Podcast: MP Furbert On Same Sex Marriage Bill
Bermuda is on “good grounds” regarding same sex marriage, based on what other countries around the world have done, according to MP Wayne Furbert.
Mr Furbert — who tabled amendments to ensure marriage was enshrined as being between a man and a woman — was responding during a Bernews podcast interview to a statement from the Human Rights Commission.
He refuted that for many – the recent referendum failed to attract 50 per cent of those eligible to vote – same sex marriage was a non-issue.
And he said he waited to table his amendments until after the referendum on same sex marriage because he was waiting for Government to make its move adding that Government had legislation on the books to ensure that marriage was between a man and a woman.
Mr Furbert said he had been working with Government hoping that they would bring their bill, and said he had not spoken to the OBA before tabling his amendments.
19-minute podcast with Wayne Furbert:
The Bill will be discussed in the Senate today and Mr Furbert said he thought it was would be a very close vote. If it is defeated in the Senate, the Bill can be delayed for up to one year. “If it fails in the Senate, I can bring it back in November,” he said.
Asked if that could leave time for a legal challenge, Mr Furbert said that he supported the legal process and added: “I will have to live with the court’s decision. At the end of the day, lawyers will argue their case and the Chief Justice will make his decision.”
Bernews’ podcasts aim to provide an in-depth look at current affairs, and the text extracts above represent only a small portion of the full interviews.
You can also download the episode in MP3 format here, view past podcasts here, subscribe via iTunes, access podcasts via TuneIn, or download the Bernews app and enjoy advance listening, with each episode available for download directly to your phone or tablet earlier than it is released on our main site.
Read More About
Category: All, News, Podcasts, Politics
Hater!
flip flop Furbert is just using this as a means to secure the church vote in his constituency, not to express his morals. sadly many people do not realize this.
Question for Wayne Furburt:
DO you believe a gay or lesbian person is inferior, equal or superior to you because of their sexuality ?
Easy question to answer 3 choice. Even Wayne can get this one correct.
Here is a question for you.
Can you got to the hospital right now and point out which one of the new born babies is gay?
No because they are all equal, I don’t prejudice.
How about you answer my question.
Gays and lesbians are equal.
Same as drug users, and other criminals are equal. But, shall we all support them and give the right to do as they desire?
How are gay people crininals?
What sort of nonsense is that?
And yes. We should give gays and lesbians the right to do as they desire.
They aren’t hurting anyone. Marriage equality isn’t going to affect your life in any way.
Why SHOULDN’T we support them and give them the right to do as they desire, when what they desire is to get married and share in the rights and privileges the rest of us can?
Question: Did God make them gay?
Why does this even matter?
You’ve hit the nail on the head. This is PURELY politics.
Flip Flop Furbert. Love that. History will be unkind to Wayne.
He will be permanently “enshrined” and logged deep in the world of the web for this discrimination.
He’s not a hater, he’s stupid for sure, but this is another example of Flip Flop appealing to what he thinks his constituents want. As soon as the zeitgeist moves he’s change his tune. He even leaves the door open for that in his podcast.
Furbert should be ridiculed and treated with contempt at all times.
What got me was his decision was based purely on his own religious grounds – if he had canvassed constituents or done his own poll and then done this I could get it.
But just on religious grounds … give me a break.
And, I’m so glad he can ‘live with’ the Stubbs bill
Good grief are we in the 18th century in Bermuda?
If this hate bill becomes law it will be interesting to see how it impacts both our Tourism and International Business products. While this is unknown at this time, you just have to see whats happening in the bigoted southern US with corporations cancelling investment and expansion in states where they have enacted “religious freedom” laws that allow so called Christens to discriminate against Gay people.
So while the haters are riding high for the moment, we all need to consider the future harm to our fragile economy that legislating discrimination will cause.
We are just not that special to ignore this… The Prevent Marriage crowd have no idea the future damage they are doing to all of us.
Can some one help me out, what did he mean by November? If it fails in the Senate he has to wait a year so he mean next year november right?
If the senate throws it out, he can wait for up to 12 months before re-introducing it. The earliest he can do it is in November this year when the House reconvenes after finishing tomorrow.
Sorry for being slow on this but what your saying if the reject it in the Senate he has up to 12 month to put forward again but the earliest he can do this is Novemeber because their going on break.
Yes – but actually the house is back earlier than then so it could happen earlier.
many will live with the shame that you were the man who put this bill forward (with great pide i might add).
Well Wayne, you’ve got your wish and secured your place in Bermuda’s history. Only time will tell how your place will be viewed but I for one will chalk you up as instrumental in the demise of Bermuda and the quality of life of her people.
Because people do not agree with this lifestyle that does not make them a hater. They have a “human right” to disagree. Those of you who support this lifestyle want to deny everyone else their basic human rights, which is a right to their opinion. And if individuals disagree they are labelled with the following words “hatred, bigotry, homophobic backwards and the other words they pull out every time people disagree with this unnatural lifestyle.
Most individuals who support this agenda whether here or abroad are of European descent and the majority of those who disagree are of African descent. There are some individuals of African descent who will agree because they do not know history and lack spiritual discernment.
