Human rights group backs calls for LGBT equality

As of Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Fred Smith

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A HUMAN rights group has renewed calls for the government to amend the Bahamas Constitution therefore making it illegal to discriminate against a person based on sexual orientation.

Fred Smith, president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, said as the Bahamas boasts of being host to scores of people from different ethnicities, it is fundamental that law makers protect the rights and freedoms of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

He was lending support to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell who is at odds with Bahamas Faith Ministries President Myles Munroe over a difference of opinions for those who choose an alternative lifestyle.

“The Association calls on the government,” Mr Smith said, “to end all forms of discrimination. We suggest that the government passes a Human Rights Act that would make it illegal to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation as well as discrimination on all of the other grounds in the Constitution, including ethnic origin, political position and race among other things.

“We also recommend in the forthcoming proposal an amendment to the Constitution that the rights be protected on the grounds of sexual orientation.

“Many modern nations throughout the world are embedding rights based on sexual orientation. We are a multi-ethnic and national society. Here in the Bahamas we welcome millions of tourists each year. It is appropriate as a Christian nation beholden to our constitution the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. We must end all forms of discrimination,” he said.

Mr Smith’s comments come amid a heated discussion of the LGBT community, which again took flight following Mr Mitchell’s comments while in Trinidad and Tobago. At the time, Mr Mitchell said his career as a politician has suffered greatly because of his support of the LGBT community.

Not long after, Dr Munroe urged Prime Minister Perry Christie to terminate Mr Mitchell because his views do not represent the position of Bahamians.

The discussion has taken a new direction which now questions whether sexual preference should play a role in who is elected to parliament.

However, Mr Mitchell told reporters last week that such a matter should be regarded as irrelevant.

JohnDoes 10 years, 2 months ago

This Fred Smith guy is only looking for publicity. His run in with Koed Smith put him in the papers, and now he thinks he's ready for press releases. Nobody cares about you Fred Smith, it seems like all of you lawyers feel obligated for press releases. Is this a new trend in their 'field'? This is definitely not a major issue in this country. Its not like we go out harming LGBT's or threatening their lives. They live free just like everyone else here. They need to go and pressure the Arab states etc that actually put persons to death for it. To amend the Constitution on this issue before the other 'major' issues in this country would be complete insult to Bahamian people and it will only prove that the government does not have its priorities in order. Its like they prey on the 'weaker' governments to hopefully overthrow the ideas of the most powerful governments. This is a propaganda recipe for LGBT.

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID

The Tribune