Brannon: “Amazing Victory For Human Rights”

June 26, 2015

Following today’s 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that all American states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Tony Brannon called it an “amazing victory for human rights” and said it “is now time for all the politicians to get their heads out of the pink sand on this issue.”

Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia already recognized same sex marriages, however the remaining states banned them.

In today’s ruling, the justices ordered that all states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize same-sex unions that have been legally performed in other states.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, saying: “No union is more profound than marriage. Under the Constitution, same-sex couples seek in marriage the same legal treatment as opposite-sex couples, and it would disparage their choices and diminish their personhood to deny them this right.”

The ruling prompted a massive response on social media, with most of the trending topics on Twitter related to the ruling, with many posting in support of the ruling, while some disagreed.

Facebook has released a filter that places a translucent rainbow image atop a user’s avatar, search giant Google paid tribute on their homepage, while Twitter changed their official account to include the rainbow colours.

President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to declare his support for same sex marriage, and he signalled his support for the decision in an address today.

Tweet sent today by President Obama

Fullscreen capture 6262015 32203 PM

Mr Brannon said, “This is an amazing victory for human rights. President Barack Obama has shown great leadership on this issue. It is now time for all the politicians to get their heads out of the pink sand on this issue.

“Legalization of same sex marriage is not only the right thing to do but it will be huge for tourism – which is down this summer. It is time for Bermuda to be on the right side of history. Sadly we are behind.”

Earlier this year Mr Brannon started a petition that called for the Bermuda Government to “Legalize same sex marriage and implement a complete and full human rights for all Bermuda citizens & visitors.”

The petition attained close to 2,500 signatures, and was presented to Minister of Community, Culture & Sports Patricia Gordon Pamplin last month.

According to a poll conducted earlier this year by Profiles of Bermuda, 58% of Bermuda voters opposed same-sex marriages, 38.6% were in favour, and 3.4% were unsure.

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Comments (153)

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  1. YADON says:

    How about no. If they want a civil union with rights that’s fine with me, just don’t call it marriage.

    • Onion juice says:

      And I thought we were smarter than animals, even they know better.

      • Animals eat their young.

      • Gay Girrafe says:

        Oh honey you have no idea!

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals

        Giraffes apparently, are gay as hell.

        • YADON says:

          Lies- show me one shred of evidence that two animals of the same sex engaging in sexual intercourse i.e penetration of the r—–. You will never see that. You are confusing dominance with homosexuality.

          • firefly says:

            So you want to be like an animal? We’re human! We’re more evolved. We believe in equality. Animals don’t.

            Be an ape if you wish, but I’d rather be a human and believe in equality for all.

            • NO MORE WAR says:

              I do not agree with your view but I respect it just as you should respect the view of persons that do not agree to same sex marriages.

              Politicians agree just to get the people’s votes, which is sad. Our morale compass is broken beyond repair. Tragic.

              • Mike Hind says:

                It’s not the view that people have a problem with.
                It’s the fact that people that oppose marriage equality think that they have the right to impose that view on others and refuse rights to people based on that view.

            • Onion juice says:

              So we have to depend on the STRAIGHT people to populate the world ?????????????????????????????

              • thetruth says:

                Until science kicks in and lets people create without having sex.

                • Onion juice says:

                  All you need is a male and female, you don’t need a rocket scientist to figure that out.

                  • Mike Hind says:

                    Nothing to do with marriage. Procreation isn’t a stipulation.

          • blankman says:

            Roughly 500 species of animals engage in homosexual behaviour (not just dominance). Only one is homophobic.

    • PBanks says:

      Problem is that reintroduces “separate yet equal” discussion that has already proven to turn messy.

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      Same thing, so what is the point of calling it different names? None of this forces churches to marry people they don’t want to marry, it just allows those that will, do so and for all couples who do marry to have the same rights under the law… equality.

    • I am not the least concern about the law being put into place to call it civil union, marriage or whatever they so choose. My greatest concern is when these hungry Americans that like to sue you for every thing in the book,decide to purposely go to a church or minister to get married, and they know full well that the particular ministry or minister does not agree with same sex marriage, and then that couple wants to sue just to get money.

