Activists petition EU to push UK on LGBT rights
(CNS): The first non-governmental organisation in Cayman formed to represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI) community is lobbying the European Union to force the UK to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights in its territories. Colours Cayman wants European leaders to make Britain’s continued membership of the trans-national court a condition of the Brexit divorce and to use the talks to ensure that it extends rights upheld by it to allow same-sex couples in the territories to register civil unions.
In a detailed petition to the European Parliament as the talks between the UK government and the European Union begin over Brexit, the local group is hoping to use that opportunity to get the British government to make its overseas territories uphold the rights of the LGBT community as established by the ECHR and its court.
“The failure by the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean to uphold the rights of LGBT people are well documented, “ the leader of Colours, Billie Bryan, said in the release. “Colours Cayman has petitioned the UK government, via the Governor of the Cayman Islands, or an Order in Council, so that local legislation can be corrected and made to comply with the ECHR and its court’s judgments.”
She said the UK has refused to act even though it has the constitutional powers and international legal obligations to do so.
“In these circumstances, the only hope that British citizens in the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean have is the ECHR,” she said.
But there are real concerns that as Britain leaves the European Union, it may in time also seek to extricate itself from the separate institution of the ECHR, especially as Theresa May has criticised the convention and the court and stated publicly before Brexit and before she became Prime Minister that she wanted Britain to leave.
“If the UK leaves the ECHR and its court’s jurisdiction, the prospects or the recognition and maintenance of the rights of LGBT people in the British Overseas Territories located in the Caribbean region are bleak,” the local leader of Colours stated. “Theresa May’s dislike of the ECHR and its court is on the public record.”
While May appears to have changed her mind in recent months because of a lack of parliamentary support, she could very easily change her mind back, especially if the UK voters give her a massive majority in June when Britain goes to the polls.
The petition asks the EU to make the UK’s compliance and continued membership of the ECHR specified conditions of the Brexit trade talks. The document outlines the arguments that Cayman is in breach of the ECHR as it discriminates against LGBT individuals in employment and same-sex couples have no legal framework to register their relationships to acquire the rights of married different-sex couples.
The Cayman government has on numerous occasions stated that it has no plans to create a lawful framework for same-sex unions and continues to insist that, contrary to the experiences of LBGT people in Cayman, it does not discriminate in the workplace and that there is no evidence of discrimination in general against LBGT people.
On the campaign trail incumbents and challengers have broadly expressed the position that because there is no evidence that gay people are regularly the victims of abuse, violence or hate crimes, as they often are in the neighbouring island of Jamaica, that it is not happening. However, Cayman does not keep any statistics on the LGBT community and it is not possible to say how much violent crime is targeted. In one particularly gruesome case where a the body of a gay Swiss Banker was found in the boot of his burned out car, the possibility that this was a hate crime was never raised by the prosecution.
The local Human Rights Commission has pressed government on the need to address the issues relating to gay rights but the premier has stated that his current or any future government has no plans to amend any legislation to protect or benefit the LGBT community.
This is a position held by the opposition leader as well as the current independent MLAs. Colours Cayman has asked both Cayman Islands Governor Helen Kilpatrick and the overseas territories minister Baroness Anelay to intervene but has
been met with a wall of silence, even though both women are vocal supporters of gay rights and marriage equity.
“The unwillingness of the UK government to redress the violations of international obligations in relation to LGBTI rights by its colonial possessions is troubling in circumstances where the UK government has the constitutional power to do so,” the petition states. “There appears to be no direct consequences for the Overseas Territories’ governments in breaching their international legal obligations under the ECHR, simply because they are not signatory states to the Convention, but the UK is.”
Worried that without the protection of the ECHR, instead of the rights of LGBT people advancing in future, as appears to be the case in an increasing number of democracies around the world, the situation for the LGBT community in the UK’s territories could get worse once it leaves the EU.
See the full petition in the CNS Library
Category: Local News
Clearly the UK has had no appetite to apply to its overseas territories what it was empowered to do in regard to the issue at hand. This is a reality, regardless of one’s view. The idea that at the very point of its exit from the EU/ECHR the UK would accept as a condition of its departure that which it has steadfastly declined to do so far is very far fetched indeed, surely?
