OBA: ‘Do We Want To Be Seen As Intolerant?’

June 3, 2019

Dwayne Robinson Bermuda Feb 14 2019“Bermuda will get a reputation for intolerance and being out of touch by pursuing the same sex marriage case,” according to OBA Senator Dwayne Robinson.

“Is that the reputation we want? Do we want to be seen as an intolerant people? Bermuda has always had a great reputation of being friendly and welcoming, why is Government determined to tarnish that reputation,” Senator Robinson said.

“People forget that same sex marriage has actually been legal for a few months now and the Island has not burst into flames, has it? Surely we can put this issue to rest and allow marriage equality to remain a permanent fixture of Bermuda

“Even if you do not agree with same sex marriage, we should all be able to agree that the money being spent on pursuing this case could be better spent elsewhere. Perhaps it could fund litigation guardians to help protect our vulnerable children who get sent to overseas institutions?

“Our LGBTQ+ community is here and remains a part of Bermuda, why continue to stifle their rights and privileges. I will forever be an ally and I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind, towards any of our people.”

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  1. bluenose says:

    Well said Sir!

    • Paul says:

      What a breath of fresh air from this young Mr Dwayne Robinson.
      I hope all of you flip floppers in the present Gov pay attention.

      • Wake up Bie says:

        RIP 4 telling the truth!!!

        CV Jim Woolridge may he rest in peace ….stated in his book some famous words. “Those little white boys don’t mind you being in charge as long as they can tell you what to do.

        • Pork & Bean says:

          Considering the PLP went through how many leaders (5 I believe) in 14 years and now we have another another, it would appear that it’s not just the white guys that feel that way. Who pulls the puppet string in the PL? maybe we should ask Marc Bean, Dame Jennifer Smith, Paula Cox, Alex Scott who is the puppetmaster.

        • Onion Juice says:

          I amire this guys tenacity, but this puppet show is getting boring.
          Dont think he was around in Jim’s time, but he might figure it out as he gets older, or appease to get social status like de rest of them.
          Dont forget what happened to Andrew when he bumped into his voters who were under the influence, hope you can roll in their circle being you are fighting their fight.

    • LOL says:

      Did you tell the current OBA Leader that he actually wanted nothing to do with SSM. LOLOLOL Keep writing fake news.

      • toadinthehole says:

        People are entitled to change their minds you know.

        • Onion Juice says:

          A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

          • Mike Hind says:

            And a fool who refuses to change his mind in the face of refutation is dangerous and bad for our country.

            • Onion Juice says:

              You or no other human on this earth can convince me that its normal for a man to be intimate with another man like he is with a woman, and if I am a fool for thinking like that, then Ill be a fool.

              • Mike Hind says:

                I don’t care if you think it’s normal.
                What you think is irrelevant.

                The point is that what you think should have absolutely zero effect on someone else’s life.

                The proof of this is that you wouldn’t want it done to you!

                You speak out against injustice based on intolerance and other people demanding that you are less worthy of access to rights than they are, which is right.

                But you seem to think that it’s ok for you to do it.

                That’s bigotry. That’s hypocrisy.

                And that’s why you’re bad for our country.

                If you want to think that gay folks are unnatural, that’s your right.

                But what you AREN’T allowed to do is demand that our country tell them that they are.

                And the proof of this is all the lost lawsuits proving your position to be unconstitutional.

                What you want is against the rules we ALL agreed to.

                Unless you want to remove the protections of the Constitution…
                Is that what you want?

                • Onion Juice says:

                  Laws and Constitutions were written for a selected group of people, thats why Slavery ,Jim Crow and Aparthied were allowed.
                  So to Hell with policies that go against the law of NATURE.

                  • Mike Hind says:

                    As per usual, you prove that you have no idea what you are talking about and are simply saying whatever gibberish pops into your head to justify your hate.

                    The protections of the Constitution protect all of us.

                    If I’m wrong, show us which ones don’t.

                    Jim Crow and Slavery were legal and this was changed and protections were added to the Constitution to make sure they don’t happen again.

                    You, however, want to hurt and oppress people.

