Activists raise more concerns over discrimination
(CNS): Colours Cayman has accused government of effectively deporting gay Caymanians because same-sex spouses of local people have been refused residency rights as dependents. The activists raised further concerns with the European Union this week that Britain’s territories are continuing to discriminate against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community following a decision in Bermuda to roll back previously legislated marriage rights and further discrimination in Cayman, with same-sex couples being driven out of their own country in order to live as a family with their spouse.
In a release about its efforts to petition the EU to push the UK to address the inequities in the British Overseas Territories regarding same-sex marriage, Colours said two couples in Cayman are facing specific discrimination because the Caymanian Status and Residency Board has refused to give dependency rights to same-sex partners legally married to a Caymanian, undermining their right to a family life. One of the couples has been forced to live in Canada, where their marriage is recognised, Colours stated.
Both couples have appealed to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.
“The grounds of such rejection are exceptionally concerning,” Colours stated in its release, especially in light of the decision by the Immigration Appeals Tribunal in a case last year to allow same-sex spouses of foreign workers to reside in the Cayman Islands as a dependent.
The problem results from the fact that the government refuses to recognise a legal gay marriage here if one of the spouses is Caymanian because same-sex marriage remains illegal in this jurisdiction, even though it is legal in the UK.
“The practical effect of this rejection is that the immigration authority is recognising the rights of foreigners before Caymanians by forcing Caymanian people out of their homeland in order to live with the person they have legally married. In effect, the Immigration Authority is deporting Caymanians to live overseas where they can live as a family. This may sound like a joke, but it’s the appalling effect of the rejection,” Colours stated.
The release also pointed to the retrograde step in Bermuda and Colours’ concern that the UK does not plan to step in. The new legal framework in that jurisdiction for same-sex couples, termed “domestic partnership”, is too late, the activists said, as it will result in the withdrawal of legally established rights from a section of its population.
“It is shocking that this can happen under the UK’s watch and control. In effect, this amounts to legal segregation, which, as we know from modern history, can have profound social and psychological consequences,” Colours added.
Category: Local News
I was turned away from a store because I didn’t have shoes on but, that’s the rule. “no shoes no service”. I just had to find another store that would allow me to be barefooted. Who am I to say that store is wrong or the rule is wrong.
I will spend my money at a different store. Problem sloved.
If you get bad service from one store, will you find a different store?
You have other options in other countries.
What a smug response to discrimination and human rights abuse. Would you have said the same thing to Rosa Parks?
These little arguments display your lack of actual thought on the issue, sexuality is not a pair of shoes that one can take off or on at will, sexuality is an immutable trait that humans have no control over (like eye color or skin color)
If someone says”No shoes, No shirt, No service” it is not legal discrimination because it is assumed that everyone in society has access to both shoes and shirts and therefore it is their decision to wear or not wear shoes or shirts. In the event that the person is turned away from the store because of a lack of shoes or a shirt if they return with shoes and a shirt on they will be allowed in and treated like any other customer.
However if someone said for instance “We don’t serve gay people” That would in fact be legal discrimination because they are treating someone different due to a immutable trait. If someone is refused service because they are gay or because they are perceived or reputed to be gay. Then they will never be allowed in they, will never have access to that particular service or good. Is that not clearly wrong? Forcing someone to “spend their money at a different store” or pursue options in “other countries”. If you give someone the option to turn someone away based on a trait like sexuality then you allow and normalize legal discrimination and effectively create a second class of citizens.
Why is it ok for one minority to be excluded and discriminated against when most others are given the same legal rights and protections under the law?
Of course your simplistic, if then view lacking all empathy and any sign of nuance displays exactly the problem that people have when talking about these issues, an unwillingness to put themselves in the shoes of the victims, an unwillingness to put aside their personal beliefs and to see the true equality
Diogenes, while I agree on your points about discrimination, I think what Anonymous 9:59 was getting at was that perhaps people need to start voting with their feet in order for Cayman to learn. What a lot of anti-LGBT people fail to understand is that these are not just gay people with no other dimension to themselves other than sexuality; these are doctors, lawyers, teachers, plumbers, and other skilled individuals whose activities are benefitting the society that they live in (in this case, Cayman). Especially those who are from Cayman, they have a vested interest in their home and they contribute to the well-being of Cayman by offering their talents and skills. What Cayman society at large needs to realize (and I believe this was the point 9:59 was alluding to) is that if local LGBT members are dissatisfied with the unfair treatment they are receiving, should they choose to leave, they take with them their talents, skills and abilities with them – in another words, another society benefits while Cayman suffers. What Cayman will then have to do is recruit said talents and abilities that they’ve lost from overseas, which would fix the shortage in the short term, but in the long term these recruits owe no loyalty to Cayman.