The UK stated that it expects Cayman to comply with its international obligations, but that it was not going to force Cayman — yet. The UK is like the parent who expects that her daughter will make the right choice on her own, before she has to put her foot down.
And the UK’s membership in the ECHR currently offers legal protections to gay and lesbian Caymanians. How exactly is it a stretch to expect and request that the UK continue to provide those existing protections, even if it exits the ECHR?
What a crock of bullsh*t, selective righteousness in this thread.
Guaranteed if one references the discrimination against Caymanians in the workplace it would be shot down, denied, mocked or outrightly ignored.
However, throw up LGBT and so many of you two-faced, deceitful fakes are acting like Ghandi and Mandela.
Actually, it is not very surprising as the “discriminated Caymanians” issue rings too similar to the ever-present racial discrimination issue in the USA, Canada, UK and western world so we see similar attitudes thereto.
Interestingly, the latter example of discrimination in the Cayman Islands is actually rampant will carry far more serious consequences than that of the unavailability of gay marriage.
Meaning, if CC is successful in their appeal, gays can look forward to equal marriage on the beach of a crime-ridden, welfare-dependent, racially-divided, culturally-divided, apartheid-esque island.
Awesome.
The LGBT fight is perhaps the easiest of all today. Bullying tactics, threats of economic boycott, and undemocratic obligatory legislation is all it takes now.
So kindly accept this fingernail clap from the cheap seats.
The absurdity is compounded by the ill-conceived game-plan of these activists appealing to a society which clearly has not learned much regarding their discrimination against the most basic of human qualities, much less sexual orientation. Many now consider the perplexing state of affairs as a most disingenuous leap-frog exercise to morality and equality.
However, I suggest we all pry our collective head out of the sand, be truly brave and address the aforementioned pink elephant in the outhouse.
There are countless examples in the form of any given western metropolis where we are headed if we continue to ghettoise and disenfranchise any particular group in a society – even if they happen to be lowly local Caymanians.
– Whodatis
*Kindly reserve any suddenly enlightened or accumulative rhetoric in reply to the above. There is only so much hypocrisy a person can take.
** Colours Cayman, I trust you recognise what truly underlies the outpouring of “support” sent your way from certain sectors of the residency. Many primarily see this campaign as the perfect weapon to chip away at yet another aspect of local values … as that ultimately plays in their favour in the long run. (Yet they go on about immigrants failing to assimilate in their home countries.)
*** The most abused and discarded piece on the chessboard is the pawn. Don’t become a pawn Billie Bryan.
**** If we are to see change in this regard the respectable way to fight for it as a Caymanian, is to engage and appeal to your fellow Caymanians. Anything but a holistic evolution of our ideals ought to be rejected.
Wow. Four post-scripts. Is that a record? All typical Who deflection, skewing the issue at hand to his broken record of purported discrimination against Caymanians, or in his case half-Caymanians.
The issue at hand is not actually the issue at hand, as tends to be the case here on CNS aka New Nation Express, hence the multiple posts.
Anyway, judging by fresh social media posts, the intended recipient has gotten the message, so mission accomplished.
Deuces.
– Who
You can’t enter into rational debate with those that deny evolution and prefer “the sky fairy did some magic and it all appeared” theory.
Wot?
All of this controversy over some god no one can prove exist.
That’s deep, sportsfan. (Meantime, figure out why it’s “can prove exists”. It’ll be a start, and could alter the future of the universe, or at the very least good grammar.)
Go Colours Cayman!!! Kudos to you for responding with compassion, not rage and judgment. Hoping the EU responds in kind with basic human rights protection. LGBT+ people are a gift from God and I love you all!!!! <3
If Jesus has instructed to “love and forgive everyone as you would do unto yourself” and yet one persists in conscious hatred and subjugation of “gay people”, it assures no place in the heavenly kingdom, that much is written and understood. Hateful zealots are booking reservations downstairs – including/esp klepto-pastors that preach false tenets. It’s not too late to repent.
Totally deluded statement.
God does not change His rules to suit you.
Perhaps you need to repent?
