James Austen- Smith Chairman of the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission called the “debate” on the definition of marriage in the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly Discrimination, homophobia, privilege and (I suspect referring to the one by MLA Anthony Eden) HATE SPEECH.

I must admit I was surprised at the vehemence Eden, the senior member from Bodden Town, spoke but he was passionate in his views. He is as passionate as Austen-Smith’s opposing views.

Austen-Smith in his letter to Premier Alden McLaughlin said:
“I was shocked to read the statements attributed to certain members of the Legislative Assembly. I infer from the fact that the Members in question have not sought to distance themselves from the comments attributed to them that the reports are accurate.
During the debate various statements were made which included:
 Equating homosexuality with bestiality
 Equating homosexuality with pedophilia
 Claiming that homosexuality was “deviant behavior”, “wicked and immoral” and a
“social and moral evil”
 Making personal threats of violence towards homosexuals
 Suggesting that “crushing a baby’s skull and sucking their brains out had become a
human right”’

Of course much of the above was also taken out of context but yes it was said.

I do not agree with many of the comments made in the debate but I also agreed with as many of them.

Where I take the most issue is the Human Rights Chairman calling one of the debater’s comments a “HATE SPEECH”. I also do not think any of them would incite hatred of the LGBT community. I have not seen large or even small crowds of people with banners waving to shouts against this community. If it was indeed an attempt at incitement it failed miserably.

MLA Alva Suckoo has also taken umbrage at Austen-Smith. He is reported at saying:

“Since I was one of the three members who spoke I assume he [Austen-Smith] is now wanting to lump all three of us together and accuse us jointly.

“I simply stated the reasons why I did not think it was acceptable to change the Constitution of the Cayman Islands to ensure this right for same-sex couples,

“I do not condone discrimination of any kind, including against homosexuals, and Mr Austin-Smith needs to stop sensationalising the issue in his letter as he seems to have a political agenda in my opinion.

“I strongly suggest that Mr Austin-Smith first listen to my debate before making broad accusations as I clearly stated my position, and I also suggest he now focus his attention on the most pressing ‘human rights’ issues that exist here.

“Perhaps he can write a letter about the three single mothers who came to see me this week who had no food to feed their children because they cannot get jobs here in their own country, for no reason other than they are single mothers with no one to fight for them except their representatives.

“Perhaps he can also write a letter about the growing issue of families losing their homes due to again the inability to secure employment because of the unscrupulous and illegal hiring practices of persons in the same industry that Mr Austin-Smith has made his fortune, or perhaps he can write a letter about the growing concerns that migrant workers and Caymanians are now living in substandard, unhealthy and inadequate housing – some since Hurricane Ivan.

“Why doesn’t he write a letter about the high incidence of spousal abuse suffered by our women, or how foreign dead-beat fathers here as permanent residents have abandoned their Caymanian wives and children and left them at the mercy of the world after getting residency.

“Why doesn’t he write about the many young men who have taken up a life of crime and violence and the effect this is having on the next generation of Caymanian children?

“I guess Mr Austin-Smith only writes about those topics that are important to him. I suggest he leave the comforts of his office and come join me as I make my visits and do my job, so that he can become familiar with the real issues that are destroying our country.

“It is a bit suspicious that Mr Austin-Smith now feels compelled to attack my parliamentary privilege and is using this issue to do so when he has been quite silent on the much larger issues. I strongly suggest he take a look in the mirror before accusing me of anything because my words may have upset some people, but his silence on the much larger issues has been deafening.

“I think Mr Austin-Smith has some nerve suggesting that we seek to muzzle our legislators in Parliament and diminish our ability to represent our people. Is that not a human rights concern when the Caymanian people cannot have proper political representation by the people they elected because their voices have been restricted?

“My position is based primarily on my personal views. My cultural influence and my religion, but I also respect that the majority of Caymanians will not support this agenda [gay marriages] and I am duty-bound to present their views as well. For the record, in case anyone still does not understand, or chooses to continue to vilify me, let me state that I do not condone discrimination of any kind as I have experienced it firsthand here in Cayman myself.

“However, I remain resolute in my convictions that same-sex marriage is not something the Caymanian people wish to see enshrined in their constitution,” he said.

The Bodden Town representative also noted that he did not wish to cause offense to anyone.

“I apologise to anyone who may have been offended by my remarks. It was not my intention nor will it ever be to use language which some may find offensive and if that is the case I hope that it is understood that that was not my intention. This is a very emotive topic and I hope that debate on this issue continues and that each side respects the views of the other.”

Very well said.

I take issue with Cayman LGBT activist Billie Bryan who said:

“This kind of language [referring to the LA debate] exemplifies the outright religious oppression that has long been so prevalent in our nation. Religious beliefs should be a personal choice and removed entirely from government.

“To add insult to injury, members of our Legislative Assembly have gone as far as to openly and publicly criticize homosexuals, accusing them of being evil and living lives of sin.

“While I understand that the Cayman Islands is historically a Christian nation—and I take no issue with that, when you use your worldview as a tool of oppression to infringe upon or deny entirely the rights of others who don’t share your beliefs, that is morally reprehensible and blatant bigotry.”

Christianity, which is a religion and this country is bound by being religious hence it’s religious motto “He hath founded it upon the seas”, is NOT discriminatory at all. Jesus preached love to EVERYONE and walked among all kinds of sinners. Persons, I am sure, you would not wish to be seen associating with.

Let’s get away from the HATE word and substitute it with LOVE. Then we can all agree.

Or disagree.
And that is our right.