DP debate stirs up various prejudices

| 29/07/2020 | 159 Comments
Cayman News Service
Health Minister Dwayne Seymour shares some of his ideas on sexuality with the LA

(CNS): Anti-gay rights bias and homophobia weren’t the only prejudices and odd reactions that politicians displayed over the last two days as they debated the Domestic Partnership Bill. From the opposition leader referring to the former governor as “that woman” to the health minister’s warning that women’s sexual drive increases during a full moon, the debate led some MLAs to reveal strange opinions as well as intolerance and discrimination towards some of their constituents.

Most of the MLAS who objected to the bill said they did so because of their Christian beliefs, despite the fact that the legislation has no connection to religion and would not change the institution of marriage.

The law provides a legal framework for couples to register relationships, both same- or opposite-sex, in order to access rights similar to those bestowed on married couples without entering into the institution of marriage, either because they chose not to or are prevented from doing so because they are a same-sex or transgender couple.

Nevertheless, as the registration of same-sex couples appears to some MLAs to equate to an acceptance of homosexual sex, many still objected to the bill. Despite displaying their religion on their sleeves, they appeared comfortable transgressing social decency with a combination of hate-speech, intolerance and judgement of others.

It is not the first time that the legislature has displayed such unabashed discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Cayman during debates, and as on previous occasions other prejudices such as xenophobia, misogyny and religious intolerance were were also on full display.

Prejudice and discrimination against, and fear of, the LGBT community was, however, at the core of the debate.

Many MLAs repeated assertions that in the past, Caymanians who “were that way” had been happy with their lot, demanding no rights. Some politicians claimed that it was not until foreign gays arrived and raised such issues that a situation of “them and us” had been created and this once silent and happy minority began demanding rights that they did not deserve.

Independent LA Ezzard Miller (NS) was the only non-government MLA to offer his support for the bill. He was also considerably more tolerant than his colleagues, suggesting that, although some of his constituents wanted him to vote against the bill, he was not prepared to discriminate against anyone to please some voters.

“This is about doing what I believe is right for the people, for the country and even for the ultra-right Christian fanatics who take this hard line,” he said. He spoke about people who were telling them they opposed the legislation on the basis of “one verse or a chapter in the Bible in isolation”, which he said they used to try to prove that the efforts to legislate for domestic partnerships was wrong.

“I’ve got a whole list of verses from the Bible, and most of those versus contain sins and discretions that were equally bad as same-sex relations but they are ignored,” he said.

Miller said he believed the bill provides the necessary rights for “this minority group”, met the requirements of the court and protected the status of marriage, which he said had been the main concern from the Christian community.

On the government benches, Austin Harris (PRO) and David Wight (GTW) gave their support to the bill, alongside Cabinet members, Deputy Premier Minister Moses Kirkconnell, Commerce Minister Joey Hew, Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers and Finance Minister Roy McTaggart, who displayed much more tolerance and understanding of the rights of the LGBT community, regardless of professed Christian beliefs.

McTaggart said that the bill was about setting right a wrong that “has existed for many years” because of the inaction of the LA. He said it was less about same-sex unions than ending unchecked discrimination. “In today’s world discrimination has no place, especially when it comes to government,” he added.

Austin Harris said he might lose his seat by supporting the bill but he would still do so because “it was the right thing to do”.

However, some members of the government as well as the opposition were extreme in their condemnation of gay rights.

When Health Minister Dwayne Seymour moved on from his ideas that the full moon fuels women’s sexual desires and men should take advantage of this to help procreate and save the nation, as that was his main concern about gays, he went on to say that the LGBT community was trying to “bully us into submission”.

Displaying a misunderstanding of human rights, he questioned when “our rights will be protected” and suggested that people like him were being discriminated against because of their desire to protect the sanctity of marriage.

However, the Domestic Partnership Bill does not infringe on the Marriage Law and is meant to be a separate but functionally equivalent institution.

Meanwhile, Anthony Eden (SAV), a fundamentalist Christian, railed against human rights in general, as well as the “slippery slope” of condoning what he called an alternative lifestyle.

Eden appeared to bemoan the fact that they were losing the right to deride homosexuality without facing some form of consequence for displaying prejudice and intolerance toward the LGBT community, which he believed people should be allowed to do based on Biblical teachings. He also repeated previous claims that LBGT people pose a threat to children.

