Rights Bahamas released a statement after comments from Bahamas Christian Council president Delton Fernander (pictured).
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
RIGHTS Bahamas has warned the Bahamas Christian Council that bullying or hate speech levelled at the LGBTI community will be met with forceful local and international opposition, and if needed, action in court.
The human rights watchdog sided with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex activist Alexus D’Marco’s view that recent comments from BCC president Bishop Delton Fernander could lead to violence against the marginalised community.
As a result, Rights Bahamas cautioned BCC that any means to intimidate the minority group would not be tolerated.
Earlier this week, Ms D’Marco accused BCC of using trickery and encouraging violence against the community instead of rejecting continued injustices toward them.
Ms D’Marco, chair of the Bahamas Organisation of LGBTI Affairs, and an organiser of a pride parade slated for next year, was responding to Bishop Fernander’s assertion that BCC would not support the event, adding there were plans to host an opposing rally to make its position known.
He said the church would be asking Bahamians to choose a side and likened the plans for the pride parade to a “Sodom and Gomorrah” moment.
This is cause for grave concern, Rights Bahamas said in a strongly worded press statement yesterday.
“Rights Bahamas welcomes the Bahamas Christian Council’s announcement that it will take to the streets to have its voice heard regarding Pride Bahamas 2020,” the statement read.
“Bigoted and intolerant though their views may be in the eyes of many, the pastors have a constitutional right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, just like everyone else. Rights Bahamas celebrates all instances when individuals and groups take advantage of their rights.
“Sadly, and quite ironically, the very point and purpose of the Christian Council’s demonstration appears to be a demand that the very same rights they seek to make use of are denied to others. In addition, the rather aggressive and extreme rhetoric that has accompanied this announcement, talk of fighting ‘the forces of evil’ and the destruction of ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ are in our view, a cause for grave concern and could even lead to violence.
“We therefore find it necessary to put the BCC on notice that while Rights Bahamas has absolutely no objections to the pastors making their point publicly, any instances of hate speech, any words or acts designed to intimidate, any incitement to violence, any attempt to bully the LGBTQ community into forgoing its rights, will meet with the most strenuous and forceful opposition – locally, internationally and through the courts if necessary.
“We respectfully remind the pastors that while the universal rights they seek to withhold from others are enshrined in the constitution, the BCC itself is not. In fact, it has no standing in the eyes of the law whatsoever and no official say in what happens in the Bahamas – welcome though it may be to its opinion.”
Rights Bahamas continued: “We find it further necessary to comment on BCC President Delton Fernander’s suggestion – relying on the wording of the (constitution’s) preamble – that a Pride Bahamas parade would violate the constitution.
“While the reference he alludes to speaks only generally to an ‘abiding respect for Christian values,’ it does not mandate or prohibit any specific actions or behaviour, nor does it even give a definition of this rather amorphous phrase. Different denominations promote different values, and several Christian churches now appoint LGBTQ pastors and conduct same-sex marriages.
“On the other hand, the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression which the organisers of Pride Bahamas wish to take advantage of, are concretely and explicitly defined in the constitution. They are also explicitly protected, with violations thereof attracting clear penalties. If the BCC remains unsure of the distinction, they are welcome to test it in court.”
Rights Bahamas said council representatives might want to carefully consider the message they are sending to the local public and international organisations that are currently in the Bahamas providing Hurricane Dorian relief.
“The proliferation of intolerance, discrimination, and selective Christian doctrine can only serve to embarrass the country on the world stage.
“Bishop Fernander has said that he is mobilising his international contacts to assist in the BCC’s bid to block Pride Bahamas 2020. He may rest assured that the forces of fairness, tolerance, open-mindedness and justice are doing the same,” Rights Bahamas said.
Comments
joeblow 5 years ago
Who is a bigger bully than Rights Bahamas? They even bully for rights that are against the law and common sense. They should understand that just as LGBT say they have a right to publicly flaunt their sexual and gender preferences (despite genetics and biology disagreeing with them) any other group has a right to object. That's democracy!
proudloudandfnm 5 years ago
Preferences? SO you can get aroused by someone of the same sex?
