Why just gays?

Dear Sir,

So United By Faith have not only managed to thwart Rosie O’Donnell’s cruise ship to Bermuda, they proclaimed it was “victory for God”. I can only assume that this entails good prevailing over evil? And that God granted their desires — “without any consultation with us” (if that isn’t the most arrogant statement uttered I don’t know what is) — before they even formalised their bigotry into a statement. And did that spokesperson actually say UBF doesn’t discriminate?

He clearly needs to consult a dictionary. Nevertheless I’m sure that with all the strife occurring here in Bermuda and in the world, preventing a gay cruise from visiting for four or so days ranks high on his/her to do list. Why just looking a today’s paper this tremendous “victory for God” has apparently trumped justice for the Middleton family, the protection of individuals from rampant physical abuse and the prevention of a massacre in Virginia. Congrats, you guys must have prayed super duper hard. This proves that God truly works in mysterious ways.

I for one am glad they aren’t visiting the island mainly because I know I wouldn’t want to be confronted with such blatant ignorance, intolerance and self righteousness on my vacation either. Gathering them up in vans to take them to church? Ugh, you people really make my Afro hurt. What makes you so sure these folks aren’t already a part of loving, accepting church congregations in their own communities? What makes you think they are even Christian and abide by your doctrines and beliefs? Muslims and Jewish people don’t abide by many of your beliefs: they don’t follow what is truest to a Christian’s heart — accepting Jesus as the son of God; but you wouldn’t think of protesting around mosques/synagogues or deny them the right to an island vacation.

So why this specific group of people? You act as if, somehow, even acknowledging gay people will destroy this society’s fabric and that sexually charged gay pride parades will be an eventually. Well I’ve never been to a gay pride parade, but I have been to Carnival in Trinidad; it’s raunchier that you can imagine, yet the Trinidadians who live here and the Bermudians who’ve experienced it haven’t tried to recreate our parade in that image because we know how conservative the island is.

What you (seemingly) fail to take into account is that the people who would have been on this cruise have more in common with you than you may care to admit. They already exist as sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, uncles and aunts, mothers and fathers, friends and co-workers; they love and are loved. Equally so they also face trials and tribulations not associated with their sexuality: making rent/mortgages, loss of loved ones, etc. They are humans too, for crying out loud and I just do not understand your lack of empathy and no quote from any holy doctrine is justification either.

But I know I’m not going to change your mind and I’m not trying to. The UBF has successfully stopped a cruise, revel in your victory (I’m sure when you meet your maker and are asked how you helped your fellow man, this single act of divinity will have you sharing a bunk with the likes of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and others such servants of truth and justice). I’m writing this because, as you clearly have God on speed dial, maybe you can use this powerful organisation to help our beautiful island in ways that ACTUALLY affect us daily rather than a one week a year occurrence.

Bermudian students are failing dramatically in public high schools; maybe this organisation can come together and offer tutoring services. Child abuse is on the rise as is poverty for single mothers; maybe your members can offer emotional and monetary support and/or vocalise your opinion as vehemently as you do regarding homosexuality. The squatters at the old Club Med desperately need places to stay; the islands overabundance of huge churches seems an excellent start — they do sit empty for the vast majority of the week anyway. And as Bermuda is generally sunny you can hold services in a park during the interim. Oh and please stop by my neighbourhood around Ord Road this Sunday (or any day really) and offer to take those menacing drug dealers for a quick service (or at least protest against them where the conduct their ‘business’)—thanks in advance.

I write this because I only see your organisation mentioned in regards to the issue of sexuality. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t be broaching this issue; but rather give other, more pressing, issues equal attention. You represent 80 percent of Bermudian churches? That’s a mighty fine body of individuals and releasing statements doesn’t begin to tap into your vast resources. You don’t have to “anticipate greater blessings upon Bermuda” you can make them happen and the rest of the island is waiting to see what United By Faith is really all about. I however am not holding my breath.

