Videos: Rally Against Discrimination
[Updated] Over 100 people today [May 25] attended a rally at City Hall aimed at encouraging officials to extend legal safeguards found in Bermuda’s Human Rights Act to gays and lesbians.
The event was launched as a Facebook event “Home is Where the Hatred Is”‘ by Krystl Assan [pictured] who says she encountered discrimination at a local guest house. The guest house owner has denied discriminating against Ms Assan.
She stressed the rally was not centred around that incident but rather was intended to highlight the broader issues involved.
“My hopes for the rally are simple: to encourage widespread acknowledgement of homophobia as a relevant social concern, and to encourage officials to implement legal protection from discrimination,” she said.
“With sexual orientation in the Human Rights Act, all individuals involved in a human rights dispute would have have the opportunity to discuss their grievances in the context of a formal process mediated by experienced, objective parties,” she noted.
“Only with this process in place can all parties experience justice and resolution.”
Ms Assan was one of three speakers at the event. Selina Bean and Pastor Sylvia Hayward-Harris also addressed the enthusiastic crowd — some waving placards demanding the extension of full Human Rights protections to gays and lesbians. A video of Ms Bean’s speech is below:
Self styled anti-gay campaigner Dennis Bean distributed leaflets critical of homsexuality during Ms Assan’s presentation.
The issue of sexual orientation not being included in the Human Rights Act has been addressed before. On May 26, 2006, then-MP Renee Webb brought before the House of Assembly a Private Members Bill to add sexual orientation as a protected grounds of discrimination under the Human Rights Act. The bill did not pass.
Update: Organizer Krystl Assan speaks briefly after the rally:
Update: Mark Anderson speaks with us after the rally:
Mark Anderson, well spoken! I am straight, but I admire your strength!!
The proposed change in legislation is such a small thing that is being asked. To be forced not to discriminate is far from being forced to approve of the behaviour. It is an international embarrassment that the law hasn’t been changed yet.
Brother Butterfield:
Those who are afraid of the proposed change relate it to the “beginning” of the open door to full gay rights which will include gay marriage, etc. This is how people in our community perceive this “small thing” as you put it.
I do not see it as an international embarrassment as there are hundreds of other countries and nations who have not changed legislation to suit this group of individuals.
I honestly feel that everyone has the right to live the way they choose – - but to legislate it will not change the minds and the hearts of individuals. The right wing will always exist, as well as the left wing.
It is what it is.
Home is where the hatred is…
Open Minded to an extent,
Let me address a couple of your points:
“”"I do not see it as an international embarrassment as there are hundreds of other countries and nations who have not changed legislation to suit this group of individuals.”"”
You are correct; many other countries fail to protect their people against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Gay sex between consenting adults is still illegal in approximately eighty countries, including:
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia…
Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, India, Iran (death penalty), Kuwait, Lebanon…
Europe: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (internationally unrecognised)
North America: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Oceania: Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands…
South America: Guyana
We generally don’t regard these countries as our peer group. We Bermudians tend to think of the island as being sophisticated legally and financially. At Berkeley, we were taught about our high GDP per capita and the early establishment of parliamentary democracy. After trumpeting our modernity, it makes no sense to then highlight our similarities with to Uganda, Vietnam and Bolivia. In various domains (e.g. divorce law, criminal procedures, anti-money laundering) our legislation draws on work done in other countries. The courts in Bermuda don’t have time to rehash legal questions that have been settled in jurisdictions we respect. Those jurisdictions that we emulate have already answered the basic question: “May I fire my employee _because she is a lesbian_, or _because I think he’s gay_?”.
Note that human rights legislation isn’t written to “”"suit this group of individuals”"”. It’s written to codify basic assumptions about human rights; whether humans (gays included) should be legally protected against discrimination is a solved legal question.
Roughly forty-eight countries prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation, including:
Africa: Mauritius (2008), Mozambique (2007), South Africa (1996)
Asia: Israel (1992), Taiwan (2007), as well as a few cities in Japan.