      This is a crying shame that a law can be passed that infringes on the rights of millions of others, we don’t have to worry because Bermuda is next, and they will pass the law here just like they have with every other law the majority said no to, but I hope the U.S.A and Bermuda is prepared for the backlash.

      God will not be mocked, for whatsoever we sow we shall also reap, sow corruption and reap corruption, so now that it is ok to marry same sex couples, we have to tolerated the children that they are brainwashing that they are raising and helping to create a society that says it is ok, the education minister now needs to be very careful as i can see this same debate now being put forth on the order paper to be debated within the next twelve months.

      So Bermuda don’t say it will never happen, when we see the likes of a government that is already hell bent in destroying most of what our fore fathers fought hard to achieve, they want everything passed that is not popular with the majority, and they want to take any of the minority issues and make them into law.

      I love every minute of it, because when I grew up I was taught right from wrong, and now we live in damn society that tell’s you right is wrong and wrong is right, bunch of hellions is what I call them. so legislate your crap and enjoy your lifestyles but don’t ever tell me that the education minister now or in the future will force alternative lifestyle teaching into our school curriculum and my children and grandchildren must learn this life style, because they will see the Italian come out of me.

      • You're right says:

        Speak the truth brother. Amen

      • Um Um Like says:

        idiot.

        • Unearthed says:

          Do you think children raised in a homosexual marriage will suffer any psychology problems growing up? For instance, all the other children have a mother & father but in this case on sport’s day two fathers show up actively holding hands and giving each other affection? Do you think this will present some challenges for children growing up?

          • Mike Hind says:

            What challenges? Other people reacting poorly?
            How would these “challenges” be any more difficult for them than for someone in a single parent family? Or a multi-racial family?
            Should we stop equality because bigots might be mean to the kids?

            Seriously?

      • Longtail says:

        OK Duane…. let’s put this into a different perspective: what about the minister who doesn’t believe in interracial marriages…. should he be forced to marry a white person and a black???? Really, just what is the difference here???
        Man, according to the Bible, was created in God’s image. This equality is apparently lost on many, who try to tell us that some apparently are more equal than others!!!!

        • Show me one minister in this country that don’t believe in interracial marriages, because it is obvious you do not know our local clergy, i know each and everyone of them including the ones here on work permits, because I have to work with them, I could care less about those that don’t live here, so stick to the script joker.

          Anyway you slice it don’t ram it down folks throats and then want to dictate to us that we have to marry them or do things against our beliefs as main stream believers and the majority for a minority, somethings is not worth being inclusive, I believe in Hanging and some people should be hung for acts committed, I believe in putting to death and I at one point would have willing been the one who would have taken a job to be the hangman or give you the lethal injection.

          So if given the right at the time I believe, would not have made my sick ideologies any more right then this B.S, you all want to bring to this country, and my greatest fears for this country is when the same sex couples want to raise children and adopt children, and raise them in a same sex union, you talk about corrupt, that (sh) is, and I am talking as a father and a ex- homosexual, so stick a sock in your mouth, or in this case maybe somewhere else. Sorry this crap boils my blood, call a spade a spade, an din this case call sin , sin. and stop making it look as it is ok in the eyes of the beholder.

          • Strike fund says:

            The hate is strong in this one.

          • Christopher Notorius says:

            It is interesting Sir that you follow the bible so closely and I congratulate you for doing so. How many slaves do you own, and have you stoned your wife for talking back to you I wonder?

          • Zevon says:

            Are you actually foaming at the mouth when you write this stuff?

          • Varied says:

            Better raised by a loving family than none at all, frankly.

          • blankman says:

            Duane, that doesn’t answer the question. What if a minister doesn’t believe in interracial marriage and refuses to perform one?

            In the US anti-misegenation were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1967 (Loving v Virginia) but the last one wasn’t officially repealed until 2000. And as recently as five years ago a JP in Louisiana refused to issue a marriage license to a mixed race couple because it was against his beliefs.

            Are we to understand that you are in agreement with that?

