Loretta Butler-Turner
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
LONG ISLAND MP Loretta Butler Turner yesterday admitted that she was “not confident” the proposed gender equality referendum will pass.
Mrs Butler Turner explained that the general public does not trust the current government, and when combined with the government’s handling of the previous Gaming referendum and opposition claims of a “gay agenda”, she is not sure how the vote will turn out.
However, she said, her view has not changed on the subject and she will continue to support the referendum and help to educate the public – just as she did in 2002.
“I will continue to support this, it is not a PLP initiative in fact I feel strongly that this vote was driven by the policies and philosophies of the FNM. The PLP have played political games with this process and that is why we are in the position we are in today but I have taken the stance that this issue is bigger than the politics,” Mrs Butler Turner said.
“The trans-gender, bi-sexual, homosexual conversation is secondary. I believe that is being used as a red herring by people to justify the difficulty they have in accepting what the current administration is saying.
She said: “People do not trust the process combined what with the fact that they dressed up the gambling opinion poll as a referendum, said it was binding, got a no vote and then decided to do their own thing, people do not trust this government.”
Mrs Butler Turner said she will continue to advocate for a “yes vote” and continue to work with the current government for the bills to pass.
“I am not confident in the vote but I am confident in what I am doing is the right thing. Standing up and saying yes is the right thing, it is going to make a difference in people’s lives. I do not have confidence but I have been doing what I need to do and will continue to do it.”
The four Constitutional (Amendment) Bills were passed in the House of Assembly in March after a nearly two year delay.
The referendum will be held on June 7.
Bill one seeks to give a Bahamian woman the same rights as a Bahamian man to pass on citizenship to her child born outside of The Bahamas.
Bill two would give a Bahamian woman the same right as a Bahamian man to pass on citizenship to her foreign husband.
Bill three would give a Bahamian father the same right as a Bahamian mother to pass on citizenship to his child born out of wedlock, provided proof of paternity.
The final bill would make it unconstitutional to discriminate on the grounds of sex, meaning being male or female.
Comments
sheeprunner12 7 years, 11 months ago
LBT has seen the light ......... this Referendum is tailor-made for the Gay Agenda ....... the Gay Agenda was developed by a neuro-psychiatrist (brain manipulator) and what we see going on by the PLP Government in the run up to the June referendum follows the Gay Agenda to a "T" ...... but God is not dead ......... his Spirit will direct the hearts and minds (and fingers) of the Bahamian voter ....... Vote NO
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
If God was real, he wouldn't care at all about whether people were gay or not. He'd be much more concerned about how despite his own words telling others not to judge, you and others profess your grand superiority which actually boils down to being an ignorant bigot.
A vote of No is a vote of ignorance. And to justify it by persecuting a small group is just straight up bigotry.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 11 months ago
Are you a part of the Gay Agebda
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
Seems like you are a little scared of something? Are you worried about those urges you have?
SP 7 years, 10 months ago
If YOU were real, YOU would know GOD was real, and he condemns you LBGT deviants to death!
All that is happening globally is foretold in the holy Scriptures, including your LGBT agenda.
This GOD you don't believe in is also prophesied about greater frequency of earthquakes and disasters in these times.
Believe it or not, no one can deny the correlation of world events with Biblical prophecy!
http://peakoil.com/geology/40-volcano...">http://peakoil.com/geology/40-volcano...
Greentea 7 years, 10 months ago
Sheeprunner12- did you read this? She is voting yes.yes.yes.yes.
arussell 7 years, 11 months ago
I wasn't going to vote in the up coming referendum because I felt the government will do the same as they did with the gambling referendum. I DON'T trust this government!!!!!
Honestman 7 years, 11 months ago
If the electorate votes "No' then the PLP will only have itself to blame.
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
If people vote no, every person in this country can blame themselves. This is actually a vote to determine whether we are going to progress with the rest of the world, or fall behind once again.
Publius 7 years, 11 months ago
She has made herself look like a complete fool with this public statement, given her previous statements and her purported stance on this matter.
B_I_D___ 7 years, 11 months ago
Sadly...she is being realistic...I think the changes are important for the women in this country...if we end up with a handful of noisy LBGT's than so be it, but why sink something that will benefit almost half the population just for a relative handful of people? Sadly, there is so much homophobic chatter going on AGAIN this time around that chances are this will not pass...AGAIN...
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
You're so right. It is so sad that people are going to vote against their own interests, and bite off their own nose, just to spite their face.
