Bradley Roberts
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE governing party yesterday distanced itself from comments made by Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller about exiling transgender Bahamians, saying his remarks “do not reflect the policy position of the Progressive Liberal Party or the government of The Bahamas.”
In a statement, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party “respects the principles of freedom of choice, freedom of association and freedom of speech as protected rights under our supreme law” adding that the party “was founded and built on the foundational tenets of social justice and equality”.
His comments came one day after Mr Miller denounced the growing transgender community and urged people to financially contribute to having this sect of society exiled to their own private island to ensure “they stay out of the way” of generations of Bahamians who are depending on the success of the June 7 referendum.
Mr Miller also pledged to give the group its first $1,000 toward this relocation. He told The Tribune that it was his constant prayer that “God would come now and just end the world” as their actions “go against His will.”
In his statement, Mr Roberts also reiterated that the upcoming referendum had nothing to do with same-sex marriage and urged voters not to be distracted.
“The PLP agrees with the Office of the Attorney General that the Constitutional Amendment Bills currently before the Bahamian people have absolutely nothing to do with same-sex marriage, the expressed concerns of the LGBT community and the entrenchment of these laws into our Constitution will not bestow any new rights on members of that community,” Mr Roberts said.
“Notwithstanding the wide freedoms of expression and speech that we enjoy today and the timing of such expressions, Bahamians far and wide are well aware and discerning enough to know that one issue has nothing to do with the other. The constitutional bills currently before the Bahamian people seek to achieve equal rights for women, men and their children under the law. The PLP unequivocally supports equal rights for all Bahamians under the law.
“As varying groupings use the current referendum debate and climate to draw attention to issues important to them, and they have every right to, we must not become distracted and lose sight of the objective of the four constitutional bills before us; that is equality for all Bahamians under the law. No more, no less,” Mr Roberts said.
Last week, Bahamas Transgender Intersex United (BTIU) launched its multi-level equality campaign, “Bahamian Trans Lives Matter”, which seeks to secure equal rights for transgender Bahamians as the debate about the upcoming gender equality referendum continues.
During a press conference at the Hilton, BTIU representatives called on the Christie administration to ensure that the fundamental rights of all genders of Bahamians are protected. However, the group stressed that it is not trying to shift the focus of the gender equality referendum.
The group is calling for equal access to healthcare, education and employment without discrimination.
Comments
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
Miller wears the shirt and the logo of the PLP ............ that is enough for me .......... guilty by association ................... they applauded for his "lover abuse" comments, why not now????
Fitmiss 8 years, 6 months ago
So what will be done with Mr. Miller? How often will he be allowed in the Media to make a mockery, I meant continued mockery of his party and our country in general? I appreciate his ability to be a straight shooter but he throws any body under the bus whether it be the former BEC, jokes about domestic violence and now this. I am sure there are countless other infractions he has committed. Is there no accountability regardless of the party he is affiliated with? Should he not be made to apologize, fined and/or sat down for a while (not to compare our government to a basketball game)? By the way this is not a tv show where you can place a disclaimer saying the views expressed are not that of the station. If he speaks, he speaks as the voice of his party. The beliefs expressed are those of his party. If not then please send him to sensitivity training or something. He is proud to call himself a potcake but sometimes pedigree needs to be displayed, especially with so many persons watching. Mr. Miller's beliefs are not mine either.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
.... and he speaks as the representative of his constituency ....Tall Pines ....... he is a popular and national figure that can influence the perceptions and attitudes of thousands of people ....... not a good example for responsible national inclusive leadership
Honestman 8 years, 6 months ago
Why does the Tribune court this clown? He is an educated and ignorant individual whose public utterances disgrace The Bahamas. He is well suited as a PLP minister.
Honestman 8 years, 6 months ago
That would be UNeducated and ignorant individual
TruePeople 8 years, 6 months ago
If an Atlantis employee does something wrong while wearing Atlantis Clothes, does this not reflect badly on Atlantis and accordingly merit termination with cause from that organization?
If the standard is set as such for the normal person, then should not the supposed leaders of this country be held to a higher standard?
Instead we are told that they are free from any such consequences.
Even though these same people hold positions of power in this country we are told that their views do not reflect the views of people who hold positions of power in this country.......
I'm really getting sick of how stupid these degenerates think we are....
in the mean time.... New Music: https://soundcloud.com/true-people-ente…
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
We expect Big Bad Brad and the PLP Executive to bring the Potcake before the PLP Supreme Council and have his ass caned with the cat-o-nine tails or at the minimum weep for forgiveness before Pindling's mausoleum ............ Gatta take this serious Brad
gangof4 8 years, 6 months ago
"Mr Miller also pledged to give the group its first $1,000 toward this relocation."
Maybe he should use that $1000 to go pay his BEC bills!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 6 months ago
Mr. Big Bad Brad, why don't you first explain to us why "she" decided not to pursue that rape charge against you!
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