          • say what? says:

            Mr Santucci – Does “I am talking as a father and a ex- homosexual” mean that you ‘used to be gay’ but now consider yourself straight?

          • Person who knows a little says:

            The irony of a religious person complaining about ramming ideology down someones throat.

      • Bermuda Mike says:

        Your reasoning is as bad as your grammar. Religion has no place in government. Every argument I’ve ever heard against same-sex marriage is based on a religious principle, usually misquoted or taken out of context. Do you actually think that God needs YOU to defend Him? You’re wrong.

      • Christopher Notorius says:

        I agree about not brainwashing our children. We should start by not brain washing them with all that superstitious nonsense in the bible.

        The church already discriminates in many shameful ways – not marrying same sex couples will be just one more.

        Yes we should have freedom of religion, but more importantly we should have freedom FROM religion also.

        You are correct that god will not be mocked – because he is a figment of your imagination – he does not exist.

        Have a nice day.

        • Edwin says:

          Who do you think opened your eyes this morning?

          • Christopher Notorius says:

            It certainly wasn’t a magic man in the sky.

          • blankman says:

            Who opened my eyes? I did.

          • Hmmm says:

            So you are saying god goes to the billions of people, animals , plants and opens our eyes. Then god is the sun, or god is my wife, because she poked me in the back and woke me up.

            God looks after the kindom of heaven apparently, we are just an old toy thown in the back of God’s closet. See we can all make up semi witty clever sentences.

      • firefly says:

        Well, indeed. As society advanced, ‘right’ does become ‘wrong’. and ‘wrong’ does become ‘right’

        at some point in the past it was ‘right’ that black people were second class citizens. This then became ‘wrong’

        Go further back, and you find that protestants were ‘wrong’ and needed to be exterminated. Until they too were ‘right’ in that they got equal right.

        It was ‘right’ to have lower classes in Europe who could be exploited by the upper classes. This too became ‘wrong’ over time.

        At one point it was regarded as ‘right’ that women were only objects and property of men. This too became ‘wrong’ over time.

        It was once seen as ‘right’ that homosexuals do not have the right to love someone. Now this is clearly seen as ‘wrong’.

        This is called social evolution.

        The question is, will you choose to live in the prehistoric times, or will you accept that all people should have equal rights. Put another way, what makes you so special that your rights are more important than those of another?

    • frank says:

      marriage can only be between a man and a woman anything else is not and will never be considered marriage

      • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

        You speak for some, but you do not speak for all.

        =

      • firefly says:

        not anymore. They just changed the definition. Didn’t you read the news? Come on.. wake up..

      • Mike Hind says:

        This is incorrect.

        You are wrong.

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      The word marriage belongs to no one, therefore everyone can use it.
      This, however, does not mean that anyone can force a church to perform a marriage if they don’t want to.

      Interestingly, no one questioned my religious beliefs when I got married in a church. Though I did have a chat with the minister involved regarding the perception of hypocrisy.

    • Positivity says:

      A marriage is a union. I guess you are against human rights.

    • Hurricane says:

      Well, well, YADON, guess what, that it’s not fine with you really doesn’t matter

    • Mike Hind says:

      Why not? Why should they be separate but equal?
      It can’t be a religious thing, as churches perform weddings, not marriages.
      So… what possible reason is there to refuse to call it marriage?

  2. San George says:

    Just because we/you can does not mean we/you ought.

    Quo Fata Ferunt

  3. nothing up my sleeve says:

    We copy America when it comes to everything else, why not this i guess.

    • They r killing people in churches.

    • thetruth says:

      We do not copy the US on everything else. If we did, I wouldn’t have to shop online so much these days. Plus we would have Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A and the rest of the stores that are found everywhere else in the world.

  4. WhistleBlower says:

    How about broadening your narrow-mindedness and look at how your opinion eventually will be worthless???
    People are evolving and want equality and HUMAN RIGHTS!!!

    Whether you agree with their lifestyle or not!!!

    Before the last human on earth takes their final breath BERMUDA will have changed its stance on Same-Sex Marriage!!! Evolution!!!