Europe: Andorra (2005), Austria (2004), Belgium (2003), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2003), Bulgaria (2004), Croatia (2003), Cyprus (2004), Czech Republic (1999), Denmark (1996), Estonia (2004), Finland (1995), France (2001), Georgia (2006), Germany (2006), Greece (2005), Hungary (2004), Ireland (1999), Italy (2003), Kosovo (2004), Latvia (2006), Lithuania (2003), Luxembourg (1997), Malta (2004), Netherlands (1992), Norway (1998), Poland (2004), Portugal (2003), Romania (2000), Serbia (2005), Slovakia (2004), Slovenia (1998), Spain (1996), Sweden (1999), United Kingdom (2003)
North America: Canada (1996), Costa Rica (1998), Mexico (2003), Nicaragua (2008), as well as some parts of the United States
Oceania: Australia, Fiji (2007), New Zealand (1994)
South America: Colombia (2007), Venezuela (1999), as well as Rosario (1996) in Argentina, and some parts of Brazil
“”"I honestly feel that everyone has the right to live the way they choose – – but to legislate it will not change the minds and the hearts of individuals. The right wing will always exist, as well as the left wing.
It is what it is.”"”
Human rights legislation isn’t written to persuade, it’s written to protect. The law doesn’t force you to pick a political party or religion. It also doesn’t have a view on whether women make good bus drivers or accountants. As I’ve said elsewhere, no one is stopping you from being a bigot deep in your heart, but when you act out that bigotry, act out that hate, you infringe on someone else’s rights.
I have no doubt that eventually the laws in Bermuda will catch up with international norms; there is just no need to drag our feet. In these issues, beware of tarrying on the wrong side of history for too long.
All the countries you listed as being in North America, aren’t in North America Lol.
Think region, not specific countries lol!
It’s also not legal in China either just saying you should add that to your list. From what I can tell you went for the countries you felt were beneath “our” standard. That is most telling (please note I’m not for or against the life style I admit I do not want it taught to my kids as I don’t believe it is right but that’s my personal opinion) I think most people have a problem with the act of homo sex and possibility of gay couples raising adopted kids that might turn out to be guy due to up bringing after all children are a blank slate or trying to instill apathy of gay couples.
LOL
While many may ‘feel’ that every person in this country has the ‘right’ to live his/her life the way they choose, having those rights protected is another issue. I personally find the lifestyle offensive to my own, but that would not stop me from supporting the amendment to the legislation. EVERYONE should have the protection afforded by the Human Rights Act.. even if it leads to gay marriage. I would rather support a community that fosters healthy family unity than one that is broken and dis-functional. If that means that I put the Human Right of others before my own personal preoccupations … then so be it.
http://www.philosophy-religion.org/handouts/homophobia.htm
Thank you TwoD. Human Rights SHOULD come before our personal preoccupations/prejudices.
@ LOL: Studies have found that children raised with two same-sex parents are no more likely to grow up to prefer the same sex than children raised with two opposite sex parents. Since I believe that one’s sexual orientation is set at birth, such studies don’t surprise me at all, although they might surprise one who thinks sexual orientation is a choice.
I think the Human Rights Act should be re-written entirely. It should say simply “All human beings have the right to pursue certain basic needs – food, shelter and employment – without being subject to discrimination.”
All those categories – black, white, physically challenged, religions, etc. are artificial divisions and leave significant sections of humanity without protection or legal redress.
You spoke well Krystal , but I’m afraid to tell you that your politicians ARE going to let you down .
The reason it’s taking so long to get those two words and a comma included in the HR act (and it goes back at least 25 years , trust me) is because the UBP falsely believed that one day they could woo the support of the black churches. On the other hand the PLP is incorrectly afraid that they could loose their support.
lol the cybill rights act
Where was The ONE BERMUDA ALLIANCE?
Or are they divided on the issue of Human Rights for Gays?
The OBA was the only party I saw there with any representation, thank you very much.
I saw members of the OBA there too.
Why were they muted?
They have already stated their support for the amendment
Was Senator LaVerne Furbert there, both as a representative of the Government and as a member of the Human Rights Commission?
That rich LMAO
LOL
I don’t believe she is a member of the Human Rights Commission any more.
I wish I was off to support…you all spoke well.
Shall every one be able to do as they please? There is No Hatred or Phobia. These people choose to live this life style. Whether you are religious or not this is Just Not Right, Period. No one should be harmed, so why special laws need to be put in place. Now we are playing the sexual orientation card now “It’s ’cause I’m gay init?”. Stop with BS and say what you really want, Same Sex Marriages. An utter mockery of the union of a Man and a Woman. You will answer for your actions Bermuda…..let’s legislate Ganja, Guns & Gambling too.
So you think people ‘choose’ this lifestyle eh ?
