Are gays in Bermuda really accepted as much as they are abroad?

Homosexuality and homophobia has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. Very famous historical figures such as Julius Caesar, the great Roman conqueror, and renaissance figures like Leonardo DaVinci were thought to have relationships with people of the same sex.

While strong, widespread hatred towards gays and lesbians seems to have greatly diminished elsewhere in the Western world over the past 30 years, it seems that many people in Bermuda are still struggling to accept homosexuals.

Many people that I have asked can't even supply a legitimate reason for hating gays.

When asked, many of my friends simply responded: "I don't want a random man to start trying to have sex with me."

Parents have even stated that they don't want their children taught by a gay teacher. These people are missing the point completely. Gay men and teachers do not prey on children. In fact, in most child molestation cases the offenders are heterosexual.

Like many minority groups, homosexuals are not only subject to discrimination but also stereotypes. People think that all gay men are effeminate and fashionable and have a female-like tone of voice. Lesbians are thought to be man-haters and militant feminists. While these stereotypes may seem true in some scenarios, they are gross generalisations based upon supposition and prejudice.

I believe that it is morally wrong to deny humans their rights based upon their sexual orientation.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."

It would seem that in a place such as Bermuda — that had an active slave trade over 150 years, where blacks have been marginalised by many whites and specifically discriminated against (and still are, according to some) — people would be more understanding and accepting of gay people.

Discrimination against gays is illegal in many developed nations, with many countries permitting same-sex civil unions. I would hope that people would not wish to be known as living in a homophobic country, such as many in the Middle East, parts of Africa and Asia, where homosexuality is illegal and even punishable by death.

In May 2006, backbench Progressive Labour Party MP Renee Webb tried to pilot an amendment to the 1981 Human Rights Act to specifically prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill was overwhelmingly defeated without even a debate in Parliament.

Many politicians called the amendment unnecessary, including Dr. Ewart Brown, who said: "There is no evidence that this divisive amendment is necessary for Bermuda at this time."

He explained: "I firmly believe in the right of all individuals to be free from discrimination in any form. However, I would not support the proposed Human Rights Amendment."

The Human Rights Commission, in contrast, confirmed that sexual orientation is not covered by the Act. Moreover, Ms Webb said nobody who had reached the pinnacles of Bermudian society had openly stated that their sexual preference was towards those of the same sex.

I would like to know how there can be political leaders and other Government officials, who are purportedly homosexual, that do not support gay rights in Bermuda. In 2007, Bermuda made international headlines because a cruise for gay families (the so-called Rosie O'Donnell cruise) was cancelled after Bermudian church groups threatened to picket the passengers and even pick them up to take them to church and pray for them.

A statement by a group of 80 Island churches called the decision to cancel the trip a "victory for God".

Afraid of the negative impact on Bermuda's image, the Premier and Minister of Tourism, Ewart Brown, released a statement that "Bermuda is a democracy that welcomes all people of all races, colours, creeds and sexual orientation."

If that is indeed true, then why would the Government and Parliament not support the change in the Human Rights Act?

I think that to improve attitudes towards homosexuals we must first implement laws that ensure that gays are given the same (equal) opportunities as heterosexuals.

An editorial in The Royal Gazette in 2006, which supported the change in the Human Rights Act, stated: "Either we are all equal before the law or the law can be manipulated to deem that certain groups are¿ not worthy of the rights the rest of us enjoy."

I am not at all suggesting that people should think like me or agree with homosexuality per se. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But when that opinion affects the lives of others and their basic human rights (the notion that we are all born free and equal), it is wrong.