This agenda is part of their culture therefore this is why they think it is normal, and it is not part of ours. They have stripped us of our culture and history since the beginning of time. And now they are trying to do it again under the guise of what our ancestors endured and what we are still enduring by calling a “behavior” they want to practice “human and equal rights”. Deception is the name of their game.
Those of us believe in this myth called “evolution” while we believe we were created by the Creator of all human beings. Who breathes life into all of us, because another human being can’t. There are some who are using the breath of the Creator is breathing into them to normalize sin. They have the mindset they are superior therefore they think they know what’s best for humanity. But history has proven that is not so.
It is either their way, or they will continue to throw temper tantrums until they get their way.
Lies, misinformation and religious speak with a dash of racism to spice things up.
Archer?
You know how I know you’re an idiot:
“Those of European descent believe in this myth called “evolution” while we believe we were created by the Creator of all human beings”
I just spat my beer out that was so fonny bie. Stop ya noise.
What you have typed has no hold in the modern day. To assume that Europeans would vote in favor and Africans wouldn’t is total hogwash mate. Perhaps you need to know the real history of the world before us start making an ass out of yourself with such assumptions.
this is funny as you cite ppl of European descent – aren’t we all on uner the eyes of the Lord – hypocrite!!!!
no one is denying your right to disagree….
African culture is alive and well in Africa.
Why do you think certain African Countries banned homosexuality…why did they ban part of African Culture????
Not agreeing with the lifestyle is not hating. But wanting to limit the rights and responsibilities of those living the lifestyle is hating. In my opinion.
Evolution is not a myth, it’s a reality, exhibited every person around us. How many times have you heard that X looks just like his father, or uncle or… see my point? That’s evolution in the small scale. (No, we did not evolve from monkeys as many people think evolution means)
There is no agenda. There isn’t. Most people are too busy trying to survive than to be following a particular agenda. It’s just that we tend to have the same beliefs as those closest to us, thankfully this is a trend that is changing thanks to the arrival of the internet.
Why does African history, in your mind, begin at the arrival of Christianity. Perhaps it’s time to broaden your knowledge and go back further than two thousand years. Because, well, why deny yourself the full knowledge of African culture and accomplishments.
There’s so much wrong in this post, I have to go through it point by point. This is incredible.
“Because people do not agree with this lifestyle that does not make them a hater. They have a “human right” to disagree.”
Absolutely. But, as has been explained MANY times, and seemingly ignored by you and others, this isn’t about agreeing or disagreeing, it’s about denying equal access to rights afforded by marriage, for absolutely no reason.
“Those of you who support this lifestyle want to deny everyone else their basic human rights, which is a right to their opinion.”
This is complete nonsense. No one is saying that people don’t have a right to their opinion.
“And if individuals disagree they are labelled with the following words “hatred, bigotry, homophobic backwards and the other words they pull out every time people disagree with this unnatural lifestyle.”
Um… you do realize that words have definitions, right? And, when you are exhibiting these behaviors, it’s perfectly alright to use these words. You get that, right?
If you don’t like being called a bigot, stop being a bigot. Stop pushing to deny people equal access to rights for no reason. It’s really simple.
“Most individuals who support this agenda whether here or abroad are of European descent and the majority of those who disagree are of African descent. There are some individuals of African descent who will agree because they do not know history and lack spiritual discernment.”
And? What does race have to do with it? And why is it automatically bad to be of European descent?
As for “spiritual discernment”, that’s a religious argument and, unless you’d be ok with someone forcing you to observe their religion’s taboos, then it’s a moot argument.
“This agenda is part of their culture therefore this is why they think it is normal, and it is not part of ours.”
And this has been explained to you many times. You are wrong. You have no idea what you are talking about. You have ignored every bit of evidence presented to you that proves you wrong. Just repeating a lie doesn’t make it true.
“They have stripped us of our culture and history since the beginning of time.”
Yes, they have. Maybe not “since the beginning of time”, which shows a breathtaking ignorance of the history of mankind, but for a long time, certainly.
“And now they are trying to do it again under the guise of what our ancestors endured and what we are still enduring by calling a “behavior” they want to practice “human and equal rights”. Deception is the name of their game.”
Um. No. No one has been deceptive. Folks have been very clear about what they want.
With regards to this, they want to be able to share in the same rights and privileges the rest of us have.
They’re already allowed to practice their “behavior”. And yes, they want to “practice” equal rights.
What’s wrong with equal rights. Are you seriously arguing against equal rights?
“Those of us believe in this myth called “evolution” while we believe we were created by the Creator of all human beings. Who breathes life into all of us, because another human being can’t. There are some who are using the breath of the Creator is breathing into them to normalize sin.”
And, again, this is a religious argument and shouldn’t have any sort of effect on someone else’s life.
“They have the mindset they are superior therefore they think they know what’s best for humanity. But history has proven that is not so.”
No, that’s your side that thinks like this. Hence the disparity when it comes to rights. Your side thinks they are superior and, thus, more worthy of rights than the LGBT community.
