Comments on: Poll Results: Same-Sex Marriages, PRC Status

By: Tony Brannon

Tony Brannon — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:01:41 +0000

The Bernews poll shows 71% in favor of same sex marriages….
Another poll also showed a swing in support for either same sex marriage or civil unions totaling 61%

the tide has swung in BERMUDA and it is time for ALL politicians to man up and do what is right.
#samelove #humanrights #marriageequlaity #lgbt

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Fri, 22 May 2015 01:23:25 +0000

Religion….REALLY??? The “poll” results say it ALL….. nearly 6 in 10 voters [58% compared to 58.5% in 2014] opposed same-sex marriages, while 4 in 10 [38.6%, versus 38.4% in 2014] were in favour of such marriages.

The minority “gay brigade” have to respect the wishes of the MAJORITY and the “law-of-the-land”!! You can huff-and-puff all you want!! It is what it is!!

IF YOU WANT A **GAY MARRIAGE** THEN GO AND LIVE IN A GAY COUNTRY!!! MAKE SURE IT IS NOT CHINA – RUSSIA – MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND ALL THE “MUSLIM COUNTRIES”!!

By: Delaey

Delaey — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:03:13 +0000

This is really sad in my view. There would have been a similar statistic around these issues:
-the abolition of slavery
-giving the vote to women
-racial segregation in public institutions/places
-discrimination against the disabled

The list is much longer but the point is made. This issue is another like the abolition of drug prohibition, which does more damage than the drugs themselves (not all drugs, some are really dangerous) and which will eventually be changed when Bda catches up.

By: Delaey

Delaey — Thu, 21 May 2015 11:39:40 +0000

Look again, notice that there is no mention of race whatsoever in the two polls above, (uumm, what does that say?) though such results would be interesting by way of pointing out cultural differences which it would be great to preserve. What needs to change is the lack of respect each race has for the other’s cultural differences. It would almost certainly be healthy for us to loose ‘white privilege’, likely one of the causative agents involved with the disproportionally larger numbers of black males incarcerated. Unfortunately racial bias is still unhealthily alive and well in Bda a hundred and eighty one years after the abolition of slavery.

By: Just want to be accepted...

Just want to be accepted... — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:43:22 +0000

No I’m not allowed because my parents got them from their siblings not on their own hence I have no rights. Was not born here but came here at a very young age. My whole life has been here and it breaks my heart that one day I will just have to leave. I’ve tried everything but have been told no many many times. I can’t take another reject.

By: anydeeng

anydeeng — Thu, 21 May 2015 04:10:20 +0000

Please stop with these obsolete, easy to manipulate surveys… They are not helpful .

By: Peace

Peace — Thu, 21 May 2015 01:45:28 +0000

We are a constitutional democracy and should hold human rights over public opinion. Being Bermudian, I am shocked and ashamed that the majority of my community would choose to oppress a minority group. It is one thing having religious beliefs, and another to oppress others based on those beliefs.

By: Girl.

Girl. — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:17:11 +0000

Im definitely curious to know who exactly was surveyed for this. But the fact that this BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS issue is STILL ongoing in 2015 is disgraceful. Bermuda is ignorant and stuck in its old ways. Queer people are the exact same as you and I, they just do things differently behind closed doors. The stigma and fear of gay marriage being legalized is ridiculous.

By: citylights

citylights — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:13:08 +0000

Same-sex marriage is merely marriage. Its two people that love each other. They aren’t attacking you or your religion in ANY way, they probably want nothing to do with you if you’re against their happiness. Its pathetic that this is still an issue in 2015. If two people love each other, let them be. They aren’t harming anything. And yes, Bermuda does have other problems they need to fix but thats not an excuse to keep pushing this back. Just because it makes some people uncomfortable doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen. If you don’t want to see two men or two women holding hands walking through town, DON’T LOOK AT THEM. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t allow them to live their lives the way they chose.

By: considering leaving

considering leaving — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:30:58 +0000

i support legislation to prevent you from moving anywhere else for 25 years

By: Tolerate

Tolerate — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:27:40 +0000

Almost forgot, 32% don’t trust Either Party with BDA’s Finances; again 32% of 407 polled?

