Not hurting anybody

April 21, 2004

Dear Sir,

Homosexuality is seen as a problem because an unenlightened society has made it a problem. We don't look to hurt anybody, but everybody's trying to hurt us.

Why? Because of all the groups that suffer discrimination, homosexuals are the loneliest, and that's the truth. Black children have black parents, and white kids have white parents. But every homosexual child is an orphan. Think about it. It's a tragedy, I feel, that people of a different sexual type are caught in a world which shows so little understanding for homosexuals, and is so crassly indifferent to the various gradations and variations of gender and their great significance in life. All we ask is to be allowed to love in our own way without facing the charge that we are “sick and twisted”. Come on, should I evaluate these people (homophobic) as inferior, less moral, or incapable of higher feelings and actions? Honestly, most times I do.

My attitude toward anybody's sexual persuasion is this: Without deviation from the norm, progress is impossible. It's time for all Bermudians to recognise that the issues that face gays and lesbians in this small country are not narrow special interests - they are matters of basic human and civil rights. We're not asking for limb donors here and we're not requesting an endorsement of homosexuality. We are asking you to endorse and affirm individual freedom, regardless of whom we love or sleep with.

Homosexuality won't be accepted until it is completely seen as boring, a mundane inconsequential part of everyday life. I have never known anyone who took great exception to homosexuals, that there wasn't something so drastically wrong with that very person. Patrice Minors, since I am a 22-year-old gay woman, I cannot accept or comprehend your “suggestion” that a family raised with “same-sex” parents, is based on immoral values. Does this apply to a couple of orphaned sisters raising their younger siblings in the same household?

We are even considered a threat! To those that suffer from homophobia out there, realistically, how does the fact that I love another woman and live in a committed relationship, threaten your marriage? Are your relations with your spouses of such fragility that the facts that I have a committed, loving relationship with another woman, jeopardise that?

My God, what do you people do when the lights go out! People fear what they do not understand. And since so many homophobic references are made to the Bible, remember this: there are only 12 explicit references to homosexuals in the entire Bible, and not a single one of them is made by Jesus! In fact, I believe that my lesbianism is an act of Christian charity. All those women out there praying for a man, and I'm giving them my share!

GAY AND LOVING IT!

Smith's Parish

Wake up to reality

April 15, 2004

Dear Sir,

Goodbye, Bermuda.

Goodbye because if Independence comes, you will soon become no longer relevant to the rest of the world. You will join those bankrupt of morals, money, standing, pride, position and anything that will encourage the rest of the world to visit or to be associated with you.

Having had the pleasure of visiting Bermuda many times since 1954, it saddens me to see the way that this beautiful Island is slowly sliding down the slope to becoming just another tinpot dictatorship. If history teaches us anything it is that we do not learn from the mistakes of others.

In 1964 I spent time unloading medical supplies from the docks due to a strike of the labour force. This was just one of the times when the colonial power, in the form of the Royal Navy, had to assist and protect the majority from the mindless minority, who were being led by a very few extremists.

Independence will deliver you into the hands of such people, whose numbers are few. The tourist trade has now been reduced to a level that I find hard to understand, when you consider that Bermuda is still as beautiful as ever, still as close to America as ever, still as English speaking as ever, still a golfers paradise, still is an American shoppers dream, still has wonderful beaches, still has wonderful people. Being greeted on all sides walking anywhere is something almost unique here.

Last September, I arrived five days after Fabian left. Some at home said bad timing, I replied, Bermuda would still be Bermuda. Notwithstanding the small industrial dispute, which astounded the passengers on the cruise ship, everyone made the effort to restore their Island to its pride of place as a beautiful place to live. The people of Bermuda already are a proud nation with a national identity. The fact that the offer of help from the Royal Navy was not needed, the way it was refused showed the arrogance that even now flows within the veins of some of your leaders. Those who can only be described as self-indulgent and power crazy want to rule their little world and your future.

Let me assure them that the size of population and the size of the country make the idea of Independence seem on a par of declaring Bermuda a nuclear bomb free zone during the Cold War. No one who had such weapons would have been unable to stop laughing long enough to find you on the map.

If you doubt me, ask yourself, did you know where the Falklands Islands were when Argentina attacked them in 1982? If you need proof of abuse of power on a more relevant level, last weekend some of the Island's youth were not permitted, by officialdom, from representing their country in what would have been excellent advertising for everyone. This Island is too small for such things.