If the rules cant change talk us through the clothing with mixed fibers business will you? On any rational basis the people who believe in something for which there is no evidence are the one with delusions.
DOWN WITH DIVORCE!
Comforting to know it’s not too late, but Jesus did make a distinction between love and forgiveness and acceptance.
There is no such thing as god. Sorry some people aren’t intelligent enough to see that.
Well you are obviously in good company. “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.
What are you going to say on Judgement Day?
Very few people actually live lives that are truly pleasing to God. But some brave people actually press through and find the amazing truth.
I understand your resigned statement, but it only applies to you and people that want to think like you, which is not everyone.
Live and let live. We all die and on that day, you will have no doubt.
I wish you every success.
Odd the poster said “live and let live” when the Christian groups position on the issue of the thread is to positively interfere with the lives of others who do not share their views.
Deluded posters are rife today. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle, but it is none of my business. That is why I said, “Live and let live.”
I am merely saying that we all have an appointment with our Creator.
You can bully me, but you will not bully Him.
Her
True – because you can’t bully a figment of someone else’s imagination.
BTW pointing out the obvious irrationality in an ‘argument’ is not bullying. Bullying is what the homophobes are doing to gay people.
SO you are saying we have an appointment with this creator concept. Any evidence to back that up? PS The Bible does not count.
Human rights is the right to live the right life. What more freedom would you desire.? You have your freedom. What a mess ? what about the words human rights that people don’t understand? . Human rights means “human living the right life ” obvious if you have to fight for something that you are doing that is wrong, you need get on your knees and ask God to please forgive you so that you can enjoy human rights. The rights of a human is to do the right thing. You cannot force the Cayman Islands to do away with the penalty of stealing or to murder, the law is marriage between a male and a female who God created when he made Adam first and then he took a rib from Adam and made eve. So guys why you want a man and man woman and woman world? The world would come to an end before time, because God made us male and female to multiply the world. Tell me where your source of production would come from? Stop being insane to human rights. Again human rights is the right to live right.
This is utter nonsense. “Human rights” are rights that belong justifiably to every person, and such rights have nothing to do with wether or not the majority believes a person is or is not deserving of those rights.
What they’re doing isn’t wrong, it’s natural, they’re attracted to the same sex in the same way you’re attracted to the opposite.
Somehow I don’t think the population of the world is going to suddenly decrease because a country allows same sex marriage!
“The rights of a human is to do the right thing.”
Do these rights include the right to believe in religions other than Christianity?
Christianity teaches that all other religions are wrong, and that Jesus is the only route to salvation.
So why would any society allow people to worship according to other religions?
My human rights extend to my religious freedom to say your sky fairy nonsense is utter piffle. But once you show me the firmament I’ll listen to your Genesis references.
Perhaps you only need to wonder at the fantastic spirit in your own children. Don’t poison them with your negativity.
Or poison them with religiosity.
Both are poison. Let them make up their own mind. Perhaps your good example will lead them into a happy place?
Do not confuse religion with spirituality. There is a massive difference.
Just ask Jesus. He was crucified by the religious crowd for helping suffering folk and pointing out the error of organized religion.
So what did we do? We organized another religion.
Typical of us bull-headed humans.
We really need to get in touch with the dimension that we came from.
Jesus is not a religious bloke, trust me. I know Him. Do you?
What exactly do you define as spirtuality?
Jesus was crucified for a specific reason and that reason was to die for the sins of humanity so that you lot will have the opportunity to heaven in accordance to how the “story” is portrayed but, not that any of that can be proved.
Point is, Jesus wasn’t crucified for helping people, he was crucified because God his father (remember the virgin Mary) sent his only son to die for the sins of humanity which God created in the first place. What a crock of shit.
“So guys why you want a man and man woman and woman world? The world would come to an end before time, because God made us male and female to multiply the world.”
This suggests that all heterosexual people are just closet homosexuals going against their true nature because of what the bible says.
If you don’t understand the difference between civil and human rights, you aren’t qualified to comment on this topic. Thanks for coming out.
Hold on. God created another man before he created a woman? That would intale God is more than likely gay himself. Must have been real lonely.