“It is either their way, or they will continue to throw temper tantrums until they get their way.”
Like this temper tantrum you just threw, chucking out misinformation and outright lies because you think that taking away your privilege is somehow wrong and oppressive?
Your entire post is a tantrum. A dishonest, privileged, desperate tantrum.
He acknowledges that due to low turn out Ssm is a non-issue…to right. So why if its a non issue are they putting this archaic bill through? Non issue means the majority of us don’t care if two people of the same sex marry. It’s only an issue with the people who voted against it. I’m sure if that referendum was open to expats and spouses of bermudian who aren’t yet granted status then the results would’ve been very different, and yes those expats and spouses make up the living population of Bermuda too!
“Those of you who support this lifestyle want to deny everyone else their basic human rights, which is a right to their opinion.”
No people want equal rights ……
They have the mindset they are superior therefore they think they know what’s best for humanity.
ROFL – and who is preaching from their pulpit!
Let’s be clear.
Point 1: The ECHR did not say that marriage is a right. What it has said is that governments must provide a legal framework to bestow legal rights on same sex couples. That could be marriage, or it could be something else. Either way, there has to be something. This conclusion has been reiterated by Bermuda’s Supreme Court. This is why civil unions are inevitable here (or, alternatively, parliament could amend every single Act to facilitate equal rights but that would be an extraordinary undertaking with thousands of Acts being reviewed). The HRC has never said that marriage is a right. It has simply pointed out the legal requirement that the Bermuda government faces, and highlighted that discrimination is odious in any form when it comes to equal treatment by the law.
Point 2: The Matrimonial Causes Act already says that marriage is between a man and a woman. If one wants to give that primacy, then the correct place to put that is section 30 of the HRA and list the Matrimonial Causes Act in schedule 2. It is not correct law to put it in the HRA where the Furbert amendment has it. The effect of his amendment is to embed discrimination and opens the door for other discrimination against protected classes that are listed in the HRA but not the Constitution (gender, disability, marital status, whether you were born in wedlock, whether you have a criminal record, etc). The point is a subtle legal distinction based on the reading of the HRA — I would encourage anyone who has not read the HRA recently to do so.
Point 3: It is not possible, currently, for same sex couples to enter into a series of contract/agreements/documents that in effect give the same rights as marriage/civil unions. There would always remain loop holes and errors, including not being able to benefit from “spouse’s” social insurance, etc. I personally investigated this when my husband and I considered whether to get married or just enter into various power of attorneys, etc. We were advised by 2 lawyers that only marriage affords us the universal rights we were seeking (as per a married couple).
Conclusion: My belief is that, at this point in Bermuda’s political and cultural environment, the most appropriate course of action is to reject the amendment in the Senate because it is incorrect drafting, send it back to the House to be corrected, pass that in conjunction with a civil unions bill. And then move on with life.
And that is the most likely way this will conclude…
Democracy means that the majority votes stands. You don’t like it then go somewhere that is communist. Who know might work out for you, but here in Bermuda we are Democratic so the democratic process takes place. So sometimes the minority groups will not get what they want. And btw marriage was something created by God. You want it but then say there is no God. So why…I guess pick and choose what benefits you at the time…
Actually marriage is created by a boom of law, not a storybook (i.e. the Bible).
Book, not boom.
democracy also gives the people the power to get rid of these people at the polls.
Marriage was created by the Greeks to ensure continuity of property ownership . Conveniently , your bible was also created by the Greeks .
Speaking of a breathtaking lack of understanding…
And yet another religious argument.
When will you guys realize that it’s not fair to demand that other people observe the rules and taboos of your religion?
It’s not just wrong when other people do it. It’s wrong when you do it, too.
I dont even know how Wayne Furbert can look at the gay members (we all know who they are) and even remotely call them colleagues or equals. I can’t even believe those people, who I know are far more educated and worldly than he is, can stand there and take that from him.
It boggles the mind.
MP Furbert, do us all a favor. Don’t run in the next election. Let someone actually worthy of sitting in parliament be there in that seat.
This man is a hateful disgrace. He should be starting his own version of KBB…Keep Bermuda Backwards or Keep Bermuda Bigoted.
MP Furbert needs to learn how to listen AND how to answer questions being asked… I understand why this interview was cut short – the interviewer wasn’t getting any answers…
well at least we see them all as who they really are now, remember ONE VOTE is all it takes to lose in your constituency ( ask Jenifer Smith) the gay vote will tip the scales after we VOTE the current lot out, that we know for sure and wait until they come by our doors remind them !
Wonder what he has to say now that the bill is defeated
It absolutely boggles my mind that such an unsophisticated and unintelligent bigot could rise to a position of prominence. This is where Bermuda needs to improve. His input should have no clout on this matter. He is not open to discussing the issue and only approaches it from a religious standpoint and not a human standpoint.
Please give me a break Mr. Furbert marriage between man an women that is a joke look how many men out there who are married and have affairs after affair and children outside there marriage. All a brunch if hypocrites. Let people have there human right and be happy please.