Marriage is not a right; homosexuals are not entitled to it – DRP leader

“Our stance is based on our understanding of the need to protect the human rights of all people – not just some.”

These were the words of leader of the Democratic Republican Party (DRP) Anesia Baptiste, who also explained that she and her party have repeatedly {{more}}expressed their position against gay marriage/gay rights through various platforms, including television and radio.

Noting that the DRP is “totally against” gay marriage, Baptiste said: “We believe that such a judicial ruling… is what we call an ‘anti-conscience’ legislation… it automatically interferes with the freedom of conscience and the exercising of conscience of Christians and other conscientious persons.”

She explained that what this results in is the silencing of Christians, as them speaking out against homosexuality is now viewed as hate and “peddling homophobia.”

“As a government in waiting, we have a duty to protect the rights and freedoms of all. We see no conflict in being able to protect the rights and freedoms and at the same time say no to gay marriage.”

Baptiste also asserted that the arguments used to promote the gay agenda are founded in the misunderstanding of rights.

“There has been a redefinition of rights to include a sexual preference… Rights and freedoms are natural abilities that we are born with, and they are equal for all – whether you are gay, straight, Christian or non-Christian… These rights are not an act that you do.

“A person who has a sexual preference of gay sex, he is a human being and as a human being he already has natural rights and freedoms that everyone already has. But now he wants us to call what he chooses to do with his natural freedoms… a natural right that has to be protected. I say no. “

Baptiste said that as human beings, homosexuals should be entitled to basic human rights such as medical care and the ability to move about without fear of physical harm, but this does not mean they should be granted “legal recognition” for the act [of homosexuality] that they choose to do.

“Rights are inalienable… They come from God and are given to you. They are not things that government can give to you by passing a law.”

Baptiste also opined that marriage is not a right, therefore it is not something that homosexuals are entitled to.

“Can a baby marry? No. Can a child marry? No. Rights are natural to human beings regardless of their age.”

She further said that legalizing same-sex marriage gives rise to problems with other groups claiming that they are entitled to their sexual preferences of pedophilia, beastiality and incest.

“Do we then create rights based on those sexual preferences? Can they now argue for marriage equality based on their sexual preference? Should we now be giving legal opportunity for a pedophile to marry a child?”

“It is creating special rights where none really exist and it is having the effect of creating more rights for one grouping over another.”

Cognizant of the impact that the US Supreme Court ruling could have on SVG and the wider region, Baptiste added: “I believe our CARICOM leaders need to be properly educated when it comes to the arguments… that are being used.”

She explained that the regional leaders need to understand the true definitions of rights, equality and discrimination, because “if you are not educated into these things, you may just fall for some of the arguments.” (JSV)