Publius 7 years, 11 months ago
@BID, her doubts are realistic, her public approach to the matter is what I am referring to. She can keep her doubts to herself if she claims she supports the process. Just the other day she made a statement materially different to this one. If you support the Bills, simply support it and stop throwing more salt into the Dead Sea
John 7 years, 11 months ago
If you follow through what's happening in the US and other parts of the world, the argument has moved from sexual equality to 'sexual identity'. Question like "who is a male"and "who is a female" are being asked. So is the question about transsexuals: When do they change from being one sex to another sex. Also questions about new norms: "When are the sexes of new horns determined, despite whatever sexual organs they are born with?" And yes the question of homosexuals who marry same sexes. Will one or the other be allowed to reclassify their sex from male to female or vice versa? The whole issue is too complicated, too suspect and too far ranging to get majority support, especially when one considers that these are only the first in a series of amendments that has been proposed.
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
What are you so afraid of? How does someone else's private lives affect you? You seem way to concerned for this not to be an issue close to your heart. Maybe you feel urges that you can't come to terms with.
John 7 years, 11 months ago
Far from it. I just refuse to play any part in the transition that is happening worldwide, with the sexes, with nationalities and with economies (notice race has been left out, at least for now.) This New World or One World movement. I can't stop it but I refuse to give power to it by my vote. Obviously your urges are being well satisfied as you are clearly a 'yes' voter..so don't try to detract me from voting "NO".
John 7 years, 11 months ago
*should be "new borns" and not 'new norms" and not "new horns."
TalRussell 7 years, 11 months ago
by TalRussell
viewersmatters 7 years, 11 months ago
Everyone is just concern on what the forth bill will do but not focusing on all of these bills on the whole, these aren't bill of equality but bills for freedom of foreigners to reign over the Bahamian people, all of these bills are then in the constitutional leave the law as is and not allow foreigners to have better lives than the people who had been residing in The Bahamas all of their lives. A system is already in place to gain citizen in the Bahamas let all who want to gain citizen go through the proper process just how thousands and hundreds of foreigner had been for from since it all started.
newcitizen 7 years, 11 months ago
Hide behind anything to justify your bigotry. There only reason to vote no, is for love of ignorance and bigotry.
John 7 years, 11 months ago
WE will vote "NO" because it is our choice and God-given right to do so, just as you have the right to vote "yes." If only ignorant people and bigots are voting "NO" then why are you so concerned about the amendments NOT being passed? I would hope that not only ignorant people and bigots are voting 'yes'.
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
It is your right to be ignorant!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
Newcitizen ............ think on this
Psalm 1118: 19-21
Open for me the gates where the righteous enter ........... and giving me the victory!!!!!!!!
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
I guess you can't educate stupid.
licks2 7 years, 10 months ago
Newcitizen. . .chill!! State ya points in civil terms dude/gal. . .I would like to hear what you have to say. . .otherwise how can we dialogue with you Boo? You come out "jookin" like ya mad as heck. . . I prefer to see your reasoning first. . .then lets hear your "claws"! Lol! Welcome to we row!
Greentea 7 years, 10 months ago
How does one reason with willful ignorance?
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
That's what it comes down to. I've been on these comment threads for a long time now, and I have pushed reasoned arguments whenever I can, but in the face of the ridiculousness of this whole referendum and the crazy conspiracies that are being pushed, there is no room for reason. How am I supposed to debate reason when none is offered in return?
It is 2016 and we are actually having a vote to determine if the rights of women, should equal the rights of men, as women are currently constitutionally less than men. Do people not see the insanity of this? It is a fact that men and women should have equal rights and be treated equally under the law, and should have that right protected. It is a fundamental basis of human rights. When are we going to get it through our collective mind that we are all part of this global world and we have to move forward together. If we actually choose to take steps backwards, then we are making a loud and clear statement that we want no part in progress and we want no part in advancing with the rest of society.
The retorts to such arguments are 'gay agenda', 'illegals ruining the country', 'vote no to vote against the PLP', and on and on. They are straw men arguments that detract from the issue and mask the true intent of a no vote, to maintain a status quo of ignorance and bigotry.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
Why can't we all get along??????? ............ this referendum is not just about a few paragraphs in our Constitution ......... this is about the worldwide Gay Agenda conspiracy and One World Order ....... that is why we are fighting to maintain God's little paradise on Earth ...... the place where God comes to relax and get away from the rest of the mess on this planet ........ let's face it, he cannot really be happy with 90% of the other countries on this planet when it comes to accepting the "culture of Sodom"
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
Hahaha, man, your comments are too funny. The 'gay agenda' and the 'one world order'. You are a certified conspiracy nut!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
again ......... you have your ONE vote ......... I have my ONE vote
licks2 7 years, 10 months ago
New citizen this "mud fight" has little to do with gays or anything else other than a condescending and name calling vote yes pushers, a government who has lie to its people and now disregards any questions put forth by anybody who disagrees (nay sayer), even the guardian radio and paper "beating the heck" out all who disagrees and to date only had one no voter advocate on all their talk shows and "a ton" of yes voters and advertisements galore for yes votes (tribune to lesser extent). . . THEY THE YES VOTERS ADVOCATES DREW THE LINE. IN THE SAND . .WITH THE PLP. . .THE PEOPLE WANT THE PLP HEAD. . . THEY AIM TO GIVE THE PLP THEIR HEADS COME JUNE 7. . .WITH THE HEAD OF THEIR YES VOTERS ADVOCATES WHO CONTINUALLY CALLED THEM IGNORANT FOR ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BILLS!
