Dear Sir,

As a Bermudian living abroad in London, it was with horror, disgust and devastation that I saw my homeland trending on Twitter yesterday for all the wrong reasons.

The irony that the “Progressive” Labour Party is responsible for reversing same-sex marriage in Bermuda surely cannot be lost on them. How progressive is reversing progress?

Bermuda has now become a byword for intolerance and prejudice. Those that claim human rights on the grounds of race and not sexual orientation are total hypocrites.

Bermuda will suffer financially for this foolish act, as it is moving against the grain of history. It is now, rightly, being viewed as backward, draconian and cruel by those with many options for where they take their holidays and business.

I am deeply saddened by this, but I am mostly enraged on behalf of the queer population of the world who remain an example for heterosexuals when it comes to love, acceptance and compassion. No amount of spin will save the PLP or the island from the reckoning to come.

How laughable it is for anyone to believe that Bermuda remains “welcoming,” “friendly” and “hospitable”, as if saying these rehearsed sentiments will make them so.

People the world over see Bermuda through the prism of this hateful legislation now. There is so much to recommend Bermuda, as I know, but this grievous error will cast a shadow over the island’s beauty for years to come.

I look forward to the day when Bermuda joins enlightened, civilised countries in recognising that everyone has a right to celebrate commitment and love in public ritual.

As for those that claim religious right for this reprehensible wrong, familiarise yourself better with the tenets of your faith: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you: do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

TIMOTHY LEE

London, England