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by pltm
(PLTM) - Among the many topical issues here in the British Virgin Islands that take a massive tug at the emotional strings of the people of the Territory, is that of homosexuality and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
As countries around the world venture into having discussions on the topic, persons within the Virgin Islands have begun to wonder whether or not a discussion should be entertained in the Territory, and further, what would the outcome of such a discussion be.
Same-sex marriage was made legal in the United Kingdom, mother country of the Overseas Territories, which includes the BVI, on March 29, 2014. However, the enactment of this law had no impact on the legal aspect of the BVI, but rather the emotional and mental aspect of its residents, as persons were of the notion that the movement was fast on its way.
Several parties weighed in on the matter with BVI Platinum News, where one end of the divide suggests that a discussion should take place for educational purposes, adding that it is a democratic right, while persons on the other end suggest that having such a conversation is condoning such an act, noting that the matter will confuse the youths of the Territory.
Why Not? It’s Our Democratic Right
BVI Platinum News spoke on the matter with a gay male BVIslander, who is now living overseas. Due to fear and concern for safety reasons, he opted to conceal his identity.
In commenting on the matter, he is of the view that the topic should be one up for public discussion, as persons are currently operating on speculations and farfetched beliefs.
“Whether the country is ready or not, it’s important for them to have a discussion to actually see where the country is and what people are thinking.”
He added, “Persons always say they’re not ready for something, but if you’re not ready and you don’t at least have a discussion on it, how do you know you’re actually ready or not?”
Noting that part of the reason he left the BVI over two and a half years ago was due to the fact that he is gay, he explained that living in the Territory as a gay man was not the best.
“It wasn’t the worst and it wasn’t the best. The moment you start to express yourself as you want to, people begin to look at you differently.”
He continued, “It could’ve been real worse, but I had a good circle of friends who got a chance to know me, before they knew that fact. And that’s the thing, when people get to know you, then your sexuality shouldn’t matter, but that’s different in the BVI.”
He stated that having a discussion on the matter would shed light and provide information on a lot of false notions relative to gay rights and gay marriage.
“Whether or not people agree with it, the discussion needs to take place. People need to voice their opinions on the matter and others need to learn and hear more. Persons just assume a lot of things, but I bet things will be much clearer after the conversation, no matter which side of the fence it falls.”
BVI Platinum News also spoke with Anthony Dewitt, a gay male New Yorker, who frequently visits the BVI.
Dewitt too is of the view that the Territory should have a conversation on the matter, noting that he finds the BVI very accepting of the lifestyle.
“I visit there all the time; I bring my gay friends with me all the time. I’m actually organising a group of other gay men to vacation there later this year. I honestly never had a bad experience and it’s pretty obvious that I am gay. They are very accepting of me.”
He commented on the fact that just like many other small developing states and countries around the world, the BVI is a democratic country, noting that in this modern world, with times ever changing, entertaining such discussions is fair and timely.
“I understand that there are religious and cultural sensitivities to gay marriage in the BVI, but that never deterred me from visiting, because I understand that not every culture is the same as my own, where in New York it’s very liberal.”
He said, “It’s a democracy and we live in the modern world and times are changing. It’s fair to have these discussions. A discussion doesn’t hurt anyone, even if we are of different views; that is important and we all need to see and acknowledge that.”
Dewitt added, “But if discussions are entertained and it’s considered, it would encourage me to visit a whole lot more. It would make the visits much more enjoyable. But still, if it doesn’t, it wouldn’t deter me from visiting.”
Speaking with a senior lawyer in the BVI, who preferred to not be named, she too expressed that a discussion on any topic deserves to be heard, as that is a practice of any democratic society. She highlighted that all ideas should have room for persons to discuss them openly and freely.
The lawyer told BVI Platinum News, “Persons need to open their view on the world and appreciate that any subject needs discussion, and in a free and democratic society, people should be able to discuss anything in a proper and constructive way.”
She further expressed, “Discussion on any subject is a vital part of any democracy and if you are to shut down discussion and prevent people from being able to discuss whatever the subject may be, openly and freely, we are setting ourselves up for a wrong and bad situation. And it is important that persons fight for that liberty to speak and express their views and their opinions, whatever they are.”
Change Of Heart - Understanding Is Key!
Speaking with a parent of a gay son on the topic, the mother explained to BVI Platinum News that the entire situation is a matter of understanding, and without proper understanding, persons are running with hearsay.
“I used to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and I was strict on that too, but things look so different now.”
After discovering that her son is gay, the mother explained that she took another look at life and saw that love is love and it has no measurement or limits.
“I think a discussion on it would be good, just to hear both sides of the fence and give people who are lost a chance to grasp whatever information they can.”
She stated, “We have to be fair. I don’t know what they’re so afraid of. What can happen? A man getting married to a man will end the BVI? A woman marrying a woman will do what? Love is love and marriage is marriage. It’s between two persons, not the country.”
She added, “I wouldn’t want him [gay son] to live any other life but a regular one.”
Tourism Boost?
Sometime last year, Alan Berg, a leading expert on the business of weddings, in speaking at a symposium held in the BVI, sought to persuade the Territory to take advantage of the market of same-sex destination weddings, highlighting that there is much to be gained.
As BVI Platinum News had reported, in line with the BVI Tourist Board's focus on capitalising on destination weddings, Berg said same-sex marriage is the best field.
"I think there is no reason not to [offer same-sex marriages]. There is all the reason to and there is no business reason not to. If someone philosophically feels opposed to the concept, I am not one to change their mind. I think like anything else, prejudice is about not understanding. We don't do it because we have never done it is never a good reason for business. A good reason for business is why don’t we do this," Berg stated at the time.