A BERMUDIAN DOING ACTUAL GOOD DEEDS

The Union disrespects

Dear Sir,

Union reps looking for respect? This coming from individuals showing a complete lack of the same, by going on illegal, flash strikes, leaving the public, tourists, and fellow workers, stranded. One has to ask, whether these individuals will get paid for this time out, maybe Labour and Home Affairs could clear this point. While I am on a rant, why are people complaining about getting tickets for illegal parking on residential neighborhoods? My understanding is, if you have an assessment number/vehicle, you must have somewhere to park it, off the road. Not having this creates a hazard, take Sousa Estate for example, an obstacle course.

NIMBY

We can’t legislate prejudices

April 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Now that Rosie O’Donnell has decided to eliminate Bermuda from her itinerary, we can get on with our lives. That is, until the next time. On the whole, I think we did rather well; the threat on negative publicity notwithstanding. As a matter of fact, the resulting media fall-out is a good thing. Now all potential visitors know what we stand for and how we do things, and decide if they like what we do or not.

The likelihood of there being that many potential visitors, who view us negatively, to the point where they could damage our tourism product, is remote. Rather, we can now (without lifting a finger) ‘market’ Bermuda to the vast majority of people in this world who look negatively upon the gay lifestyle.

The local churches could not be seen to do no less than they did; and that was good. Ms Webb did her thing and Dr. Brown pulled the fat out of the fire in (his typically) fine style. We do not discriminate! That is the message, but there are citizens who oppose any potential threat to the moral fabric of Bermudian society. Rosie touted the Bahamian incident, where their attendant children were upset. Guess who’s going to be upset when, when these children grow up so emotionally maladjusted, the recent incident at Virginia Tech will look like a Sunday school picnic. Bermuda’s human rights law is the way it is for a reason! Whenever there is legislation protecting special interest groups, there’s trouble. Racism is alive and well despite it being illegal and homophobia is as well. But we cannot legislate people’s likes and dislikes. All human prejudices and phobias served us well thousands of years ago, but they still haunt modern society. They are not going to go away any time soon.

Civilised people operate within what ever is considered the norm for the times. Sexual norms are predicated on our method of procreation! Thankfully, that’s not likely to change either (the method that is). I’ve previously stated in this medium, that ‘we are born what we are’. Our neurological ‘wiring’ is as varied as the number of stars in the sky but that does not give any of us the right to practice any particular behaviour pattern in the presence of those who dislike it. We are prone to associate with others of like mind etc. and that includes sexual preferences. But if we’re so gung-ho about democracy, and the majority rules, and the majority of us are heterosexual, you do the math.

I could never understand why a gay person would want to reveal (to all of us) that fact. They all instinctively (seem to) know who they are and they have the right to do what they do. It’s analogous to a cat burglar identifying himself at the policeman’s ball. Not very smart in my book.

Maybe all this is part of the human evolutionary process. I recall the totally ‘off the wall’ antics and speech of the Beatniks and Hippies back in da’ day. Some of the forms of that speech are included in the lexicon of modern conversations. That too I think was part of our evolution. Society needed to be (no disrespect intended) a little less stuffy. Cool man!

Hopefully a socially acceptable truce between gay and straight will be in place by the middle of this century. Lets hope sooner than later. Physical evolution is inherently a slow process. Anthropology proves that without a shadow of doubt. But in consideration of the rapid changes modern society has undergone in as little as fifty years, it appears that our brains evolve at a far more rapid rate.

The Golden Rule is as applicable today as it ever was. Whichever side of the fence one might happen to be on, acceptance of all God’s children is a must. Also, any kind of behaviour disturbing to others is unacceptable. It’s a tall order, and I know greed and selfishness will prevent some of us from reaching that lofty goal. As for myself, I’ll keep my conscience clear (best I can) by obeying the Rule.

C.K. SIMONS

Sandys