In this context then, it follows that Cayman should make itself a more attractive society by recognizing all LGBT rights. Religious people and organizations should and still will still be free to determine what is good for their own members, and as a member of the LGBT community myself, I would advocate for strong protections for the religious establishment. This matter is a civil issue and should be kept a civil issue, instead of being made a religious issue.
Except this store picks and chooses which barefoot fools to let in.
Everyone is fine with the theocracy and legal enforcement of arbitrary christian morals until it interferes with their NYE plans and debauchery, it’s quite amusing
No dancing, and no music, thanks for keeping us as pure as the puritans CIG
As well, liberal gays are fine with government controlled recognition of marriage upon everyone, and then your silent when this law conflicts with free speech, freedom of religion, and children’s rights – as we are seeing today in the United States and the UK.
Your liberal gays goes as far as to justify the government mandate upon everyone as a thing of “equality, true love, and compared to black civil rights”
There’s a saying Diogenes: You can’t have your cake and eat it too ☝️?☝️
* Think. Even conservative gays see the double standards in the LGBT liberal movement. Natural Rights MUST be protected on all sides, including children, parents, and people of faith.
The government already controls the recognition of marriage so don’t act like them stepping in to change it is the problem. The only problem for you is what the definition is and because you disagree with it based on your arbitrary and likely childhood brainwashing done by your parents or guardians.
What part of gay marriage conflicts with free speech (feel free to speak out about your beliefs on the issue, we will also just feel free to ignore you)
How does two separate individuals gay marriage affect your freedom of religion at all? What you are referring to is your freedom to enforce your religion on others, don’t get it confused as you do not have that right even here.
Again with these “Children’s rights” nature doesn’t really seem to care about guarantying a mother for children as the birth process is one of the most vulnerable and risky portions of female life. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of mothers have died giving birth leaving their children to be taken care of in single parent homes. Therefore this assumption you are making is invalid, though evidence and ration are contrary to your beliefs so you ignore them. (Insert god made childbirth risky because humans sinned bullshit here)
And yes again since you do not have enough sense to understand Unison I’ll break it down for you: a majority of straight people have decided that the minority of gay people cannot have the same rights due to an immutable trait (homosexuality)
That is the exact same as a majority of white people deciding that a minority of black people cannot have and are not entitled to the same rights and privileges due to an immutable trait (skin color)
Hence the situations can be compared, just because it makes you uncomfortable doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
Also I love that you bring up conservative gays (like Milo Yiannopoulos) who have decided that gay people aren’t entitled to the same rights (while he gets married to his black gay Boyfriend) He is literally just saying whatever will get him enough attention and sadly idiots like you actually take his word as gospel
Your idiocy knows no bounds
Diogenes
I beg your pardon, homosexuality is an immutable trait?????
Where did you get that from Dio?
Friend how many times in your life has your sexuality changed?
I don’t know about you but mine has been and always will be the same, maybe you could go into detail about your ever changing sexuality
lol … Diogenes, you’re funny when you lose your cool. I wish you had a bit of conservative nature in you, and saw this issue from a more balanced point of view for everyone’s sake – not just your kind ?
You stated and I quote:
“The government already controls the recognition of marriage so don’t act like them stepping in to change it is the problem. The only problem for you is what the definition is and because you disagree with it based on your arbitrary and likely childhood brainwashing done by your parents or guardians.”
To set the record straight, my libertarian view is highly favored: The government should not recognize any marriage whatsoever – except on matters pertaining to basic natural rights like property, personal assets, and the rights of children.
You asked:
What part of gay marriage conflicts with free speech (feel free to speak out about your beliefs on the issue, we will also just feel free to ignore you)?
