The Tribune

TOMORROW – June 7, 2016 – could go down in history as the day that Bahamians wisely decided that all Bahamians — men and women— should be equal under the law. Or it could go down in infamy as the day that having been given a second chance, Bahamians – both men and women — were so confused by naysayers that they lost the opportunity by voting “no” in the referendum.

We have never heard so many interpretations — and sinister ones at that – conjured up to convince Bahamians to vote “no” to four simple questions when a “yes” vote would seem obvious.

Today we reprint a supplement — “Time to right the wrongs” – published last week to illustrate what happens when a person’s rights are not entrenched in their Constitution. We invite you to read the tragedies suffered by so many Bahamian families – many, especially the youth who are still suffering — as a result of having no protection under the law.

Put yourself in the place of the Bahamian women of Inagua whose Turks Island husbands were sent back to Turks Island because their wives refused to vote for the PLP. Children left without fathers, women left without husbands, marriages dissolved as a result of a political agenda against which their Constitution did not protect them.

The same could not happen to a Bahamian man because his wife took his nationality on marriage. Not so, a Bahamian woman. Her nationality could not protect her husband and secure her family against the machinations of Machiavellian politicians.

Tomorrow when you go to vote on this second constitutional referendum you will be asked to vote “yes” on Amendment 2, which will allow the foreign spouse of a Bahamian woman to apply for Bahamian citizenship – just like a foreign spouse of a Bahamian man.

This “yes” vote will mean that all the articles published in today’s Tribune supplement about suffering Bahamians could never happen again. Bahamian families would be protected by their Constitution.

Read the letter by Rogan Smith, a radio personality, who voted “no” on the same question in the 2002 referendum, because she did not understand the draconian implications of a “no” vote. She was not married in 2002. Today she is married, and her marriage is to a foreigner. Suddenly question 2 has great significance for her. She writes: “None of us knows what the future holds. I certainly didn’t in 2002. I know that I won’t change the cemented minds of those who are determined to see this referendum fail.

“But, for those of you, who like me, in 2002, could have been swayed, I urge you to do the right thing and vote ‘yes’ to all four bills.”

And then there is Catherine Ramsingh Pierre, whose parents, Dr Robert Ramsingh and the late Dr Mary Ritchie, were forced to be separated for 12 years because the PLP government of that era would not grant Dr Ramsingh a work permit to be with his family in Nassau. The reason — his wife was a staunch FNM. Today Dr Ramsingh, a respected ear and throat specialist, is established in practice here. His wife is now dead.

“I think of my mother, and her anger and despair when my application for citizenship was denied twice,” wrote Catherine Ramsingh Pierre.

“I remember my shock, when upon returning home from university, I realised that I could not get a job in my own home town without a work permit.

“And now, I think of my young cousins, in school abroad, and my nieces, still in primary school here in Nassau, and all the other young men and women of this country whose paths will take them around the world, but whose country may not accept their loved ones when they return. Please I beg you, think of them too – and vote YES.”

Amendment 1 asks for a “yes” vote to allow children born abroad to obtain Bahamian citizenship from either his or her Bahamian father or mother.

Amendment 3 with a “yes” vote would allow a Bahamian father to pass citizenship to his child born out of wedlock. Why should John (see letter this page) of Freeport be forced to adopt his own daughter to obtain Bahamian citizenship so that she can grow up with him in his country?

A “yes” vote to amendment three would make this possible.

And then there is that contentious amendment 4. All sorts of “sperrids” and “bogeymen” have put a spell on this one and interpreted it as the opening of the backdoor to the LGBT movement. This spectre has thrown such a shadow on all four amendments that there are persons — even some clergymen — who are advising Bahamians to go to the polls tomorrow and vote a resounding “no” to all four. This is the height of thoughtless irresponsibility.

The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association has given amendment 4 a basic interpretation of its intent. Voting “yes”, it says, means that a qualified woman would make just as much money as a qualified man for the same work. In other words in all things Bahamian men and women would be treated as equals.

We agree with Prime Minister Christie who has said that “those who continue to spread fears are now being reckless with the future of our children and grandchildren.”

Mr Christie hoped Bahamians would not listen to “paranoid” voices but instead focus on the stories of those who have been disadvantaged by the inequality in the Constitution.

“So, I want all the citizens of this nation to be clear – gay rights is not on the ballot, politicians are not on the ballot, judges and lawyers are not on the ballot. The only thing on the ballot is you – your rights, and the rights of your sons and daughters. The only question you have to answer is: should our sons and daughters be equal as Bahamian citizens, in our Constitution and under our laws?

“As a people with a legacy of suffering from racial injustices, it is my hope that we will not turn our backs on this opportunity to expand rights and dignity in our beloved Bahamas.”

And as one who has also suffered without legal protection under the Pindling regime, we are in a position to advise our fellow Bahamians that the only fair vote to protect all of our citizens is “YES” to all four referendum questions at tomorrow’s poll.

And, a special word, to you women out there. You might feel secure with your rights, but think of your children and your grandchildren. Are you willing to go to the polls tomorrow and vote “No” thus subjecting a future generation to the suffering of the women who you will read about in today’s supplement. If only for their sake, you should seriously consider a YES vote.

As Martin Luther King said: “The time is always right to do that which is right.”

Bahamian women, tomorrow is that time for you.