Rivers hedges on support for Eden’s motion

| 07/02/2020 | 173 Comments
Cayman News Service
Minister Tara Rivers in the LA on 30 January

(CNS): Following a backlash from her constituents and the community, Minister Tara Rivers has used social media to claim that her support for a private member’s motion brought by Anthony Eden calling for government to reaffirm the right to freedom of expression to protect pastors from allegations of hate speech was confined to the motion’s resolution to protect freedom of religion. But Rivers is facing criticism because the motion was clearly brought to press government into protecting hate speech against LGBT people.

Freedom of religion is already enshrined and protected in the Bill of Rights. The 2009 Constitution goes even further, elevating Christianity above other religions and affirming the historical importance of Christianity to these islands and its culture. But Eden’s motion, debated last Friday, was not just about protecting pastors’ right to preach, he deliberately pointed to a case in the UK where he claimed Christians had been charged for quoting from the Bible.

However, in all cases where people have twisted religious texts to taunt, bully or deliberately target minority groups, it is considered hate speech and they are not prosecuted for quoting scripture but inciting hatred.

Eden doubled down on his view that deriding the LGBT community, be it through scripture or his own distorted opinion about issues surrounding gender and sexuality, should be protected.

He introduced the motion by immediately referring to gay marriage and what he believes is the attack on Cayman’s traditions by those who want marriage equality. And he made it clear that he believes homosexuality is “absolutely disgusting”, and does not believe LGBT people should be afforded any kind of respect or human rights.

Rivers was the only minister present in the chamber at the time of the vote who did not speak in support of the motion but voted ‘yes’ to the principles of it. Both Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Health Minister Dwayne Seymour clearly professed their support of Eden’s position, which is in line with their previous contributions on the numerous opportunities Eden has created during this current tenure to express hate speech under the protection of parliamentary privilege.

In the past, Rivers has been absent from these types of debates, which bring up issues that some of the more liberal minded representatives may find awkward, thereby avoiding the need to vote.

On this occasion she lent her clear support, but has since claimed it was entirely based on the idea of protecting people’s right to preach Christian doctrine. She did not, however, offer her support to the LGBT community or apologise for the open attacks on them during the debate. This angered her constituents, who said she stood by while a bully spewed hate about a minority group here and she did not stand up for their rights.

But she was not alone. Not a single member who was present in the chamber offered their support to LGBT people during the debate.


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Category: Politics

Comments (173)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Fools multiply when wise man are silent… Nelson Mandela

  2. Anonymous says:

    First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

    Because I was not a socialist.

    Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a trade unionist.

    Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Jew.

    Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

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    • God bless Tara says:

      Yep, if people see wrong and don’t say anything, the devil gets away with murder. Caymanians are too relaxed in their hammocks.

    • Anonymous says:

      This is the poem “First They Came” by Martin Niemöller, prominent German anti-Nazi theologian and pastor, founder of the Confessing Church and a president of the World Council of Churches. He was talking about when the Nazi’s came for the Christians. (Info from Wikipedia.com).

      Let the Christians speak out now before the new communism silences them globally.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And there is your problem. This is not just relevant to Christians, it applies to all as the references do not discriminate, which is entirely the point of the poem.
        Christians do need to support their faith, but not through bigotry or hate.
        FYI, he was talking about mankind and it’s habit of turning a blind eye to discrimination, especially the intellectual classes who believed they were above such matters.

      • Anonymous says:

        The poem literally says “First they came for the socialists” not “First they came for the Christians.” Because the Nazis weren’t going after Christians. They had support from the Centre Catholic Party as well as the Catholic Church.

        They Nazis didn’t care to any extreme extent about one’s religion – just whether they were enemies or not.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Homophobes don’t like being bullied. Its mean if its done to them.

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  4. Rodney Barnett says:

    Which Is It?

    At government expense MLA Rivers recently flew to Hollywood “land of out-of-control drug fiends, extra marital affairs, dismembered family life, sexualy abuse and of course sexually confused people” to tout the reality of today’s Cayman Islands.

    Once there did Ms. Rivers promote the illusion of an island filled with loving, welcoming, happy people enjoying the island life of live and let live? Or did she tell the truth and attempt to sell the idea of Hollywood coming to Cayman to reveal the evil lurking just below the surface. A reality which includes a dishonest, self-serving political system filled with biggots that panders to, and supports a homophobic cabal of inividuals touting hatred and exclusion?

