Bermuda - SAME SEX COUPLES have been discriminated against on this island for way too long. TODAY, we can send a message to the politicians of this country that we will NOT tolerate inequality, Ignorance and bigotry, even whilst "some politicians" are sadly guilty of discrimination. Civil Unions are a "consolation prize" created by homophobes OR insensitive bigoted people as a way to pander to religious groups. Strange that these religious folks who claim God LOVES everyone would go out of their way to deny LOVE to same sex couples. MARRIAGE EQUALITY is the only acceptable solution. BERMUDA - we must send the politicians a message today. VOTE YES YES. By that double YES we are ensuring the minimum "consolation" of Civil Unions; the double YES sends the message that only SAME SEX MARRIAGE gives same sex couples equality. Freedom is not a right for "some", neither should marriage be a right for just a man and a woman. Equality must me for all. VOTE YES YES #voyeyesyesbermuda #love #Bermuda #humanrights #marriageequality LOVE IS MY RELIGION The World, the right thinking World, has spent the last week united in its horror and sadness over what occurred in Orlando at the weekend. Forty Nine people senselessly murdered while doing what young people do, having fun, dancing, laughing, the joy de vie that the young own and revel in. Seeing the names and faces on the news would have made many of us ponder and think of our own children, our own young people. A crime of the most despicable hate. A radical young man attaching himself to Islamic fundamentalism, a toxic mix of radicalism and easy gun access in US. Young and old around the World United in candle light vigils and sang songs of peace and love. Love is My Religion said Ziggy Marley. "Stop the Hate", read the signs, and the candles burned in somber and confused gatherings. One startling fact emerged, the victims were mostly gay, or friends of gay people gathering for fun at a nightclub frequented by the gay community. What happened in Bermuda? On the day of the tragedy a group of a 100 people gathered on the grounds of Parliament, touching the stone walls to pray for a no vote in a referendum on whether one group of people should have the same Human Rights as everyone else. Because of their belief they take the position that it is right, according to their dogmatic views, to discriminate against people that do not agree with their view, with their religion, with their interpretation of what is right, of what is Love, of how God looks at it. The evil man in Orlando murdered people it appears because of his discrimination, because of his view of religion, because of this support for a group of terrorists, because of his homophobia, because of his inability to live and let live, because of his unwillingness to accept Love as a religion, as a belief that embraces all without any form of discrimination. I am glad that the religious group from Preserve Marriage were touching stones on the Parliament walls and praying ...as opposed to praying and throwing stones. But I wonder if in the light of this appalling tragedy they have any reflection on the fact that the blinkered view of religion in touching the stones is the same basis by more radical people for throwing the stones,... or firing the guns. That the message from the pulpit of love should not and cannot, with any sense of sensibility preach God is Love but discrimination in any form may also be acceptable because the centuries old scripture translated though half a dozen languages through the ages says so. This issue on marriage equality needs to start with a simple premise by Preserve Marriage. Are we dealing with Human beings? (It's a rhetorical question) Should all Human beings have the same rights as each other?(It's a rhetorical question.) Should people have religious freedom to practice whatever they want and believe what they want? (It's a rhetorical question.) Should people of one religion have the right to impose their views and beliefs on other people who believe different things to them? Sigh, (it's a rhetorical question!) Preserve marriage? The Church may Marry you...but the Court of Law divorces you, not the Church. And 50% of people married in the Church get divorced. The point is this, many years ago "marriage" became a legal concept as opposed to a religious one, so please, religious people of a certain dogma that want to preserve marriage, start with the people in your Church that head down the road to divorce on a regular basis and remind them of your belief about the scriptures and preserving marriage. I respect fully your right to do that. If anyone ever tried to interfere with that right I would offer service as a lawyer for free to defend your right to religious freedom...in your Church, not in my personal World! What a wonderful World it would be if "Preserve Marriage" changed its name to "Preserve Human rights" or better yet, "Preserve Love" and put it s energy into that. Maybe , just maybe, they would stop things like the Orlando Massacre? I do not believe we should have had a referendum on what in my assessment is a Human Rights issue, and I have said many times that it's a matter for the Court to decide if their is a discrepancy on legal interpretation of Legislation. Legislation where the Human Rights Act rightly "trumps" any other Act that is contrary to human rights! Oh yes, the Marriage Act is about the provision of "services" and no one can discriminate in giving them because of "sexual orientation"! Watch this space! Please Bermuda, given that we are having a referendum in any event lets show the rest of the World that we are not wallowing in concepts and philosophy penned in the Iron Age! Do the right thing on June 23rd, vote for Human rights, vote for Love, Vote YES, YES! The referendum is a rhetorical question. Love is my Religion - Mark Pettingill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr50Brak8DE