    • Longtail says:

      Funny, many of the same arguments against gay marriage – moral rights in the eyes of God, etc, etc – were used when women sought the vote………. nothing changes!!! Human rights eventually has its way despite the narrow-mindedness of others!!

  5. whatever says:

    **Fantastic news** :)
    I hope Bermuda can one day share the love!

    • hmmm says:

      I hope Bermuda one day can share the WEED!!! Pass this law before you issue marriage licenses for Adam and Steve!

      • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

        Might help open some people’s minds.

        (Flip answer I know, but still…)

      • Mike Hind says:

        Two completely different issues. Not sure what one has to do with the other…

  6. swing voter says:

    you can love and marry whoever you want….fine. so the definition of marriage has to be rewritten and updated….. fine but what about divorces of same sex couples….can it be that gender role modeling can make the process even more confusing and difficult for our judges than with man/woman couples?

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      that you mention Chick-Fil-A is kind of funny.

      • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

        Well, wrong location, but so it goes.

    • Franklin Jr says:

      so same sex couples shouldn’t get married because if they get divorced the poor judges will be too confused?

      What an utter load of nonsense

      The fact that you need to do these mental gymnastics suggests strongly that deep down you know that your position against this is wrong. Why not come out and just say it? This attempt to appear fair and balanced is just pathetic

    • Mike Hind says:

      What’s confusing?
      And… surely judges are smart enough to not get confused by this, no?

    • blankman says:

      Funny but same-sex marriage has been legal in Canada for 10 years and they don’t seem to be experiencing any problems as a result. Or are they just smarter than us?

  7. Sad Day says:

    I believe in loving everyone and I respect everyone’s opinion. I come not to pass judgemnt but to say that… God is not pleased!

    • GOD says:

      Actually I’m ok with it.

      • Hurricane says:

        Thank you God for confirming your approval. I don’t know who the hell gave Sad Day to speak on your behalf.

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      Hmmm…. speaking for God.
      Interesting.

    • Edwin says:

      AMEN

    • Mike Hind says:

      Um… couple of things…

      First off, you ARE, in fact, passing judgement by saying that.

      Secondly, isn’t God’s judgement HIS business and not yours?

    • blankman says:

      God is not pleased? Can you tell me which god you’re referring to?

  8. YADON says:

    To those who it’s natural because it’s observed in the animal kingdom, I call BS. A male dog may dry hump another male, but you have never seen an animal insert it’s p—- in the r—- of another animal.

    • hmmm says:

      What has that got to go with marriage and recognition of spousal rights for property.

      Yadon get your mind out of the gutter.

    • Unbelievable says:

      See how people who propose same sex marriage can’t even have a healthy discussion much less say the word “p**is”?????

      • Unbelievable says:

        I mean to say “oppose” and not propose.

    • Unbelievable says:

      @ Yadon: See how people who propose same sex marriage can’t even have a healthy discussion much less have the ability to say the word “p—-”?????

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      Youtube.
      Trust me, or go looking for yourself.
      It’s a little strange the things that you stumble across when mindlessly jumping links in the middle of the night.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Completely incorrect and ignorant of both the reality of the subject you’re talking about AND the actual argument made.
      The “It’s natural” argument is, in fact, a counterargument against folks like you that say “It’s unnatural, so it shouldn’t be allowed”.

      Try again.

  9. Susan A says:

    Great news. Thanks for bringing this important human rights issue to the forefront in Bermuda

  10. Portia says:

    “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

    Joshua 24:15

    • hmmm says:

      Bermuda ain’t your house Portia.

    • Longtail says:

      And while we are on the Bible…..man, according to the Bible, was created in God’s image. This equality before God is apparently lost on many, who try to tell us that some, apparently, are more equal than others!!!!

    • Mike Hind says:

      Fine. Serve the Lord if you wish. No one is stopping you from doing that.

      What you CAN’T DO… and what NO ONE should be allowed to do… is force the rules of your personal choice of religion on ANYONE else.

      Do you have an argument against marriage equality that doesn’t involve doing just that?