Mmmm ? I think your question is a disgenuous one; or, it seems your hate for religions, especially Christianity, has cause you to slip into a state of denial – denying like U.S. news media coverages on cases where actual Americans as we speak, are being prosecuted or fined for breaching anti-discrimination laws. Since Same-Sex Marriages and “gay rights” have been made legal by the U.S. government, anti-discriminatory laws were also implemented. Of course, many of these socalled “rights” recognized by the U.S. state, stems from the famous notion that homosexuality is an “immutable characteristic” phenomena like the color of a man’s skin. I say that’s not the case, because geneticists say so. Hence, the free speech of many Americans, opposing LGBT privileges, are branded hate speech by the state. As well as freedom of religion and other rights are in conflict as we speak. Right now, there are Supreme Court matters in the U.S. that are getting alot of media attention. Why would you close your eyes to these things, Diogenes, and say you will just “ignore” them?
* Note: The U.S. government will have to go through the toilsome task of ensuring protection laws are in place to protect everbody’s natural rights. They should have not mandated SSM regonition in the first place. Without government involvement, marriage should be an individual choice. Here, is where the U.S. government has step over their role.
You reasoned:
“Again with these “Children’s rights” nature doesn’t really seem to care about guarantying a mother for children as the birth process is one of the most vulnerable and risky portions of female life. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of mothers have died giving birth leaving their children to be taken care of in single parent homes. Therefore this assumption you are making is invalid, though evidence and ration are contrary to your beliefs so you ignore them. (Insert god made childbirth risky because humans sinned bullshit here)”
All I have to say, Diogenes, what Mother Nature or dire circumstances cause to children, does not mean the government through public policies should take the place. Children do have rights including birthrights to know and be raised by biological mom and dad – why must we replace the order of nature and fate with public policy? What is even worrisome to me, is despite the many social studies like the one conducted by a medical institute in Australia a while back that used convenient samples (not random stats including the entire population of the country), in no wise guarantee that children “legally” placed in same-sex parenting homes will not be harmed. You must children are not the same psychological make-up, and do not express themselves clearly like adults, and hence – give me a good reason why you think a leftist’s government would do a good job at determining a child’s fate or destiny?
Respectfully, Your “idiot” God-fearing, Unison?
It’s hilarious because you didn’t respond to parts of the comment, and just ignored all of what I said, your blind faith seems to have devolved into pure blindness, not that I am surprised, whatever helps you sleep at night old man
Diogenes
Caymanians are also being forced to leave the Island to find work elsewhere in far greater numbers than those leaving seeking same sex marriages. I believe that too is a breach of their human rights? It’s not called deportation, it’s called survival. In Colours case, it’s called activism. There’s a difference. Yawn.
What are these Caymanians suffering from? Chronic melodrama and self-pity? Seriously, dude, if a Caymanian can’t make it in Cayman, they can’t make it anywhere.
They don’t want gays to make it in Cayman or anywhere else in the world they would rather they didn’t exist
Gay people make up less than a single percent of the population.
Why am I even hearing about this BS so often?
Maybe the media is just bringing to light the injustices that you would rather ignore
Another reason why the majority cannot be entrusted with protecting the rights of the minority
How do you know what the percentage is of gay Caymanians is? And further, by your logic any group that makes up less than a certain proportion of the population isn’t entitled to certain rights? Thank you Adolf for clarifying this for us. Now crawl back under your rock please.
Personally, I think its time for the Government to see its way out of the ‘business’ of regulating and policing marriage. It is a relationship between God and two people at its core.
So, if people want to marry and divorce this should just be them declaring it and that should be enough. Why a piece of paper and a pile or rights and obligations should attach to all this? Why should it turn into a money making mechanism for the Government, the courts and its Guild of lawyers and preachers to profit off of all this love.
Nothing starts your day off right like keeping the poor down…and to keep the poor down by feeding the gays to them..that’s low…sounds like a story from the bible when they demanded Jesus to be crucified over the murder because he had offended the feelings of the Jews. Pacify the mob to keep the system going instead of just abandoning the system….
We should have a referendum all right…on whether or not the Government should be able to issue marriage licences and the validity of the courts to settle matrimonial disputes. The church can do its proper role then and police the religious marriage within the confines of that organisation instead of flicking this task off to the Government.