Between her condemnations of gay rights, Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who is also a Christian conservative, wore her political hat. Calculating the numbers, she urged her colleagues not to vote for the bill, in direct opposition to the premier’s request, and asked members to vote for God’s law, not man’s law. Comparing herself to various Biblical characters, she said there may be consequences if the bill failed, but “if I perish, I perish”.

The video footage of the debate which began Monday morning and ended late Tuesday evening is now available on the CIGTV YouTube channel (see below).

Monday:


Tuesday:


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Category: Laws, Politics

Comments (159)

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  1. Llareggub says:

    “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ”

    Mahatma Gandhi

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Well the Drama Queens are clearly upset. I’m picking that up pretty well. Odd there are no comments about Mexico today though. Big loss there in court. Was that “the rule of law?” I guess not since it went in the other direction.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Just when you think Jon Jon can’t get any dumber, he proves us wrong!!!

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  4. Anonymous says:

    These dumb ass MLA’s keep referring to lifestyle “choice”. Who the hell would choose to be discrimated against? You cannot choose your gender, skin color, height, or sexual orientation. I realize this is a hard concept for most of them to grasp given their lack of education and common sense. If you ask any gay person they will tell you they knew their sexuality from a very young age, they did not decide one day they were going to be gay. That is like asking a straight person when did you decide to be straight. Intelligent design. Stop getting it twisted you LA morons.

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  5. Capt. Ebanks says:

    There is a basis of fact to the Hon. Mr Seymours address. Between a Gibbous and full moon, there is more activity and positive ions discharged leaving sea life, fish and women more susceptible to the bait. I use the same cycle and coincided this with my visits to Royal Palms. Boy, the fish were biting, yes sah, they bit real good. It worked that well that I was barred eventually as I was suspected of being a professional.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    An oldie but goodie, and worth re-printing:

    Dr. Laura Slessinger is a well-known conservative talk show host. She has expressed very negative beliefs about homosexuality. She has firmly supported and advocated biblical morality on her TV and radio shows. The following is a tongue-in-cheek letter seeking Dr. Laura’s advice on applying biblical morality and religious duties in today’s world. Its author is unknown.

    Dear Dr. Laura:

    Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When people try to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

    I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to follow them:

    a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

    b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

    c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Lev.15:19-24).The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

    d) Lev.25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Only the uneducated and ignorant still read the bible with a straight face. Why do you think it’s only deficients like Dwayne Seymour who are true believers.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I really am confused. Jesus was 33 when he died I believe. Now in that time that would have been highly unusual. Is it possible it might have been gay?

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      • Anonymous says:

        @9:57, your comments are not only as contemptuos as those whom you deride, but also depicts your ignorance as not all Christians in these Cayman Islands are opposed to the Partnership bill. I would suggest you be careful that you be careful in your cavalier thinking, for it may yet put a steak on your eye caused by an educated Caymanian who supports the bill. Enough of cryng us down, whether you are expat or whatever. We have been tolerant for quite a while, don’t push ya luck. Seriously.

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    • Anonymous says:

      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    • Anonymous says:

      She also says on her show that a women should give her husband sex any time he wants to keep him happy. What a champion of women she is. NOT.

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  7. Capt. Ebanks says:

    Ah Duane, he good. He has them all over a barrel as his vote would be the money shot in the face of all naysayers.
    Keep your principles, don’t compromise, your electorate deserve you.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Too many people who condemn Anthony Eden’s position on gays (sinful, evil, abomination) are themselves Christians who claim to respect, revere and believe in the accuracy of the Bible.

    Does not compute.

    Eden’s problem is not brain damage, lack of education, or old age. His problem is that he sincerely believes the Bible and chooses to emphasize parts that are convenient to his worldview. Christians who reject him and support gays do the same thing. Think for two seconds, actually read the book. He’s not making up this stuff. His anti-gay, mean-spirited, primitive-minded intolerance rests on a firm Biblical foundation and is in line with traditional Christian behavior for 2,000 years.

    This religion, like Judaism and Islam, is not only nonsensical and clearly made up, it’s also deeply immoral. It stands in opposition to human morality and social progress. If all this sounds like a crazy lie to you then please read the Bible again because you had to have missed a lot the first time. There’s a good reason no one is accusing Eden of heresy.

    The anti-Eden Christians are trying to have it both ways. They want to be Bible believers AND decent/modern people. But this is dishonest and ultimately a drag on society because propping up and sugar-coating the real nature of this backward, anti-human religion ensures that we keep producing some number of Anthony Edens generation after generation.

