The Nassau Guardian
McWeeney: Fears over bill four ‘defy logic’
Constitutional Commission Chairman Sean McWeeney dismissed critics who believe the proposed amendment to Article 26 of the constitution, which seeks to end discrimination based on sex, would pave the way for gay marriage.
McCartney said the argument “defies logic” and is a total “red herring”.
“The amendment to Article 26 has nothing to do with same-sex marriage,” said McWeeney during a meeting with members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Monday night.
“It was never intended to deal with same sex marriage. This is a red herring. Article 26 is all about enshrining the principles of equality between men and women. That is what it is about. It is as simple as that.
“Either you believe in it or you don’t. If you don’t believe in it, vote no.
“If you do not believe men and women are equal, vote no. If, on the other hand, you believe that it is an important principle of national life, that we should accept and follow and adhere to equality between men and women, then vote yes. That is all it is about.
“But all of this nonsense about same-sex marriage is a total red herring.
“This word sex has been in our constitution for 41 years. When have you heard anybody stand up over the last 41 years and say that we should have a constitutional amendment to take the word out of Article 15?
“So why now is it suddenly a problem because you want to use that same word and put it in Article 26 of the constitution? It defies logic.”
Article 15 speaks about the fundamental rights and freedoms of an individual.
McWeeney was responding to a member of the audience who raised the question.
The fourth constitutional bill seeks to make it unconstitutional for any law or any person acting in the performance of any public office to discriminate based on sex.
Prime Minister Perry Christie has said this will not make same-sex marriages lawful.
But Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney is concerned it could lead to same-sex marriages.
Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Bahamas Christian Council President Rev. Ranford Patterson have similar worries.
The four bills, which seek to amend the constitution to bring about gender equality, were recently tabled in the House of Assembly. Debate on the bills began last week and is expected to resume today.
A constitutional referendum is scheduled for November 6.
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