    Perhaps Cayman Pastors should be allowed to tout their hatred and misguided prose, but their flocks should also know they can choose to not listen, and move to a Church that promotes the belief we should love thy neighbor.

    Hopefully when on that recent tour selling Cayman to the likes of Hollywood, she was honest and true to her christian faith — and alerted them to the true homophobic nature of our Island’s leaders.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    What a total and complete coward she is. So much for leadership. Either she supports Eden’s hateful nonsense or she doesn’t. Pick a side and stand up and be counted! Or is she too worried about losing all her MLA perks to do anything useful?

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    • Anonymous says:

      She’s always wishy-washy! It shouldn’t be hard to state if you have the same vile beliefs as Anthony Eden.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    The ignorant will only trust and help…..the ignorant. Cayman. All the rest of us are without representation. Better that way. Any intelligent person can take care of himself.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Every last one of you answer these questions truthfully:

      1. If your brother or sister is gay will you stop loving them and dkswlwn them?

      2. If you Discovered that the man or woman who sired you was gay or had sexual
      relationship with gay persons would you be ashamed and disown tnem and finally ,

      3. How many of you are employed and spend your employment time trashing on Cayman news service I would say to y’all get. Ack to work for what you write here accomplishes absolute.y nothing. Find better use of your employers and your time.

      Oh I’m unemployed so!

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  7. Fid.Def. - Defender of the Faith says:

    To all of you who are criticizing :Hon. Tara Rivers’ declared position on this matter:

    Have you not read Section 10 of the Constitution? Are you really saying you do NOT agree that she should support the Constitution? So are you really saying Tara should NOT “support the Constitutionally enshrined principle of Freedom of Conscience”?

    And are you really saying that it is WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Christian doctrine and scriptures by Christian organizations and individuals is a right protected by section 10 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”?

    If so, then following your logic:

    Would it be WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Hindu teachings (i.e. doctrine) and literature (i.e. scripture) by Hindu organizations and individuals is a right protected by section 10 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”?

    Would it be WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Yoga teachings and literature by Yoga organizations and individuals is also a protected right”?

    And so on and so forth. Do you get the picture now?

    And Oh BTW, in case you’re wondering, it wasn’t me who came up with the idea that Yoga is religious, not secular. That conclusion is drawn from a Decision of a most secular organization, the Supreme Court of India in November 2016, after a meticulously argued case for and against forcing it to be taught in India’s secular schools; a case that made it all the way up the court system of that subcontinent.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Christian scriptures say that the rapist should marry their victim and that slavery is ok. Uh, yea, that’s wrong to teach in modern society.

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      • Fid.Def. says:

        9:43 am “Come and let us reason together.”

        You dodged answering the main question posed, by doing what has become all-too-popular in social media, by singling out Christianity alone for your criticisms. Can you please answer the fundamental question:

        Even if in your view certain Christian teachings and writings are wrong, are you really saying it is WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Christian [teachings] and [literature] by Christian organizations and individuals IS A RIGHT PROTECTED by section 10 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”?

        And even if in your view certain Hindu teachings and writings are wrong, are you really saying it is WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Hindu [teachings] and [literature] by Hindu organizations and individuals IS A RIGHT PROTECTED by section 10 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”?

        [And so forth for rights being protected for expressions by adherents of other recognized world religions.]

        In addition, you allege that “Christian scriptures say that the rapist should marry their victim and that slavery is ok”. Therefore:

        1). Please cite the reference(s) supporting your statement: the Book(s), Chapter #(s), and Verse #(s) of “Christian scriptures” that you consider to be evidence of your allegation.

        2). For example related to your allegation regarding slavery:
        Have you confirmed who said or wrote those words you use as your evidence for your allegation;
        to which audience, in what language, were those words spoken or written;
        what word(s) in that original language are you (or others) translating as “slave” and was that same word used in that original language to also mean “servant”;
        and whether the context of whichever verses you are using to support your allegation, were intended by the speaker/writer to be applied to the entire Christian world of all tribes, nationalities and nations even at this time?

        3). It would be enlightening to have your confirmation as to when the verse was spoken or written: was it before Christ preached and before the Christian church even existed (i.e. approx. 30 A.D.), or after?

