SIMPLE DEFINITION of EQUALITY The same in number, amount, degree, rank or quality Having the same mathematical value not changing: the same for each person Examples of Equal providing equal opportunities for children of all races We need to have equal academic standards for male and female students. MARRIAGE EQUALITY Recently Bermuda held a non-binding Referendum on marriage equality / civil unions. The referendum failed. This was reported by HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN in the USA http://www.hrc.org/blog/bermuda-rejects-marriage-equality-and-civil-unions-in-invalid-referendum Two Human Beings should be able to live, love and marry the person of their choice regardless of sexual orientation. Marriage is the only institution that is recognized worldwide and that provides all the privileges and protections for both spouses. To deny marriage to any person because of their sexual orientation is to deny equality. To deny equality is to deny universal Human Rights, in spite of what any other jurisdiction would claim, such as Europe. In Bermuda the will of the majority is attempting to trample on the rights of the minority. 20 out of 30 MP's in the Bermuda House of Parliament trampled on equality. The non-binding referendum failed. The majority did not come out to vote. Some refused to vote over a matter they considered a Human Right. Some said, "WHY BOTHER", the vote is "NON-BINDING". RELIGION IN BERMUDA Some have attempted to force their religious beliefs on a minority. Religion itself is protected under law and the Bermuda Constitution. So must the rights of the LGBT minority community be protected. If a minority of the electorate, coupled with a majority of the politicians ( in Bermuda's case two thirds), sought to deny equality in marriage, that is indeed a trampling on the rights of a minority. Two same sex couples have applied to marry in Bermuda. The registrar has rejected both applications, sending back the requisite check to the law firm representing both couples. LEGAL CHALLENGE Former Attorney General of Bermuda and OBA Member of Parliament Mark Pettingill is challenging this denial of service in the courts. An application has been made in the SUPREME COURT of BERMUDA to challenge this rejection and denial of service. THE FUTURE It is our hope that the Supreme Court will recognize the rights of same sex couples as being equal under law. Bermuda could be the first island in the Atlantic to legalize Same Sex Marriage. Equality rests in the hands of the court.