Gays need protection

Dear Sir,

The time of year has come again where another long list of Bermuda?s young men are conscripted to join the mandatory regiment service; a commitment that some may look as noble civil service, while others see it as a prison sentence. As I think about the day my name was called, I recall the overwhelming emotions of fear and anxiety that overflowed my mind.

It was not a fear of serving my country or enduring intensive training. It was a fear of how I would be treated as a young gay man. Would I get teased, ostracised and chastised as if I were back in high school? Should I hide who I am to avoid such possible abuse?

Will the Regiment support me if I feel that I am being discriminated against? All these questions overflow the minds of every young gay man who is faced with serving the regiment, an organisation where homophobia breeds like wild fire.

When I think back to recruit camp and the amount of times I was called the ?F? word it really amazes me that I was able to withstand it: especially as a young adult who left such abuse in the dark memories of adolescence.

The memories now make me cringe, especially considering that this year many more young men will have to go through the same tortuous experience. I understand that the military is about challenging one?s limits, but where do you draw the line?

At what point does character building become character defamation? These questions have left me asking even more questions. Especially concerning how the regiment deals with these very potent, relevant and important issues of our time.

Why are gay men forced to serve their country when there is nothing built into the infrastructure to support or protect them from discrimination and harassment? Despite decriminalisation in the early 1990?s through an amendment of the Criminal Code, our government has not institutionalised anything solid to protect the human rights of gay citizens.

To this day, homosexuality is not specifically stated in the Human Rights Act, and therefore provides no legal protection from discrimination under this basis. Every other civilised country deals with these issues openly (admittedly not without challenges) yet the current attitude of our government (and the regiment) appears to be the ?don?t ask, don?t tell? approach.

This mentality only perpetuates the repression of law abiding, socially contributing gay Bermudians while simultaneously encouraging the type of dishonesty and deception that gays have historically been forced to practise in order to protect themselves, both socially and institutionally. This ongoing game of secrecy only hinders the development of any civilised organisation or society.

Men who are conscripted to serve their country in the regiment should not have to hide their identities and tuck their sexual orientation under the carpet to spare abuse; and that is exactly what many men currently do because there is no known support for them.

When will young gay men feel comfortable addressing these issues openly, and honestly, like responsible adults? If the government intends to continue mandatory conscription (an outdated practice that is unlawful in most European countries) then there should be something built into the infrastructure to support those individuals who face the type of discrimination and harassment that many young gay Bermudians are exposed to.

However, in the meantime, if there is something that new recruits can do in order to address these concerns and issues, where can they go, what can they do and who can they talk to? What support exists out there, if any?

Setting the record straight

September 20, 2004

Dear Sir,

As busy as I am these days I had to take time out to respond to ?A Union Colleague? and those others, even as far away as Canada, who have written in support of Sean O?Connell and his union activities and in doing have criticised me.

If time permitted, I would find my original statement that I wrote regarding Dr. O?Connell and his involvement in the BPSU, however unlike Dr. O?Connell, I have to work for a living. ?A Union Colleague? ?set the record straight? by stating that Dr. O?Connell was a very active member of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU).

The operative word in that statement is ?was?. While Dr. O?Connell may have been an active member of the BPSU at one time, during my association with the College, he was not an active member and was rarely seen at Union meetings, if ever.

Why Dr. O?Connell chose to disassociate himself with the BPSU during the time I was employed at Bermuda College is anyone?s guess. He may be willing to make a public statement, but I really don?t think anyone cares.

I have never made reference to Dr. O?Connell?s character as I knew nothing of his character. I don?t recall ever having a conversation with Dr. O?Connell, although I was a student in his maths class at one time, and by the way, I like many of other students failed that class.

However, I do not attribute my failure to his teaching methods, his character or his personality, I am ?maths- challenged?. I am happy to say, that after several attempts, I eventually passed the maths requirement and I am now a proud graduate of Bermuda College.

I have stated publicly and I will state it once again for the benefit of ?A Union Colleague? that I believe that Dr. O?Connell should have been granted the right to appeal as outlined in the BPSU Agreement. But, as I see it, the Bermuda College administrators and Board of Governors have no respect for that agreement.

If they had, I too would have the right of appeal when I was unfairly dismissed from Bermuda College. I would advise Dr. O?Connell to move on as I have done in spite of his unfair treatment at the hands of an administration that does little in the interest of good industrial relations.

I must inform ?A Union Colleague? that at one time the Anglican Church was filled with people that look like Dr. Sean O?Connell. Not only did the flock look like Dr. O?Connell, the shepherds also looked like him. However, I hear via the Bermuda grapevine, that neither the flock nor the shepherds of the Anglican Church look like Dr. O?Connell, instead they all look like me.

Maybe there?s a correlation here. By the way, some of my best friends look like Dr. O?Connell.

It?s time to expose them

September 20, 2004

Dear Sir,

Regarding the permit freeze on construction, how about getting the same rule applied to all of the companies who have been delinquent paying their taxes, pensions, etc. and stopping them from applying for Government and private contracts?

I am sure they would pay up, and do the right thing then. Name and shame, I say, they are after all stealing from employees, and the public.

DAWN BROWN

City of Hamilton

Agape House praises youths

September 21, 2004

Dear Sir,

On behalf of Friends of Hospice and Agape House, I would like to extend appreciation to the many young students who volunteered their time and services working in the hospital over the summer months.

Your readers often hear about young people on our island who cause trouble. I would like them to know about the many teenagers in Bermuda who choose to spend their vacation break working on behalf of others at Agape House.

Throughout June, July and August, we had student volunteers helping us with meal service for patients, arranging lovely flower displays for our public rooms, as well as for our residents, folding and putting away laundry, answering the phones and assisting with office tasks.

These young people were here, on time in the morning, dressed and ready to go with a smile on their face and kindness in their hearts. At a time when we hear so much about what is wrong with our youth, it is vital to remember how many adolescents make an effort to help others.

The support and assistance of student volunteers at Agape House makes a big difference to our staff, and especially to our patients. We are grateful to each and every young person who makes a choice to give of their time and energy to bring a bit of cheer to others. These are our future leaders and we are both proud and grateful for their contribution.