All-inclusive charter, Senator says

Government Senator Lisa Cummins has rejected the suggestion that the issue of sexual orientation should not be included in the Charter of Barbados, insisting that it is not the state’s role to pronounce on morality but to ensure the protection of all.

She also defended the use of ‘Creator’ in the preamble of the document, saying that it was meant to be inclusive.

Introducing a resolution in the Senate, on Wednesday, to take note of and approve the non-legally binding charter, she said citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, have a right to protection, not only under the law but must be “covered by certain values”.

“There are things that must not necessarily be legislated but they must be reflective of goodness, of acceptance, of our humanness – and that is what this Charter is about. And, so, there is no way that in 2021, that Barbados would find itself able to leave out the issue of sexual orientation,” Senator Cummins contended.

Article I of the Charter states that all Barbadians are born free and are equal in human dignity and rights regardless of age, race, ethnicity, faith, class, cultural and educational background, ability, sex, gender or sexual orientation.

There has been debate over the inclusion of sexual orientation, with Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley urging Government to revisit the wording as it could send the wrong message to adults interested in having sex with children.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, he said: “I am simply warning this Government against unintended outcomes because when you use language which right now at this present time in global debate, even in judicial and parliamentary circles, is undetermined as to what it actually means, when you put that in a charter, be careful that you do not arrive at an outcome that you do not intend, and some idiot from some part of the world comes and uses the wording here to challenge, in court, a position that they hold, that it is alright for them to interfere with little boys and little girls and that they can prove under the law that they are right in so doing.”

However, Senator Cummins said it was “unfortunate” there is such a debate at “an exultant moment” like a republic transition and the adoption of an important instrument like a charter that reflects “our values as a people”.

“I reject that, on the basis of my faith, that a person who has a different sexual orientation than me should be outside of the framework of a value system that says all men are created equal; that all persons, whatever they stand for, whatever they reflect, are supposed to be on the outside of that ‘we, the people of Barbados’,” she contended.

“…. That persons with a different sexual orientation than us should not also be incorporated in the protections that are afforded to me in my Christian faith. I don’t accept that. I reject that in its entirety!”

Senator Cummins, who pointed out that she was raised in the Pentecostal Church and is a “woman of faith” who still has a relationship with God, stressed that excluding individuals because they did not fit faith-based beliefs was not something the state could allow.

“That is a role of pastors and priests internal to their congregations. You can, if you wish, make determinations on how . . . your church may function. But the role of the state and of any government is to ensure that when we speak of we the people we include everybody.

“It must include the people who are on the inside of our church assemblies who do not feel comfortable standing up to say ‘this is who I am’ because they know that there is a rejection coming their way. That may be okay in principle and we don’t agree with it inside a church environment but that is not the role of a government,” Senator Cummins said.

“The concept of righteousness has no force of law; it is not a concept that can be administered by the state. So, if you think someone is unrighteous or this is not in the image of God, that is not the role of the state to adjudicate,” she added.

Senator Cummins also responded to criticism that God had been omitted in the Charter. The preamble of the document refers to “the fact that we are all equal by virtue of our humanity, in the eyes of the Creator and according to the laws of this land, regardless of our ancestry”.

However, several church leaders along with the Opposition Leader suggested there was an attempt to throw God out with the monarchy.

“While I accept that God for many faith-based organisations, and for myself, is our term of use, the ability for a government to be inclusive and to ensure that no one feels excluded is what this charter is about,” Cummins insisted.

According to the Government Senator, while the Charter of Barbados has no force of law, it is important because it encapsulates who we are as a people.

“We are far more than a nation of laws. We are a nation built on values. We are a nation built on certain basic principles that have stayed with us throughout the course of time. Those values don’t change; they may evolve, but they do not change. We still believe in basic courtesies, we still believe in kindness, we still believe in the principles of family, we still believe in the principles of love and acceptance. We still believe that we must treat to each other in a way that is inspiring and uplifting. These are not things that are contained in law or legal documents; they are reflective of values,” she contended.

On Tuesday in Parliament, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the Charter of Barbados outlines citizens’ rights and responsibilities, promotes the concept of active citizenship, and is committed to the protection of all. (DP)