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Church Ministers Organise Petitionfor...
Repeal of Gay Law
The recent Order in Council issued by theBritish Government to decriminalise homosexual acts between consentingadults in private has prompted the Cayman Minister's Association(CMA) to issue a petition for its repeal and for re-instatementof the old law.
The CMA has called a press conference for Tuesday, 30th Januaryto "inform the media and the public of a petition...objectingto the recent imposition of the Order in Council..." accordingto a statement from the association.
The petition, to be directed to His Excellency, The Governor andthe Legislative Assembly, is seeking "alternatives to concedingto the Order in Council," that the CMA's views "be takeninto considerattion in any consequent changes in relevant legislation,that it be forwarded to Her Majesty's Government and its contents"publicly known to all relevant authorities in the UnitedKingdom and elsewhere."
According to the CMA statement, "The enacting legislationagainst the will of the people through imposition of an Orderin Council violates any principle of partnership."
It continued: "The imposition of legislation by Order inCouncil as opposed to legislating locally by an elected parliamentviolates the customary, normal and accepted rules of authorityand consultation between the Cayman island Government and ourpeople," the release continued.
Rev. Nicolas Sykes, Secretary of the CMA also stated "Legislationto this
effect in other jurisdictions has often proven to be the firststep towards acceptance of such thing s as 'lowering age of consent',the teaching of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle in schools,legalisation of same sex marriages, and adoption by same sex couples,etc."
Rev. Sykes called upon Caymanians "to take a strong standand send a clear message to all, that we strongly deplore anddisagree with this action by the British Government."
He noted that the church had many friends in the United Kingdomwho feel equally strong about the issues as the local church does."The moral courage, voice and leadership of Baroness Youngand other members of the House of Lords, offers great hope andencouragement on issues such as these," he noted
Rev. Sykes pronounced that he felt the Order In Council's proposalto do away with the offence of gross indecency meant that homosexualswould one day be able to have sex in public lavatories. "Theycould be prosecuted only if distress to the public were demonstrated.The same change in Law putting the onus on the public to complain,is proposed to cover indecency in all public places and betweenheterosexuals as well as homosexual."
One member of the gay community who said she wished to remainanonymous out of respect for her family said, "As a gay Caymanianit was with a sense of victory that I read that at last that thehomosexuality laws were finally lifted.
"Gay's did not just invade Cayman, we have always been here.We are mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, brothers and sisters,"she said. "We aren't out to corrupt or recruit others, weare human beings, you work with us, you go to church with us;you live next door to us and probably not even know we are gay,but we are a part of the Cayman community too. We donate our time,money and all we ask is to be treated like human beings. Althoughthe lifting (even if forced) was a small victory, in the end whenall is said and done we still have a long way to go," sheadded.
Nevertheless, Rev. Sykes said that one day Cayman would face thesame situation as the United Kingdom since the repeal of its HomosexualLaw in 1967 despite the outrage of people the majority of people.
"For instance, opinion polls have consistently shown a majorityof Britons are against the lowering of the age of gay consentto 16 years of age. The most recent survey found that 53% against,with only 35% in favour," he cited.
Rev. Sykes also cited two videos entitled 'Beyond A phase: A PracticalGuide to Challenge Homophobia in Schools'. The video and leafletare produced by the Health Promotion Service in Avon, England,funded by Avon Health Authority.
The video, according to Rev. Sykes, encourages school childrenas young as 14 years old to experienment with gay sex. It alsoasks pupils aged 14-16 to discuss whether a fictional 15-year-oldboy, Michael, should have unprotected gay sex with his boyfriend.In it, a young college student name Karl, looks into the cameraand tells the public that, to attain sexual satisfaction, theyshould try experimenting with both genders to see who would makethem the most comfortable.
"The videotape that includes these scenes and snatches ofboys and girls engaged in same sex kissing, is already, accordingto its producer, being used in 180 schools in England. With itcomes lesson planning, advice for teachers, who are told to encouragerole playing fantasies by their pupils," Rev. Sykes speltout.
Another member of the gay community who wished not to be identifiedsaid that that maybe the Church "was jumping the gun."
"The gay community is very disappointed in the way the Churchis treating this situation. We would go as far as to say theyare promoting hate and inflaming our society. This is a dead issue,so let's go on and focus on other more important issues. The churchis pointing a finger rather than supporting the people. They areassuming the only people having sex in public are homosexuals.Public sex is not limited to homosexuals," he stated.
Nevertheless, Rev. Sykes said that the church community does notlack concern for homosexuals. "We indeed have a great concernfor them and believe they deserve the same respect and compassiondue to all who come to us for pastoral care. We cannot, however,support any active homosexual lifestyle."