And each Caymanian adult can get what is known as a family pass…one ticket for a person to reside in their household (of any sex) and for their offspring to be registered as caymanian on DNA proof or adoption of the caymanian. While it would raise a lot of problems it would solve a lot of problems too.
Your sky daddy has as much to do with marriage as the tooth fairy does with dentistry. They’re just fibs to keep the kids happy.
Don’t worry keylo ren the clock is ticking on your empty miserable pathetic shell, and when your time is up you can tell my sky daddy I said hello.
Remember people,life is a fatal sickness for us all to live and the only way it can be cured is through the power of Jesus Christ because there can be life after death only for those who believes. It’s truly a wonderful thing.
The grave will supply a time of silence for you and there is nothing your imaginary sky daddy can do to stop that.
Unlike you I have a soul,that is ready to move on to wherever God wants me to go once the flesh is gone,you see I am one out of a few who has experienced an outter body experience due to a tragedy and I’ve seen the depths of hell,and guess what,it is controlled by God,he is in control of everything so therefore he can do anything and nothing can’t stop his works and wonders,so keep spouting your blasphemy because like I said before your flesh clock is ticking and you will get your chance to see hell first hand.
Lay off the LSD
If I have no soul then your skydaddy can’t touch me.
I agree with everything you said, except the last sentence, I don’t quite understand you. But you’re right – seeing our government believes so much in welfare system, our Needs Assessment would have to expand and include providing for gay partners ?
God did not command Adam and Steve to go forth and replenish the earth. It was Adam and Eve. This is a good way to wipe out the human race.
God didn’t command anyone. God is an anthropological construct.
That’s just fancy talk for saying god is imaginary.
John 3:16. Please then ask yourselves how the waves come to the shore and how the weather can not be control by man. God is real and we all must believe.
CNS: “I don’t know” is not the same as “It is not known”. Here’s a very basic primer on tides, and here is one on how the weather works. You can try to understanding science and still believe in God.
Is that really the best Mr D has got? Not very convincing is it?
CNS believing in both science and God Impossible
if muslims got on CNS and started commenting we all had to believe in Allah the Christians would be on high alert and up at arms
A religion based on fear and vengeance
All of this controversy over some god no one can prove exist. Grow up.
But … can you as well prove your claim? If we reasoned just like you reasoned, and we conclude the other way, that there must be an intelligent cause behind DNA code and all forms of life.
I say, to each is his own ?
The question you should ask – Is your atheistic belief conducive to your every day life, and makes you a better person. Alot of people will
say that belief in God, absolute morals, prayer, and religious practices, have made them better persons?
Have you ever seen an elderly person who believes in a loving and a wise God, always humbled, always thanking and praising God, walking the narrow way with a frown on his or her face??? They may complain about bodily pains and the effects of age, but they have a hope that makes them smile. There are more positive vides in theism than atheism, I can testify to that.
DON’T CONDEMN –
GOD IS REAL ?
Unison, I respect your opinion on the matter, but not your attempt to decide what I think. Do not tell me whether to condemn or not. In my book there is good and evil in the world, and currently a lot more evil than good. My job (and perhaps yours should you so choose) is to get out there and do good, showing people the way rather than trying to get people to believe in something that we cannot prove. The rest will follow.
The burden of proof rests with the those making the positive claim.
Especially since it is being used as the basis for the assertion of absolute morality derived from bronze age texts.
If there is no absolute morals, then anything goes!
5:07 . What if you could prove he exits, would it make a difference in your life..it will be very sad when you know he dos and it’s too late.
Remind me again the percentage of the population that is LGBT? Such a small percentage being granted rights for simply loving another human being has no negative effect on you, your fairytale, nor the population. Even IF it did slow the population growth, it is to our benefit due to less strain on Earth’s natural resources and atmosphere due to pollution. Straight person here, btw.
Oh for god sake! There are more than 6 billion people on this earth and not all of them are gay, therefore there is no risk of wiping out the human race by allowing gay people the same right and dignity as we extend to straight people. Your argument is absurd!
Sidebar on Earth Population: 6 Billion in 1999, 7 Billion in 2011/2012, 7.6 billion in 2017, and already assured 12 Billion by 2100.
