The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

SOUTH BEACH MP Cleola Hamilton said last evening that she believes if there was no public outcry to Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn’s “tube tying” comments, that the Free National Movement would have taken steps to enforce that “outdated” policy.

Mrs Hamilton also criticised church groups and civic organisations for not publicly condemning Mr Lightbourn for his remarks and accused the Official Opposition of being misogynistic.

While making her contribution to the debate on the National Health Insurance Bill, Mrs Hamilton also cried “shame” on FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands for comments he made concerning abortions months ago.

Last year, while on a talk show, Dr Sands said he believes the country needs to “have a national discussion” on abortions and a woman’s right to choose.

During the FNM’s convention last month, Mr Lightbourn questioned whether it was necessary to consider “adopting the lead of several countries in the world which result in (an) unwed mother having her tubes tied after having more than two children.”

He said the result would be fewer children, essentially reducing the burden of the state in terms of social care, education, and employment.

Moments after his comments were made, which were broadcast live on TV and radio, Mr Lightbourn faced backlash from angry citizens on social media, with many vilifying the opposition parliamentarian. The FNM immediately distanced the party from the Montagu MP’s proposal, stating that the party did not believe in restricting the reproductive rights of anyone.

Mr Lightbourn has since apologised publicly for his comments.

“No matter how the FNM tries to distance themselves from the member’s comments, if there was not a public outcry, as in the case of Duane Sands, there would have been a movement in this direction by the opposition, which demonstrates the thoughts of all of them,” Ms Hamilton said.

“What I find ironic is that the member’s statement came soon after the gender equality referendum in the Bahamas,” she said, referring to the failed June 7 vote to remove gender inequalities from the Constitution.

“A woman can have one pregnancy from 40 weeks to 9 months and one man can have a baby every 30 minutes if he so desires but there was no mention of vasectomy for men, but there was tying tubes for women. Mr Speaker, it stands to reason whether he truly thinks women are inferior.”

Mrs Hamilton also criticised the Christian Council and the organisers of the referendum’s “vote no” campaign for remaining silent on the issue.

“I am concerned that there was no outcry from the Christian Council, the ‘vote no’ pastors or the Crisis Centre. Where is the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association who works so hard for Save the Bays, but cannot find a voice to save the future generation of this nation?

“I cry shame on every last one of them and I congratulate the organisations who spoke up publicly. On behalf of my daughter and women of this nation, we hear your apology and I hope in time we can offer acceptance.”