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    • Anonymous says:

      That’s all good and fine, except we are not living in the middle east 2,000 years ago. We have actually matured in what is moral, ethical and legal. Alas some have not, and are rooted in 2,000 year old doctrine.

      Yes, we can still believe in the “Golden Rule;” except many do not. Who are the heretics?

    • Anonymous says:

      Very well said…

    • Anonymous says:

      Beg your pardon mate but it is indeed a lack of education if you believe being homosexual, transgender etc. is a choice. That’s actually laughable.
      Do they even realize that some among them in the LA are secret homosexuals? Including some in their own family?

  9. Anonymous says:

    These 9 people were all elected. By my fellow Caymanians. Let me stress: people got out of bed, left their house, stood in line, then voted. For these 9 people.

    We have no future. We are now a satellite of Trumpistan.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Trump would have nothing to do with you.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I respectfully disagree. Trump cares only for his self-interests – this issue is not that different. Votes were cast for self-interest to protect their status in the next election (by most, but not all).

        Sadly, Trumpism is now in Paradise. Please stop this, it will not end well.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I clicked the thumbs up before I read your last line… Idiot.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Great result, why should a hand full of weirdos get to dictate to the Country what rules and laws should be in place. Whose paying for all this wasted time in drafting legislation, if the minority pressing for it have handed over a blank cheque to cover all the costs that’s fine. Otherwise indirect tax payers money should be being used towards fixing important issues, education, roads, driving standards, customs, immigration, tourism not tossing about over the Village People.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So only your rights as a citizen matter?

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      • Anonymous says:

        In Cayman you have the constitutional right to follow whatever religion you want, or none.

        But be prepared to be treated as inferior to the christian ultra-right fanatics here and the CI Minister Association.

        To answer your question, unfortunately yes, they think only church people deserve rights.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Okay let’s strip away your right to marry. See how you like being treated differently then the rest of your country.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Human rights are not important?

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  11. Missing Part of a Rib says:

    “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.”
    —Seneca

    And here we see religion’s usefulness, it may fool some of the common people. To those on the fence, Wise up, make your vote count in 2021. Out with the haters, religious fanatics and idiot ’69 HoneyMooners.🍆

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Wow. So much ignorance. Gays are a threat to us all? The moon and sex??? My horoscope just told me to kill myself because the world is insane and it’s not getting any better This is truly tragic. And it all traces back to early religious indoctrination.

    There are Caymanian children being taught fairytales as truth right now. And one day they will grow up and be adults just like these people. They will be filled with bizarre fantasies, misconceptions about fundamental facts, all topped with plenty of hate and prejudice — all without any basis in reality.

    Inventing religions was the biggest mistake we ever made. They are the self-inflicted wounds that just keep cutting deeper and deeper. There’s no reason people have to be this stupid and self-destructive.

    #lame

    Ps. You heard it here first. I predict these MLAs will soon hire Trump’s new favorite doctor, the demon sperm/alien DNA woman, as a consultant for our national healthcare plan.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sadly, I agree. Sigh…

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    • Anonymous says:

      How/why on earth does Trump fit anywhere here in any way, shape or form…
      This place is full of uneducated idiots of our own.
      You heard it here first, you are one of the idiots.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Part of me hopes that when I die, and go to Hell for lesser violations, that I might qualify for the job as the senior ghoul that gets to trident these intolerant station-abusing faux-Christian imbeciles forever. I’m totally down for that.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Back when I live in Toronto, every full moon I’d say to the wife, “get your coat love, I’m going out”. She’d say “am I coming too?” And I’d say “no, I’m turning the heating off”.

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  15. Robert Mugabe IV says:

    Every democracy gets what they vote for. Ultimately the people have the power.
    In this case we see a menagerie of MLA’s whom at least half of, have an IQ about the same size as their shoes. (I will be generous here, they can add both their shoe sizes together)
    Why shouldn’t there be some standard level of education needed to qualify for
    1. To vote
    and
    2. To run for election.
    I’m not talking degrees or even a high school diploma.
    The bar could start at let’s say, being able to count backwards from 100 to zero and get there in less than……100 minutes
    Or just be able to comprehend why a wise 500 year old man like Noah didn’t have the common sense to build a few lifeboats for the Ark in the very likely event that a giraffe, a jackass and water buffalo might go berserk and knock a few holes in it.

