Dear Sir,

I am embarrassed to be Bermudian. How could Cabinet make such a terrible decision to go to the Privy Council and fight a losing battle against gay marriage?

Bermuda has no money and there are far more just causes and other concerns that could use these resources.

This action by the Government is completely and fiscally irresponsible.

At the same time, the Government is trying to attract technology and fintech companies, whose staff tend to be more liberal and don’t take kindly to a regressive environment.

This is the same for tourism. Gay tourists are a large market. Was this considered when making the above decision?

I am gay, and this issue affects me personally in that it continues to make me feel unaccepted and less than valued as a citizen in my country.

Bermuda is full of bigots hiding behind the cloak of religion.

What I want to ask these people is: “How does my relationship impact you? Why deny me happiness?

“Homosexuality is not going to go away, and you can’t ‘cure’ gay people, if you even think that is a possibility. That has already been tried with no success.”

As Christians, I would have thought it better to demonstrate love and compassion towards your fellow man, and follow the Pope’s suggestion to be more accepting of gays and lesbians.

Why don’t they — and the Government, for that matter — spend more energy trying to confront more important issues in our society such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse, single-parent families and drug abuse, all issues that have far more dire affects on families, and our society, than gay marriage.

Furthermore, I worry about younger gays in our society, who continually get these negative messages and who are already struggling with their own issues. We need inclusion, not division.

It’s time to take the high road, and lead us forward, with love, embracing our differences rather than letting us be further divided.

CLAIRE A. SMITH

Warwick