Protest over gay cruisers
Monday, January 30, 2006
The scheduled arrival here on Tuesday, 31 January of 3,200 gay cruise passengers on an Atlantis Events Gay Cruise has Caymanians frantically divided over the type of welcome they deserve in a traditionally Christian society.
With the approval of Government, the Navigator of the Seas will be berthed in the George Town Harbour for seven hours as part of its seven-day cruise, which began in Miami on Saturday.
While the Government stated its non-discrimination policy last Thursday and the private sector gave the cruise its blessings, the religious community and some residents have vowed to protest on Tuesday.
Speaking on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today programme, Gary Haylock of the Church of God in West Bay said he had submitted an application to stage a protest.
According to the station, several callers voiced their anger and said they would join the protest march with one caller saying his placard would read, “God loves you but we do not welcome gays to this Island.”
The station said that a handful of callers gave their support for the cruise visit in the phone-in.
“However, the majority of callers were against it,” Radio Cayman added, though, “As Chamber of Commerce President Morgan DaCosta puts it, the gay dollar is a strong dollar.”
The head of the Chamber, according to the station, stressed that as long as those who come ashore respect Cayman and behave
decently
However, Cayman Ministers Association Chairman, Pastor Al Ebanks, said the Islands must stop selling out to the almighty dollar.
He claims that the cruise promotes an unhealthy lifestyle, which he says is not welcome in Cayman.
Leader of Government Business, Kurt Tibbetts, last Thursday issued the Government’s response in a press statement, which reconfirmed a 2001 policy based on human rights:
“In response to the scheduled visit, the Government has reconfirmed the policy of non-discrimination first established by the Cayman Islands Government in 2001 and regards it as consistent with this jurisdiction’s recognition of human rights.”
In the statement, Mr Tibbetts said the policy is also part of the Bill of Rights in the country’s proposed new constitution.
“The Government confirms its support of a Bill of Rights being enshrined in our country’s proposed new constitution and notes that the formal adoption of such a Bill will make it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of, inter alia, race, age, religion or sexual orientation.”
The Leader of Government Business said the wishes of the Caymanian people had to be respected but it had an equally important responsibility to make difficult decisions.
Mr Tibbetts said people of all sexual orientation work and visit the Islands without any incidents.
“Our visitors are aware that the Cayman Islands is a God-fearing country with conservative values and we are confident that we can expect from all visitors the highest standards of decorum and conduct, just as we respect their right of choice and privacy,” the statement added.
On Friday at the Cabinet Press Briefing he added that no matter how people feel about the issue it is important to consider international opinion.
Not even those who are raising an objection to the visit by the Gay Cruise would want to have to deal with the international repercussions we would have to face if we did not extend courtesies to the cruise line,” said the Leader of Government Business.
One letter writer to Cayman Net News, Edi Turner Seals, said that homosexuality is an abomination according to the bible.
“God labels homosexuality as an “abomination” a number of times in His Word. I know this is not the politically correct view, but it’s God’s view.
“Lest anyone think I dislike homosexuals, let me state that I have several friends who were involved in homosexuality and others who continue in this lifestyle.
“Their lifestyle does not make me love them less, although I pray daily that they will accept God’s condemnation of their sin and choose to follow His path of abundant life.
“Any nation that honours God will receive His blessing. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” – Proverbs 14:34”, he said.
Another letter writer, Rod Allen, is on the gay cruise, which is billed by the organisers, Atlantis Events, as the “Largest Gay Cruise in History II”. He wanted to know if he was welcome as a gay tourist.
“I will be a passenger on the Navigator of the Seas, which will be arriving 31 January. Because of the Cayman Islands’ past policy, I’m concerned that I will not be a welcome guest on your island.”
Atlantis Events, who is chartering the vessel, stated recently to passengers on the cruise:
“Royal Caribbean and Atlantis have been in direct contact with the Cayman Islands Government regarding our visit and have been assured that we will be welcome in every way.”
“The Cayman Islands now has an explicit non-discrimination policy regarding tourists, and several gay groups have visited there in the past two years. We were just on the Island this week and know you will have a terrific time there.’
However Mr Allen was still concerned because of past reports he had read that suggested the Cayman Islands would never welcome gay people.
“My question: “Will you welcome me next week, or should I remain on the vessel?”
The answer to that question will be known on Tuesday as the anticipated 3,200 gay tourists disembark in George Town with a protest march in the works.
But one thing is certain, local duty free shops are looking forward to their reported high spending habits as some sales clerks disclosed in George Town.
“They’re bringing in money to our country like anyone else, so why should we say no. They don’t discriminate against us, so why should we discriminate against them,” one clerk said.
Another salesperson said: “They do spend an awful lot of money and that’s good for business. We welcome them with open arms. I don’t think the retailers will say no to them.”
A total of seven ships with 16,000 cruise passengers are scheduled to be in port on Tuesday 31 January.
paul@caymannetnews.com
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