Brothers and sisters, please stop the hate!

19.JUNE.09

Editor: From proposed changes in our constitution to awkward incidents with two men found in compromising circumstances, there have been a growing number of articles regarding homosexuality. With zealous words like abomination and criminal being tossed about, we must be careful what messages we are sending to our fellow Vincentians and people around the world.{{more}}

We are living in difficult times, and the choices we make now can reflect upon us for years to follow. Sadly, what seems to be a majority consensus-or at least the one that is most vocal-on our Hairoun, a haven so calm and serene, is a growing wound of hatred and hostility towards all things “batty” boy or girl. Let us take a step back before stoning anybody and look at two Ts-tolerance and tourism.

Many people look to the Bible as the key reason to disallow such practices, and yet there are several parts of the Bible that support a more tolerant approach. Jesus loved all people the same as himself, and so should we, even if we disagree with their personal choice of lifestyle. Yes, we are a Christian nation and should follow the scriptures. however, even the various churches of Christianity are in debate whether to accept or reject the acceptance of homosexuals and at what level of society they should be included. Although we do not see this division within many of the churches here on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we can read about it happening in Christian churches around the world. So are we to say a Baptist, Evangelical, Methodist, or Anglican Church here is fundamentally different from another one of the same faith overseas? Many of those very churches and others include homosexuals as a part of their congregation and as a child of God?

Interpretation

The gospel of the Bible must be interpreted by people and as such is prone to human error. For we find mixed messages in many places. Just as we find scripture that says homosexuality may be wrong in places such as Romans or Leviticus, we are also confronted with the possible interpretations between David and Jonathon in 1 and 2 Samuel or Ruth and Naomi in Ruth 1. Even the passages that describe Sodom and Gomorrah do not single out homosexuality as the cause of its destruction, and biblical scholars even argue that adultery would yield the same. Instead, let us spend more time loving and accepting one another and not consume ourselves, as only God truly understands the divine way. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) NIV.

We all know that our culture at this time is just short of open hostility towards homosexuals, but have we given pause to consider how being armed with malice can and does affect our nation and people? Nearly all the experts have finally admitted that the world is experiencing a global recession and our island nations of the Caribbean are not immune to its effects. Our strategic plan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been to develop and give a strong boost to our tourism sector. The future of our nation, its economy, and the prosperity of its people are intrinsically linked to the tourism industry here. What does tourism have to do with homosexuality? Many things.

Gay travel

With all of our tourism expansion efforts, we still need the tourists to come and visit our wonderful country. Of course, I must recognize our domestic and regional tourists, and I tip my hat to you all. However, long standing has been the farther reaching international tourists who seek the beauty of our beaches, lush forests, and calm waters. According to the World Trade Organization’s International Trade Statistics 2008, international tourism revenue totaled US$855 billion, with the highest number of tourists coming from the European Union and the United States accounting for 57 per cent of the 903 million tourists.

We also can claim based on generally accepted demographic statistics that the highest known populations of homosexuals reside in the European Union and the United States. Many of those statistics vary as to the size of the homosexual population. Taking some of the lesser estimates at 3 per cent of the people, then there are 15 million tourists in the United States and European Union alone that are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, etc. “The Travel Industry of America estimates that 85 per cent of gay and lesbians take annual vacations compared to the national average of 64 per cent.” (J.G.)

In an interview with two businessmen who specialize in brand marketing for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) market, most gays and lesbians tend to be very brand loyal (which means they will keep coming back to the same places that treat them well). At 15 million strong, they have a general combined income of over US$641. They tend to spend more than heterosexual couples do, since only 20 per cent or so have children and both people in the relationship typically work, which greatly raises the amount of discretionary income they spend. Both businessmen identified traveling as a high priority interest for their spending options. (N.S.) “Homosexual customers travel more often and spend more per year than do their heterosexual counterparts on leisure and hospitality services, including restaurant dinners, hotel stays and entertainment. The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, or IGLTA estimates that gay and lesbian customers spend $55 billion per year in North America for leisure and hospitality services, resulting in that consumer niche’s being called a “dream demographic” by travel marketers, according to John D’Alessandro, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based organization.” (E.D.) “Philadelphia saw a $153 return for every dollar spent on its marketing campaign, according to a 2005 gay tourism survey.” (R.M.)

As we can see, there is quite a bit of tourism dollars out there that could be coming to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. If we were able to receive just 1% of them here in the Caribbean and SVG was to receive 1/10 of that, then we would still earn an additional US$55 million every year. Our country, with all of its natural beauty and tourism projects in place, gives us the potential to bring many more than that, but our cultural animosity towards this particular group of people (regardless of nationality) may very well keep them away from our shores. “Majorities of gay men (53%) and lesbians (69%) report that a place generally identified as safe and free from intimidation and threats – especially places “where they can hold their partner’s hand in public” is one of the top three ways they consider a destination as gay-friendly. Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications said, “Gay-friendliness is frequently mentioned as a litmus test for how GLBT travelers and consumers favor destinations, travel brands and services. We find they are not looking for special treatment, but instead expecting consideration and equal respect given all customers.” (TIA.)

Let us not fool ourselves. The way we treat each other be a person gay, straight, or otherwise is not seen simply within our own communities. It is witnessed by people throughout our nation, the Diaspora, and the rest of the world. Most of the developed nations regard homosexuality as acceptable in society and homosexuals are left to their own interests, even if it is disliked on a personal level. How much longer are we going to remain hostile to those who are not exactly like the majority of the public-be they Vincentian or not?

I must take a moment to denounce Mr. Patrick Ferrari’s article in The News dated June 12. His labeling of “towelheads” is completely inappropriate and displays the sort of ignorance that we must purge ourselves of. “Disrespect begets disrespect.” Seriously? That is something we should not be teaching and does not display very good inter-personal skills. While the Iranian individuals may have caused some upset at their request to not be serviced by women, that is their custom. A good business person should have approached it a bit more diplomatically. Perhaps they could have politely reminded their guests that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a nation where men and women are considered equals and if they would find this acceptable for the time being. Should they refuse, the business person could choose from two options. Accept the requests of the guests and try to accommodate politely, but do so understanding the cultural differences of their guests or ask them to find another restaurant for their meal as discrimination should not be tolerated in this nation. There are many cultures that wear turbans upon their heads and to call them ‘towelheads’ is racist and derogatory. It incites an ignorance reminiscent of another such name we black people were called for far too long.

Perhaps the Ministry of Tourism should take note of the issues of homosexuality, interacting with tourists of different customs, and others possible problematic areas and develop classes on cultural sensitivity training. With an international airport coming and the government’s growing foreign policy development, we may soon see a much larger variety in the tourists that come to our shores, and we must be ready.

It was not long ago in history that women had to struggle for their civil rights, and even our own people were slaves and treated as sub-human. Time has allowed us to show our equality and tolerance regardless of skin colour, gender, nationality, religion, and many other traits; this is simply another trait. In the end days, regardless of faith or where we come from, we shall all share the same heaven.

One Love, and remember to love thy neighbour as thyself.

Xavier Charles