        It would also be interesting to hear your views on the following:

        Even if in my view certain Atheistic teachings and writings are wrong, should I really be saying it is WRONG to “affirm that expressions of Atheistic [teachings] and [literature] by Atheistic organizations and individuals IS A RIGHT PROTECTED by the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, Bill of Rights and Responsibilities”?

        Can we reason together please?

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        • Trying 2 Help :) says:

          This is what happens when you use the Bible to defend your side. Not saying the Bible is not a sacred book. But in dealing with a secular world, you make our side have to strain defending a book. And there are many non-christians that would support you. But all you did was cause them to be repulsed by your beliefs.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t forget King Solomon’s lesson for custody battles, maybe that will be motioned to be codified next, it’s in the Bible “instruction book” after-all.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    It is the oppressed LGBT community that needs protection, not selectively-pious ministers.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Oppressed? So how exactly are LGBT gay folk of less than 1% being oppressed here ???

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      • Anonymous says:

        ask one, ask them why they can’t marry, why they have to hide their sexuality, why public officials openly mock them.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Apparently, it is too upsetting and destabilizing for the “Christian” community to allow loving committed partners (and/or serving coparents) the right to a legal union, or equal marriage opportunity, in order to have visitation rights in hospitals, or take out a responsible loan to buy a house together, or name their life partner or child as legal beneficiaries in estate and life insurance matters. That, apparently, would be too much, and lead to the erosion of the sanctimony of our model hetro family units and suddenly lure these “innocent” into a world of perversion and demagoguery, or so it goes…insert defunct supporting scripture.

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        • Anonymous says:

          But is this not what they were offered with a civil union?

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          • Anonymous says:

            When was that offered? Talking about maybe doing something is not making it happen.

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          • Anonymous says:

            The LA was ordered to “EXPEDITIOUSLY” pass Legislation to create a mechanism to recognize and uphold the rightful legality of civil unions, but they haven’t made any foray into that. Perhaps so dumb as to believe that Brexit will somehow erase superior court ECHR obligations. Instead, thinking they are clever, they put forward a motion to do the opposite: protect gay-haters, xenophobes, and fundamentalist policy-shapers from legal consequences. Don’t pretend this is even on the same page. The Church want to pretend they have the support and authority to walk-back sodomy and homosexual decriminalization from two decades ago…because of Coronavirus…in China…and this flawed logic train found support!!!

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            • Anonymous says:

              The day that the Legislature is bound by the court to act as the court decides is the day we can stop the elections process and live in a judgement country.

              The President of the Court of Appeal should issue another statement – as that was all that it was, a statement – to clarify that his statement was not a judgment and that the judge cannot order the legislature.

          • Anonymous says:

            Legal Union mechanism would be a start (even for hetero couples that don’t want to get married), but “equality” is the word that matters here. Telling citizens to content themselves with 80% of their rights is not quite enough.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So if they were 2% or 3% would it no longer be ok to oppress them? What percentage would you choose is the correct amount to begin to stop oppression?

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  9. Anonymous says:

    One need not be Christian to dislike homosexuality. There are plenty of non-Christians who do.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Next flip flop coming Monday morning. Tune in to hear Barbara backtrack and try to cover her ass

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    • Anonymous says:

      Barbara? Who she? We have an MLA called Barbara? Jesus! Next you’ll be telling us we have one called David!

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  11. Anonymous says:

    You all need to get over it. CNS you too! You have an issue with Anthony. Fine. But it is obvious that there are 2 conversations happening here. 1. How to handle the gay rights topic and 2. How to ensure the rights of others. We have seen other countries treatment of Pastors right to say what the Bible actually says. That’s not hate speech it’s the truth. Of course it must be sad with love but the Church should not ever divert from speaking the truth according to God’s word. If you have another truth then we will fight it out, so be it. But stop trying to tell us that we don’t have the right to hold on to our truth because you don’t like that it exists.

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    • Respectful voter says:

      I was with ya until you mentioned church. As a Caymanian, I believe in God, morality, I oppose the lgbt agenda, and yes I am for ALL rights, but don’t tie me into a church ! PLEASE !!

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      • Anonymous says:

        @11:05 “Church” is the body of Christ, not a building with a sign on it which is referred to with a common “c”. Thank you for believing in good (no misspelling here).

    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      It is a deplorable and unConstitutional condition to allow hate speech against any person or group. Our Constitutional freedoms MUST protect everyone. Otherwise, what we have is the tyranny of majority instead of equality for all.