                    Your hatred is sick and vile and you are exactly what you claim to be against.

                    As usual, you show that you aren’t actually against injustice, you just want to be the one doing it.

                    Filthy. Shame on you.

                    • Black Beard says:

                      You have some serious issues that need medical attention. Lol

                    • Mike Hind says:

                      And here’s another coward, making bizarre personal attacks while hiding under their hood of anonymity…

                      This is the level of discourse we can expect from these bigots, but we’re expected to respect them and listen to what they have to say… and this is what they have to say.
                      Nothing. Just drivel.

                      It’s sickening.

              • Common Sense says:

                I seriously doubt that anyone is trying to convince Onion Juice of anything, but it is a fact that gay marriage exists right here in Bermuda, and will continue to do so regardless of whether the Government wins their appeal, which appears to be futile. Bermudians will still be able to travel abroad to the U.S. Canada, the UK and many other democratic countries and return home happily married.

                It would indeed be foolish to believe otherwise.

          • Pork & Bean says:

            Perhaps you should watch Caines interview with Gary and report back on your feelings about his perspectives. He is the king of double speak. Talk a lot and still say nothing.

      • Mike Hind says:

        Good deflection from the topic.

        And quoting Trump, whose record with the LGBT+ community is pretty awful, lets us know exactly where you stand…

        Shame on you.

      • wahoo says:

        I don’t think you read or understood the article. Enough is enough just leave the issue alone the world is going this way and for the government to keep fighting this with our scarce finances is ridiculous. $3M is a lot of money for a country that is $5B in debt. We can’t even get buses running and you want to dictate how other people live?

    • hmmmm opps says:

      The kid is going to sink the obaUBPEEEE Titanic even further he obviously doesn’t remember that Micheal Dunkley, Craig Cannonier and Jeanne Atherden.

      All whom lead the OBA as LEADERS didn’t want the LGBTQ+ community to get SQUAT!!!!!!! Captains all of them of a sinking ship.

      The PLP also said they weren’t supporting it but they won 25 PLP to 11 OBA votes

      • toadinthehole says:

        at least the OBA will not be viewed as a sexist, intolerant bunch of bigots :)

      • Kevin says:

        and hmmmm hows that working for you and Bermuda …the middle class is disappearing …but you cant see that or wont because you are wearing green blinders ….this group of clowns you voted for can do one thing
        spend spend spend they have no clue nor do they possess the ability to generate new enterprise …burt said cant go back to UBP tactics about getting foreign investment ,,,, well Burt it worked and worked very well for many years and guess what it does will work …no says burt we will retrain Bermudians …to do what ? if no knew investment clown master you who will hire them
        25-11 = 3rd world country Resign plp

      • lav says:

        “The PLP also said they weren’t supporting it but they won 25 PLP to 11 OBA votes”

        …which means that the majority of Bermudians are homophobic and want the right to discriminate against some people.

        You’re proud of this?

        • Pork & Bean says:

          Truthfully, most narrow minded people in this country do not vote on topics and do not vote for the best man or woman. They vote based on party and that is it. People would vote for a bank a robber in this country and be okay with them being the Finance Minister as long as he or she was on their side.

          Until people start voting for the best qualified person for the instead of who their party places in their parish we will continue to see a few working hard for all, a few others on a power trip and others sleeping in the background.

      • Mike Hind says:

        You seem really proud of this…

        That’s really sad.

  2. Dready says:

    How can we be seen as intolerant when we accept
    Higher healthcare costs
    Schools closing
    Politicians first class travel
    Wasteful spending
    Higher taxes
    Zero accountability
    Infrastructure collapsing
    Payouts to friends and family
    Buses unreliable
    Cost of living increasing due to govt policies
    Politicians cruising in big cars
    I ask, how can we be intolerant?

    • Politricks says:

      Haha. So true. We tolerate a lot of BS from so called politicians.

      Great post.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Uh… what does that have to do with the topic?

      • wahoo says:

        It is a dig at the plp….. and why not they deserve it.