    It’s 2020 and a ‘civilized’ island like Cayman has scenes like we had today in the L.A.
    It truly boggles the mind.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Incredibly sad that Bo Miller isn’t here. I thought he would have been an excellent MLA. Disappointed he didn’t get in. The people up in here don’t know anything about voting for someone that truly wants to run the country for the good of the country instead of lining their pockets.
      RIP Bo. You are missed!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Let me say that this group, who happens to have the PRIVILEGE to govern these islands, is the same reason why so many of us do not attend church.

    I want nothing to do with any of the churches that you attend. There is not a single Christian bone in any of your bodies. For the most part, quite often not just today, you display hypocrisy, intolerance, bigotry, condemnation, insults, unexcusable fear, denial of yourselves, your family, and even your friends the uttermost right to enjoy the recognition of their unions by law.

    I dare you so-call Christians to remember you too will be judged by the same God you same to think is pleased with you today. As the most powerful quote goes “Let no man without sin cast a stone.”

    Remember for sake of humility and humbleness “ever time you utter Amen in your homes and in your places of worship, a child is listening.” This quote comes from one of the most powerful films on this same very topic that I DARE EVERYONE TO WATCH. Sooner than later I hope because it might just open your eyes and with much hope your hearts.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I’ve always wondered what made mine right and 4000 other belief systems wrong. Just because I read to think so?

      Today, July 29th, after watching 20 hours of debate, I left the church. Their attitudes convinced me I can live an Atheist life and still have good morals.

      Because believe you me, the one who clutched the Bible closest within that honorable house had the most hatred within them. Love one another. This is two consenting adults not multiple people, gender, or pedophilia (which is wrong, period, and much more common in heterosexuals!)

      If I may have to answer, lord your own people drove me away.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Whilst I agree with your point of not casting stones as they also have many sins the only reason for my comment is to say remember Christianity is about following Christ not Christians so don’t let them be the deterrent for you not attending church. Don’t go if you just don’t want to go but to say you don’t go to church because of how other people behave, it could be selling yourself short.
      However the bulk of what oh stated is true – there’s a lot of hypocrisy.

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    • Judean peoples front says:

      Indeed, let the person without sin cast the first stone and not until I blow this whistle. Even, and I want to make this perfectly clear, even if they do say Jehovah.

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  17. Godsaveus says:

    For sure this proves we have a number of clowns in the House.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Ladies and Gentlemen, our very own village idiot, The Honourable Minister of Health, Dwayne “John-John” Seymour.

    I guess it really does take a village.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Unfortunately the world is laughing it’s A.. off at our attempt to be included in the educated circle of territories/countries. We are a back world disgrace with no immediate hopes of being respected. We are no better than Saudia Arabia, Turkey, N Korea, and others who repress their citizens. Hail, Hail to the great Cayman Government…

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      • Anonymous says:

        9.07 they laughing harder at Boris and Donald whose countries are supposed to be First World. Just saying.

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        • Anonymous says:

          9:07 here

          I agree. Unfortunately, Cayman aspires to be a participant in enlightened world affairs, but now has to depend on ‘Mommy and Daddy UK” to spank us. Yes, this is OUR fault and we should accept our “lesson” with humility. Will that happen – NO. We will fight departing the dark ages of logic and understanding of basic human rights. We are firmly entrenched in the 1600’s.

      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t overdo it with the theatrics.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Decisions from the CIG are not “theatrics.” They are reality and effect peoples lives, their suppressed rights and how they can live their lives.

          How about you give up some of your fundamental rights that you value and see if it is “theatrics?”

    • Anonymous says:

      Between Mary Jackass Full moon produce more babies reduce gas stations so prices will fall and so on, we clearly have more than one village idiot.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    “Most of the MLAS who objected to the bill said they did so because of their Christian beliefs”

    LOL. More like the Mentally disabled, Old “Christians” and Cocaine dealer.

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    • Anonymous says:

      And these same MLA’s who state they had to vote no due to their Christian beliefs have or are committing adultery, domestic abuse and more. Sin is Sin just like love is love.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    But still not many people registering to vote, get ready for this for another 4 years

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  21. Thumbs down - all the way down says:

    Question: anyone plans to vote for this drove of donkeys next year? Because if any of them gets back in, we are a disgrace as electors-seriously. I refuse to use my duty fees to pay the salaries of these narrow-minded, 18th Century relics another term!