God is spirit, and therefore without gender. He created man and then woman. Study a bible to find out why. God bless you, friend.
I thought God was genderless. Why are you still referring to the spirit as “he”?
So according to your logic, if you have to fight for rights, what you’re fighting for is wrong… I wonder what would have happened if you applied that throughout history in situations such as slavery and women suffrage? Smh. Your logic has just a few flaws.
“The rights of a human is to do the right thing” I may be wrong, but the last time I checked you have absolutely no say in what’s right or wrong. Literally the Bible says over and over not to judge other people, but here you all are. It’s at times like these that I’m ashamed to call myself a Christian because of all of you bigoted, ignorant, and hateful people. You’re all just proving that history can be repeated by acting as modern day Pharisees. Have fun with that.
You don’t see Caymanians beating and lashing gay people. Gay people here live quite well. And this raises my suspicions as to the true motive of the LGBT fanning imagenary flames on this peaceful island. Of course, we have laws that are not catering to them; of course, we abhor discrimination and hate towards another person …. but I think all of this show is not necessary … the moderator here may not agree but thats my free speech.
We are not like this country –
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39945651
If we were, I would be marching with them. But respectfully tbere is nothing here to march about. :/
Peace
Oh, they live “quite well”? That’s fine then. Can we remove your right to marry, visit your loved one in hospital, inherit, adopt, etc. and allow you to live “quite well” too?
I find it so sad that so many of us seem to believe that if gay people are not being beaten and murdered, they are not suffering from discrimination. Yes, of course Cayman is a much better place to be a gay or lesbian person than other parts of the world. Cayman is a much better place to be a PERSON than other parts of the world. That doesn’t mean that we as a culture or that we under our laws don’t treat gay people differently than we treat straight people. All gay and lesbian Caymanians want are the same things straight Caymanians want — love, commitment, privacy, liberty and compassion.
Ok so why treat a hard working domestic or farm hand from Jamaica like animals? Gays can’t have their cake and eat it too. Stop discrimination period! Such a waste of energy when there are people dying from diseases, children hungry, dogs being burnt, elderly can’t feed or take care of themselves and the list goes on.
Sorry, just so I understand — are you suggesting that we should solve every societal problem in Cayman before we make the very simple changes necessary to end the legal discrimination in our country against gay and lesbian Caymanians, or that gay and lesbian Caymanians don’t also care about the other problems facing our society? Both suggestions are total nonsense, but its important to be clear as to which you meant.
Good on you Primer for not addressing the rights of the LGBT, Lets not follow the rest of the world and continue to remain as christian as we can! change is good but not all change will bring success possibly more destruction
This was obviously an unpopular comment, but this poster could have hit the nail on the head.
If there is no God, no morality and no empathy for one another, then it is business as usual, but if there is a Good who expects a modicum of respect and decorum in our behaviour, then He won’t be silent much longer.
Laugh as much as you want, but it is the last laugh that counts.
Caymanians, remember- silence is consent. Do not consent to something that we are culturally and morally against. Speak up.
9;41 pm. Never saw or have I seen a man breast feeding a child. Have they ever reproduced??
PS CNS why is reproduction not a part of the conversation? Why should marriage be the only topic?
CNS: It will be a legitimate part of the conversation as soon as you categorically state your opposition to a man marrying (or being with) a woman who cannot have a child for whatever reason (too old, infertile, etc), and your opposition to any man who cannot get a woman pregnant for any reason getting married or being with any woman. If your opposition to same-sex marriage or same-sex relationships is because they cannot make children, then you must be opposed to any and all marriages and relationships that cannot produce children — for example, a man and a woman over 50 who love each other cannot, in your book, get married. Have you ever seen a 60 year old woman breastfeeding? No? Well then, they definitely can’t get married or be entitled to the legal security and happiness that comes with it.
Worst response ever. There is a big difference between having a condition that prevents an otherwise capable body (when at full health) from having children and a body that did not come with the anatomy to do so in the first place.
CNS: Only if your actual reason is prejudice. If you use logic, there is no difference. When you confuse the two, you end up spewing nonsense. You’re either opposed to relationships that cannot produce babies or you aren’t, unless you are opposed to only some relationships for illogical reasons.