By: Mhmm

Mhmm — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:45:58 +0000

Mhmmm, there’s an infamous one I see every sunday going into maximart stocking up on Elephants in his church shoes nontheless

By: Just an Observer

Just an Observer — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:18:23 +0000

Church goers used to object to the supermarkets opening on Sunday’s to but go to any supermarket when they open their doors on a Sunday and you see the church goers in there buying their lunch as well as shopping.

By: Silence Do Good

Silence Do Good — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:48:43 +0000

Who exactly is us? And by your comment anyone with an opinion different than yours creates a powder keg that will do what exactly? I wonder when your ancestor arrived on this tiny island to allow you rights while denying others.

By: Tolerate

Tolerate — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:33:09 +0000

@Me, not sure, but of the last three carried out; NO-ONE in my family, job or local hangout has been included?
I’m not on here to bash the Poll; but did I read correctly that 2015 was based on 407 people?
So 69.5% of 407 are in favour of PRC and 58.5% of 407 are Opposed to Same Sex Marriage?
Again not bashing, only making an acknowledgement; but was it 74.7% of roughly 400 also polled on the Airport?
Oh well; I guess that must be what the People of Bermuda want?
And before you try and go there; I have not stated my opinion on any of the three so actually I may or may not agree with ALL three.
I just don’t see where the poll hold water.Pending the wording of the question, ALL three Poll statistics can be greatly influenced in one direction or the other.

IMO

By: Pre-89

Pre-89 — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:20:23 +0000

I think that’s very sad to hear. Bermuda is a beautiful island, so why can’t you embrace those who see this beauty and love the island? Surely there are ways to be inclusive and limit masses of people from coming here? Anyone who is willing to put up with immigration turmoil every 2-3 years for 25 years is worthy of consideration.

By: Pre-89

Pre-89 — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:17:41 +0000

Marriage and then permits

By: AW

AW — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:54:42 +0000

Are you sure you are not allowed to apply for PRC as a child of a PRC holder? I and my husband have both been here for 30 years and have PRC status. Our children were able to apply for PRC once they hit 18.

By: Christopher Notorius

Christopher Notorius — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:27:42 +0000

@Mock: Sounding as stupid as one’s name is practically impossible in your case – yet you do it daily.

By: interested in more

interested in more — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:26:07 +0000

Surveys in Bermuda are a bit antiquated in my opinion.

-407 people stand for the 46,652 registered voters as of 2012. So does that mean that each person surveyed stands for 107.25 of Bermudians? The data isn’t that indepth, I would like to see more of a breakdown on race, income, and age.

It’s nothing new that the older Bermudians (of ALL races) are not for Same Sex Marriage. Bermuda is a conservative Church going Island. I just think that the men and women living on this Island would see some hope if they released the ages of those surveyed.

Maybe they could see that in 20-30 years, their partners aren’t going to have to fly off the island every few months if they’re not on a work permit. I think they deserve to see some hope. A work permit holder dating a Bermudian can stay forever if they marry and stay married for 10+ years, IF THEY’RE STRAIGHT. A gay couple in the EXACT same situation, has to live a life of work permits, or leaving the Island every 3 months. Married foreigners after 10 years can have their spouses land, while gay couples are shown the door. That is not equality and it’s not right.

Anyways, are they calling cell phones, or is it house phones only? I can’t think of one person I know under 35 (without children, or that doesn’t live at home with their parents) that has a home phone/land line. Is it online thru ProfilesofBermuda.bm? If so, how can the verify the validity of those surveyed.

I would like to see an actual breakdown of the demographics surveyed.

Also, I would like to see a controlled environment for the survey staff when they call my house. I don’t need to hear someone chewing on the phone, and listening to their dog bark. How can we trust these companies that are charging insane amounts of money, to be entering the information correctly, if they don’t have enough respect to not chew in my ear? That was a Media Survey that called. We all know those are a scam.

By: Tough Love

Tough Love — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:23:44 +0000

This maybe a dumb question, but how are they here before 1989 and they don’t have some sort of status? How have they been here that long legally?

By: Starting Point

Starting Point — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:21:01 +0000

There in lies the rub, religion is a convenient excuse for prejudicial people to discriminate. Yet when they look in the mirror they fall back on the convenient ‘repent your sins clause’ lol

By: Just want to be accepted...

