Sybil strikes back

While Russian gay rights campaigners are saying that they will hold a gay pride rally in Moscow on Saturday, despite a ban by mayor Yuri Luzhkov, yesterday local drag artist Mark Anderson joined Bermuda's Heritage Day parade despite a Government prohibition.

Good for him. The Government justified the ban by reference to “the longstanding cultural mores of the annual Bermuda day holiday and local sensitivities”. Others opposed his participation on the grounds that his routine had nothing to do with Bermuda’s heritage.

Both arguments are homophobic bunk. Mr. Anderson is a gay Bermudian and homosexuals are as much a part of Bermudian society as majorettes and the Bermuda Regiment. As for his routine having little to do with Bermuda's heritage, neither do the clowns, unicyclists and (in previous years) US marching bands who also participate (as Christian Dunleavy points out).

Mr. Scott’s suggestion that Cabinet’s decision was unanimous is improbable. Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler had previously granted Mr. Anderson permission to participate in the parade. I can’t imagine he was too happy to have his decision overruled.

The Government's decision seems particularly odd given that Mr. Anderson was allowed to participate in last year’s parade. Why ban him this year? Anything to do with an election being just around the corner, perhaps?

The need for Renee Webb’s bill banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is clearly greater than ever. Here’s hoping that enough PLP and UBP politicians will do the right thing tomorrow, and pass it.

Comments

[Full Fullish on 25.05.06 at 14:28]

What? With the AME denouncing it? I highly doubt it. They would loose the holy rollers vote.

This will be a big test if our politicians do the right thing, or immoral thing. Ironically enough the immoral thing would be choosing to bend to the will of a religious group.

[ken on 25.05.06 at 14:46]

I am not homophobic to the extent that i don't interact with gay people. And I agree with Renee Webb's bill that we should discriminate against gays based on their sexual orientation.

However I am totally opposed to Sybil's participation in the parade. It goes deeper than the fact that he is gay. I think his sexuality is not so much the issue but the fact that he is a man dressed up to be a woman. I do not think he represents what I want young boys to be looking at in the parade. I don't want my son to admire him and say I want to be like Sybil. So in my estimation it is the right thing to do. I know gay men who are still men. If you didn't know they were gay, then you would have no idea.

I feel that if we allow Sybil to perform, then next year there would be 2 of them, then the next year potentially 5, then a whole float or a whole majorette troupe of drag queens. In my opinion if we open the doors then where do we close them.

I venture to say that most will oppose my position. And say the government is hypocritically homophobic. I would venture to say that many of you are hypocritical as well because you may defend Sybil, but when was the last time you even attended the parade?

[anonymous on 25.05.06 at 14:48]

I gave this guy some money (a small amount) for his costume. Mainly because I think it took some balls to do it. How did it go over? I wasn't there.

[ace on 25.05.06 at 14:54]

ken, I just hope your angst extends to the litle 5 and 6 year old female majorettes that dress up and dance like they belong in a strip joint.

[Martin on 25.05.06 at 14:55]

I have this strange feeling that you stand more chance of all MP's passing water...than passing this legislation.

Government needs the AME vote.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 14:56]

Ken - safe to assume you mean't "not" discriminate.

I also would tend to agree that the Bermuda 24th Parade might not be the time and place for Sybil's Show. Maybe it's time we had a Gay Pride Parade instead - or at least a "Freedom of Expression" parade. I don't have a problem with having a day that doesn't bring blatant sexuality into it.

[Martin on 25.05.06 at 14:58]

Ken...

You venture correctly. All I will add is don't ever become a minority in your life in whatever you do. Stay mainstream - and safe.

[curious on 25.05.06 at 15:17]

If the parade were about Role Models for children, then it would be full of bankers, lawyers, and teachers.

Clearly that has not been the parade's purpose and it is disingenuous to pretend so now because you'd like to keep one type of person out.

If the organisers are worried about the parade going off track and no longer being about Bermuda, then they should have a theme and require that all participants are in line with that theme.

It won't keep Sybil out as I somehow think that she is capable of always coming up with something to match any theme.

[observor on 25.05.06 at 15:18]

ken

You're absolutely right, both you and (y)our government are hypocritically homophobic.

By the way, while I was in fact at the parade yesterday (were you?) what does my attendance (or lack thereof) have to do with the ability to express an opinion about the parade's participants and cabinet's pea brained reasoning for excluding a willing Bermudian for participating in a Bermuda Day parade?