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      • Chuckle :) > says:

        Hello…. You didn’t include the tyranny of the MINORITY in your famous speech. I wonder why ????

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        • BeaumontZodecloun says:

          Quite simply, it’s because the tyranny of the minority does not and has not ever existed.

          I didn’t realise my humble thoughts were considered famous! WOW!

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      • Anonymous says:

        If hate speech is unconstitutional, what’s all the name calling and bullying of people of faith all about? Isn’t bigotry hating someone because of their opposing view?

        Seems like the so-called “homophobes” really aren’t any more hateful than the so-called “victims”. Talk about hypocrisy!

    • Johnny smith says:

      Despicable man.

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    • Anonymous says:

      But the Bible is filled with hate speech. Read it and you’ll find out.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Amen!

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    • Anonymous says:

      While you’re on the topic of truth: nowhere in the Bible does it say that Cayman’s “foreign gayness” are causing 2019-nCoV in China, or influencing plate tectonics, or having any effect on global warming. Those were never God’s words, especially not as transcribed in 500AD. Those are the boneheaded rationale cited as today’s evidence for a formal motion in the House. That would be bad enough. But then, we had other policy-makers joining in whole-hearted agreement. These aren’t just numb opinions expressed in the LA, under the safety of parliamentary privilege, these are policy-shaping decisions that are an entire dimension from normal. That’s the fact that should terrify everyone, regardless of faith. Worse still: many months ago, the judiciary had instructed the LA (with a warning), in real life, to work on pressing forward on rights legislation, in light of clear breaches…no effort has gone into that.

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      • God bless the LA says:

        And what’s the best thing to do with a judicial warning that does not regard the primacy of the electorate? zzz 😴 Zzzzzz

  12. what a coward says:

    Shame on you, Tara. If you think your support for hatemongers like Eden is going to guarantee you a place in heaven, you’re in for a big surprise.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Shame on you who posted this comment against one of our elected representatives. If your so passionate about establishing gay laws here, why don’t you seek support from THE PEOPLE OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, and not play legal games and bad mouth our culture.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Tara Rivers speaking about diversity & inclusion. The hypocrisy and bigotry is real.
    Absolute shame on AIMA inviting her to speak on (I wish I could tag them here) a topic she has absolutely no idea about.

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexiskwon_privatequity-realestateinvestments-privatecredit-activity-6630904900693831680-w1mt

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    • Anonymous says:

      You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about! Minister Rivers is one of the most compelling speakers I have heard, and she clearly knows her stuff. Her presentation at the Cayman Finance Breakfast Briefing was magnificent, and it really helped to put the legislation in context. I hope her AIMA event will be as informative and wish her luck.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You mean the breakfast where the Minister let us know that the CIG just agreed to everything the EU asked for? Great work, takes a special talent.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Then she should stick to her supposed ‘expertise’. Speaking at an event about diversity and inclusion is absolute hypocrisy.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Also, I am not questioning Tara’s public speaking skills. I am sure she can read a prepared speech to an audience. I am questioning the suitability of her attendance and invite to speak at an event with ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ as a theme of such event.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Sorry Tara you have really disappointed on this subject. You no longer have mine or my families votes.

    Uncle Bob’s Road

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  15. Anonymous says:

    There seems to be a significant amount of intolerance and hate coming from members of the LGBT community and their supporters. This approach where there is a complete lack of respect for differing opinions will not achieve the desired outcomes.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The product of judicial review was a clear factual directive. MLAs don’t get the leisure time to opine on alternate outcomes that insulate their prejudices – and by doing so, further serve to oppress Caymanians.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The CJ clearly overstepped his authority when he attempted to legislate from the bench. The government, as representatives of the citizens of the Cayman Islands, are exhausting all possible avenues of appeal. The will of the people should be supreme in a democracy.

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        • Anonymous says:

          If you were right, slavery would still be legal here.

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          • George Towner says:

            Oh pleasr. What slaves went through for over 300 hundred years has nothing to do with a late century sexual revolution. Were you beaten, were you whipped on your back, were you mistreated because you were norn a certain way visible to the eyes… no you have not!!

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          • Anonymous says:

            False equivalence.

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  16. Andi says:

    I am ashamed I voted for you!