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  22. Dave says:

    How disgusting was this speech. Is this man seriously a Minister in the Cayman Islands?

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    • Anonymous says:

      The terrifying thing is that these uneducated politicians don’t care that the majority of Cayman’s citizens Laugh at their stupidity.
      All they care about is that 340 or so of their own kind will vote them back for another 4 years of feeding at the trough.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I agree, but if a majority “Laugh at their stupidity” will they vote them out? I suspect not, as a majority are bigots who hide in their cloaks.

        Please prove me wrong.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, part of Cayman’s best and brightest. Such a sad reflection of our society. Can’t we do better than this?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can we, Yes. Will we, No.

        We have repeatedly re-elected fools! This is what we get – world-wide scorn as an uneducated populace that needs rule from the UK as we are not mature enough and believe that “Women howl at the moon.” We elected that disgrace as a Health Minister, and now the entire world sees us as we are – incompetent fools.

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        • Anonymous says:

          He was not elected as Health Minister but as a Member of the Legislature

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        • Anonymous says:

          The better question in this thread may be- what is keeping educated, upstanding, respected younger Caymanians from pursuing a role as an elected official. There is no shortage of candidates- I have worked, socialized, and played sports with many of them. When I raise the question I often heard family commitments, career track, or burdens of being a small business owner. Somehow this has to change. If nothing changes, nothing changes.

          • Come on, capable Caymanians says:

            @Anonymous 11:46am: Hear, hear! Totally agree with you; all of us who coincide need to come together and lobby those better-suited Caymanians to throw their hat into the ring. At least Mac, Julie, Capt., Seymour, Eden and Arden HAVE GOT TO GO.

      • nauticalone345 says:

        Imagine, electors voted out the likes of Marco Archer and Wayne Panton while voting in Suckoo and Eden! Really?

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        • Anthony says:

          It goes to show you. Panton would have supported the bill & many other things and so that’s why the people of Newlands voted him out. Political Suicide. It is also not right for Self-Pro-Claimed Christian be involved in politics.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Are we really this stupid as a people?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, these are the “Best that Cayman has to offer” for leadership. That is why we are not respected – we do not deserve it.

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        • Anonymous says:

          These are not “the best”. The majority, and you know who they are, are uneducated, unskilled, unemployables who latch on to a fat salary and benefits.
          Honorable , my A$$.

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    • Embarrassed says:

      I’m actually so stunned at how out of touch these people are. My jaw dropped just reading that article. It’s embarrassing.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    So the government understands Covid-19 and has acted brilliantly, but can’t even grasp the meaning of this subject. The greatest country in the world?

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  24. Anonymous says:

    Here’s the thing, the split in parliament on this most likely reflects the current split in the wider community on it. Change is coming, but not as fast as many but not most want it, although I’m sensing a seismic shift in power at the next election in terms of personnel, not so much in terms of beliefs and representation. The rule of god and all the generational discrimination that comes with it is still strong, whether believed in or used as a false prophecy depending on the climate and the question.

    But really – women be horny in a full moon? Is that why BK use that marketing? They know the ladies will be hungry after?

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Health minister is a disgrace to the Cayman Islands and the people voted for him should be locked up for being so stupid

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      • Anonymous says:

        Unfortunately, he will be re-elected as his opinions are shared. No education, no understanding of reality, no concept of how lacking he is in fundamental basic human rights. But, his constituents will re-elect him.

        And, his views of women will stain the fabric of our society.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You need to shut up and leave our island. Honorable Seymour is the best!

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        • Anonymous says:

          I am not going to shut up and I am not going to leave my Island.

        • Anonymous says:

          Sorry, we are here to stay, and will drag your sorry a.. into the next century. Your day with this nonsense is soon to be done.

  25. Anonymous says:

    “Between her condemnations of gay rights, Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who is also a Christian conservative, wore her political hat. Calculating the numbers, she urged her colleagues not to vote for the bill, in direct opposition to the premier’s request, and asked members to vote for God’s law, not man’s law.”

    On this basis, Minister, why have a Legislative Assembly at all?