In your opinion when does discrimination stop and inclusion begin?

[Tiggy on 25.05.06 at 15:32]

If the reason was to upkeep the parade morals, then perhaps they should take a look at the young majorettes in skimpy costumes, girating and performing very sexual moves! I congratulate Sybil! You go, girl!

[ken on 25.05.06 at 15:34]

SmokingGun,

Yes I did mean 'Don't discriminate'...

Observor,

How am I 'hypocritically homophobic'?
Yes I was at the parade and enjoyed it. My comment was directed at those that will complain that Sybil or others should be allowed to be in it because he is Bermudian etc, but choose not even to support the parade.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 15:38]

Ace & Tiggy - I find it disturbing that parents would dress their kids up up as you say and have them dancing in the manner described. Call me a prude but at that age I think it's getting a little beyond ridiculous.

[Uncle Elvis on 25.05.06 at 15:56]

I didn't get out in time to lay my tape down on Front Street!

Ken, just a thought...

So... no problem with the whole gay thing, just the drag thing, yeah?
So, were he straight, you'd still have a problem with him in the parade.
That, I don't have a problem with actually, if that's the case.

What kills me is the front page of the RG today. Two drag queens on the cover, but only one in costume. Brilliant. Yes, that WAS Diva.
Whoever layed out that page, if you meant to do it, I adore you. You're brilliant.
If you DIDN'T mean to do it, I have to say, there IS such a thing as cosmic justice!

Love it.

[observor on 25.05.06 at 15:58]

How am I 'hypocritically homophobic'?

Your comments above, the 2nd paragraph in particular.

[ken on 25.05.06 at 16:19]

Observor,

I don't think that makes me hypocritically homophobic. I am more drago-phobic than homophobic.
I don't care what people do in their personal lives sexually. But I don't think that men should be dressed up like women and walking in a parade.

[jake on 25.05.06 at 16:27]

I don't support sexualization of children through the majorettes, but majorettes can be more than that. They can be a good dance/drill team.

I did not see it, so I cannot criticise.

I have no problem with Drag Queens if they want to participate. Who cares - it is just one item in a long parade. It was pulled because of the email that went around calling for it to be pulled. I must have received it at least twice, and friends of mine 11 times.

Our Cabinet is spineless on these issues.

I have little faith in the other side either, but I remain optimistic about the legislation passing. It should pass, whether Sybil is in the Parade or not.

The issue is about humanity, not sexualiy.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 16:33]

"but majorettes can be more than that. They can be a good dance/drill team." - Jake

110% agree.

[Uncle Elvis on 25.05.06 at 16:35]

So... if the Not The Um-Um guys decided to do a float and had Chris and Sean in their "Old Ladies Folding Laundry" outfits (sorry, Chris and Tim... I can never remember their names), you'd still have a problem with it?

Just want to get it straight... pardon the pun.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 16:43]

Good point Uncle E.

After all Not the Um-Um is very Bermuda.

Maybe there should just be a "Not the Um-Um Parade" and have a fun-fun-for-all.

[OnDeWata __/)__ on 25.05.06 at 16:44]

Good for him/her, IMHO. Might spur some much-needed debate for Renee's proposal.

However, if the open hostility I have heard around my office & Town today is anything to go on, Mark might want to carefully select which events he attends as his alter ego.
I quite literally heard several people fearing for the guy's safety, due to pockets of full-hot homophobes along the Parade route!

[observor on 25.05.06 at 16:47]

Elvis - Don't forget the Portuguese Widow from Point ...

[ace on 25.05.06 at 16:51]

"majorettes can be more than that. They can be a good dance/drill team."

I also agree with this Jake. I actually didn't make it to the parade this year...tried to, just couldn't get near my office to park...but my opinion of the way the majorettes dance and dress is founded in numerous past parade watchings in Bermuda.

I am just assuming that nothing changed from those events.

[Smiths on 25.05.06 at 16:53]

I suppose the alternative to men dressed as women...is old women dressed as men.

Makes the Cabinet look kinda suspicious to me.

[Uncle Elvis on 25.05.06 at 16:54]

That's "Three Little Viddas From Pint"... *grin*

If NTUU ever did do a float, I would pay BIG money to see Peter just standing there on the front of it, doing the "Rain Sketch" all the way down Front Street!