Berg said that same-sex marriages is a growing segment, although they tend to be smaller weddings. According to Berg, destination weddings are probably a larger percentage of the same-sex market.
"I understand culturally, even in the US, it still is not legal in every state. In the overall scheme, it is a small percentage of the total wedding market because it is nowhere near in the U.S. 2.2 million heterosexual weddings, so the same-sex market is just a small fragment of that. If you then take that to the destination, which is 24% of the overall weddings, and then you go down to how many of those have been same-sex marriage, it is enough to make a difference. It is enough to notice. There are some places attracting that; down in Cancun there are some places which are specifically looking to attract that market and you can make a business out of that," Berg explained.
Berg also noted that the Caribbean has always been a destination of choice for same-sex destination weddings, but noted that islands which are opened early to same-sex unions will have the edge.
"The islands which are opened to that market will have the edge because they will continue to get more people coming because the guests that come are potentials," Berg stated.
Some tourism experts predict that same-sex marriages along with gay and lesbian travels have increased. Aruba has taken the leap in this direction, but Caribbean countries have largely adopted laws against such marriages. The BVI is no different and church leaders want it to remain that way.
Fear Factor - Principles Stronger Than Emotions
According to both Dewitt and our anonymous interviewee, the biggest driving force against the discussion taking place is the church and the Christian background of the Territory. This, the men said, should not stand in the way of having a discussion that would impact the lives of persons across the Territory, including persons in the church.
“The majority of people are still Christians back home, but one should be able to accept themselves freely. Let he without sin cast the first stone,” said the BVIslander.
On the same point, Dewitt noted that religious and cultural norms play a big part of society and its culture, but change is inevitable.
“With discussions, an understanding will come about. People don’t have to tolerate it, but just to build an understanding. Tolerance and fear is why I think people are against a discussion and the act in itself.”
The BVIslander also suggested that the discussion might be a frightening one to persons who are of the view that in some way, shape or form, the discussion, the act of gay marriage and homosexuality in general, infringes on their rights.
“I don’t really see how same-sex love or marriage infringes on someone else’s rights. Persons just continue to find random reasons to go against it; at the end of the day, I’m at a loss why they are so afraid of it.”
It’s Not Who We Are
Even though the BVI is one to try new things and stands as leaders at the front of many regional and international initiatives, opportunities and sectors, some persons of the Territory are steadfast in their decision that this is one relay they will never stretch a hand in to grab the baton.
Jene Morton, a mother of three boys and a girl, who all reside in the BVI, is one who is strongly of the view that the act nor a discussion on it should be entertained.
“It’s wrong and if we allow that talk to happen, the children would think it's ok and it's right. It’s not a life I want my children and grandchildren to grow up in. It would encourage them to go sleep around with who got the same as them.”
She added, “Discussing if it’s wrong or right, or if we want it or not is not needed. We already know it’s wrong and that we don’t need it here. A discussion would only confuse young people.”
Responding to the fact that the topic is one on table in many countries around the world, Morton said, “The BVI is not the world. Other countries do it, let them go there and do it.”
She added, “I don’t mind them [gays], but I find they love to push their life on people and hate to leave things how they are. Just live with your partner; nobody troubling you! Why you have to push for that?”
Sharing a similar stance, Bishop David Bryran of Church of God of Prophecy on Tortola, noted that the discussion is irrelevant, adding that the word of God governs the land.
“There is not going to necessarily be a discussion if God’s word is taken seriously.”
He added, “Given the scripture, from a biblical perspective, homosexuality is not designed for human relationships or marriages. It’s not appropriate to allow a discussion. It’s inappropriate. Society has to take into their account their principles and religious background.”
However, despite the biblical perspective, Bishop Bryan noted that the church does not condone the mistreatment of homosexuals and the threats to their human rights and dignity.
“They are human beings, created by the same God, who made heterosexuals. However, when it comes to God’s perfect plan for human relationships, the gay marriage does not fit in it.”
Gay Marriage Is Already Allowed?
In further conversation with the veteran BVI based lawyer, she explained that according to how the BVI constitution is written, it may be permissible for persons of the same sex to get married.
Highlighting first that the constitution deems discrimination against gays illegal, she noted that it stems to their right of getting married.
Section 26, subsection A, which speaks to protection of discrimination against anyone says, “Discriminatory means affording treatment to different persons on any grounds such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, association with a national minority, property, family relations, economic status, disability, age, birth, sexual orientation, marital or other status.”
Skipping back to section 20, which speaks to the protection of the right to marry and found a family, subsection 1 says, “Every man and woman of marriageable age has the right to marry and found a family in accordance with the laws enacted by the legislature.”
To this, she said, “Section 26 is saying that it is illegal to discriminate against persons on the basis of people’s sexual orientation and section 20 is saying that every man and woman have a right to family, once they are to age. It doesn’t say that a man has to marry a woman.”
She stated that these facts are further supported in section 9 of the Constitution, which speaks to the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals.
She added that the complexity of the topic and the information outlined in the Constitution warrants a deeper discussion.
Not On Agenda
All in all, the discussion and the introduction of such a provision can only begin and be completed under the hands of the government.
In speaking with BVI Platinum News, Premier of the Territory, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith stated that the topic needs to be handled carefully and respectfully.
“Same-sex marriage is a topic that obviously has strong views from all sides, and as such, it’s a topic that would require very careful and respectful discourse.”
However, the Premier stated that the topic is not set for discussion on his government’s agenda.
“Currently, it is not a matter that is set for discussion.”