LOL at CNS schooling this young padiwan in critical thinking
Please stop speaking for all Caymanians. SOME Caymanians may be “culturally and morally against” providing everyone with equal dignity and respect under the law, but many are not. And it is disingenuous for people who are against this to say in the comments here and elsewhere that Caymanians accept gay and lesbian people and that they face no discrimination in Cayman, but then make statements like these that suggest that the entire island is against them.
…against intolerance
We are a very tolerant people. Sometimes too tolerant. I have never, in my 36 years, seen gender or racial bias in the workplace or in social situations.
To be fair, this petition is not about bias in the workplace or in social situations, because there are currently no laws in Cayman that protect people — be they gay or straight — from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is about making sure that the Caymanian government lives up to its international obligations, and that gay and lesbian people have recourse if it doesn’t, in matters of immigration, legal recognition of their relationships, and the like.
Have you been living and working in the same country as me, Cayman?
…said the privileged white heterosexual male.
Mixed race female
Meanwhile I, in my 18 years, have not only experienced racial bias, but gender bias as well. Cayman is no longer tolerant, open your eyes.
Lemme get this straight (no pun intended) …
Colours Cayman is lobbying the EU to force the UK to compel its overseas territories to support and recognise LGBT rights and or gay marriage?
Ok, interesting.
My dearest Billie. The people of the UK voted to leave (Brexit) the EU because, in their opinion, TOO MANY people like YOURSELF were coming into their country.
And so we are clear, I am not referring to your sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather more basic aspects like; the colour of your skin, texture of your hair, the accent of your voice, your nationality, etc.
Yes, Brits changed the course of their direction on a passionate tsunami of xenophobia and racism. (They’ll claim otherwise in a 1-to-1 conversation or in a public forum until the cows come home – but walk into any given B-road English pub at 10:30 on a Friday night, listen to the vibrant conversation, and you will swiftly discover what is really what.)
Anyway, you may want to find another tree to bark up if righteousness and equality is your objective.
Jus’ sayin’ …
– Whodatis
*Doing away with archaic, “unfit for purpose” marriage laws and implementing civil partnerships for ALL people – gay, straight, LGBTI and otherwise – will go a long way to getting you to your promised land.
**Unfortunately, judging by discussions had here on CNS and elsewhere, many proponents are more focused on disrupting the status quo rather than finding a solution to the grievance they claim to be their mission.
I trust you do not also fall into this category.
A Who interpretation muddied by his inability to grasp basic concepts
What I do grasp is the fact that in the UK dozens, if not hundreds, of immigrants aka migrants aka expats were physically assaulted – some even killed – in the wake of the Brexit vote.
The UK can’t teach Cayman a damn thing as it concerns humanity and decency and for one to reach out to them in that regard is an indictment of either their ignorance or selfishness – possibly both.
– Whodatis
Well apparently it can teach Cayman something about humanity and decency in one area. As usual, you use one issue to deflect criticism of conduct in relation to another – although your chutzpah in criticising Brits for wishing to limit access to non assimilating immigrants is frankly remarkable given your views on inward immigration to Cayman. Passing lightly over the fact that you attribute dozens, or is it hundreds, of incidents in a population of 65 million people as being indicative of the views of the entirety of that population. I might as well say the murder of Frederic Bise is indicative that all Caymanians are murderous homophobes. That would be as logical, and as unfair, as your comment.
Re: ” … your chutzpah in criticising Brits for wishing to limit access to non assimilating immigrants…”
Oh the irony.
– Who
Btw, your comment would only make sense if Cayman voted in favour of a referendum suggesting the killing of a risk-taking, bar-cruising, ex-con seducing, substance-abusing, apparently closet homosexual is the right thing to do.
Bad things tend to happen to people who willingly associate or copulate with bad people.
(Hmmm, maybe those dead Poles in the UK conducted themselves in some comparable manner, hence their fate?)
Furthermore, anyone who knows the jailbird killer knows that he too is a homosexual. If anything, that could have been a lover’s quarrel or sex romp gone horribly wrong. Maybe even rape – I don’t know.
