Up Front
UK Order Petitioned
In a meeting at the Government AdministrationBuilding on Wednesday, 25th April the Cayman Ministers' Association(CMA) presented to His Excellency, the Governor of the CaymanIslands, Mr. Peter Smith a petition
containing 2,450 signatures of residents of the Cayman Islands.
The petition is in objection to the lastDecember Order in Council by Her Majesty's Government, enforcingthe legitimization of consensual homosexual acts in private inthe Overseas Territories.
"The CMA expresses sincere thanks andappreciation to all who joined in support of this effort, andbelieves that each individual who supported this action can beassured that their voice has been heard, even if the message goesunheeded", said Pastor Al Ebanks, President of the CMA, whoalong with Pastor Alson Ebanks, Pastor Bob Thompson and Rev. NicholasSykes made the presentation to the Governor.
Last October, the Cayman Islands Governmentreceived confirmation that the United Kingdom Government willbe moving forward to force the Cayman Islands and four other Caribbeanoverseas territories to lift a ban on homosexuality.
The action was enforced through an Orderin Council and the Foreign Office acted before the end of lastyear, citing Britain's obligations to the European Conventionon Human Rights, which came into effect prior to the UK's move.
Territories affected by the Order in Councilare the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, the Turks and CaicosIslands and Anguilla, which like the Cayman Islands have strongChristian traditions that frown upon homosexuality.
It is understood that Anguilla, has initiateda similar petition. This is spearheaded in that territory by Rev.Philip Gumbs. Other Territories were also contacted by the CMAand informed of the action they were taking in Cayman.
The Governor leaves for a conference ofthe Overseas Territories governors next week, which will be chairedby Baroness Scotland, the Minister in the UK Government with responsibilityfor the ten Overseas Territories.
Rev Nicholas Sykes said that the Governorconfirmed that he would be presenting the petition to BaronessScotland during his visit to the UK.