      • Spectator says:

        exactly what the gays are doing…forcing their rules on everyone else that doesn’t agree with it…thanks :(

        • Varied says:

          What rule is affecting straight couples, though? Straight couples can still marry, or divorce.

          The only thing at play is there will be discomfort in several quarters, notably those with strong religious beliefs relating to what a marriage ‘ought to be’. But it doesn’t impact any existing marriages or other relationships.

        • Mike Hind says:

          No. They aren’t. Not even a little bit. I know you hate giving up you privilege, but demanding equal rights isn’t forcing rules onto others, it’s demanding that others don’t force their rules onto them. How will marriage equality affect you, at all? How is anyone forcing you to do anything other than stop diacriminating against people?

  11. I heart 441 says:

    Why must we dictate what the US does. They bully countries to be the leaders of the world. I wish many Bermudians would stop looking up to them, we already have numerous great leaders in Bermuda. I know I will get those that are offended by my opinion, but I lived in the US for over a decade, so trust me I’ve experienced first hand arrogant Americans.

    The bible says……

    • Zevon says:

      So we shouldn’t follow the USA’s new cannabis laws then. Phew, that’s a relief.

      • I heart 441 says:

        Why not follow the Netherlands aka Holland, do ya research my friend. The US isn’t the first country to legalize weed.

        • Zevon says:

          Why don’t you “do ya research”. Plenty of other countries have legalized same-sex marriage. We wouldn’t be following the US. We’d just be doing what plenty of other civilized countries have already done.

          But I agree with you. As you said, let’s not follow the US. We should “stop looking up to them”. You said it. Let’s not copy the US with cannabis.

          • I heart 441 says:

            I was speaking on relevant terms to the article. The article talks about the US law correct?

            • Zevon says:

              Yep. And then I caught you in your hypocrisy. Correct?

      • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

        NOPE!!

    • aceboy says:

      the Bible says a lot of stuff. It condones slavery for one. Are you ok with slavery?

      • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

        Aceboy!!…we never came out of slavery…97% of mankind still are, even YOU…if you have to make time everyday, just to survive…while the remaining 3% dictate your lifestyle…and live life far beyond your imagination…the bible was intended to be your instruction booklet on how to obtain everlasting life…learn it or leave it, its your choice.

        • Zevon says:

          So you are ok with slavery then, and you think 97% of people live in slavery because they work for a living.
          Hoo boy.

          • impressive. says:

            Don’t you think your being a tad bit cynical and over simplifying the point that keeping it real is making? seems so

            • Zevon says:

              You think he’s “making a point”?

              • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

                sorry but it seems my point may have been too complex for feeble little minds to comprehend…everything has to be in balance in order to be stable…thats why every front has a back, every right has a left, every up has a down, every in has an out, maybe that’s why we have good and bad, everything needs to be balanced…are you following me..? i may not be a bible scholar or an avid scientist but i sure know how to balance something and if you can’t see the tipping of the scales…like i said , learn or leave it alone.

                • Hmmm says:

                  Yes, but you can go work for yourself and on your own terms. Nothing stopping you doing that, but excuses

        • aceboy says:

          You just completely danced around my point. The people who use the bible as a way to demonise gays point to very specific bible passages to do so. Then when other specific passages are pointed out to them that condone slavery, beating of women, the right to war *spoils* etc. these same people (like yourself) state that the bible is a moral compass and not to be taken literally. That is called hypocrisy. It is ok to *cherry pick* some passages and totally skip over others.

          The slavery in the bible is not some metaphysical slavery of the mind. It is the real kind.

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      I think you worded that poorly, but it was okay to follow the US in mammogram scheduling, but it’s not okay to follow them on legalising same sex marriage.

      Kind of like the Bible really, it’s not right to pick and choose which parts you’re going to follow and which you aren’t.

      Either you trust ‘em and follow ‘em, or you don’t.

    • blankman says:

      I heart 411, “the bible says” a lot of thing and I’d be surprised if you follow many of them. Since everyone seems fond of quoting Leviticus on this topic that single book alone condemns 76 different things and calls many of them abominations.