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Consensual homosexual love was legalized in the Cayman Islands twenty years ago. That’s two decades ago. Judicial Review has twice required our MLAS to EXPEDITIOUSLY confer equal rights. Yet, they want to pretend they have parliamentary discretion to perpetuate the oppressive status quo and impede justice, on the basis of highly selective religious piety. That’s not free speech. It’s fascism.

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    • Smh says:

      I really don’t think you know what fascism is. If you did, you would be giving thanks that you are basically free to go places in the Cayman Islands.

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  18. Tom says:

    Earthquakes and hurricanes have been around for billions of year, yet God ‘only’ live earth for 2,000 years. And it is nothing do with God bullshit message! Human roam earth for 200,000 years. Bible is a just a book!

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Haters gonna hate, Ignorants gonna lead the way. Cayman.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Christ Jesus, Tara, I taught you in school. Bright, sensible, sensitive balanced. What the XXXX happened to you?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Corrupted by power and sold out her principles. Disgraceful.

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    • Anonymous says:

      She got a independent brain cycle outside of the teachings the right thing is still in the human form

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    • Anonymous says:

      To 7.15pm Tara learned to use her brain and hink for herself. You should be proud of her nstead of putting her down.I hope you are not hating on her just because she is more than a koolaid drinker and has her own opinion and not simply holding on to yours .

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Thank you, Tara, for standing up for freedom of speech and expression! Sorry, critics, if you perceive Christian preaching as anti LGBT, but free speech protects speech you do not agree with. And Tara is not anti-LGBT because she believes in free speech. Sure, I wish someone challenged Eden, but her clarification was helpful and says it all. I was more offended by the stupidity of his pseudo science on natural disasters than what is frankly still a pretty mainstream view of LGBT matters in Cayman. LGBT supporters harm their cause with their political correctness. Stop the purity tests. Who would have ever thought we would even be debating LGBT issues, that is a big plus. And requires free speech. No need to hate on the Minister who is probably the most on your side all-in-all. It’s tough work.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Freedom of hate speech isn’t a thing. You can’t deride someone’s lawful rights to live in peace – a right which the judiciary is obliged to uphold AND protect. People are going to have to be arrested in order to learn the new limit of acceptable.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Hate speech has become a meaningless phrase. Free speech is most important when you say things others do not like.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So the motion was to affirm what we already know that the constitution protects – ie free speech WITH limitations and the arguments made in favour of that was the same old objectional anti LGBT shit that Eden has spouted on multiple occasions. Tara as the previous Gender Affairs Minister ran from every opportunity to address it and now votes for a motion that was justified on the same vile basis without indicating regret or disavowing that line of reasoning. Her constituents are entitled to assume that she voted yes for the same reasons as the mover! Nice try Tara but your constituents smell the BS and I don’t think they will forget!. You are also clearly not a leader – leaders don’t seek blend in to the shadows when decisions require fortitude and principle!

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  22. Anonymous says:

    To ALL the people of the Cayman Islands: If something doesn’t concern you, and doesn’t cause you harm, then it isn’t any of your business. It’s a great way to get along! And another thing to think about:… Why make a fuss about what other people do if it doesn’t concern you? As long as people are having their sex in the privacy of their own choosing, no one else will ever know about it, unless they blab about it publicly. The part I’m not sure about is WHY they want a marriage licence. What does a licence mean to them?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Why does anyone want to get married then, unbelievable, does someone really need to spell that out to you. Why did you get married?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Responsible codependent asset sharing, health decisions, living wills, estate planning…many of these are foreign constructs to our bitter broken mixed father households, and the many resentful former teen mothers that curse the deadbeat penis that destroyed her youth and dreams. They can’t abide the idea that a same-sex partnership could work better than their past hetero relationships, and how dare anyone live happier than they. Insert scripture.

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        • Anonymous says:

          @12:49 kindly explain why there’s a higher rate of annulment between same-sex couples.

          There are laws that cover everything you’ve just pointed out you need a fake marriage for.

          Btw, it’s illegal to marry for convenience. Far as I can recall I’ve of the main reasons they wanted to marry was to regulate the foreigner’s immigration status. Shameful.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Tara, don’t pay them any mind. You vote your conscience. All these naysayers are been spurned on by the media. LBGTQ must be able to have their say and their rights respected but straight people must be able to have their say and be respected too.

