‘Moment Of Reflection’ On Saturday Evening
The organisers of Bermuda Pride have been granted permission by the Minister of National Security to hold an event tomorrow evening [Aug 8], so will be hosting a ‘Moment of Reflection’ at 8.30pm tomorrow in front of City Hall, with a limit of 150 people.
A spokesperson said, “The organisers of Bermuda Pride 2020 are very happy to announce that we have just been granted permission by the Minister of National Security to hold our event tomorrow evening in lieu of a parade.
“We invite members of the public to come to the steps in front of City Hall tomorrow, 8th August 2020, for a prompt 8:30 pm start for a 30-minute event. We invite you to bring candles and candle holders to have shining during the event.
“Unfortunately, we have only been given permission for 150 persons to attend. This will be on a first-come-first-served basis. There will be barricades around City Hall and only 150 persons will be allowed within the barricades,” the organisers said.
“Everyone must wear a face mask, must remain physically distant [6 feet or 2 meters apart] from persons not in their household, and they must hand sanitise on entering the space.
“We apologise in advance for the limited number of attendees allowed, but this is the maximum number the Minister has allowed. The media will be in attendance and so anyone who is unable to attend will be able to catch the event later online. However, City Hall will be specially lit for the occasion right up until midnight.
“The day for Bermuda’s second Pride, 8th August, was chosen as it is the seventh anniversary of the inclusion of ‘sexual orientation’ in the Human Rights Act, which finally gave all persons the right to not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
“The event is a moment of reflection and we have invited speakers from the Human Rights Commission, OUTBermuda and CURB to offer their reflections on being LGBTQI+ in Bermuda.
“Last year, the theme of “We Belong” spoke to the demand for acceptance for LGBTQI+ folk in our own home, and this year, as we face the many difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the “We Belong” them is even more relevant as we highlight the need for empowerment for LGBTQI+ to act, both individually and collectively, to make things better in our home.
“Given the current pandemic, this is the only event that the organisers of Bermuda Pride have sought permission to hold. We understand the disappointment that the numbers are limited and the duration is short, but we must respect the limitations that the Minister of National Security has prescribed in conjunction with the Minister of Health. To that end, please come and join us as we safely mark the occasion of Bermuda’s second Pride.”