Answer this then … Assuming that you’re ‘straight’ , exactly how old were you when you chose to be straight ?
They do. Tell me they are born this way, LIES. It is chosen and it is a mockery of the creator. I am a creation of the creator and Man and Woman are meant to be. You can have relations with an animal, but does it make it right. They choose not to engage in those activities, thus engaging in an “alternative” lifestyle. Ask them their history.
People cant choose their sexual orientation any more than a person can choose the color of their skin, FACT.
Even some animals have homosexual tendancies, FACT. Do you think they conciously chose this?
FACT other animals eat their young. So you have canibal tendacies now?
FACT you know it’s wrong, thus the need for special laws. We know this is the start for Gay and Lesbian Marriages. We the people of Bermuda are not Dumb.
FACT if a female is a homosexual and uses toys with the design of male’s member, she is choosing to be with another woman but has the desires of hetrosexual.
Wooooow
@ Jus’ Askin’
I wish I had time to go off on you, but I would be here all day. You are so DUMB, it actually hurt my brain to read your nonsense. Lesbians use toy shaped like that simply because that is how thier female reproductive organs are developed. I’m sure if they had a choice they would use something that didn’t remind them of men.
FACT-You are dumb because homosexuality is NOT a choice. NO ONE wakes up one day and decides to be a homosexual. It is just who they are, and it is what they feel is right.
FACT-You are dumb for comparing homosexuality to beastiality.
FACT – Homosexuality can be a choice. There are plenty of people who were straight and have decided to go the other way cause they’re simply fed up with the opposite sex. not to say that you’re wrong but there are always two roads to a final destination.
No those people were always gay or bisexual.
They are Not. They are Damaged People that need Mental Help.
There are a lot of straight people that need mental help too, so I think to say gays are damaged is ridiculous. If that is the case can I ask you what seems to be an obvious question to me – what is it called when a man and a woman have anal sex, is that not “gay” too? I have had more straight men ask me for that as a woman and for threesomes as well. To say that people are damaged people that need mental help because they choose to love another (be it male or female) shows how damaged you are as a person. Love shows no boundaries, and if in this day and age a person can find true love with another (irregardless of their sex), then that to me is … a gift from GOD! I do not think GOD has made any mistakes, there are a reason gay people are gay, maybe God has not wanted to reveal why yet? Oh wait, maybe it is to teach us to be more tolerant and less hateful. To give us an avenue to accept and love everyone, like he did for all of us! We are all unique, this should not be an issue, human rights are for everyone…not a select few.
I’m Dumb, so de creator must be too. The female reproductive system is designed for a male, period. Why don’t they want to be reminded of men, they see men every day. Your point is so lost. If you are a lesbian ’cause you hate men, that is sad. Oh and beastiality is wrong in your eyes and Not the un-natural acts of homosexuals, interesting. They have chosen this. Whether through your own admission of not being reminded or they were interfered with. It is they hatred that they claim to want to dispell that they project.
If we’re straight by design and sex only serves the purpose of reproduction, then I would LOVE to hear you explain the purpose of the clitoris, the prostate, and their respective roles in their respective places.
I can’t imagine any woman would need an external stimulant, nor would any man need an internal one if what you say is true.
Perhaps we’re biologically bisexual? This ‘creator’ you speak of made it so – who would you be to argue?
Exactly. Or maybe their creator has a sick sense of humor?
My creator knew people will fall short and try to covince others, You are not going to Fool every one. You will pay for your actions!
The stimulation of a female is to increase the likely hood of reproduction. The mockery of the creator yet your urge to be in the ‘norm’ is funny. Delete Yourself you Flaw!
The amendment is not a “special” law. It is extending a basic Human Right, which should be the right of ALL human beings, to pursue basice necessities – food, shelter and employment – without fear of discrimination.
We’re still waiting for you to tell us when it was that you chose to be straight ………
And if you want to talk about ‘the creator’ , if as a true believer, you would know that God is perfect and makes no mistakes. Everything is according to HIS plan.
He made you , straight , and he made gays too … all for a reason in HIS perfect plan.
My Original Point was no one should be harmed. So why the need for special laws? If two gay guys beat up one “straight guy”, would that be considered a hate crime?
One gift given to us was the ability to choose. These people choose to do wrong, just like those who choose to steal, kill etc. The plan is perfect and those that choose to stay on the path, know better. People do wrong for so long, they start to think it is right, sad.