    Because one does not agree with someone elses lifestyle does not necessarily mean they hate them.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You hypocrites don’t get it. If there was a pro-slavery church group pulling out the select supporting verse from the Bible, there would be an international incident. There are clear limits on acceptable speech and actions as the laws of a society (finally) mature. You can’t just pick and choose which Judicial Reviews and Biblical verses you want applied. Only fascist states work that way.

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      • Anonymous says:

        fascist state? Bro, what books you reading. Seriously, you need a brain check

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      • Anonymous says:

        Fascist states and Grand Cayman. Gay people most the the developed world is on your side, most of Caymanians and their representatives are not. You will never get their blessings. You have less rights at home then Expats. Live free in your love and let the haters live in their hate. You will still have better lives then they will. Asking them to treat you like humans is not gonna happen in your lifetime.

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    • Anonymous says:

      5:05 you are so full of shit – “Because one does not agree with someone elses lifestyle does not necessarily mean they hate them”? Square that with “And he made it clear that he believes homosexuality is “absolutely disgusting”, and does not believe LGBT people should be afforded any kind of respect or human rights”. Sounds like hatefulness to me.

      What happened to:

      My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
      John 15:12

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    • David Shibli says:

      Well put.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    Tara! Sis you were supposed to be the good one!! Fighting the good fight and having a modern and liberal mind. Now your just a younger Julianna…

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  25. Anonymous says:

    Yet, WBS might actually have one of the highest residential populations with the fewest corresponding number of churches of any Cayman Islands district. Can you explain that Tara?

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  26. JTB says:

    Is there a single member of the legislature with the slightest shred of principle, integrity or moral courage?

    Apparently not.

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  27. Tom says:

    You just have lost 3 votes in your area! Good bye…..

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Give Chuckles the Clown a round of applause, she’ll be here all year.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Are you listening Tara? You will N-E-V-E-R get our WBS votes again.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    I love how Tara tries to put a paragraph together with some fancy words and claim she did what was right and have her district believe that crap! Ppsssttt! Whatever Tara, you’re time is running out- I guess you can still try to save face, but I doubt you will. You have yet to rise to the occasion for West Bay! Barkers?? Where’s Tara on the subject?? I’ll just stop there.

    Oh wait, why don’t you run off to Hollywood and whine about them calling us a ‘tax haven’ in movies. At this point, with all the Anthony Eden’s in the government, and all you lame ducks allowing the hatred to be tossed around, we’d be better off with that image then the image of what’s reality in our government- and that’s on YOU, Tara!

    #lame #votethemout

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  31. Moi says:

    Well, common sense appears to have died alongside diginity here. Absolute disgrace, all of them!

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  32. Anonymous says:

    God bless Tara! West Bay stands with you!

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  33. Anonymous says:

    2021 soon come.

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  34. Don't need your religion says:

    “Religious mysticism is intellectual garbage. It’s a vestige of the old superstitious Dark Ages when nobody knew anything and the whole world was sinking deeper and deeper into filth and disease and poverty and ignorance.

    It is one of those delusions that isn’t called insane only because there are so many people involved.”

    —Robert M. Pirsig, Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals, 1991.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Someone wrote a book in 1991 condemning centuries of established global beliefs.

      If course the author was starting his own belief when he wrote the piece of garbage that tried to debunk people’s right to believe in an entity greater than themselves… But then, who wants that right? After all, we all want to be God of our own lives.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Tara Rivers is a complete fraud and a huge disappointment as minister. She has become the younger version of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly. She will do anything for a vote and use up the privilege of public office including selling her soul and services that helps her retain power. As an intelligent woman she has taken her constituents for fools. Her time is up in 2021 because she is a big part of Cayman’s problems because of her self serving agenda and poor judgement.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t forget about stillborn Cayman Youth policy she is so proud of.

      From gov.ky
      “After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she joined the Ministry of Youth, where she formed and led a 28-member task force that developed the National Youth Policy for the Cayman Islands. This blueprint for youth development initiated projects such as the radio programme “This Is How We Do It!” and later “Youth Flex”, the National and District Youth Forums, the National Youth Commission, the Youth Parliament and other youth development programmes“

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    • Anonymous says:

      Juliana is her mentor and model. SAD.

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  36. David Shibli says:

    Everyone subscribes to a religion.
    Some people subscribe to Buddhism, Islam, Shintoism, Catholicism, Atheism, Hedonism, Sexism, Protestantism, etc.
    There are only 2 religions in the world.
    The religion of Cain, the hateful man who told God to take it or leave it or the religion of Abel, the one who brought the blood of the innocent Lamb, representing the final sacrifice for our sins.