  3. Tony Brannon says:

    Dwayne Robinson it’s certainly been “eye opening”….
    To think we celebrate the right for blacks to sit in the same cinema seats as whites (Theatre Boycott 1959) and yet some, who rightfully fought this discrimination, would do to others what is wrong is shameful. As Mark Pettingill said so well, “You cannot cherry pick equality”.
    What the PLP did by legislating discrimination is really ugly. The Bermuda Government lost 3 court cases – and they will lose at The Privy Council. The PLP violated our constitution by in effect saying Gays can be almost equal to straight people. SMH

    • Jason says:

      Tony keep quite it was your obaubp that didn’t want to pass the law when they was in charge. JeT Craig…Milkman Dunkely & Sleeping Jean all OBA leaders wanted ZERO to do with SSM. Stop your BS and stfu.

      • hmmmm opps says:

        WELL SAID SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • 2Bermudaz says:

        Nice to see intelligent, well thought out, informative posts here …

      • Andrew says:

        Quiet is the word you are searching for…and…Tony stood against any and all who were and are against SSM…I too am with him in his strong sentiments regarding equality…This is NOT a political contest but rather a battle in a war of right against wrong…Simple really if one engages the concepts of the term…There is no but or if!

      • Mike Hind says:

        The OBA were pretty roundly denounced for their craven lack of courage on this topic.

        However, the PLP have made a pretty solid stance against equality and for unconstitutional, baseless discrimination.

        The OBA should be ashamed of themselves for their disgusting lack of leadership, but the PLP, with regards to this issue, are WAY worse!

        • Tony Brannon says:

          I’m writing a book….
          Some will not be happy.

        • toadinthehole says:

          well, according to this it looks like the OBA have changed course, we should be thankful for that at least, but agreed it is a bit late

          • Mike Hind says:

            Fingers crossed

          • J says:

            After a lost of 25 to 11 how worst can it be for the obaUBP LMAO. They placed Craig as leader desperation comes to mind or full crazy.

        • Toodle-oo says:

          This ^

        • Lol says:

          You win clown of the week 4 sure. You voted for oba and before that UBP. Now go play that in a song

      • What says:

        I agree – Mike H needs to be quiet and recognize that his party had the power to get this all squared away but they needed the Church vote to try and win the election!

        • Mike Hind says:

          Here we go again.
          Cowards hiding behind a pen name telling others to be quiet; while trying to spread lies.
          I’m not an OBA supporter. Your pathetic attempt to paint me as one is ridiculous.

          And it IS “squared away”.

          It’s the law.

          It’s YOU lot that needs to stop trying to hurt people for no reason.

        • lav says:

          “but they needed the Church vote to try and win the election!”

          Because the majority of bermudians are hypocrites that believe a sky fairy told them to hate some people.

      • Clueless leadership says:

        *insert yawn*

      • Kevin says:

        Jason
        You may have a point that it was a hot potatoe but they didn’t try to deny their rights
        plp supporters who remain silent we assume you are all in agreeance
        not only will you lose this but Bermuda will stand out as country that fought to the end and to deny Human Rights
        I will not be here much longer if things work out and will be proud to leave and watch as you plp lovers fight for the scraps

      • lav says:

        “. Stop your BS and stfu.”

        Spoken like a scholar…lol

    • Onion Juice says:

      Seems like people who always bring up Civil Rights, I have NEVER seen or heard them when fighting for it.
      This is your battle, then fight for it and dont USE other battles you did’nt care for while you benefitted.

      • Mike Hind says:

        Another false, dishonest argument from Onion Juice.

        Another example that he doesn’t care about stopping injustice, he just wants to be the one doing it.

        This is why lying bigots like him are so bad for our country.

  4. aceboy says:

    When they waste another 3m + (they will have to pay the costs of the other side if they lose – and they will lose) their supporters will still be blabbing on about Jetgate and 25-11.

  5. 2Bermudaz says:

    It’s amazing that the Government can spend so much money – some are saying as much as $3m – when there are so many other things that need money: wifi in and fire alarms in schools, teachers using their own money for essentials, TN Tatem etc etc

    • What says:

      Teachers using their own money? Who pays them? WE DO!