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    • 2+2= says:

      I’m just picturing her “calculating the numbers”. Lol

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    • Anonymous says:

      Well we all know that JuJu is a wonderful example of Christian values. Look how she paved so many driveways in Cayman Brac in the run up to an election, look at how absent she is when any discussion of child abuse comes to the fore, how she is absent in education despite it being her portfolio, how the Cayman government paid for her partner to accompany her on her numerous overseas trips.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    If the gays can march and rant all day let the patriots of cayman do the same. Some of these MLA’s do sound like idiots at times, but to the normal people with beliefs you better accept it!

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    • Anonymous says:

      And thus is why we are viewed as a territory that cannot rule itself!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Two consenting adults who want to tie the knot shouldn’t be this big of an issue, but it’s people like yourself that have made this a big issue. So we’re returning the favour and making this a bigger issue against your issue. Your welcome!

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  27. Anonymous says:

    After crying on tv, you would think this man had learnt the meaning of humility and compassion.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I SMH EVERY time he speaks. Is he not aware what a laughing stock he is?
      With his lack of intelligence so pronounced every time he spoke at Covid press breifings and then this debacle. How can anyone vote him back in??? I need to move into his district just so I can vote him out!

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  28. Anonymous says:

    No “Sir” Alden 🙌🏽

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  29. JTB says:

    I never thought I’d say this, but…

    Well said, Mr McLaughlin. I thought your closing speech was very good.

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    • Res Ipsa Loquitur says:

      Please do not fall for the Premier faux emotions of concern. He knew that Cabinet members in his Unity government Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Dwayne Seymour and Capt. Eugene Ebanks were never going to support this bill neither was the Co-Leader of this government and Speaker McKeeva Bush. Their voting base was clear and like every politician they will do whatever it takes to guarantee reelection.

      Alden McLaughlin has been a two term Premier and had 7 years to address this issue and educate the country on the reality of the situation. He has failed to engage in the requisite level of public education and engagement on such a polarizing topic. This bill was rushed and seemed incomplete. He does not deserve sympathy. He is now a lame duck Premier and dangerous because he has been embarrassed yet again and betrayed by members of his own government. Why did he bring this bill at this time? There is more to this story than the public are being told.

      Listening to the quality of the debate or lack thereof it is evident that the bar for leadership in Parliament is low in Cayman. Cayman deserves better candidates and leaders that understand what representation includes and the value of transparency and accountability. I was horrified to listen to the double speak, half truths, bible thumping and vitriol that was spouted by both sides of the floor. Caymanian voters must demand better and refuse to accept the fake tears and long empty speeches from the members on the Government bench and the Opposition.

      The way the Premier has handled key moments like the Domestic Partnership Bill, the People’s Initiated Referendum, about the cruise port project and even the Legal Practitioners Bill are proof that his arrogance and lack of respect for the people is why he has been exposed as a failed leader that is detached from the mood of the people as he captains a sinking ship of rats.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    If these lot had a brain cell between them they might actually have just voted down a domestic partnership bill and voted in same sex marriage. They have also just cost every one of us hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees in trying to defend something that will fail.

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    • Anonymous says:

      They would prefer SSM be implemented via a court appeal or order in council than be the ones responsible for passing a civil unions regime in order to keep their precious hands clean

      At the end of the day every single person who voted no has made the calculation that they can run in 2021 fully embracing far right reactionary anti gay sentiments to prop up their campaigns as a defining issue

      The opposition especially is looking for a defining issue to centre their campaigns on, the Unity Gov, love them or hate them will be running on the as of yet successful response to the COVID 19 crisis and the port issue has been left by the wayside which leaves the opposition MLAs of which there are now 7 out in the cold, they cannot take credit for much and the past 4 years have been especially slow in terms of passed substantive legislation
      It is exactly what Anthony Eden did in 2017 for those who remember he ran an essentially single issue campaign on protecting and upholding traditional Caymanian values, he didn’t campaign, he didn’t attend events he simply made it clear he was taking a hyper-conservative reactionary stance regardless of shifting opinions and that was enough to get him reelected

      This is quite clearly a show being put on by members of the opposition like Kenneth Bryan and Arden Mclean in preperation for 2021 plain and simple

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Some of these MLAs need to seek professional help.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    3rd August is the next full moon! Yeah baby! My wife is in for a treat 😛

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  33. Anonymous says:

    I think Mr Seymour might be confusing lesbians with werewolves.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Think he’s confusing the concept of the menstrual cycle with medieval concepts of “lunacy”, but whatever floats his boat. Always thought he wasn’t quite on the same page as the rest of us, didn’t realize he was still back in the early Victorian era, but it explains a lot. Aren’t you proud we have such an erudite individual as our Minister if Health? With such an insight into human biology and psychology he is clearly the best placed to guide us through the complexities of COvid.