    I bring the blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) as atonement for my sins (and they are many). I do not bring to God any of my good works or deeds of kindness.

    What do you bring to God today?
    Bring the blood of the Lamb and live. This is not a game.
    Let Jesus save you, He has done the work. How can you hate a pure Man that paid for your sins?

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    • Born communist says:

      I don’t subscribe to any religion.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Your religion is Marxism, born communist. You don’t even know what you subscribe too. Must be from West Bay.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I believe in the Maker, but when you started this blood of the lamb thing, with all due respect, youre really making the side for the defense of Natural Order look fanatical. Still love you though as my brother 🙂

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    • Anonymous says:

      There is no God.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t subscribe to any religion so please don’t speak for me.

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  37. Anonymous says:

    It is clear politicians are caught in the cross hairs of shoring up their older and narrow-minded voter base and navigating the growing numbers of younger or more open-minded voters. This will become a trickier issue with each election for the next decade or two. For most of these politicians, it’s easier to stay silently complicit than take a stand one way or another. As for Tara, she’s trying (but failing) to speak from both sides of her mouth.

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    • Anonymous says:

      12.51pm Stop hatingon older persons. That is ag discrimination . And stop persecuting persons because tbey are Christians. That is also discrimination.

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  38. Anonymous says:

    Tata cannot be trusted. She’s Big Mac’s newest shiny toy

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  39. Anonymous says:

    She is a waste of space and will do anything for votes and power.

    Not a genuine bone in her body. WBS needs to vote her out.

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  40. Anonymous says:

    Honorable Seymour is a great leader!

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  41. Anonymous says:

    For someone like Tara who is a qualified attorney to support this garbage makes you go hmmmmm…….

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    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanian edumacation.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So Caymanians can’t be educated? Or educated Caymanians aren’t educated? Or Caymanian education isn’t worth anything?These type of comments is why there is so much disdain for expats. Because while meant might not say it, we know you think it: “Caymanians are dumb and don’t worth anything, even the educated ones.”

        Ships and planned leave from here every day.

        Don’t live anywhere where those around you aren’t good enough for you. Not sure how yourself will live with you though.

  42. Al Catraz says:

    Cool. So I can quote scripture on the “Mark of Cain” thing that used to be used against persons with dark skin color as a justification for enslavement of Africans. As long as I quote the Bible, it’s okay.

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  43. Anonymous says:

    Tara, and the rest of unnah, pick a side (whichever that may be) and stand by your convictions, or go to hell!

    You are a lawyer. If you were not prepared to speak out against what was being said, you should have walked out. You do not get to have sat silently through it, said nothing, and try to claim sympathies on both sides of the issue. Do let us know whether you believe same sex relationships are deserving of the same protections as heterosexual relationships. We want to know, and since you purport to be representing us, we deserve to know.

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  44. Slacker says:

    How about freedom from religion and Tony Eden?

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  45. Anonymous says:

    It’s really pathetic to see all the members just leave the room or not speak up. No backbone. It’s disgusting, embarrassing and needs to stop. When will we start hearing from the up and coming who are going to replace these “politicians”???
    #votethemout

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  46. Anonymous says:

    Sorry Tara too late. You are educated but have no common sense or integrity. All those fancy big words are not going to save your sorry ass come election day. Bye Felicia!!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      We will see less attendance in the chamber/parliament in the very near future as they decide not to say another word ahead of their attempt at re-election. I cite Boris Johnson and his ducking and diving (ie walk-in freezer) to avoid any hustings or personal interviews. Brexit and Trump and now Tara/Anthony! Won’t we ever have common sense in our world leaders!

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  47. Anonymous says:

    There is a real conundrum here. The Bible instructs/requires that gay men be executed. It’s there, plain to see for those who care to read it. So what if Anthony Eden gets up in the LA, says Cayman should obey the teachings of the Bible, and then simply reads that bit from Leviticus? Is it a crime to call for the murder of gays? Or would that be protected religious expression?

    What if a pastor declares that women can’t speak in church or a boss beats his workers? Both would have sound clear biblical backing. So is it okay? Just another case of protected religious expression?

    Eden aside, many good Caymanians are trying to serve two masters. They are being pulled in opposite directions by opposing forces. One is the backward barbarism of an absurd belief system, the other is modernity and basic decency. But they have to choose. It’s one or the other.