Jus’ Askin’,
You say,
“My Original Point was no one should be harmed. So why the need for special laws? ”
The laws that protect your choice of religion aren’t “special laws”. If two gay guys beat up one “straight guy”, and the straight guy’s sexual orientation was the reason for the fight, I’m sure a court would consider anti-discrimination laws on the books.
“These people choose to do wrong, just like those who choose to steal, kill etc.”
Those are strong words. I hope you don’t put being gay in the same category as stealing or killing.
I do not put it in the same category. It Is Worst. They choose to go against Nature. To look for salvation within ‘men’s law’ is sad. You are created with a certain blue print and you choose to go against your design, You are worst. This push is for the sole purpose of Same Sex Marriage. This makes a mockery of the Male and Female Union, and that is sad. Believer or Not it is un-natural and has the putrid scent of Evil.
You sound like a closet case. I see your feet, just kick open the door.
You are sad. Play your role, Log.
No you are sad. Stop repressing your sexuality and come on out there buddy! You’ll be much happier, your anger is clear to see
it’ll be okay.
Straight Man & Woman … doing ‘certain things’ … does this not go against nature too. See it’s not just the “gay” people doing it… closeted straights do it all the time! But I guess because it’s with a woman its not gay, it’s just kinky!
Get over your bad self, Marriage… unite two souls who are in love – a gift from God. Male and Female unions, insurance, health care, and everything else that goes with that marriage. These are equal rights for all. I am not in your bedroom, you are not in mine. Why should our lives be stopped by each other on an issue that should be mute. If it was so un-natural, why are all the straight people doing it too?
ARE YOU F*CKING SERIOUS?!
THEY DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE GAY! If they are gay, you expect them to just fight who they are and be miserable for the rest of their lives? The smartest thing you seem to have done in your life is not using your real name on this website.
Funny your real name is not used LOL. You can travel at 60 kph but guess what, you know better. They are mentally ill and weak individuals. They are abnormal and not natural, to engage in un-natural act. If they feel right in their acts, why special laws are needed? My name is Micheal Smith.
I have a question for you jus’ Askin For the babies that where born with both parts (male & Female) When the parents choose to sew one up or take one off is that their choice? Just putting that out there because I do believe SOME people are born that way. We are all girls inside the womb untill we start to grow.
Jus Askin is so ridiculously homophobic and those points have already been brought up to him but he can’t ever answer to them.
Nicole not a closet but I can not do as I please. I would Delete all Errors ie Homosexuals aka abnormal people.
Say wha ? God gave us free will to choose I agree its a choice I think I choose when ever I started being curious of the female body (just before puberty) before that I did not think about it. So are you saying gay people where born thinking about it?
I doubt it. Hence it was a choice one of many we all make.
LOL
You find humor in un-natural behaviour? They choose to do as they please, so every one should just do so. Go Gamble, Kill, Steal, Covet, commit Adultry etc etc. Let’s just break down all the fibers and it be a Free For All.
read what I wrote again.
LOL I sign my emails sorry it’s a habbit.
^Dumb! The same way you started having feelings for women they started having them for the same sex. Different ages for different people. NO ONE comes out the womb looking to have sex OR THINKING ABOUT IT gay or not. That has nothing to do with people saying you are born gay! You didn’t choose that’s just who you were naturally attracted to!
Hey Jus Askin, dont matter what you think, eventually people like you will die off and change will prevail…
FYI the death of people like me is the death of humans. If you are holding out for that, You are sad. Your are backing the wrong team. Reality is some people are born for fuel for the Hell Fire and You are a Log, sad.
Homo sex will have gays die off first unless they continue to try to convert those that are susceptible to them after all they can’t reproduce so I still fail to see the genetics in this.
LOL
It is not Genetics, and proves my point they are not born that way. Their corrupt DNA would stop with their relationship. Thus they are un-natural and abnormal, sad.
Jus Asking is obviously a closet case…
http://www.philosophy-religion.org/handouts/homophobia.htm
Away – Stay there. No Closets in My House. Find salvation Log!
I honestly didn’t think we had a problem with homosexuals in Bermuda. The only thing i’m confused about is…ok you’re ‘gay’ sooo why must you over exaggerate your sexuality in public. In addition to this – your attraction is men but most of them act feminine??
Why do they have to keep who they are private just because your uncomfortable?
