Ms Webb’s follyMay 31, 2006Dear Sir,Being a journalist, I can understand Meredith Ebbin’s desire for a sensationalised front page story in the Bermuda Sun on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. However, I do not appreciate Ms Ebbin misrepresenting the facts as they were given to her by me with regards to the discussion of the “gay law” and the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party. Rather than go into what happened behind the closed doors of the PLP Central Committee meeting, I will state that at no time did MP Renee Webb ask for a discussion of her private member’s bill at the Central Committee level which she had every opportunity to do. I would suggest that Ms Webb ask for a copy of the minutes of the Central Committee so that she can know who moved the motion that the matter not be discussed at that meeting.

I have read the Editorial in The Royal Gazette, Stuart Hayward’s and Larry Burchall’s opinion column in the Bermuda Sun, hundreds of blogs on A Limey In Bermuda, heard many voices on talk radio and after all of that, this country must agree that it was folly of Ms Webb to expect that her private member’s bill would be agreed to by a majority of Members of Parliament on Friday, May 26, 2006. However, I do believe that if Ms Webb had used a different approach to the matter, there may have been discussion on her amendment. I contend that Ms Webb must hold herself responsible for what happened in Parliament with regards to the debate, or in this instance non-debate.

Several months ago, The Limey In Bermuda questioned Premier Alex Scott about the amendment to the Human Rights Act which, as some say, would protect homosexuals from being discriminated against in Bermuda. I agree with the Premier’s response at that time which was “I don’t see any immediate demand for attention to the subject.” Other than the bloggers on A Limey In Bermuda, who by the way are in the main non-Bermudians, there really was no sustained interest in the community about amending the Human Rights Act to prevent discrimination of homosexuals. There were no letters to the editors of any newspapers, no callers to the talks shows were discussing the matter and to my knowledge few, if any supporters of the amendment, contacted their Members of Parliament asking for the matter to be discussed.

In my lifetime there have only been two people who have admitted to me that they were homosexual, one female and one male and both are now deceased having succumbed to the AIDS virus. Incidentally, both were addicted to heroin. I can state here that I was more concerned about their heroin addiction than their sexual orientation. I can also state that I saw no evidence of either one of these people being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. In assisting them with obtaining employment and/or housing I never heard anyone voice concern about their sexual orientation; however people were concerned about their drug addiction. Both appeared in court in front of various magistrates for various misdemeanours. However their sentences were never contingent upon their sexual orientation; instead, the magistrates were only concerned about their drug use. Just last week, Mark Anderson admitted to the Bermuda public that he is homosexual. I know Mark personally and he will tell you that I treat him no differently from how I treat his siblings and other relatives. I also know that Mark is gainfully employed.

I have worked in several places in Bermuda, including large institutions such as the Bank of Bermuda, Bermuda College, and I am presently employed by the Bermuda Industrial Union. At none of these organisations have I heard of persons being refused employment because of their sexual orientation.

In fact, I have asked on numerous occasions how is a person to know whether another person is homosexual, bi-sexual or heterosexual unless that other person tells you him/herself. Do those who believe that Ms Webb’s amendment should be included in the Human Rights Act, also believe that a category should now be included on all forms, Government and others, that includes “sexual orientation”?

I will admit that I know some people, both male and female, who others say are “gay”. They’re black, white and other. These people come from all walks of life — some are rich and others are not so rich.

They’re doctors, lawyers, teachers, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. Some are tinkers, and others are tailors. Some work for large law firms and others are self-employed. However, none are unemployed. Some own their own homes and others rent.

But I personally know none who are homeless.

I do believe that since Ms Webb’s private member’s bill was put on the agenda at the House of Parliament, there has been much debate on the issue. However, I also believe that we all have a right to our opinion and each person’s opinion should be respected.

I should not be considered, or called a bigot because I do not think it is necessary at this time to amend the Human Rights Legislation.

I also believe that I should not consider Ms Webb, or others, who think the amendment is necessary wrong for thinking the way that they do. They are just as entitled to an opinion as I am. However, when Ms Webb and others condemn the “Church” for their stance on this issue, I believe that is wrong. I know of no religion either Muslim, Bahai, Judaism, Hindu, etc. etc. that agrees with homosexuality so I do not understand why Ms Webb and others would condemn the Christian Church for its stance.

Just because Ms Webb felt that it was important to debate the matter, this was no reason for all other Members of Parliament and others in the community to feel the same urgency that she did.

I must remind those who think that the matter should have been debated last Friday, that slavery was abolished in Bermuda in 1834, however it took over 100 years of debate, public demonstrations, and other forms of protest before blacks were legally considered equal to whites.

And according to Ms Webb, many of us are still fighting to end discrimination based on race in Bermuda.

One other important thing that I believe needs to be noted. Ms Webb was elected to Parliament as a representative of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party for Constituency 4.

It is my opinion that she showed no regard for those members of her constituency who are Christians, which I believe make up a large portion of PLP supporters and members in Constituency 4.

In fact, St. John’s AME Church has been used on several occasions, either as a constituency headquarters or for constituency meetings by the PLP in Hamilton Parish.

LAVERNE FURBERT

Hamilton Parish

A tangled Webb she weaves