Unless you were there I am guessing neither do you.
Anyway, this is now getting uncomfortable. Not the best reference point on your part.
– Who
You mean illegal immigrants.
Redbrick to the core.
Ubertroll
“*Doing away with archaic, “unfit for purpose” marriage laws and implementing civil partnerships for ALL people – gay, straight, LGBTI and otherwise – will go a long way to getting you to your promised land.”
No matter how many times you make this suggestion, Who, it unfortunately doesn’t make it a workable one. You yourself have admitted what makes this suggestion unworkable, and yet you continue to suggest it.
“**Unfortunately, judging by discussions had here on CNS and elsewhere, many proponents are more focused on disrupting the status quo rather than finding a solution to the grievance they claim to be their mission.”
Judging from your comments on the last article on the subject, Who, it is you who have unfortunately given up on finding a solution. Even when your suggested approach has been demonstrated to be flawed, you refuse to consider other solutions.
For others wishing to catch up, please review the comments at:
https://caymannewsservice.com/2017/05/same-sex-couples-urged-to-test-cayman-marriage-law/
I see personal opinions are now indisputable facts.
Guess I missed that memo.
– Who
Who, you are the one that admitted that your proposed approach would require the ENTIRE WORLD to change its laws before the gay and lesbian people of Cayman would be entitled to the same benefits and burdens of the recognition of their relationships under the law as opposite-sex couples. Fact.
Yeah well Brits are now a minority in London and soon in other major cities so tell me all about that xenophobia in the pub. Is Billie Bryan a Pole or a Romanian? Maybe that had something to do with it rather than “the colour of your skin, texture of your hair” so your sentence is half right.
Well, not only “job stealing” Poles and Romanians felt the wrath of the Brits via their Brexit vote – as they weren’t exactly fond of having to accommodate the thousands of desperate and drowning Africans, Arabs and Middle Easterners as they fled war, invasion, genocide and terrorism – often times as a direct consequence of British foreign policy (e.g. Libya / Gaddafi)… but, of course, none of that really matters, right?
Yes, definitely a society from which to derive standards and an appreciation of human rights.
– Who
Ummm…correction, WHITE BRITS are now a minority in London.
The mere fact that this is a relevant news story speaks volumes and basically supports every thing I have said in this thread.
😉
– Who
What have you really said and more importantly, what are you trying to say?
Savannah & Newlands – are you listening? Do not elect persons who are not all inclusive. Respect everyone.
Thank you Colours Cayman.
There was another very gruesome crime some years ago where the Police almost immediately announced it was not a hate crime, whilst also saying the investigation was ongoing. It was where a young Mr. Carter was killed in the Annex area neat GT Primary School (Mr. Carter was reportedly gay) and gruesomely killed.
Then there was the ignorant outburst (arguably amounting to inciting hate) last year at the Legislative Assembly by Mr. Eden against gay people…with the only real rebuttal by Minister Panton (the premier and speaker and others either gave tacit silent agreement or said very little in response to Mr. Edens hateful tirade).
It’s long overdue that Cayman provide (and be seen to do so) real human rights for all humans. And for Britain to ensure that it’s overseas territories do so…where they are failing in their international obligations.
A concerned Caymanian…and a voter too!
Eden will be swept in to Savannah and Panton will not be elected. That’s the state of things right now, alas.
Good on Colours Cayman for trying their best to get this issue addressed.
This has nothing to do with other nationalities trying to impose their culture on a different society but merely seeking equality for a wonderful part of the countries population.
Instead of theoretical future breaches of the ECHR ( which would not apply anyway if you were right about the UK withdrawing from the ECHR, which incidentally is complete speculation) why don’t Colours file an application now for breach whilst the UK is still a signatory, instead of trying to confuse LGBT rights with the macroeconomic battles over Brexit? Could it be that you simply don’t have any hard evidence? Anyway, why don’t you fight the obvious battle, instead of trying to gain leverage by blistering on to an already acrimonious but considerably wider issue.
