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Editor’s note: The following letter was originally written to our columnist Stuart Hayward and not intended for publication. Peter Carpenter subsequently gave the Sun permission to print it here.

[Re: ‘A just society cannot condone discrimination’, BDA Sun, May 26].

Dear Sir,

Your article encouraging protection of Bermuda’s gay citizens meant a great deal to me this morning.

As a Bermudian man who happens to be gay, I am shocked and devastated by the outcome of Renée Webb’s amendment bill in the House on Friday.

Not only do gay people suffer discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and with regard to public services. (I was actually refused service in a Hamilton restaurant by a self-described Christian waitress who said she recognised me from a newspaper article.) When your own government loudly proclaims it will not protect you, as it does everyone else, you are also left feeling considerable day-to-day psychological damage. In effect, you have been told that you do not qualify as a human being, your feelings and concerns do not matter, you are barred from lodging a complaint from any tribunal. It has virtually been determined, and is supported by law, that you are an outcast who has no significant place in this country, your contribution means nothing, and you would do well to get lost.

How do you express your response to having been discriminated against by the very body you turned to for protection from discrimination?

This morning I came across your article. I wanted you to know your words have been a comfort to me as I try to come to terms with what we saw on Friday.

Peter Carpenter[[In-content Ad]]

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