      • Mike Hind says:

        So… does that give us the right to tell them what to do with the money we pay them?
        Would it be ok with you if your employer created a situation where YOU had to spend the money they pay you in order to do your job?

        Your position is wrong. Once an employee gets paid, it’s THEIR money, regardless of source.

      • 2Bermudaz 2bermudaz says:

        so you are OK with people using their salaries to supplement what government should be providing? perhaps we dock your salary to pay for a street cleaner?

        • What says:

          We do that every day! You pay taxes right? Wake up!

          • Mike Hind says:

            You really don’t know how any of this works, donyou?

  6. intolerant says:

    lol Bermuda is already intolerant racially, why stop there

  7. toadinthehole says:

    what a complete waste of money but it keeps the churches happy, so that’s what matters.

    • Ringmaster says:

      Imagine the tax that would be produced if churches and their pastors etc were taxed like the ordinary Bermudians? Why are they exempt while they ride around in new BMW SUV’s? I don’t think Jesus would be driving a BMW.

  8. Andrew says:

    This young man gets my vote as the voice of reason in a sea of fools…

  9. If it quacks liek a duck says:

    its a duck!

  10. Jah says:

    we gay Bermudians living in our home country we are here we are queer get over it get used to it , always have been always will be . And newsflash most of us are married already so government save ur 3 million for better things

  11. Onion Juice says:

    Thank Jah for STRAIGHT people to keep to keep de population going.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Here you go again, spouting things you KNOW are wrong.

      Giving people equal access to rights isn’t going to make more people gay.

      Your entire argument is ignorant and hateful.

      • Toodle-oo says:

        He thinks he’s being factual because he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know !
        (And that includes his hateful attempts to re-write history)

      • Crook says:

        He means that gays can’t produce as many kids like straight people can and that helps the population! Cmon Mike ease up man! We get it! You love gays! Some of us don’t so stop trying to force your opinion on us!

        • Mike Hind says:

          And another bigot spewing misinformation.

          Procreation is irrelevant.

          We’re talking about Marriage.

          There’s no requirement for the ability to procreate when it comes to marriage.

          You’re just babbling nonsense to justify hate.

          Shame on you.

  12. Daren says:

    Bermuda is so far behind the times. The only thing that’s going to save bermuda will be whoever ends up staying there.

    • Ray says:

      Bermuda is up to the time my brother. And the only way we will ensure human beings will be around is those that believe in relationships with the opposite sex. Don’t give against nature. Human rights?! They cant even create human life. What a waste

      • bluenose says:

        So allowing SSM will cause everyone to turn gay? You really have no idea what you are talking about here. A gay person is a gay person, whether married or not. And, btw, homosexuality is common in nature and is therefore natural. You really should educate yourself on this subject. And by educate I mean reading more than just the one book. The bible doesn’t count.

      • Toodle-oo says:

        What a load of arrant nonsense. Consider yourself lucky that there’s always been people who can’t or don’t want to (in your words) ‘create human life’. Had everyone out there from time immemorial been breeding like rats we’d have run out of room and resources a very , very long time ago. Especially on this 20 square mile rock .
        You have no need at all to worry about a shortage of humans , ever.
        Oh , and btw his name is spelled ‘Pettingill’

      • Mike Hind says:

        You DO realize that “gay” doesn’t mean “sterile”, right?
        Someone being gay doesn’t mean that they can’t procreate.

        And you don’t have to be able to procreate in order to get married… you know that, right?

        Your entire argument is false, tired and has been addressed hundreds of times before.

        Do you have any REAL reasons to deny folks equal access to rights?

  13. Daren says:

    And it probably won’t be to many people left be the time the water rises.

  14. J P Hurley says:

    Sen Robinson’s suggestion here strikes me as essentially the equivalent of “Don’t tell, Don’t ask,” more expedience than wholehearted, unqualified support for LGBTQ (I think I got all the letters!) marriage. I’m not sure this fence sitting posture is morally correct given the magnitude of the matter. Surely “I’m for it,” or “I’m against it,” are the statements that every politician should be expected to make.

    • Mike Hind says:

      In what way? He pretty clearly speaks out against the attempts to attack the communities right to equality…

      How is this Fence-sitting?