Not all/most act feminine get it right before you say it
for real though what rights do u gay people want. for people to not have an opinion about gay people?? Not everybody wants to be gay like u lot. the opposite sex was put on earth for a reason ,i must admitt i be hearing these lost female lebians these days act too forward just comin up to girls sayin they wanna do this or that to them thats very inappropriate we dont need any more mess to contaminate out island , wat type of example or u setting for the youth
@Toppatings
Seriously?
One- You weren’t PUT on this earth, you evolved, get over it.
Two- What’s wrong in wanting heterosexuals to shut their mouths about gay people? If it’s not socially acceptable to walk around using the N word, than why is it acceptable to openly discriminate against homosexuals?
Three- Contaminate the island? Setting an example for the youth? Maybe we should wish for these kids to be gay. Last time I checked, there weren’t any homosexuals in the news for murdering, assualting, stealing, drug importation, etc. etc. Lol
Homosexuals want to be able to walk into a business, and not worry about being told “No, I’m not selling to you” simply because they are a known homosexual. Why should who they’re attracted to decide what they get? I don’t hear of anyone telling known child molestors they can’t by this house that is right next to a school.
And no, not everyone wants to be gay. Thank you for pointing out the obvious.
Also, do I get to complain about the males of all ages (10-85) who feel it appropriate to approach women and say, “Dang girl, you so fine! I’d bend you over and…”? I mean, they’re being just as forward as these so-called “lost lesbians” you’re speaking about and are a horrible example of how young men should speak to women, but I see no one complaining about them. That’s been “contaminating” the island just as long.
I’m not telling everyone to accept homosexuality as right. Everyone has their beliefs, religious or not, about life. All I am saying is that as a human being, everyone has the same basic rights to shelter, food, and water. They should not be denied any of that because of their sexual preference.
Ok I do not have issue with them having human rights. The only thing I do not think should be aloud is adoption. Everything else is fine. They should have some way to legally reproch a store for turning them away just of being gay but that would have to be proven and I’m sure that would be difficult to do.
LOL
Wow, you would rather see a child get abused and disregarded in a system that has no funding rather than in a loving home of two same sex partners. I wonder if children who have gone through that system, knowing that they could have had an alternative option and a Yale graduation and becoming a Dr. would have chosen that – oh btw from a same sex partnership! Just because two same sex people bring up children does not mean the child will be gay. ALL the gay people I know had straight parents! Also, ignorance is not bliss, why do you not educate yourself on this issue instead of putting comments like this online.
Very good post “lets think about this…”!
The only thing I can say from experience about the forward people in Bermuda is from straight men. It seems OK to grope a woman in public, whenever and where ever they please! I think there is a difference between respecting a person, be it male or female, and categorizing a whole society of people like that! Me, straight or gay, I do not find it acceptable to talk to anyone like that – it’s just plain rude! Don’t blame all the Lesbian’s or Gay’s for someone’s distasteful disrespectful comments. I don’t blame you for being straight and narrow minded, but as a Lesbian, I would really appreciate being able not to get fired from a job for being me. I would like my spouse to be able to get updated information on me at the hospital, the police to treat me with the same level or respect they do straight people and take my complaints just as serious. I would like to know I I was attacked – someone could get prosecuted. But most of all, really, I would like to live MY life just as free as you are! You have never been in my house, let alone my bedroom, who are you to say what rights do you gay people want! EQUAL RIGHTS!
Hmmmm. You bring up some good points. Let me go and think about them and I will get back to you
I have read the posts on this particular topic, and the one last week about the Facebook event “Home is where the hatred is” and those about a drag queen just being himself. I have resisted until this point to add my own two cents, and even now I wonder what the point is. There is only vitriol and hatred here. It makes me so sad (and embarrassed) to think that so many Bermudians are so closed-minded, so in denial, so paranoid by what they don’t understand or refuse to see or accept. You claim to be a first world, progressive country, but yet you still often think in archaic ways.
So let me ask you this: Have you ever felt, deep in your heart, that you have feelings that in some way contradict what is “right”? Have you ever fallen in love with your best friend’s wife, or your cousin, or your football teammate? Have you ever thought that dying your hair pink, or shaving your head, or putting on ladies panties, or WHATEVER is an expression of you would make you feel more complete? Have you ever wanted to rebel against societal norms, or question the status quo, or think that you are capable of something so much better, or more pure, than the rest of the world dictates?
