Letter: 'Gay rights' is the wrong phrase

I’m writing to you on behalf of the Two Words and a Comma campaign about an issue we feel is of growing concern. I’m referring to the use of the term “gay rights” to describe what would be an anti-discrimination amendment on the grounds of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act.

Your paper, has on multiple occasions used the phrase “gay rights”, even in headlines to describe the issue.  We do not feel that this is a “gay rights” issue, and the portrayal of it as such in the media is sure to create uninformed public opinion of the inclusion of the term sexual orientation in the amendment.

Under the provisions of the current Human Rights Act, anyone can legally be discriminated against on the basis of his/her sexual orientation. This means for instance that a heterosexual person can be passed up for a job position by a gay employer, or that a heterosexual person who is perceived to be gay could be evicted from their home, regardless of his/her actual orientation. 

We certainly understand how it can be seen as a ‘gay rights’ issue, as yes, there are many people who experience discrimination because they are gay. However, the clause is proposed to include the words “sexual orientation” and not “gay rights” for a reason. 

Similarly most human rights acts around the world, including Bermuda’s own Act prohibit discrimination on the grounds of ‘race’ and ‘gender’ instead of naming those specific races and genders most often facing discrimination. 

Using the phrase ‘gay rights’ can be confusing and leave people misinformed as to what the amendment would actually entail. 

I believe that the vast majority of Bermudians would agree that no one should be denied employment, housing or public services — such as the right to eat in a public restaurant — because of their sexual orientation.  This is what the amendment would cover. 

When put this way it is easy to see that this is about fundamental human rights and not ‘gay rights’.

Natasha McDonald, Smith’s