Gay visitors happy to be in Bermuda

THURSDAY, JUNE 2: Gay visitors to Bermuda this evening gave the island top marks for tolerance.

A group on a cruise tour from the US said they had experienced no problems on the island — despite allegations of homophobia and controversy over the push to include of sexual orientation in the country’s Human Rights Act.

They gathered last night at an event at Latin on Victoria Street.

Lorenzo Espinoza, 63, from Mexico City, said: “Bermuda has been very nice — we’ve been made to feel very welcome. The beaches are beautiful and the people are very friendly and helpful.

“We got told about what’s been going on, but it’s not affected our visit at all.”

Russell Venter, 35, from Vancouver, Canada, said: “I heard about the problems when we were doing research for the trip.

“It didn’t change my views or perceptions at all — things like that can happen in any city or any country. Bermuda has been very accepting and extremely friendly.

“It’s a beautiful island and I’d come back and visit again. I have no concerns.”

The tourists were part of a group from gay travel specialists Pied Piper, which is based in New York. They arrived on the island on Wednesday on the Celebrity Cruises Summit.

Another gay group, from the Norwegian Gem, also joined in at the event.

They were invited by Island Restaurant Group president Philip Barnett to a special show starring drag artiste Sybil (Mark Anderson) at Latin to welcome them to the island.

Shawn Carroll, 53, from Tampa, Florida, said: “I found out about the trouble here when we arrived. But everybody has been perfectly wonderful, very hospitable and very welcoming.

“If it wasn’t for the newspaper articles we’ve seen, we would never have noticed anything. I’d love to come back.”

Wayne Vorpahl, 53, from New York, added: “I’ve been here before and I like Bermuda. I realise there are people with small minds out there and I’d attribute it to that and big mouths.

“I’ve never had any problems in Bermuda. If I had, it would have affected my willingness to come back.”

Mr Barnett welcomed the views of gay tourists – and said he had organised the night to show Bermuda’s tolerance and friendliness.

He added that Island Restaurants had thrown gay-friendly events in the past, as a result of controversy surrounding a visit of a tour for gay people and their families organized by US chat show host Rosie O’Donnell. Protests by church groups led to the Bermuda stopover being cancelled.

Mr Barnett said: “I thought it was important to show the positive side of Bermuda and what it stands for. We have a lot of people in our company from diverse backgrounds, races, creeds and sexual orientation.

“Events like this are a great way to celebrate the diversity Bermuda has to offer.”

He added: “The reaction of our gay visitors doesn’t surprise me. Creating an environment where people can come out and be themselves without being judged means you get the best out of people.”