Public rally today on equal rights for gays

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17: A rally in support of equal rights for gay people today is expected to attract up to 100 people.

The rally — to be held in Par-la-Ville Park — will highlight the lack of legal protection for gays and seek protection for them under human rights legislation. On social media, interest in the event has been growing by the hour.

“Bermuda is a homophobic country,” says Caitlin O’Doherty, spokeswoman for the newly-formed Rainbow Alliance. “…Some people are frankly bigoted; we need to recognise where that’s coming from and make a change. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are real people and deserve to be treated with respect.”

Ms O’Doherty says bigotry continues to hold people in both their personal and professional lives.

“There are plenty of straight people who would say there’s no homophobia here, but when it comes to discrimination, you have to listen to the people who have been discriminated against.”

She says bigotry continues to hold people in both their personal and professional lives.

Ms O’Doherty said: “Bermuda has been pretty stagnant on this issue for a while. There hasn’t been much movement.

“It’s hard in a small community for people to come out and support something like this. That’s been a huge problem in a conservative and predominantly Christian community.”

Ms O’Doherty added: “Sexual orientation is not protected under the human rights act and, for a lot of people, it’s risking their livelihoods and their jobs.

“We want to create a space for people who have stories they want to tell. It’s for people to come out and talk about their experiences — it’s kind of an open mike vibe.

“We looking to get 50 to 100 people, but it depends on the weather. But the event will go ahead, rain or shine.

Ms O’Doherty added that the Rainbow Alliance, formed earlier this month, backed a change in the law to give people protection against discrimination.

But she added: “Legislative change and law reform is very important, but we need a change in the social mindset. We want to create a space for people to voice their opinions and tell their stories.

“We really need to educate people — there is a lack of awareness about what homosexuality is. There’s so much hurtful rhetoric surrounding the issue.

“Some people are frankly bigoted – we need to recognise where that’s coming from and make a change.

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are real people and deserve to be treated with respect.”

Youth, Families and Sport Minister Glenn Blakeney last month signalled new laws to outlaw discrimination against gays and older people – but did not table legislation, opting instead for a parliamentary debate on the issue.

But he ruled out legislation to allow same-sex marriages.

A change in the law to include gay people in human rights legislation has been backed by the two largest religious groups on the island, the Anglicans and Catholics, although the AME, the third largest faith, maintains its opposition to changes in the law.

The rally will be held at the park, now renamed Queen Elizabeth Park, between noon and 2pm.

For more information, contact [email protected] or log on to the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda Facebook page, which last night had garnered more than 300 followers.