      But it’s worth noting that the Bible includes a total of 6 references to male homosexual behaviour but makes no comment regarding female homosexual behaviour so I guess that’s okay in the eyes of God. But on the topic of sins in the bible, in contrast to the 6 references to male homosexual behaviour there are 25 references to the sin of being left handed – guess that means that the latter sin is far worse.

    • Anbu says:

      Who in the rest of the world are more arrogant than bermudians?! Hahaha thanks for the laugh. Absolutely nobody are more arrogenat or self entitled than us. Guys got jokes. Lmfao

  12. Strike fund says:

    There’s enough hate in this world.
    If two consenting adults love each other they should be free to celebrate with marriage.

  13. Terry says:

    What many of you fail to understand is this means nothing more than rights of spouces.

    Nothing to do with marriage as defined in law.

    It’s about marital rights and privilages.

    Shalom.

  14. Rebecca Richards says:

    I’m an American from Virginia, you don’t want to follow us. I’ve lived here all my life. I love coming to Bermuda and I’ll be there next month. But I don’t believe in Gay rights. However I do have gay friends. My biggest thing is I don’t want to see a man kiss a man, a woman kiss a woman. I’m a Christian. And my beliefs are how I feel, and in the bible it says judge not. So what they do behind close door are fine but I don’t endorse gay marriage. Our country has gone so socialist, I grew up with lots of freedom.
    I was born in 1970 and I’ve never seen it so bad, I don’t even recognize our country. When Netanyahu needed us when they were getting attacked by Gaza we didn’t help. Its shameful..anyhow like I said everyone has their own opinion and I love the fact we can share. But since our healthcare changed for the first time i got denied for 2 medical test and due to Obamacare and the denied test it prolonged my diagnosis and I can’t take pain pills so I have been going through 2 months of backpain, they actually wanted to do physical therapy before diagnosing me. I’ll be flying in Bermuda from July 31st till August the 8th and my communitions where I live are cruising there while we are there..my husband and I love Bermuda and we love the Bermudian people. We tour your land and hang out with locals. We don’t do the beach thing. We just visit the locals, just love hanging out with you all. See you soon

    • Devonshire Devils Advocate says:

      You can probably stay then… We practice love peace and happiness here.

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs, but I certainly hope you don’t kiss your spouse/partner in public because, well, I’m certain there are people who don’t wish to witness that.

      Otherwise, I certainly hope you do enjoy your visit.

    • campervan says:

      Rebecca, your conscious stream of meandering thoughts are hilarious.
      Have you thought about writing for The Onion?

  15. Tony Brannon says:

    Bet news poll had 71% in favor YES for Same Sex Marriage!

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Tony…you have been in the entertainment business for a good while im sure you have an idea of the %age of gays in the business, and im not talking about bermuda exclusively, im talking internationally…but did BET news mention anything about the Hip/Hop Industry being run by a Gay Mafia..? i bet not.

      • Zevon says:

        There are a lot of homosexuals in churches too.

  16. Devonshire Devils Advocate says:

    My thing is WHY does anyone who is against gay marriage care? It doesn’t change who you sleep with. We don’t get upset because you kiss your partner in public or if you get married. Why are you so bent out of shape if we want to? The christians’ argument is that is a sin and we will go to hell if we engage in same sex acts… again that is OUR problem… that has nothing… i repeat nothing to do with you. We will face the consequences. Let us live our lives and we will let you live yours… its really that simple…

    • Positivity says:

      As far as I know….Jesus taught love plain and simple.

  17. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    When you dance with the devil…..you deserve the Fire which is The Devils…Abode….Sodomite and Go- marry all over again…..help yourself..!

  18. Well then says:

    Reading through these comments makes me so sad for the human species. People should be able to love who they choose. Believe it or not religion has nothing to do with marriage. Some people need to get over themselves. Doesn’t matter if you oppose equality anymore; it’s now allowed in one of the most powerful countries in the world and more to follow! Have a FABULOUS day hahahahaah.

