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Dear Editor,

After reading the article on the front page of the Bermuda Sun on Wednesday, October 22, regarding Ms. Lorrita Adderley and the ultimatum given to her by her pastor Blanche concerning her performance in the Female Impersonator show at City Hall and the fact that she would not be allowed to continue to worship as part of the praise team if Lorrita performed as scheduled...I feel compelled to take a stand on this ridiculous, shameful intolerance...it seems once again, the church has won over choice and equality.

Enough is enough

Why do individuals think they can go to church every Sunday but then spread hate throughout the week and use their religion as an excuse to discriminate ? Having said that, let me clarify that I do not think all "church goers" or "religious people" are hateful, intolerant or hypocritical...in fact I support religion and peoples' right to worship as they see fit.

However the gay and lesbian community are no different...they have never asked for anything more than equality which has yet to be given to them.

I know so many people who do not agree with or understand the gay and lesbian community but are very respectful of their personal choices...they do not pass prejudice and accept human beings for who they are...in my opinion, these are "true people of god" and they understand how to love one another as God intends, no matter what their personal feelings or opinions are.

"Let ye without sin cast the first stone". Do we all remember those immortal words the Lord spoke? The last time I checked, God is the only being without sin...so what gives you the right Pastor Blanche to pass judgement?

[Our youth] are learning intolerance from the very people who should be teaching them to love one another and to treat others the way they themselves would like to be treated...It's this way of teaching that is pushing our young talented Bermudians to other countries because they cannot be themselves and live a free and productive life here in Bermuda... is this your ultimate goal? It seems to me that you would like all gay and lesbian Bermudians to be not seen and not heard!

Pastor Blanche,the gay community are your teachers, your doctors, loan officers, bus drivers, police officers, postmen, cashiers, they are the people who cook and serve your food when you dine out, they are your counsellors and the people who collect your garbage!

Bermuda would be very surprised how many services we would be without it you removed all the gay and lesbian people from our country.

A few weeks ago I read an article referring to the Music Festival and how some people view Bermuda as a third world country! Although I do not believe these comments were warranted in that particular incident...I do feel that we are a third world country in other aspects, such as human rights, and the tolerance and acceptance or lack thereof for our gay and lesbian community?

Illegal discrimination

Places like South Africa, which most do believe to be third world have been embracing and fighting for the rights of their gay and lesbian communities for years...they were also the first country to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.

It is in their constitution...once again it seems Bermuda is behind the times!

Pastor Blanche...I sincerely pray for God to forgive you and those like you.

Let this letter serve you, Pastor Blanche, and the Bermudian public with notice that this will be the first of many letters and actions to come on this topic as I feel I speak for the majority of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters when I say that "we are not going anywhere!" This is our home too...and I, as will many others refuse to stay quiet on this constitutional issue moving forward.

We need change now! It disgusts me that in 2008 our gay and lesbian community still does not share equality along with the rest of our citizens.

Bermuda wants to have the "big talk" let this now include all Bermudians!

Elizabeth Earl[[In-content Ad]]

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