Please do not impose a bill on the overseas territories that is contrary to our beliefs

Dear Lord Cashman:

My name is Drexwell Seymour, and I know you don’t know me, but you can google me if you want to know more about me. You will see that I am a community activist and will not be quiet on issues pertaining to my beloved Turks and Caicos. However, this letter is not about me, but it is about the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in respect of the private members’ bill that you introduced in the UK’s House of Lords to make same sex marriage legal in the British Overseas Territories.

In your release, you indicated that is wrong that same sex couples can marry in the UK but are not allowed to marry in the Overseas Territories. Maybe most of the people in the UK has accepted this but not in the overseas territories. With all due respect sir, I think what is wrong, is that the UK wants to impose a law on the overseas territories that the overseas territories do not want. I can assure you that the people of the Turks and Caicos do not want this law and I will reiterate it is wrong for someone to dictate to other countries what they should do especially if those other countries are not providing any type of financial support to them. I am quite sure there are other laws in the UK that are not laws in the overseas territories and so why would you singled this law out for the overseas territories.

Another thing I think is wrong, is when a cofounder of the British LGBTQ uses his influences and beliefs to pass a private motion in the House of the Lords. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, our influences and beliefs are grounded on the word of God that identifies marriage between opposite sex which is a man and woman. I believe that our beliefs should be respected by not passing such a law to marry same sex couples.

Sir, you also indicated that the bill has wide support among all those that who favour equality over discrimination and are committed to upholding fundamental human rights.”  This bill may have wide support among individuals in the UK but not in the Overseas territories. Putting a bill to marry same sex couples will not end discrimination. Don’t you think by forcing a bill like this on the overseas territories, you are also violating our fundamental human rights. What about our rights? Why should we accept a bill that is contrary to our beliefs? Why should we accept a bill from the UK? Aren’t these violations of our human rights?

If this bill is passed in the UK Parliament, it will add a further insult and violation of the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In part 1 of our Constitution, section 10, subsection 1 states that “Every unmarried man and woman of marriageable age, has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex and found a family.” Subsection 3 further stated that “Nothing in any law or done under its authority shall be held to contravene subsection (1) to the extent that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.” I don’t think your private motion is justifiable in in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Sir, if you really want to help the fundamental rights of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, then pass a private motion for a better Constitution for Turks and Caicos by giving the elected parliamentarians more rights and freedom in administering the political affairs of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Finally, same sex attraction has been around from biblical days, but we do not see anywhere in the Bible where same sex marriage is recognized. I believe we must be very careful in how we deal with the emotions of individuals. Sooner or later, you will find adults that are attracted to animals and young children may want to marry them citing their fundamental rights to do so. Would you pass a private members’ bill to allow such marriage to take place?

I cannot speak for the other overseas territories, but most of the people of the Turks and Caicos will not accept a law to marry same sex couples. We will seek independence from the UK before we agree to such a bill.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I do hope you take it seriously by withdrawing your private members’ bill.