In recent weeks Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell has reveled in his self-appointed leadership of those seeking respect for the rights of the LGBT community in The Bahamas. He claims to have been willing to suffer damage to his political career rather than to remain silent in the face of discrimination against the LGBT community.
Mitchell’s dedication to promoting human rights does not appear to extend to the rights of women. He certainly has not been vocal in support of equal rights for women under our constitution. In fact, he voted against getting rid of discrimination against women in the constitution when he was a PLP senator in 2002. Today, 12 years later, he has not offered himself as the defender of women against abuse by their male partners. In fact, he has not yet commented on the abusive statements against women made on the floor of the House of Assembly by a member of his parliamentary group.
Mitchell claims that his support for LGBT rights was greatly influenced by Nelson Mandela’s opposition to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I strongly recommend that Mitchell read up on Mandela’s position on the rights of women. He may then want to add his voice to the outrage being expressed all around The Bahamas over the abusive and degrading remarks about women uttered by his PLP colleague Leslie Miller.
By: Concerned Citizen