Troll or criminally stupid? So hard to tell sometimes. I’m going to go troll, because the “Adam and Steve” line is so dull that no-one would type it nowadays and think they were being witty.
“effectively deporting gay Caymanians” – This is too much of a stretch. Tone it down.
You obviously don’t know any who’ve had absolutely no choice but to emigrate.
Clearly the government does not want to step up and be on the right side of history. What a shame. But make no mistake, the churches cannot stop this tidal wave from crashing down and finally drowning their precious “morals” that are ironically nothing short of hate crimes when it comes to same sex marriage.
We would not be having this conversation if Cayman was a poor place to live!
The marriages of (rich) polygamous residents from other cultures are indeed allowed recognition here by the courts though.
Nice….!
CIG and Bermuda want the UK to force this legislation on them, as not one member of government has the balls to do the right thing, and need to be able to blame someone else. If they had balls they would be standing up to the bullying churches and morons who have no idea what they are on about, and just get this done. Not standing up to them makes them stronger, and where will that end? Religious nuts running the place like they do in the US.
It’s male rectophobia, under the convenient banner of religion. If this were genuinely religious-based opposition, there would need to be concurrent opposition to the widespread violations of the 10 Commandments and 7 Deadly sins in the Cayman Islands. The brainwashed zealots skipped over all of those more egregious and obvious violations (like infidelity) to disproportionately zero-in on gayness, and in particular, male gayness.
Has Colours and their supporters given any thought to the social and psychological effect changing the laws would have on the islands and our population. I think not.
Just how does it affect you 4.12? Why is it that there is a persistently irritating group of Caymanians (and others come to that) that believe they have some divine right to decide how others live when it neither affects nor concerns their own lives? However wife abuse, beatings, animal sex goes on unchecked…Keep your huge noses out of other peoples business. It is not your concern.
Go ahead and throw your litttle cat fight, but what you are condoning effects every person living here. Just make a note that you are putting wife abuse beating, animal sex on the same level with what you are condoning. Your words and not mine.
It only affects you if you stick your nose into other peoples business. Try not doing that, and see how much easier your life becomes.
These are Caymanians, jackass!
Guys, before you dislike Anonymous 4:12pm’s comment, perhaps you should read the sarcasm in it.
Question – does Cayman recognize the marriage of a couple under the age of 18 which was legal (and didn’t require parental consent) in the country they got married?
Different issue and within the range of discretion that does not infringe rights norms.
As a Gay Caymanian, let me add my two cents to the matter. Please note, what is good for one group of people MUST be good for another. How can the the Caymanian Status and Residency Board deem it o.k. for an expatriate couple to legally reside here when Cayman does not recognize ‘Gay Marriages’? I understand that the expatriate couple are legally married, as their marriage is recognized elsewhere but what is good for the goose must be good for the gander; especially if one of the partners is a native of the country. One can not bear to think that it is an act of discrimination based on one of the following: social status, colour, gender, age, nationality of the other partners or ALL of the above.
I am one for equality. in this day and age, there is absolutely no room for discrimination of any sort. Shame on you Cayman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s not discrimination, it is the God’s will since the dawn of creation of man and woman. Please recognize God made man and then woman for the man’s companion and to reproduce. If man is to be man and woman with woman, then what future is there? It is pretty much the same with the birds, the bees and plants. Imagine a world of all being gay?
One final note, what do I tell my six year old why Jessie has two fathers or two mothers? It’s very contradicting to what is written and again will ask what future is there for man kind if we were all gay?
I don’t have any issues with what a person does to one self, their bodies or their beliefs but please respect mine and all of Christianity, Muslims and Buddhists that resides here.
Somehow Christians are the victims in this situation, I can’t deal with this stupidity
Baffling. “I don’t have any issues with what a person does to one self”, so they’re fine with whatever choices two grown adults make, be it love or beat up each other, but they go on to say “Please respect my beliefs”.
In a nutshell: “THEY can do what they want, they just have to make sure that they adhere to MY religious standards.”
By the way, you can’t hide the world from them forever. Explain it as it is.
Further, granting LGBT citizens rights suddenly won’t turn the whole world gay. I don’t know why you repeat “Imagine a world of all being gay?”. Do you listen to yourself?