  19. Sisu says:

    I don’t need a god who doesn’t feed a hungry child today, but promises you a heaven tomorrow…

    • John E. Thorne says:

      It isn’t God that doesn’t feed hungry children today it is you and me and every other person who lives on this earth that has the ability to ensure that all children and adults for that matter are fed, clothed and provided with shelter. Instead of fighting about who can marry who we should be ensuring that every human being on this earth receives the above basic human rights.

    • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

      The problem is not with God, but with man’s perception of God.

  20. Confused says:

    Bible also says “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” (Psalm 137:9) So cutting your kids backside is ok with Homophobe Santucci!! Saw something about eating our babies, might try that tomorrow.

  21. Ann says:

    One question, why are people so against Gay marriage and Gay rights here, but have no issue with children out of wedlock? A lot of folk are so hypocritical with there Bible beliefs.

    • Edwin says:

      When two men or two women conceive children on their own, then you will have my blessings.

      • Mike Hind says:

        Procreation isn’t a stipulation for marriage in any way, shape or form.

        This argument isn’t valid.

        Try again.

  22. Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

    When I was in my teens, one of my dearest friends took his life because he could not bear to face a life where his family, most of his friends, and the world at large, consider him a sinner, an abomination, a deviant, etc, and would turn from him, deny him.

    I wonder how many have taken their lives since that time because of the same reasons. How many good men and women who would have been teachers, doctors, inventors, parents, dreamers and doers. What have we lost because the world couldn’t open their hearts and heads fast enough?

    While I can’t understand, I can accept that some believe that the Bible, and by default, God is against homosexuality. But even believing that, I don’t understand how they can believe that God would not want them still to be treated equally.

    By the bible, we’re all sinners, but we have the opportunity, up until our last breath, to repent. Why would those already forgiven within the church wish to make it that much harder for others to find their way to that forgiveness?

    Anyway, if I’m going to hell because I believe in equality for all men and women, then so be it. Because a heaven that denies this, that denies love, is not a heaven I would wish to spend even a moment in, let alone an eternity.

    A last thought, for those who think equality for all is not right because of the teachings of the Bible. Take a couple of minutes, look at someone you love deeply, be it partner, parent, child, and ask yourself, how would you feel if one person told you that what you felt was wrong, that it would send you to hell. Now how you would feel if organised groups told you this.

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      what would you do if some one told you that, everything you have learned was wrong?

      • Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

        I’d ask them to explain.

        I was taught to have an open mind and to listen to other perspectives.

        Would I, in the end, change my beliefs? Depends on what I learned from them.

  23. Christopher Notorius says:

    God answered the 9 victims’ prayers by leading that lady to the killer with the funny haircut.

    So where was god when the kid was filling those poor victims full of lead?

    The answer is nowhere – cos god doesn’t exist. Christianity is just a vehicle to spread hate apparently.

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      darwin’s theory was concocted to destroy religions…so if you think your ancestors were derived from monkeys, then i can understand why you cant comprehend…even atheist scientists are now starting to believe in a “spiritual entity”…if you research the CERN hadron collider then you will see your future is very bleek and maybe a lot shorter than you think…here is a short but very conCERNing video…

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmi9NOBSAp8

      • Zevon says:

        Why is it you believe a load of mumbo jumbo superstion nonsense about the past, but when it comes to the future you conjure up science?

      • Mike Hind says:

        Not even CLOSE to true.

    • .am says:

      God’s plan/he works in mysterious ways. Obviously he wanted the flag taken down and wasn’t quite sure how else to to about it.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Attacking people’s faith does nothing to add to the conversation, other than attack and put folks on the defensive.

      That’s what they do. That is THEIR tactic.

      Aren’t we better than that?

  24. Ruthless says:

    I am not for it and have my own beliefs but if that’s what someone else wants to do,…… what’s it got to do with me? If there is a god then they will only answer to him not me or you. Let it go people. It’s not your fight. Move on.

  25. Triangle Drifter says:

    Hope that you live to see it happen here Tony. Bermuda will eventually arrive, kicking & screaming, into the 21st century.

  26. Yahoo says:

    Church is just another cult that is becoming less and less relevant so they try to push their antiquated views on the rest of us while hiding behind “god” and the “bible”. Bunch of hypocrites. Look around your cults and you will see lots of gay people who live their secret lives rather than be judged by the other hypocrites in the cult.