I can't, I am attracted only to women, my body will not react to a man. How bout you? You can choose to be with a man?
joeblow 5 years ago
... people CHOOSE to be with animals and children too, or didn't you know?
proudloudandfnm 5 years ago
So you can't answer the question?
SP 5 years ago
Why does the LGBTI alphabet group of deviants always feel it necessary to impose what should be their private bedroom behavior to everybody else?
We don't care, and certainly, don't need to know! These people know "normal" people don't have "straight parades" and we find their lifestyle offensive!
Sodom and Gomorrah were minuscules compared to what the LGBTI alphabet group is into today.
However, there is no need for violence against these people.
Almighty God, Jehovah, will impose his judgment on the alphabet group, dishonest politicians and wayward clergy in his own time!
Sickened 5 years ago
These are two groups that I care absolutely nothing about. However, I believe that the LGBTIQXYZ group have the high ground in this argument.
realfreethinker 5 years ago
Sickened I know what LGBTQ stand for but what does the IXYZ stand for ? lolololol. I have no interest in either of these groups, but if I had to support one it would be the LGBTQ .Religion is just a scam foisted on human.
joeblow 5 years ago
... I suspect the IXYZ represents the future continuation of their gender confusion!
Sickened 5 years ago
Bam! Hammer dead center of the head of the nail!!!
bahamianson 5 years ago
Why such name calling from the Group? They need to set an example . Stop name calling people with opinions. They need to stop being Religiophobic.
BahamaPundit 5 years ago
What rights do any of us have? Who wants to get married, when the laws make sure you will lose your money in a divorce. There are almost no benefits to being Bahamian anymore. The US won't even let us immigrate in an emergency. It seems like Rights Bahamas wants greater benefits and rights for its represented minorities than average Bahamians have and that's the real issue.
birdiestrachan 5 years ago
Who in the world believes in what Rights Bahamas says. They are only for Haitians Rights. Who are they trying to fool. something like "We March"
truetruebahamian 5 years ago
That association is a misnomer. They should be all separate groups as the only common link is that they are not for straight pride!
Jojo 5 years ago
These people blind and they can't hear. No eyes to see and no ears to hear. This isn't about being hateful, this isn't about rights. This LGBTQ whatever they called. The Word says in Ephesians 6:12For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. That's what Christians are trying to show these blind people. We're not fighting with the people,we are fighting against The satanic beings/spirits BEHIND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, The enemy mission has always been to steal kill and destroy. They do it in a clever, cunning, deceptive, seducing way to break your devotion to God. Leading you into a lifestyle of rebellion and disobedience towards God. YOU CANT SERVE TWO MASTERS,you either will love one and hate the other. Choose this day whom you will serve. God or the world. A friend of the world is an enemy of God James 4:4You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God. Light and darkness cannot mix 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? America is decided on this same matter, the same thing is gonna happen here. A nation devided cannot stand. Tolerance? No sir we don't tolerate what is displeasing to God,we repent and turn from it cuz if you don't you'll get left behind. These the last days people Christ is coming, what was prophesied is coming to pass. Those who are truly 110% for real for God will be hated and targeted by the world. My God the man say he don't wan our country to be an embarrassment to world. He more concerned with world status rather than devotion to God SMH he sound just like them people in the US.
Jojo 5 years ago
No just no. Stop
SP 5 years ago
Typically, less than 6% of individuals identify with the alphabet people. If they would stop trying to impose their deviant lifestyle on the remaining 94% of normal people and keep their personal demons to themselves like everybody else, there wouldn't be any problem and no need for this conversation!
Ton_Heijnmans 5 years ago
If that shady 《Man of ze Froth》 does not retract his utterly ungodly, unholy, unXtian, and downright disgracefully-Dark rantings, within the next 48 hours?
...then? We're pulling out. Who we are, you F*ing-M muddahs will dearly regret, when YOUGHAL find that out, as you totally revolting fckrs watch us sail away... and forever more, a`Wãy from you, and your sheeple-frock flock.
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