      82
  34. Richard Parson says:

    What a show that was! They were presented with a legal way to compromise that did not affect traditional marriage, but refused to give rights to anyone who disagreed with them. Imagine if that shoe were on the other foot!

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  35. Anonymous says:

    Now that the Bill has been defeated and did not reach 2nd Reading … what next???

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  36. Anonymous says:

    John-John – a scholar if ever there was one.

    First there was the comparative anatomy lesson on Mary and Joseph and the Jackass

    Then he educates the world on the closely guarded scientific secret that women are at their horniest during a full moon

    What other proof do we need that his wisdom provides an entirely sufficient scientific basis for the magic button that will be the salvation of Cayman’s tourism sector without placing us at risk.

    The earth is flat! Burn all books that disagree with anything John-John says!

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    • Anonymous says:

      His failure to disclose government contract interests when running for election. His assisted beating of a trainer from US and threatening security guard with “you see nuttin”
      His attempt at standup with Gaypril.
      His veiled threat of “you brave” to female reporter.
      I think this guy might still have a tail.

      30
  37. Anonymous says:

    Mother country, please, please, PLEASE go over these idiots heads and implement the entire same-sex marriage legislation. The seethe from these intolerant, hypocritical, idiotic hate-mongers would be delish! Might actually be worth staying here just to see it!

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  38. Anonymous says:

    Kenneth relying on his stupid poll to which the supporters of equal rights within his constituency were never going to participate in, has just cost him his seat.

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    • Anonymous says:

      236 of nearly 1000 voters bothered to show up, this was his excuse to vote no. He is done.

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    • Anonymous says:

      what a disappointment he is.
      He knows he should have voted for it “wink wink”
      Just hoping to get his seat back for the next election.
      He messed up with not voting to get rid of McKeeva when we got the chance and now he’s basically secured the UK imposing same sex marriage.

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    • Anonymous says:

      1:35 pm, I hope u right an the people there have enough sense NOT to vote for him ever again

      10
    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t blame Kenneth Bryan….Please cast blame on the rushed bill and GTC Voters

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  39. Anonymous says:

    Anybody seen Jon Jon lately? It makes me nervous when I can’t see him.

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  40. Anonymous says:

    That’s okay, the UK going put it on them hard.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I wonder if they will. We are a competitor if the UK in financial services. The reason Cayman remains undefended by the UK against FATF/CFATF onslaught of regulation (which includes Cayman being criticized for not having certain frameworks in place that the UK doesnt have and isnt criticized for – is because our loss is their gain as a competitor. Let’s lose the motherland BOTC narrative, we are competitors so not implementing DP legislation for us will allow Cayman to sink itself and make the UK all the more attractive.

      We “belong” to the UK but we are still very much the UK’s competition.

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      • Anonymous says:

        What in the world are you talking about? What have you been smoking? You clearly have no clue how global financial markets work. Wow. Just wow.

  41. Anonymous says:

    CNS, I am disappointed! How could you leave out when Bernie Bush said, “growing up we all knew who the three QUEERS were in West Bay…” These are supposed to be statesmen?

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  42. Anonymous says:

    Ironically the provisions in Leviticus against homosexual relationships are specifically restricted to men, yet our so called biblical experts want to take that as authority for preventing the formal recognition of the relationship between two woman. Not saying that any discrimination based on gender is ok – just that these idiots cant even be consistent with the claimed basis for their views. God’s law – think not.

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  43. Anonymous says:

    don’t blame jon-jon…he’s just a local fool….blame the leadership that has put him in this postion and keeps him there

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  44. Anonymous says:

    “the full moon fuels women’s sexual desires and men should take advantage of this to help procreate and save the nation”

    I sure hope he was only referring to those women married to those men who should “take advantage” because the procreation outburst sounds a bit random and disorganized….

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    • Gray Matter says:

      From now on every full moon we all will be stroking … stroking to the East and Stroking to the west. , we be Stroking.

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    • Anonymous says:

      No man should take advantage of a woman, married or not, full moon or not 🙁

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    • Anonymous says:

      As a man, I find that comment very disrespectful to women. Am I the only one?

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    • Anonyminniemouse says:

      Not 100% sure that I find a statement that is basically advocating the rape of local women on the basis of “saving a nation” entirely funny, even if it was made by an ignorant buffoon.