  27. Ride says:

    Marriage is a legal construct. No religion owns it. Religions can officiate their own versions of a marriage ceremony but you don’t need a religions ceremony to get married. However, you do need someone legally authorised to handle the legal paperwork.

    Take a moment to digest that. Any religion can officiate a marriage ceremony. Any non-religious person can officiate a ceremony. What makes the two people married is that the government has authorised the person who oversees the signing of the legal paperwork the power to do so and that the paperwork is filed. That is it.

    Which imaginary group of friends you believe live in the clouds has nothing to do with the legality of a marriage. If that were true than only one religion would have married people.

    I repeat; no religion owns marriage. It existed before the invention of all current religions and it will most likely continue to exist well after the current religions dissipate.

  28. .am says:

    If Christians only believe in one true God, then why do they allow and/or accept non-Christian or non-religious ceremonies? Or do Christians believe they speak for the other 4,199 religions in the world?

    FFS. There are 33,000 denominations of Christianity. You can’t even agree what the bible says amongst yourselves, so why should any other member of any other faith even give you the time of day?,

  29. Andrew Hart says:

    Bermy needs to wake up to the issue, look beyond her shores and realise that the World is finally granting full equal rights to LGBTQ people. I know how Bermuda sometimes feels like it follows the US on everything. If this is uncomfortable, look to the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Portugal, Spain and a whole host of other countries that have enacted equal marriage before The States. The World has finally woken up to this issue and everyone living on the The Rock who is against this or unsure needs to remember what Bermy was like in the 50s and 60s with segregation and rampant racism. Didn’t feel good, did it? BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY

  30. Christopher Notorius says:

    Let’s face it, religion is a load of superstitious nonsense used by people to control the lesser intelligent of the species. Politics works the exact same way with similar results.

  31. Mike Hind says:

    Yet again, the anti-equality folks show up, post their hate, then run away, knowing that they can’t back up their position or answer simple questions. As usual.

    Sad, really. Where is the courage of convictions?

    • Bwoy says:

      Mike , why stress yourself, you are not going to change anyone’s mind .

      • Mike Hind says:

        I “stress myself” because this is an important issue. And it’s less about changing a bigot’s mind than it is to point out to those that are being hurt by those bigots, who might read their hate and believe it, that they are, in fact, bigots and hateful cowards who think that their choice of religion should supersede someone else’s happiness. It’s to let the young people out there that are killing themselves out of shame and frustration and confusion about what’s ok that it IS ok and that there ARE people out here that have their backs and will fight for them, for their rights. I “stress myself” because silence is unacceptable in the face of hate. I “stress myself” because silence is tacit agreement to the cowards who post hateful bile on these threads. The evidence of this is how quickly they run away when someone points out how and why they are wrong. I “stress myself” because this is important.

  32. Takbir Karriem Sharrieff says:

    The sodomite bill………..So-dumb and Go Marry…..Bill.Bestiality bill next ……..or is it Pedophilia bill ummmmm decisions…..decisions….decisions….. bill….on top of bill…!

    • Mike Hind says:

      You are disgusting.

      Likening human sexuality to paedophilia and bestiality is truly vile. You should be ashamed of yourself.
      There is no consent in those two. That’s the difference.

      Sick. You are sick.

  33. Christopher Notorius says:

    Very sad indeed Mike. Stones, glass houses and all that.

  34. Varied says:

    The major thing that Tony Brannon suggests is true though – Bermuda is in a position to be well ahead of the curve in terms of tourism if they took the lead in marriage for all. Caribbean nations have had similar discussions and debate, but whichever country in the region takes that first step, will have a major leg up in attracting a new section of potential visitors.

  35. Peace and Love says:

    If you do not agree with gay marriage then I don’t see the need for your negative attention or your hatred. If you don’t wish to marry someone of the same sex, then don’t. I am overwhelmed by the amount of people who were brought up thinking discrimination in any form is appropriate.

    Do better, Bermuda.