Tell your 6 year old that Jessie has two persons that love and care daily for him/her. Who also love & care for each other.
8.23…that is your belief, you have no right to force it on others. Keep your nose in your own business, generally the best way.
If we are to respect all of Christianity, than we must also respect the Christians who reside here who believe in same-sex marriage.
I noticed that you talk of goose and gander, I say no more.
Oh dear, how sad boo hoo, move on. Every country should be allowed to define marriage based on democratic principle not some Euro trash court dictatorship
How is this democratic? Are you suggesting that the majority of registered voters are homophobes? When was that vote taken?
Because the will of the people is exercised through the democratic vote of the elected members and their manifesto. Oh and here we go with the ‘homophobe’ cry just because you don’t agree with homosexualty doesn’t make you a homophobe. So, the answer to your question is yes, the vote was taken at the last election. Everyone who voted knows what the current constitution says about marriage. It is a union between a man and a woman. Like it or lump it that is what it is. There are laws I don’t like but we can’t change the law based on a bunch of minority activists and their agenda to propogate homosexuality as something normal, because it isn’t, and as crazy as it sounds it was not how nature intended man to multiply. No bible needed. Keep going with the name calling of homophobe and bigot it does me no harm.
Anyone who thinks that minorities should depend on the majority to legislate fairly clearly isn’t familiar with the history of the past
Newsflash the mandate of the majority is not always the right choice
Might does not make right
By extension that makes us all pro battery and abuse, pro gambling, pro megalomaniac, and pro motor bike terrorist as well. Good to know.
“Euro trash”. Nice talk. I wonder if you’ll be whining out of the other side of your mouth when the UK passes down equal rights requirements to its Overseas Territories.
I am amazed that people (like you) who are against equal rights even exist in this age. I was talking with my parents about this very issue; they are both born Caymanians. In their view, what is important is whether a person takes care of themselves, or rely upon others’ efforts. They couldn’t care less who sleeps with or is partnered with whom. I also find that it’s none of my business.
Why do you think it is any of your business?
Reality check, the UK is (at present) part of Europe Cayman is not, thats why we are self governing and our laws are not the same as the UK. Funny how you took it upon yourself to describe an opinion as ‘whining’. Try a counter argument that is cogent, I will be waiting.
The Cayman Islands are granted a certain level of autonomy by the Crown – it can be revoked at anytime. And before anyone gets any bright ideas, we’d be fools to declare ourselves independent over this issue. Perhaps a solution to satisfy both sides is to permit same-sex couples to have their relationships recognized by the law (if the word “marriage” freaks you out, then perhaps a civil union with all the rights of marriage) while at the same time putting legislation in place that protects the churches from discrimination law suits. As essentially private entities, who are free to determine who their members are, let the churches, have their cake and protect them from conducting/recognizing same-sex unions. The marriage is within the legal/governmental remit anyway, while the ceremony may or may not be within the churches’ remit. You can have a marriage with a ceremony, folks.
“Oh dear, how sad, boo hoo”. That’s why I properly characterised it as “whining”. “Whinging” would have worked also.
Fortunately for all of us, ‘pouting’ is usually silent.
Because you brought it to the peoples attention, therefore it is now up to the people to discuss.
The government is not deporting anyone. They know what the laws were before they decided to get married with the intention of forcing the government to change the laws to suit them. Too bad because this government nor any future wouldn’t dare to try changing our laws to allow anyone to push their agendas on this matter. You either abide by the laws or move on. The other 99.99999 % will not allow it.
Although basic rights should never be the subject of a popularity contest, I’m game. Let’s have a referendum that includes PR holders. You ready for the consequences?
Not on Alden’s watch! As a trained lawyer and a politician, he knows that if he puts it to referendum, it could spell the end of his political career. Remember when he used his position of Premier to declare Legge a traitor at a time when journalists around the world were and still are being persecuted for reporting thereby embarrassing Cayman? Alden could scarcely afford another debaucle.
Alden the Destroyer will let it get to crisis level then give all of the LGTB community status.
Yea,he raised hell on mckeeva with dart now he is giving dart all he wants and living in the same house as Mckeeva.goodness, all for power and greed.take time and watch how they falling like flies in yet u.s.a.