  15. Common Sense says:

    Sadly, our Government is gambling with perhaps $3million of our tax payers dollars in what is likely to be a futile attempt to stop the march of progress. Gay marriage is a fact of life in the majority of western democracies, and we already have married gay couples living and working here in Bermuda – and will continue to do so regardless of whether this appeal is upheld or overturned. This is a monumental waste of our money at a time when we can ill afford it, especially when it is for a cause that is already lost.

    • God says:

      It’s Gods will to see this through! He will pass judgment on all involved and meet out the ultimate result! Bless you!

      • Mike Hind says:

        Your God is your choice.

        He has nothing to do with anyone who doesn’t choose to believe in him.

      • lav says:

        There is no god, you people are bumpkins.

      • PBanks says:

        Oh, bless your heart

  16. campervan says:

    Could buy a few buses with that 3 million bucks. But oh no, lets waste it on small minded bigotry instead, deny the freedoms of our brothers and sisters and make ourselves look village to the outside world. Pathetic.

  17. Ray says:

    Mr Hind, how does disagreeing with another ones view point equate to hate? That confuses me the most. We as a community say no to same sex marriage and the majority agrees with it being made legal and you say that’s hateful. Explain how that is please. You support people like Pettingail that say we are introducing legislation that will not bring in same sex marriage but turns around and does exactly that….we call that blatant lies….Now that hateful and deceitful.

    • Question says:

      Restricting another person’s basic rights amounts to hate.

    • Mike Hind says:

      Here we go again

      It’s not about the disagreement. It’s about the action.
      Denying people equal access to rights for absolutely no reason is wrong. Period. Even those that are against Marriage Equality agree with that.
      THAT is what is hateful: the attempts to deny people equal access to rights for absolutely no reason at all.

      And we, as a community, agreed to abide by the protections of the Constitution.
      The law stops the Government from discriminating against us for no reason.

      These laws, the ones attempting to deny people access to marriage, have been found to be unconstitutional. Several times now.
      And yet, there are those trying to continue to demand that Government and Society hurt people for no reason.
      That is hateful. That is wrong.

      As for Mr. Pettingill? I don’t support him. I’ve never said a word about what he said or did. To say that I did is a lie.

      You asked me to explain myself and the words I’ve said.

      Now, seeing as we’re having a conversation, I have to ask…

      Am I wrong?
      If so, how?

      • Mike Hind says:

        And, as per usual, off they run when faced with reality.

        We’re supposed to respect them and listen to them… but when you try to have an honest, open conversation, they disappear.

        Guaranteed that, if this topic comes up again, we’ll see the same tired “What’s so hateful? We just have a different opinion!” nonsense come up.

  18. lav says:

    When one points out the obvious hypocrisy of your people, you simply ignore it. You fit the mold as well. LOL

  19. Mike Hind says:

    And here we go again.

    The same tired, false arguments, the same hit-and-run posts, the same useless, cowardly personal attacks. There’s a plea to start a conversation, with the “explain to me” thing, but when it’s explained, off they go.

    The anti-equality side has nothing. Nothing at all.

    No reason at all for their position, other than wanting to keep SOMEONE down.

    We see bigots like Onion Juice, who regularly rails against unearned privilege and those who cling to it, here saying that nothing will make him change his mind about desperately clinging to his own!

    And that’s what this is all about.

    As long as we’re fighting amongst ourselves, as long as we keep trying to hurt disenfranchised people, those in power can get away with whatever they want. That’s why these politicians are using the issue!
    It keeps us distracted from what they’re doing.

  20. Berlinda says:

    Mike…many bermudians are homophobic and racist. This will never change…all the rest of us can do is laugh :)

    For an island who hate gays so much, might want to change the colour of your sand :)

    • Mike Hind says:

      That’s a pretty privileged position to be in.

      I’m not gonna be laughing, even though I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to do so, as this doesn’t affect me, personally, as a cis, heterosexual white man brought up Christian.

      I’m gonna keep fighting. Because this hurts people. People I love and people I don’t know.
      And that is wrong.

      So, I’m gonna keep fighting. I hope you do, too.