Some of those advocating Independence have titles conferred upon them from abroad, yet insist on being addressed by that foreign title. Will they drop such finery when a common member of the public, who would also be independent, stops calling them Sir, etc.?

With the available hindsight of the sad state that so many former colonies have become, ask yourselves, how will Independence improve the position of everyone in Bermuda?

Wake up to reality, Bermuda. Yours is a unique position in the world, in more ways than you can ever imagine. Look around you at the rest of the small countries and the sorry state of some of them and who really brought them to their knees.

Politicians without exception like and in most cases, want recognition. Most serve their fellow citizens with all their goodness, honesty and care. However, ask yourself, who would you pick to be President of Bermuda, then ask yourself why he or she wants the job.

I have no reason nor wish to take issue with the elected representatives of your choice; only you have the power to control those who lead you. In closing, I would say farewell Bermuda until I return, for the 26th time. But, will I want to come?

PHILIP MEDLAND

Emsworth, United Kingdom

‘A heartfelt thank you'

April 19, 2004

Dear Sir,

A most heartfelt thank you to all who assisted in any way with the Annual Lions,Lioness & Leos Clubs of Bermuda White Cane Tag Days in aid of Sight Conservation held on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13.

Thanks to the efforts of the taggers, many of whom braved physical challenges and to the generous response of the public, we were able to deposit $16,400 to the Sight Conservation account, which will be used to assist persons with vision problems.

Thanks to the many proprietors/managers of businesses who allowed their premises to be available to our taggers. May you all continue to be blessed during the ensuing year.

FAITH GILKES AND BETTY HOWES

White Cane Tag Day

Co-chairpersons

Tell the truth, Mundy

April 16, 2004

Dear Sir,

I cannot take Kirk Mundy's comments in the April 15th edition of The Royal Gazette seriously. As far as I am concerned, if Mundy felt any kind of true remorse over the part he played in her death then he would tell the full truth and give Rebecca's parents some closure. They still don't have the full facts of what happened that night. All they know is that their daughter is dead - that reality cannot be disputed! But by who and why - that much has never been made clear.

Kirk Mundy was there that night - he has all the answers. Why doesn't he just tell the truth? If it was playing on his conscience that much, he would. He has the nerve to talk about his plans for the future - what about Rebecca's future, a future she will never see?

What I would really like to know is where he will be when he is released from prison? Surely he will not be allowed to walk the streets of Bermuda? Upon his release, the authorities need to escort him straight from prison, onto a plane and back to Jamaica - and never allow him to return to Bermuda again. Also, for the record, in case anyone tries to turn this into a race thing - I am a black female.

DEPORT HIM

Hamilton Parish

No to new hospital...

April 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

We do not need a new hospital, the old building and present are solid buildings and can be redone one floor at a time.

If we have a new hospital I can assure you it will be an old hospital in five years because it will get the same old maintenance the old hospital gets now. I have seen what's broken etc. and it's still the same the next week, the next month. No wonder the hospital is in the state it's in now.

From the beginning it should have someone in charge to give out strict supervision on its work to be ‘done' in each department if it's ‘broke' ‘fix it'right away before its a big problem.

Most important we cannot afford a new hospital. We already pay to much for the one.'

VOLUNTEER

Devonshire

...and no to Independence

April 15, 2004

Dear Sir,

Calvin Smith accuses me of indicating that he supports Independence because it will lead to ‘conflict between racial, ethnic, or religious minorities'. This strikes me as an accusation of guilt.

What I did say was that Calvin Smith indicates that Independence will not bring harmony between the races. In fact he says, ‘Clearly, if harmonious relationship do not exist between antagonistic groups before Independence, evidence abounds that it is very difficult to secure such harmony after Independence'. I quoted this in my original letter.

Since coming to power the PLP has shown a significant reticence about creating racial harmony in Bermuda, both subtly and not so subtly. Some of the utterances of PLP MPs and supporters has been downright inflammatory, and some of the actions of PLP MPs has in fact raised grave suspicion as to their motives. Calvin Smith himself in prior correspondence to your newspaper advocated that the PLP had ‘supreme power' over decision making in Bermuda. And yet, the PLP has never held more than 52 percent of the popular vote.

Therefore, using Calvin Smith's analysis, I emphatically say ‘No' to Independence. What is more I want the chance to vote on this subject without having to wash the mud off the question before I answer it.

PHIL CRACKNELL

City of Hamilton