If you say no, then I dare say, you have not questioned enough. And if you say yes, then WHO ARE YOU to judge those feelings/needs of others? Maybe you were not strong enough to overcome the norms, but you should not be against those who can.
At the end of the day, we are all just seeking love and approval and SUPPORT from those around us. I would like to believe that if there is a God, then he is loving and accepting of all of us.
For the religious fanatics, I point you to John 8:7, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. I would also point out that perhaps the worst perpetrators of “abominations” are priests themselves. Just ask a Catholic school boy from Boston, Newfoundland, or Ireland about that! It is the repression of our true selves that causes “abominations”, not the expression of something that is beautiful (love).
For the outright homophobes, being gay is not a choice, it is just who you are and it is almost always about who you love. You can’t choose this. Sure, there are gay people out there who are perverts and would love to molest your children (or maybe you), but there are also straight people who are thinking the same thing… So perversion does not reside in sexual preference. How dare you even think this.
If you can’t understand how someone could be gay, then try to understand just wanting to be accepted for who you are and try and empathize with the frustration and humiliation of being judged by incomplete understanding/information. Having the human rights act amended so that you are not discriminated upon based on something that is fundamental to your soul is not such a big ask.
p.s, there is no such thing as “open minded to an extent”. you either are open minded, or you aren’t.
@Huh?
Let me clarify a few things for you. If you read my comments on this thread, you would see that I never stated that the Act should not be changed or that this country should deny human rights to all its population – - -I SAID THAT CHANGING THE LEGISLATION WOULD NOT CHANGE THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF INDIVIDUALS.
That was my point – people are evil by nature and they can be conditioned to be. I believe that all people have the right to be happy and whatever makes them happy is reasonable.
Open Minded to an extent is an expression of the thought process of some Bermudians – - that was the purpose of the name for this thread. They are open minded to the possibility but they can only understand what they can perceive.
Don’t ever assume anything – as these are just words on a screen – we never truly know what anyone is thinking or has experienced. Am I gay? Am I bi-sexual? Have I ever experienced a same sex relationship? Am I straight? Am I a sexual deviant?
If tolerance is the purpose of your statement, where is it for those who may not understand your position? Hatred goes both ways – so be very careful.
Life is a beautiful thing – - people should be allowed to live it in the manner in which they choose – all people (gay or str8)
Think about it?
Easy, Tiger! I was not attacking anything you said… just pointing out (not at you) that there’s no such thing as open minded with “but’s” attached because I have seen so many comments like: “I have no problem with gays, but…[insert the problem they have with gays here].” My favourite is: “why do they have throw it in our faces”! Well, why should they have to hide who they are? Why should anyone have to hide who they are?? Why do people who are different from you bother you in the first place?
I don’t hate anyone. I think that everyone should be free to be themselves and express themselves as they choose, as long as they are not infringing on the rights of others. They similarly should not have their rights infringed upon (or taken away) by others who are different or disagree.
@Huh?
“I think that everyone should be free to be themselves and express themselves as they choose, as long as they are not infringing on the rights of others. They similarly should not have their rights infringed upon (or taken away) by others who are different or disagree.”
That’s the trick right there – how to give but not take away rights?
So according to your post above what difference is their between you and an animal which acts on impulses? Serious question, Humans have the knowledge of good and evil these social norms that you talk about are there for many reasons. In fact lets look at a few kill others is considered deviant (obviously), taking things that you know are not yours is generally considered wrong, falling in love with your best friends wife shows that you don’t have respect for your friend at the lest now if said friend dies and you yourself are not married I do not see the problem with it ( and no killing said friend for this falls under the reasons mentioned above that type of though comes from someone other than God). I just don’t see the logic in this. It like you mistake love for a friend (as a mental thing) as loving them in stead ( complete with the physical aspect which I just don’t get).
LOL
First, I have to applaud such well spoken words from the three gay & lesbians Bermudians in the video’s above.
Secondly, I think what compounds the problem of acceptance and someone mentioned it above is the equation of being a gay male and femininity.
Yes, there are a lot of young gay males in Bermuda who exuberate being feminine in public.
Unfortunately, this is what many Bermudians then deem as the end and all of being gay.
However, if we scratch the surface you will find that Bermuda is filled with gay people who live ordinary lives and appear no different from you and I. And yet we accept these unknown individuals for who they are. The only thing difference is who they love and what they do behind closed bedroom doors.