Just want to be accepted... — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:13:53 +0000

I have been here for almost 20 years. Both my parents have their PRCs but I’m not eligible for anything. Like nothing at all. The only way I can stay on the island is that I’m financially dependent on my parents still since I am still studying but once I finish I’m pretty much going to be told to gather my things and leave. I don’t understand how you can do that to someone who has basically only known Bermuda as their home. This is my home. I grew up here. Everything I hold dear is here. I don’t see as my native country as my home.

By: Just want to be accepted...

Just want to be accepted... — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:08:36 +0000

What about people like myself? Both my parents have PRCs but I am not eligible for anything. I have been here the same amount of time as them…

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:05:48 +0000

You sound just as stupid as your name.
An Island as big as some towns and cities and you want to overcrowd it, well keep on under minding us and see how long this powder keg will hold.

By: Huh

Huh — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:57:00 +0000

Given Bermudas history, it is surprising to see that there is strong support here for many causes championed by the US Tea Party

By: Sisu

Sisu — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:48:46 +0000

Frankly it matters not what the majority think/want when it comes to basic human rights… especially when those rights involve a minority group of the population. No minority should have their rights subject to passions and sentiments of the majority of today. And the right to marry is a basic human right.
It is inevitable that one day we will have marriage equality so why not start now? Perhaps our weak-minded politicians should stop pandering to an uneducated/bigoted group (read: religious folk) and actually do something worthwhile. But that would mean looking out for other’s interest and not their own. Impossible I say.

By: Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar

Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:45:37 +0000

I don’t put much stock in polls as they only reflect the opinions of those polled, not the entire population, regardless of what statisticians like to believe. Anything else is just guesswork.

But what this poll suggests is terribly sad. Equality should be for everyone, not just one group.

By: Christopher Notorius

Christopher Notorius — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:42:12 +0000

As far as gay marriage – it will be legalized – Bda is just delaying the inevitable.

Even the church people will have to give in eventually.

PRCs – do the right thing. Evryone should be able to get it after 20 years.

By: Silence Do Good

Silence Do Good — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:22:15 +0000

25 years is a ridiculously long time to live in a country to be eligible for citizenship and rights. Considering our small size, aging demographics and net emigration 10 years would seem more realistic. The 10 years married, 7 years living here is also ridiculous and should be reduced to 5 living here 7 married. We need new Bermudians to grow our economy.

By: Pre-89

Pre-89 — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:19:16 +0000

I know of people who arrived BEFORE August 89 that can’t get PRC! A change is definitely needed!!

By: 21st Century

21st Century — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:09:30 +0000

Another poll:
Everyone opposed to gay marriage for religious reasons, raise your hand.
If you have had sex outside of marriage, put your hand down
If you have been divorced, put your hand down
If you have eaten pork or shellfish, put your hand down
If you have a tattoo, put your hand down
If you have mistreated a foreigner, put your hand down

How many hands still up?
I could go on until no hands are left in the air

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:27:30 +0000

isn’t that the reason the PLP called for comprehensive immigration reform… by a joint select committee…to avoid immigration being used politically….
as a plp supporter I support granting status to those who have been on island for over 25 years….. I also support legislation to prevent a person being here for 25 years…

By: Highlandspring

Highlandspring — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:15:03 +0000

Not even 25 years. even if you have been here 10 years you would have gone through at least 3 periods of not knowing whether you would be granted a further 3 years. Incredibly stressful period, so if someone has the commitment to go through that, then grant them PRC status.

By: campervan

campervan — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:54:24 +0000

I know of people who arrived in Bermuda shortly after August 89 so have been here longer than 25 years already. They are NOT eligible for PRC as they arrived post Aug 89 cut off.
Lets get it changed, they have done their time and we need committed people to stay on the Island, not drift away elsewhere as so many have already done.

By: Cow Polly

Cow Polly — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:41:58 +0000

So may be only rich, young, gay whites should be allowed to marry so they won’t offend the majority?

By: Nelson

Nelson — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:29:43 +0000

Be a contact on Cordell’s phone.

By: Me

Me — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:24:42 +0000

What do I need to do to be part of the poll?

By: Christopher Notorius

Christopher Notorius — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:13:57 +0000

Let’s have a poll to see how many people would like to see a poll where it is not split by race.