There is already a breach of law. In fact, there are many breaches of law. Taking one by way of example, the Cayman Islands is legally obliged to have in place a framework for, among other things, registration of same sex relationships. The lack of such a framework is a breach of law as has been confirmed by the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission law year in a press release. The Overseas Territories Minister, Baroness Anelay, has also confirmee that Cayman’s “continued discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community place[s] the Cayman Islands Government in breach of its legal obligations”. There is no need to prove anything, as this breach (and others) has already been fully established and acknowledged.
Then sue, don’t petition the EU, who the UK government will completely ignore anyway.
Read the petition.
If I understand correctly these petitioners want the UK government to ignore the wishes of the majority of Caymanians, as expressed by the election candidates. Hardly democratic is it?
Yup, imagine. Undemocratic bastards did the same thing to get rid of slavery.
Exactly the right tactic – shame the UK into changing the laws in the backwards backwaters of its territory.
Cayman is not a backwards backwater, and I don’t think it’s helpful of accusing the Caymanian people of such.
What some Caymanians may be is fearful of change, which is a natural inclination. What such Caymanians need is to be supported and helped to understand that gay and lesbian people in Cayman only seek the same dignity, respect, love, commitment and privacy that we afford to our straight brothers and sisters, and that the fear is unfounded, not mocked.
The UK as stated previously will not force Cayman into enacting LGBTQ rights. This decision is for the Caymanian electorate to decide. I am all for equality and would like to see this enforced
The UK stated that it expects Cayman to comply with its international obligations, but was not going to force Cayman — yet. It DID NOT say this was something for the Caymanian electorate to decide. The UK is a parent expecting that its daughter will make the right choice on her own, before they have to put their foot down.
Billie: If there was a petition, asking for the Cayman Islands to simply recognize our obligations in regards to LGBT civil and human rights (without the Teresa May bashing), I (and other Caymanians) would gladly sign and provide voter ID number. With social media, I think you’d get a rapid uptake. Colours Cayman should start one at change.org and post the link. Our evangelical-pandering politicians, using the standard 1990’s election playbook, are clearly out of touch with the modern electorate, and the evolution of tolerance. Legally, they would not be able to dismiss a petition signed by thousands of registered voters.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
And who made you the spokesman for the entire electorate? Do you think if the politicians were so out of touch with the electorate they wouldn’t change their tune?
I can tell you definitively, as a registered voter with as many common and progressive viewpoints as my surrounding neighbours, that our politicians are recklessly off-track, out-of-touch, and seemingly eager to expose us all (collectively) to further financial consequences, which do have a material impact on our quality of life. Look at PR. Look at unfinished JGHS. Look at understaffed fire, prison and RCIPS. I don’t care what your spiritual values might be, we are 5 minutes away from again being on the loosing side of a legal claim – this time, filed by this community. Totally avoidable and with zero impact on the heterosexual community. LGBT is not a contagious disease and the recognition of civil rights is not finite like portions of cake to be divided up. Nobody needs to be short a slice of compassion (which is what Jesus would offer) – particularly when we already know we have a legal obligation to provide it!
Bermuda Landmark Same-Sex Ruling
http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20170506/landmark-same-sex-ruling
Well … “the times they are a changing” …
I guess its not their time yet, or they will never see it happen 🙂
For once, let’s please just honour our civil and human rights obligations voluntarily before the lawsuit payouts or Order in Council/headlines. We waste tens of millions taking needlessly foolish, dog-headed, antiquated, and loosing positions on myriad issues. Shouldn’t we have learned by now that the CIG needs to keep better counsel?
A Caymanian
One must wonder the origin for these intolerances.
For the bible tells me so
Which parts exactly?
Leviticus 20:13King James Version (KJV)
13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 11-12
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
If Cayman islands is suppose to be a God fearing Christian nation then why isn’t the sale of conch not brought under the spotlight of the church as is the homosexual lifestyle?
How do they pick and choose what to follow from the bible?
Any preachers or bible scholars out there care to explain?
Our edifice of patriarchal Evangelical-fueled West Indian bravado/misogyny is not unique to the Cayman Islands. It continues to hold us back. Ironically, there is much more money in being a tolerant stay-over destination than any cruise port might theoretically bring (even if the port were free).