[BdatoUsa on 25.05.06 at 17:19]

Although Im not a fan of Drag's, she/he..no pun intended, has all rights to be in this parade. Wasn't it last year that the Asian group was jerred and booed? Bermudians just hate to see anything thats doesn't fit in their bubble - This guy has got the Balls (for lack of word) to do this, my Gay azz decided to leave the damm Country I love just to live freely and I am in no way feminine. In a nut shell GOOD FOR HIM!

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 25.05.06 at 18:16]

Martin,

"Government needs the AME vote."

So you are saying the AME Church is a lobby group? If so then are you saying that all lobby groups are wrong, or only the ones you disagree with?

In EVERY democracy there are lobby groups (some known to the public and some unknown) and their size and poltical contributions determine their success in getting what they want. The only way to counter a successful lobby group is to out do them.

I think you are forgeting that it is votes that get politicians elected and whoever brings the most votes will get the most accomplished. Whether we agree of disagree that is a fact of politics.

[V on 25.05.06 at 18:40]

"Our Cabinet is spineless on these issues. I have little faith in the other side either, but I remain optimistic about the legislation passing ... The issue is about humanity, not sexualiy."

You are right, of course, but based on what I've heard the numbers just aren't there. Cowardice tends to trump conscience in Bermuda. The legislation will either fail or another, last minute Parliamentary stalling maneuver will prevent a vote from even being taken (keep your eye on what Dr. B. gets up to tomorrow)

[It Does Matter on 25.05.06 at 18:40]

I'm a little lost.

Is it the truth that Cybil, against a unanimous cabinet vote, and with no true legal justification, inserted himself in the Bermuda Day Parade as a drag-queen?

And if that is the case, you then support this as correct?

Are you looking at the wider legal and societal implications of such actions?

This is problematic in a number of ways; and none of the reasons why it is problematic has anything to do with homosexuality.

[busguy on 25.05.06 at 18:46]

Hmmmm
Government Bashing Again.
If memory serves me correct the whole issue evolved aroud the comment's made on the news by The Honorable Wayne Furbert. Was it not he that said that "Representing The Queen Of England" has no place in the Bermuda Day Parade? It was my impression that Sybil was representing The Queen of Bermuda as Sybil was not allowed to be The Gombey Queen. Still cant figure where The Honorable got the Queen of England from. But on another note Yes I am Glad that Sybil still entered the parade and wish a few more people had the fortitude to stand up for what they beleive in.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 19:05]

And here I always thought celebrating the queen's birthday had something to do with Boy George.....

It Does Matter - you raise a good point however I'm glad no one was stupid enough to try to drag him off during the parade. (And yes pun intended.)

[Stephan on 25.05.06 at 19:25]

Just so you know....Other people are reading this, and commenting on it in local papers...here in Montreal.
Most of the comments are about the Government and their willingness to discriminate...they're not good comments either.

You need to mature a little, Bermuda.

[SmokingGun on 25.05.06 at 19:32]

Stephan - Why else do you think they say Bermuda is another world?

Heck, you can literally get away with murder on this island.

[Full Fullish on 25.05.06 at 20:13]

Stephan, does the paper have a website, I wouldn't mind reading it...

[CanuckinBermuda on 25.05.06 at 21:44]

I kind of have to agree with Stephan... I've been in Canada maybe 5 days now and really, reading some of the stuff here is pretty eye-opening. Personally, I don't get what the big deal is on this one.

A lot of people I talk to here are of course jealous... "you LIVE in BERMUDA?!?!?!?" but there's also been a small group of people who have brought up things like racial/sexual intolerance, the 6 year limit thing, etc etc Bermuda might be another world, but news get out and it's unfortunately only the bad news that does for the most part. Spending a couple days in Toronto where it honestly feels like nobody cares if you're black, white, yellow, red, blue, purple, orange, straight, gay, bi is such a huge contrast.

Jake, gotta say right on - I realize I'm a bit late to the party on this one but I'm on vacation. I have pretty much 0% intention of throwing on a dress, but if this guy wants to he can go right ahead and I'd even give him a ride to the parade if he needed it. Person? YES, hurting anyone? NO - sounds like he/she passes the test to me

[Bermudian on 25.05.06 at 22:13]

oh please canada... if the Canadians want to start bashing Bermuda shall we start bashing what's wrong with their country?

Stephan,

Are you living in the same Montreal that I was stay in? Last year, wasn’t a lesbian couple attacked on the sidewalk for kissing in public? Or do you forget that? What about the discrimination against gays by Hema-Quebec.

Believe me there is not shortage of discrimination against gays, blacks, the handicapped, native Canadians and women in Canada. That’s why a black college grad has the same job opportunities as a white high school drop out… did you hear about that?

