PAGE 6, Thursday, April 28, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Pastor speaks out after transgender call for rights
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He also urged the Christie administration to “make its position clear” amid growing concern from some observers that the fourth bill would open the door to same-sex marriages. He stressed that the bill’s wording gives the impression that special rights are obtainable by any minority group that feels it is being discriminated against. Pastor Bethel’s comments came on the heels of the launch of BTIU’s equality campaign, “Bahamian Trans Lives Matter”. On Tuesday, BTIU representatives called on the Christie administration to ensure that the fundamental rights of all genders of Bahamians - male, female and transgendered - are protected through law. The group further claimed that they weren’t in support of or against any of the amendments proposed for the gender equal-
ATTENDEES at the transgender and intersex community press conference at the British Colonial Hilton this week. ity vote. However, Pastor Bethel said their current position of “it doesn’t matter to
them” does not “hold water.” He said members of the group attended the House
of Assembly in March to hail the passage of the bills. Pastor Bethel added that their original position gave the impression that they saw value in the bills and therefore supported the four amendments. In March, transgender woman Torri Culmer told The Tribune she believed if the referendum is successful, it would help members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Pastor Bethel on Wednesday said the change in position by the group has raised red flags. “Now, them saying that they don’t have a horse in the race on this matter seems somewhat disingenuous. Nothing changed since the bills were announced. They were there in Rawson Square cheering these bills then. Why the change all of a sudden? “Is it them understanding that their support would shed light on the hidden agendas of bill four? Or is it someone in the ear telling them to publicly distance themselves from yes vote campaign?” Pastor Bethel said transgender and intersex people possess rights on par with every other Bahamian. “If they were born as a
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
man, that is the rights that they have; so is the case if they were born female. “The minute the government starts to (discuss) these extreme views, any and every off the wall grouping of people would set out to make their beliefs and practices the norm in this country,” he added. “What is next? If a person wants to become a cat, are we then expected to bow down and grant that right to them to act and live beyond the social and religious confines? It is unfair for them to demand that we adapt our laws to fit their beliefs. “They are demanding healthcare and rights in that regards, are we as taxpayers supposed to fit the bill for their hormone treatment and procedures moving forward? This is why I make the point - we can’t start the process of granting such rights because it will become a black hole that we can never see the end of. “This is why the government has to clarify this matter. The issue of gender equality has many unanswered questions that need to be addressed,” he added. The Grace Community Church pastor said his comments ought to be viewed as his “personal stance” and not the official position of the Save Our Bahamas
committee, a group that has launched a campaign against the fourth bill. Meanwhile, in a statement released by the YES Bahamas campaign on Tuesday night, the group stressed that the referendum will not address the specific issues of BTIU. The statement also responded to LGBT rights advocate Erin Greene, who has said she is voting no to bill four because it does not address intersex issues. “While the yes campaign is building a broad coalition of support, we are not surprised by BTIU and Erin Greene’s objection to the amendments,” the group’s statement read. “The issues BTIU is advocating for are not represented in these amendments, which would give Bahamian men and women equal rights to pass on citizenship to their family members, and would enshrine in the Constitution the right of men and women to have the same opportunities and the same protections in our laws.” YES Bahamas said it welcomes the opportunity to clarify again that none of the amendments on the referendum ballot would pave the way for same-sex marriage nor bestow any new rights to the LGBT community.
YOUNG MOTHER ONE OF TWO PEOPLE KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENTS
Mall at Marathon•Southwest Plaza (Open Every Sunday) 9am-5:30pm Southwest Plaza Location only!
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According to reports, around 5am, a man was driving west on Farrington Road when he collided
with a guard rail at the Thompson Boulevard roundabout. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. ASP Stubbs said police believe the man may have
had a heart attack or stroke while driving, which may have led to the accident. However he said an autopsy would be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
Bahama Islands Co-operative Credit Union Limited (BICCU) Formerly Bahama Islands Resorts & Casinos Co-operative Credit Union Limited
NOMINATIONS BICCU wishes to announce that applications are now being invited from members in good standing who may wish to become a candidate for a vacancy on one of the following: Board of Directors Supervisory Committee Credit Committee The election to fill vacancies will take place at the 30th Annual General Meeting to be held on May 27th 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at The Prince of Wales Room, Beach Tower, Atlantis Paradise Island. All members interested in serving in any of these positions should collect an application form from the office of BICCU at #11 Village Road, Nassau, Bahamas between the hours of 9AM – 3PM, Mondays – Fridays or download it from our website www.biccu.org. The qualifications, duties and responsibilities for each post are available upon request. Completed applications, along with the other relevant information requested should be returned to the office of BICCU on or before the close of business on Friday, May 13th 2016 for consideration by the Nominating Committee. Members are also reminded that all Resolutions for the Annual General Meeting’s consideration must also be submitted by Friday May 6th 2016. Any application, not completed or returned without the requested supporting information, or received after the aforementioned date will not be eligible for consideration. Signed
Hilton Bowleg Chairman
Estella Walkes Secretary