The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese wants the constitution of the Bahamas to ensure the protection of lesbians and gays.

However the Rt Rev Laish Boyd said he does not support any change of the country’s guiding principles to permit couples in non-heterosexual relationships lawful marriage.

Mr Boyd was speaking at a religious symposium at the Hilton Hotel hosted by the Constitutional Reform Commission.

He told Commission members that the terms of anti discrimination clauses should stretch to the grounds of language, sexual orientation, disability or medical conditions.

He said: “We cannot deny that even in the face of a constitution being in existence there are certain rules, values, (and) understandings which predate the constitution, which the constitution does not negate.

“In our society marriage is between males and females and that is a norm or a rule or a value that long predates the constitution.

“So while I understand the discussion and contention on this issue my reference is to discrimination on the grounds of language, medical condition, (and) sexual orientation is simple.

“(It is) to make sure that in this jurisdiction the constitution does what it is supposed to do.

“A jurisdiction must exercise care, concern and protection for every single person and grouping within itself.”

A reformed constitution should also remove capital punishment from the law books.

Bishop Boyd said if it must remain, law makers must seek methods other than execution by hanging because of its brutal and archaic nature.

He also believes that women ought to be given the same right as men in passing on Bahamian citizenship to their children born outside of the country at birth.

“The entitlement of equal treatment of males and females demands that this discrimination be removed from the constitution,” Bishop Boyd said.

Bishop Boyd further questioned whether the Privy Council should still carry heavy influence in the country’s judicial system.

“At this juncture, serious consideration must be given to our relationship with the Privy Council. There is a need to determine whether we maintain the status quo, make some changes, or do we choose to make our appeals entirely to the Caribbean Court of Justice. This is the time to have that discussion,” Bishop Boyd said.