    Unna gotta choose.

    #lame

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  48. Anonymous says:

    Makes me wish I was in her constituency so I would have the pleasure of not voting for her in the next election.

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  49. Anonymous says:

    Religion makes people so stupid.

    Come on Cayman, can’t we just outgrow it and move on?

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    • Heretic says:

      It’s going to be a hard habit to break as it really is an opiate of the masses in Cayman. Hate thy neighbour is the norm. We have a twisted bunch on our hands.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Stupid cultures make stupid people and vise versa.

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      • Anonymous says:

        12:43 I think it’s ‘ignorant’ cultures that make ignorant people. If people here got a decent, secular education freaks like Eden would soon die off.

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        • Anonymous says:

          3.38pm You said” If people here got a decent, secular education freaks like Eden would soon die off.” You mean the kind that gave us Trump and Boris, and Kim and Adolf ? No thanks

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    • Anonymous says:

      She has failed to canvas, understand, and represent the mindset of the voters of WBS. This is the nail in her career there. She’d have to switch districts for next time and spin the wheel there.

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    • Anonymous says:

      As a lifelong atheist I’d say it’s not the religion that’s at fault but the abuse of it. I’ve lived in the Middle East with no problems but telling ‘Christian’ people here you don’t have any religious beliefs gets you treated like a leper. Even the local churches that supposedly worship the same God seem to be in conflict with each other – bit like a gang turf war.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Ok, some of these comments make no sense. First off, some of you speak “hate” yourself on the way you talk about religion or religious people. Perhaps you should take a look in the mirror and realize you have no room to judge. Those who don’t agree with or accept homosexual acts as being OK are HATED on BY YOU! Why must you label disagreement as hate? Perhaps you can’t win without using fear tactics because you would lose in a good, honest discussion.

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        • Al Catraz says:

          I know, right? People just think that they have a right to hate you, simply because your beliefs differ from theirs.

          For example, I don’t believe that people of African origin should live with, marry, or mingle with white people. I don’t hate anyone, it’s just the way I believe.

          I should be able to raise my children the way I believe, and should not have mixed race couples forcing me to endorse their lifestyle, or to force my children to believe things which I simply don’t agree with.

          But all I get from respectfully expressing my own personal beliefs in this matter is hate from other people.

          If God wanted white people and black people to marry, then He wouldn’t have put them on different continents and marked one of them with the Mark of Cain.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Yeah, cause you’re doing a good enough job forcing YOUR beliefs on your children. Please, for the sake of the rest of the world that actually has sense, don’t reproduce anymore. The last thing we need is you trying to encourage racism instead of trying to end it.

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          • Anonymous says:

            I can’t believe how many upvotes this comment got. In the mother country you would be prosecuted for hate speech. Cayman really is What Donald Trump would call a shithole island.

            CNS: The comment was making a point through irony.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Lol, I love the replies, your point is absolutely going over their head.

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        • Anonymous says:

          If the homophobes just “disagree” with people being gay then why not mind their business and go about their day instead of harassing two CONSENTING adults over THEIR life choice? If you don’t like it, simply don’t participate. The simple fact is that using words out of a book that’s extremely outdated to spread fear, misinformation and hatred amongst people is wrong. If all it was was just disagreement, we wouldn’t see gay people getting harassed, beaten, tortured, abused and/or even KILLED for just being gay. Maybe more people would stop “hating” on your religion if it actually accepted people for who they are instead of judging them and allowing this hate speech to continue. Religion is supposed to bring people together, not encourage the harassment of those who aren’t like you.

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          • Anonymous says:

            To 3.31 But they are not being harassed. It is peple like Tony and Tara and the rest of our Caymanian Mlas who are beinv harassed and villified by hateful lovers of homosexuals , mostly from UK and USA.. And look whst it has done to your countries.. the UK used to be called John Bull, now its just John Steer.

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            • Anonymous says:

              No – they are just being denied the same rights that Tony and Tara enjoy – that’s not harassment at all, no sir, just discrimination, and that’s fine as they are a minority who Tara and Tony don’t agree with. Whilst calling out your MLA, a public figure, is harassment. Yep, got that.

      • Anonymous says:

        Amazes me how the local churches here are in conflict with each other.
        Just like a type of gang turf war.

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