Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Stephen Lashley has come out strongly against gay marriage, while saying the topic should be fully discussed in Barbados.
Though making it clear he was “not condemning gay people”, the Government spokesman said he realized that the international media was impacting on the behaviour of Barbadians.
“I think we have gone soft on a lot of issues. I am one who has come out publicly and have said that I don’t embrace gay marriages. I have said that and I remain fully of that particular persuasion,” said the married father of two.
“I am aware that internationally a lot of things are happening. There are international discussions and courts are passing various rulings on these issues and in Barbados we are apparently open to anything and we are not prepared to take a position on certain matters. Our morality is under question because we are not firm on who we are,” he said.
He said a part of the problem was the example that adults were setting for their children.
Adding that at times it was difficult to tell the difference between a man and a woman, Lashley said, “Apparently we are not supposed to talk about it”.
“And if we have somebody who says we are not going to tolerate gay marriages, apparently you are not being as liberal as you should.
“Well, sorry, I have taken a different approach and I am prepared to say what I don’t tolerate and I am not going to act in breach of any law and I do not think that our law should be changed to accommodate immoral behaviour or tell our young people a story that is not based on how they should behave.
“How do we tell our young people that it is ok to be gay and to aspire to be in a [gay] marriage . . . and how do you then tell them how you should behave?” asked Lashley.
“I am sure somebody will come and condemn the minister for saying that, but you know what, I am prepared, and I think that we live in a democracy. I am not intolerant of other views, but I think that leaders have to be able to take a position based on the roles that they have,” the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth said.
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Your personal opinion is yours , its the PARTY that matters in dealing with issue . This is an adult issue, what about UNICEF pushing down its way on the youths in the Caribbean .
Your personal opinion is yours , its the PARTY that matters in dealing with issue . This is an adult issue, what about UNICEF pushing down its way on the youths in the Caribbean .
I think as a nation we have bigger problems than who is or who isn't gay and gay marriage. If they want to marry, let them marry, they also have the right to be as miserable as all the other couples. Lets focus on what can get this nation back on the road and stop trying to legislate personal preference.
He or she is gay so what, move on...
I think as a nation we have bigger problems than who is or who isn't gay and gay marriage. If they want to marry, let them marry, they also have the right to be as miserable as all the other couples. Lets focus on what can get this nation back on the road and stop trying to legislate personal preference.
He or she is gay so what, move on...
What the Caucasian want ,the Caucasian get. they control and run the world. you accept or hate what's going on ,if you are against you are homophobic.
If you openly make remarks about being gay, 100% chance you would be arrested to compare against racial remarks or behaviour.
Whether who are against this behaviour, like it or not its here to stay, a reminder certain church groups has accepted the behaviour, does this mean the bible would have to be brought up to date.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR US BLACKS TO HAVE A CHANGE, WE WANT OUR OWN BLACK JESUS, (NELSON MANDELA) LETS SEE PICTURES OF HIM ON THE WALL OF THE CHURCHES. FOR US THEY SHOULD NOT BE ANY CONFUSSION, HE IS REAL.
What the Caucasian want ,the Caucasian get. they control and run the world. you accept or hate what's going on ,if you are against you are homophobic.
If you openly make remarks about being gay, 100% chance you would be arrested to compare against racial remarks or behaviour.
Whether who are against this behaviour, like it or not its here to stay, a reminder certain church groups has accepted the behaviour, does this mean the bible would have to be brought up to date.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR US BLACKS TO HAVE A CHANGE, WE WANT OUR OWN BLACK JESUS, (NELSON MANDELA) LETS SEE PICTURES OF HIM ON THE WALL OF THE CHURCHES. FOR US THEY SHOULD NOT BE ANY CONFUSSION, HE IS REAL.
hlkkjhlj They are your opinions & I defend for right to say them.
But you are & always will be on the wrong side of history with comments that are based on prejudice, oppression & promote the inequality of civil & human rights.
Attitudes like yours have been used to condemn:
The abolition of slavery.
Child labour Laws.
Women's right to vote.
The end of segregation
The civil rights movement.
Mixed race marriage.
The abolition of Aparthied
The end of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Women in the military
Terrorist groups have used them to condemn non Christians, Jews, women & a black President
Far right groups have used them to condemn Muslims Jews, women, black people & a black President.
& I could go on.
For a member of government & a policy maker to openly condemn & advocate the continuation of the oppression, & abuse of the civil & human tights of a section of society is both shameful & disgraceful. You should resign & have your views somewhere they do no harm to the people you were elected to serve.
A government is supposed to uphold, defend & improve the civil & human rights of it's Citizens, not actively contravene the human rights legislation it has signed onto with the UN.
The only good thing about your comments is that the debate gets louder & will not be quietened which is a good thing for all those who believe in equal civil & human rights regardless of age, gender, religion, orientation, race or ability.
hlkkjhlj They are your opinions & I defend for right to say them.
But you are & always will be on the wrong side of history with comments that are based on prejudice, oppression & promote the inequality of civil & human rights.
Attitudes like yours have been used to condemn:
The abolition of slavery.
Child labour Laws.
Women's right to vote.
The end of segregation
The civil rights movement.
Mixed race marriage.
The abolition of Aparthied
The end of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Women in the military
Terrorist groups have used them to condemn non Christians, Jews, women & a black President
Far right groups have used them to condemn Muslims Jews, women, black people & a black President.
& I could go on.
For a member of government & a policy maker to openly condemn & advocate the continuation of the oppression, & abuse of the civil & human tights of a section of society is both shameful & disgraceful. You should resign & have your views somewhere they do no harm to the people you were elected to serve.
A government is supposed to uphold, defend & improve the civil & human rights of it's Citizens, not actively contravene the human rights legislation it has signed onto with the UN.
The only good thing about your comments is that the debate gets louder & will not be quietened which is a good thing for all those who believe in equal civil & human rights regardless of age, gender, religion, orientation, race or ability.
Mr.Dawson what is your problem with this government? Homosexuality, Gay marriages and all of this gay crap is wrong,wrong, wrong if you and your cronies think that we are going to accept it then think again, it goes against the grain of nature,next will be those who also believe that it will be okay to have sex with animals,or corpses they will also want to argue that is is their human right to do so, then what? MUST WE PANDER TO THEM TOO?ANY GOVERNMENT WHO IS AGAINST THIS ABOMINABLE CRAP HAS MY VOTE,ALLOW IT AND I WILL DONE WITH THE PARTY PERIOD, AND DO NOT FOOL YOUR SELF THEY ARE MANY WHO SHARE THIS VIEW, YES SIN IS SIN BUT GOD DETEST ABOMINABLE ACTS.
Mr.Dawson what is your problem with this government? Homosexuality, Gay marriages and all of this gay crap is wrong,wrong, wrong if you and your cronies think that we are going to accept it then think again, it goes against the grain of nature,next will be those who also believe that it will be okay to have sex with animals,or corpses they will also want to argue that is is their human right to do so, then what? MUST WE PANDER TO THEM TOO?ANY GOVERNMENT WHO IS AGAINST THIS ABOMINABLE CRAP HAS MY VOTE,ALLOW IT AND I WILL DONE WITH THE PARTY PERIOD, AND DO NOT FOOL YOUR SELF THEY ARE MANY WHO SHARE THIS VIEW, YES SIN IS SIN BUT GOD DETEST ABOMINABLE ACTS.