  45. Anonymous says:

    If some of these “politicians” have not already fully proven lack of ability to be in that seat then this icings the cake! Its ok to have your opinion and have a stand on something, yes.. but sensible people will know that we cannot discriminate and we have to accept times are changing. BTW.. Discrimination is also a form or prejudice, so don’t go throwing that card now!
    Signed and Born Straight Caymanian

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  46. sanitarium says:

    Newsflash to the bigots in the Assembly: If 2 men or 2 women marry, it takes nothing away from you — except perhaps your ridiculous illusion that you are “superior”. For heaven’s sake, wake up to 2020. Why are you so obsessed about what goes on in the bedroom of 2 men or 2 women? Are you repressing your own homosexual inclinations? I am gay, and I’ve faced a lot of discrimination in my lifetime — the very discrimination that you dole out so carelessly on the floor of the Assembly. You are deliberately hurting people like me, yet you think God will reward you for it??? You are proof that nut-cases aren’t limited to the sanitarium.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are such a big bigot

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    • Anonymous says:

      According to John John, he doesn’t care what goes on in your bedroom – or rather, he is concerned about what doesn’t go on – the lack of impregnation. Its a novel excuse for blatant discrimination, I’ll give him that. Oh, and there’s the whole “gays are bullying hetereosexuals” schtick too.

  47. Anonymous says:

    Honorable Seymour is the greatest and he needs to be the Premier. Thank you for everything Honorable Seymour!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes he gets my vote for being the greatest backwards thinking MLA to date, next to Eden that is.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Once Honorable Seymour takes over then your kind will be booted off the island; what a great day that will be sending all you hateful and disrespect foreigners away! Go somewhere that will accept your weird ways since we are so backward. All you people do is come here to suck up the money and wreck our way of life – utterly disgusting.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Continuing the theme of reliance upon biblical verses, Jesus wept.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, he wept, but only after having a chuckle at Seymour’s insane voodoo like nonsense about women’s sexual desires. Like he would understand anything as profound and intensely personal and complex as that! Buffoon.

        53
    • Anonymous says:

      He is the greatest in that his nonsense to words spouted ratio is the greatest of all of these politicians. That must count for greatest something, somewhere?

      10
  48. Dianne Parsons says:

    Using bible versus as a means to continue with bigotry, is appalling. There are many Christians that happily accept the LGBTQ community into its foal because they realize that human beings are human beings.

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  49. Anonymous says:

    The fact that Dwayne Seymour is the health minister saying women want sex during a full moon should scare people…

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    • Anonymous says:

      What about the education minister promoting intolerance and encouraging hate speech? What chance have our kids got of being any better than this bunch of uneducated, backwards idiots if that lump of prating foolishness is in charge of their formative years?

      Maybe she’d have felt differently if they they included protection for chauffeur/politician relationships in the bill.

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      • Anonymous says:

        What/where is this supposed Caymankind I keep hearing about?

        Julianna should be ashamed of her bigotry as a member of the education ministry. Jon Jon should be set adrift after this full moon nonsense. All of them unacceptable and unfit for literally anything.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Ah, yes. I remember someone. Very flirtatious. Married philanderer. (shame coz his wife was so lovely)
        Not sure if this comment will see the light of day but here goes anyway(And he will recognize himself with this tidbit). Near closing time he took me to the seawall to ‘show me something’. It was a full moon… But really all he did was grab my hand and put it on his fully enabled crotch. I ran and never went back until he no longer worked there. Was tired of my bar bills being padded anyway.
        Hey! If you remember this story, call me! LOL Oh, wait. Nevermind. I blocked your number YEARS ago. (We were neighbors)

    • Anonymous says:

      @ 12.51 Right up there with hydroxychloroquine cures Covid. Combined IQ of par golf those two nutters.

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      • Anonymous says:

        That’s so funny because Boris Johnson (UK) took that when he was hospitalized with Covid and fully recovered quite quickly. Like within a week to 10 days.. But that must have been the paracetamol.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Especially the First Lady.

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    • Anonymous says:

      And yet, 12:51, this is the person who got rid of his “driftwood” Chief Officer, a person with degrees in public policy formulation, because he could not “wuk wit her”. The real reason of course is that she was too smart and he felt inferior because if she used a word like “policy” he was lost. Policy, wha dat is?

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