business” foreign workers, or anyone else that is not part of the privileged community. True national prosperity will never be had by all, and the scourge of violence will never end until they accept that certain economic/racial issues actually really do exist.

Another reason I will not support the OBA is because it is their fault we had that referendum, an exercise that stripped away the dignity of a certain group of humans, who also happen to be LGBT.

If you think that this means that I am now pushed to vote for the PLP, you are wrong. The PLP has stabbed me in the back. I supported the PLP, but the PLP does not support me. It has remained silent as groups have lied to the public about LGBT persons.

It ignores us as people call us “batty boys”, “bulldaggers” and “freaks”. It looked the other way as vicious accusations of us spreading Aids, molesting children and claims that we are just trying to destroy society and kill off the human race spread through the ranks of their supporters.

You would think that a party that understands discrimination, prejudice and the “short end” of privilege would understand how the LGBT community feels, and on top of that have even more compassion for black (and other POC) LGBT persons since we receive double discrimination.

So, in this election, I will vote for no one. No party represents me.

ALL ALONE IN 2017