So newcitizen if you are gay or female, the wrong group of yes advocates were chosen. . .PLP faces! Sorry for that if you are directly affected. . .BUT THIS GOVERNMENT AND ALL ITS ASSOCIATES WILL BE HANDED THEIR HIPS ON A PLATTER ON JUNE 7!
Now it has degraded to "WHO WIN THE REFERANDUM WILL WIN THE ELECTION. . .AND ALL POLITICIANS AND THEY "MA" ARE PLAYING TO WIN. . .NOT THE REFERANDUM. . .BUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION!
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
So you are saying that you are voting No in order to spite the PLP?
licks2 7 years, 10 months ago
No. . .I AM VOTING NO BECAUSE I DON'T CLEARLY UNDERSTAND BILLS 1,2,3 AND 4 FOLLOWS THE INTERNATIONAL PATTERN WHERE A CHALLENGE IN COURT WILL MOST DEFINITLY RESULT IN A PRIVY COUNCIL RULING FOR SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN THE BAHAMAS IF THE WORD SEX REMAINS IN THE BILL! UN ACCORDS, LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMARY LAWS ARE DYNAMIC IN ASSURING SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS A MUST IF BILL 4 PASSES!!
NEXT, I HAPPEN TO HAVE "EYES ON" KNOWLEDGE THAT THE UN REPS HERE IN THE BAHAMAS HAVE PRESENTED OUR GOVERNMENT AND A FEW OTHERS WITH ITS NON-COMPLIANCE REPORTS FOR MEMEBER STATES WHO HAVE SO FAR FAILED TO ADJUST LAWS TO COMPLY WITH AGREED ACCORDS! THE BAHAMAS IS 15 YEARS DELINQUANT. . .THE UN IS AGRESSIVE! THERE IS MUCH MORE I CAN SAY ON THIS SEGMENT. . .ENOUGH FOR NOW!
LASTLY, HOW IN THE HECK THE YES PEOPLE CAN FIGHT SO HARD FOR "RIGHTS" FOR MOSTLY THE ELITE ANYWAY. . .AND DENY THE ADVOCATES FOR THE MASSES. . .THE "NO" PEOPLE ACCESS TO PUBLIC FUNDING. . .WHILE GIVING THE POLITICAL CLASS. . .VOTE YES PUSHERS ALL THE FUNDING THEY NEED TO PUSH "THE MASSES" TO SHUT THE HECK UP AND DO WHAT THEY ARE TOLD. . .VOTE YES BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR THEM!
Newcitizen. . .I admire your "spirit" and commitment to your views. . .but this one has already degraded to "THEM AGAINST US". . .like everything in this nation. . .I AM VOTING NO AS A PROTEST AGAINST THIS BUNCH OF FOOLISHNESS BY THE YES PUSHERS AND THIS GOVERNMENT BLATANT UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES.
DOC MINNIS TOLD THE MASSES TO VOTE HOW THEIR "MINDS" TELL THEM TO. . .DESPITE HE VOTED YES. . .AND TOLD THE YES VOTE PUSHERS THAT THEY ARE "JOOKIN THE PEOPLE IN THEY EYES" JUST FOR ASKING QUESTIONS. . .LIKE NO DANG BODY MUST GO AGAINST THEM AND WHAT THEY SAY! DOC MINNIS AND BRAN ARE THE ONLY PERSONS WHO LOOK TO COME OUT OF THIS PROCESS WITH THE "FEELINGS" OF THE MASSES. . .LBT TRYING TO "SLY TURN" TOO. . .BUT IT IS TOO LATE FOR HER. . . SHE FOOLISHLY SAID "I WITH THE PLP ON THIS ONE". . .WHICH THE MASSES WILL NOT FORGIVE HER FOR. . . SHE WENT AGAINST THE MASSES AND SIDED WITH THEIR BIGGEST ENEMY. . .WILL NOT PAY ATTENT TO THEIR CONCERNS. . .EVEN "ROWWING OUT" DAME SAWYER FOR TELLING THEM SENSE! SHE IS NOW SAYING THAT THE YES VOTE WILL FAIL. SHE IS SEEN AS PLAYING "POLITICS" FOR THE OTHER SIDE. . .THE ELITE.
newcitizen 7 years, 10 months ago
So you are voting No because you are afraid of gay marriage?
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