Erin Greene
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
HUMAN rights activist Erin Greene said yesterday she does not believe the fourth constitutional amendment will pave the way for same-sex marriage in the Bahamas but she said it will give members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community the “rights” they deserve.
Ms Greene said now is the time for the LGBT community to stand up and be a part of the national conversation because in 50 years, young Bahamians will look to her and say: “Ms Greene you had your time and you did nothing.”
“I am not of the view that this opens the door to same-sex marriage,” she told reporters. “I rely on my understanding of Chapter 3, Article 26 of the Constitution that allows Parliament to discriminate in relation to same-sex marriage.”
“What that means if we entrench discrimination based on the basis of sex in the Constitution, Parliament will still be able to create legislation that discriminates on the basis of sex. So despite being bringing gender equality, Parliament would still be able to maintain the ban in the country as it relates to same-sex marriage.”
When asked why the LGBT community decided to advocate for rights during the same time as the referendum conversation, Ms Greene said: “This exercise is also about us.”
“LGBT people can rely on the provisions in the amendments for protection against discrimination based on the basis of sex. That is why we are here,” Ms Greene said.
“We are here because this exercise is about us. LGBT discrimination is sex-based discrimination. So it is more than reasonable for LGBT people to demand they are a part of the conversation. We are not attempting to hijack the exercise or jump in ahead of our time. This is the time for us to stand and present ourselves and if those who are supposed to represent us refuse to represent us, then we must represent ourselves. We are here to be a part of the discussion that determines what the Constitution should say.”
The fourth Constitutional Amendment Bill has been mired in controversy due to belief from some quarters that a “yes” vote would lead to same-sex marriage. The proposed change seeks to update Article 26 of the Constitution to outlaw discrimination based on sex, which has been defined as being male or female.
In May, Prime Minister Perry Christie insisted that same-sex marriage would never happen in the Bahamas during his lifetime.
In an earlier interview with The Tribune, Mr Christie appeared agitated by the continued argument that the fourth bill could lead to same-sex marriage, telling reporters that he is “almost embarrassed by” this line of thinking.
Comments
UserOne 8 years, 6 months ago
Wait a minute; has Ms. Greene flipped on this issue again? Didn't she originally support a yes vote then flip to a no vote, now back to yes?
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
Has this person not gotten the message yet???????? .......... most Bahamian people have NO interest in giving LGBTs the right to marry in The Bahamas ....... live here (fine) but nothing else .............. It is against the traditional Judeo-Christian moral values that 99% of the Bahamian population ascribe to .......... they (LGBTQ) are free to leave and find "greener pastures" ............ That is why the "back-door Bill" (Bill#4) is going to fail
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
BTW: Can you imagine another woman making love to a creature like that???? ..... this is not the best face to represent LGBTQ (and whatever) ......... go and take a shower and comb ya damn naps............. SMDH
banker 8 years, 6 months ago
She is actually quite an engaging woman ... and she looks better now than she did with the shaved head. I've had occasion to speak to her a few years ago, and her cigarette habit was off-putting, but she is an intelligent, articulate woman. She has a presence.
ohdrap4 8 years, 6 months ago
Tha was a very unkind comment sheeprunner. you should meet her, she is a very pleasant person, intelligent and kind.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 6 months ago
Time now this is how yinna made her gay in the first place. Rather modelesque I say, perhaps overlooked in her youth.
Thought she was going full man , bear and all, at the passing of the bills. But I guess now she needs to get in the restroom un-harassed.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 6 months ago
It's bill 2 this woman wants.
EnoughIsEnough 8 years, 6 months ago
i completely support equal rights for all, including LGBTQ. I have absolutely no issue with transgender, with transvestites, with gay marriage. Doesn't phase me one bit, not my lifestyle but who I am to judge - I'm liberal that way. I would vote in support of any of these bills (marriage for the above) should they ever come to pass. HOWEVER, I am quite frustrated that with the level of ignorance and intolerance that exists in our country, Erin Greene continues to muddy the waters even further by speaking out on this referendum. Every time she speaks it creates more fear and paranoia in the minds of those who are close-minded and fearful, and the equal rights for which she is fighting, and that are so important to all of us - male, female, straight or gay - are put in jeopardy. I have a lot of gay friends and speaking to many of them, most of them have no interest in pursuing marriage in the Bahamas. Many of them have indicated that they wish she would sit by quietly and let this referendum pass - let the small battles pass in order to win the war (ie the war to have everyone treated equally under the law). I am very angry that a cause that I would support may lead to the downfall of this referendum. I am very angry at and disappointed in the level of ignorance and hate that exists in this country - a country of majority of blacks who at one point in time were treated less than equal because of the same sort of ignorant, bigoted and selfish thinking. So what if someone wants to be with someone else of the same sex? Really? That shouldn't be an issue - and it certainly has NOTHING to do with this referendum. Stop feeding into unjustified paranoias and deal with the facts - do your research. If one day there is a referendum to legalize gay marriage then use your no vote then, but to deny equality and fairness to all in the courts of law, well, I don't know what to say. I'm sickened by my fellow Bahamians right now.
viewersmatters 8 years, 6 months ago
say it as it may the only people being treated unequally in the Bahamas is the very same low class residence residing in the Bahamas. Speaking about equality why not give each and every citizen in the Bahamas a fair chance of life why is it that in 98% of the cases the citizens are being put last deep in the back way in the darkness. Before we consider about equal rights we need to fight for our own rights living in the Bahamas. it's shame that us citizens are being discriminated so badly we barely have rightsto walk or go any where in the bahamas, our freedom of speech has been taken away from from in years to come with the Bahamas going at this rate where would the people of the Bahamas be? we are fastly being whipped back into slavery and dictatorship not even seeing the outcome but instead of fighting for peace and love and our rights we are exploding over bills that won't even benefit half of the Bahamian people.
hallmark 8 years, 6 months ago
The interesting thing is that they chose a GATE for the no answer. Go figure. But God is still on the throne and HE still answers prayers. They played right into HIS hands. In John 10:7 - Jesus says, "I AM THE GATE!"
killemwitdakno 8 years, 6 months ago
You only think your having a revelation.
It's the no voters that kept saying there's a gate.
VDSheep 8 years, 6 months ago
Sodom and Gomorrah is biblical ' ancient Greek democracy included man and wife ' with a boy on the side - even beasts..., look at its mythological tales. However, today when it becomes the law of the land and accepted by the community - society laws of nature goes fraudulent.
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