It’s time for Bermuda to do what’s right and amend the Human Rights Act!
Being more clear around what does and does not constitute discrimination around sexual orientation would be a good thing even for those who do not approve of homosexuality, because it will also protect them from the allegations of being ‘discriminatory’ if it’s actually only a matter of a difference of opinion.
All people are asking for is the right to not be discriminated against because of who they are. They are not asking for your approval of their lifestyle. Legislation is not about changing people’s morals/minds/hearts. It’s about creating a guideline by which society operates that benefits all if not most of the people living in that society. It’s about the right of a person to get the food and clothes they need, the jobs they’re qualified for, the shelter they deserve. Change the legislation so this can happen.
It’s so funny. People love to be against homosexuals, when in fact they are in the closet themselves, hiding behind their wives, husbands and children. Homophobes are GAY. There are more gay people in Bermuda than you think. They have to put on a face to try and prove to the world that they are straight, and most of the time no one is even looking at them, but they are so afraid of being found out, they lash out against gay people. I would bet anything that this Dennis Bean is queer. Look at Eddie Long, he spews so much hatred at his church, and even had a march against gay marriage, and now he is in court for sucking d*ck.
Read this and remember what it says the next time someone is going on and on about homosexuals:
http://www.philosophy-religion.org/handouts/homophobia.htm
August 1996 Press Release
WASHINGTON — Psychoanalytic theory holds that homophobia — the fear, anxiety, anger, discomfort and aversion that some ostensibly heterosexual people hold for gay individuals — is the result of repressed homosexual urges that the person is either unaware of or denies. A study appearing in the August 1996 issue of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA), provides new empirical evidence that is consistent with that theory.
Researchers at the University of Georgia conducted an experiment involving 35 homophobic men and 29 nonhomophobic men as measured by the Index of Homophobia scale. All the participants selected for the study described themselves as exclusively heterosexual both in terms of sexual arousal and experience.
Each participant was exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual and lesbian videotapes (but not necessarily in that order). Their degree of sexual arousal was measured by penile plethysmography, which precisely measures and records male tumescence.
Men in both groups were aroused by about the same degree by the video depicting heterosexual sexual behavior and by the video showing two women engaged in sexual behavior. The only significant difference in degree of arousal between the two groups occurred when they viewed the video depicting male homosexual sex: ‘The homophobic men showed a significant increase in penile circumference to the male homosexual video, but the control [nonhomophobic] men did not.’
Broken down further, the measurements showed that while 66% of the nonhomophobic group showed no significant tumescence while watching the male homosexual video, only 20% of the homophobic men showed little or no evidence of arousal. Similarly, while 24% of the nonhomophobic men showed definite tumescence while watching the homosexual video, 54% of the homophobic men did.
When asked to give their own subjective assessment of the degree to which they were aroused by watching each of the three videos, men in both groups gave answers that tracked fairly closely with the results of the objective physiological measurement, with one exception: the homophobic men significantly underestimated their degree of arousal by the male homosexual video.
Do these findings mean, then, that homophobia in men is a reaction to repressed homosexual urges, as psychoanalysis theorizes? While their findings are consistent with that theory, the authors note that there is another, competing theoretical explanation: anxiety. According to this theory, viewing the male homosexual videotape may have caused negative emotions (such as anxiety) in the homophobic men, but not in the nonhomophobic men. As the authors note, ‘anxiety has been shown to enhance arousal and erection,’ and so it is also possible that ‘a response to homosexual stimuli [in these men] is a function of the threat condition rather than sexual arousal per se. These competing notions can and should be evaluated by future research.’
So many here, why are you away?
Any one check out those hot guys in the May 24 race!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhl9MLno424
“What would you do if you saw gay parents berated by a waitress?”
Social experiment carried out in a diner in a conservative part of Texas – one of the states that you can actually refuse a homosexual service.
Homophobes: pay attention.
Give her a Big Tip. Phobia is to ‘be afriad of’ so drop that BS. Because it is abnormal does not mean we are afraid! STOP with the BS
OMG will they just ‘go the other way’ please? Not interested in ‘Sybil’ rights! The way to deal with this is to adopt modesty laws for ALL people. NO public diplays of illicit gestures I.e. kissing and groping and such! Put modesty laws in place and no one will have to know anything about anyone except that they are holding hands and who cares?