“Heck, you can literally get away with murder on this island.”

SG,

If you ever blow up an airliner you should hope that you get your case heard in Canada. I wonder if you or Stephan knows about the Air India Trial. I guess you can get away with murder in Bermuda, but you can get away with mass murder in Canada.

Canuck,

I haven’t been to Toronto in a while but as for Montreal, it does matter to some extent if you are black versus white, muslim versus jewish, gay versus straight. Ever wonder why there are so many Haitian taxi drivers? I guess because they are so backward they aren’t smart enough to do anything too technical, eh? I’m not sure if you are white or not but I believe that for a white person in Canada, of course you would think that it doesn’t matter if your black or white… coz you are almost always on the sunny side of things!

[Enigma on 25.05.06 at 22:19]

Drag Queens! A.M.E. Church Vote! Unanimous Cabinet Vote! Renee Webbs bill!

Please , Please will every one just calm down. Why don't we we begin by making a list of all the Cabinet members that we all know are already are 100% GAY! If the vote was unanimous then we must have some serious closeting going on in cabinet. Perhaps poor Alex doesn't know that so many of his trusty disciples are Gay? What do you think? What a bunch of pathetic hypocrites. O.K. who's going to be first to start naming ALL the gay P.L.P. ers? I dare you.

Do you honesstly think that the people of this country don't know that a large percentage of our current government are gay. Personally, I have absolutely no problem with it, except for one particularly 'over-regimented' individual who I find singularly distasteful. What I do have a major problem with is the total spinelesness of our gay leaders to stand up for their chosen lifestyle. The exception of course is Renee who at least has the courage of her convictions in this particular battle. I applaud her. As for the rest of you, you are truly pathetic!

[Phil on 25.05.06 at 22:25]

Enigma

O.K. who's going to be first to start naming ALL the gay P.L.P. ers? I dare you.

While I understand your anger, I'm not about to allow this site to be used to out people. Anyone who does so will have their comment deleted and be banned.

[Enigma on 25.05.06 at 22:53]

Limey,

I thank you for your moderation! Perhaps I should have used your irony point. I have no desire to 'OUT' anyone because anyone who is anything less than comatose is fully aware that a very large proportion of our government is gay. My point is that they are so terrified of their own lifestyle under our current regime that they are making decisions out of fear which are having a serious impact on the lives of others who share their lifestyle. My God, if you can't stand up for what you believe in because of homophobic colleagues and holy rollers what is the point!

In life, you must, at the very least, be able to look in the mirror and be be proud of the person you see.

What on earth is going on in this country if gay people are voting against gay rights? Or perhaps little Alex is telling us some little lies!

[jake on 26.05.06 at 08:07]

With Alex at the helm it is no wonder that this happens.

When L. Frederick Wade was leader (at the time of the Stubbs Bill) it was very clear that the issue would be determined by conscience.

Dame Lois was in support. Jennifer was in support, and so was Freddie.

By having weak leadership at the helm, we prevent our political process from being a catalyst for necessary social change and evolution.

I am against capital punishment, and I know that if you did a poll today, the majority of people would be for it. To me that is leadership.

Sometimes true leaders will go in the direction that their convictions pursue. If they are truly wrong, there is always the prospect of an election and a change of policy, but here is the test: do you see that happening with:

capital punishment
decriminalzation of gay male sex
18 year old vote
new constituencies

Each at the time was controversial, and each we have learned to adapt to and see the benefit of, I believe.

Here is to one more step in the right direction. Here is to the evolution of our human rights as a country.

[Full Fullish on 26.05.06 at 14:04]

Bermudian - I think you have missed the point here. Instead of being so quick to say "Yeah but you do it too!", may be striving to do better or clearing up our act so that there won't be any more news like this springing up around the world about us, would be a better thing than having a closet skeleton showing contest.

[Andrew on 31.05.06 at 01:44]

Bermudian - You miss a key point.

Discrimination is not unique to Bermuda. If you are discriminated against in Canada for your sexual preference, you have a legal avenue to redress your complaint. In Bermuda, no such avenue exists to correct an injustice such as discrimination based on sexual preference. A mature society should have such protections.

In Canada, the kissing-lesbian-bashers would get charged with a hate crime, resulting in substantially increased penalties. In Bermuda, they would get a sympathetic jury and a pat on the back on the way out of the courtroom.

...in the US, they would capture it on film, market it on the internet, and retire wealthy. ;)