Last week, Bermuda became first in the world to legalize and then revoke same-sex marriage legislation. Same-sex couples no longer have equal rights to marry and are only able to access a civil union – a step backwards for equality.
Same-sex couples no longer have equal rights to marry and are only able to access a civil union – a step backwards for equality.
However in response to the decision many people think the campaign that is unfolding, a call to #BoycottBermuda is misguided.
The online campaign appears to be spearheaded mainly by people in the USA and Europe, who believe that a tourism boycott will show the Bermudian government that repealing same-sex marriage was a mistake.
The demand for the boycott is not coming from grass-roots organisations in Bermuda. In fact, LGBT+ Bermudians are coming out against the boycott.
Jessica Stern, Executive Director OutRight Action International, said: “This campaign stands to hurt rather than help the LGBT+ community in Bermuda. This boycott, in line with almost all boycotts that do not start locally, is uninformed and ill-advised. It could increase discrimination against local LGBT+ people, who may very well be used as scapegoats for any negative impact on tourism and the economy. Not to mention the consequences for LGBT+ people who themselves work in the tourism industry.
“People, and the media, in the US and Europe ought not to push their own agendas and instead listen to the priority of LGBT+ groups on the ground.
“This simple but important rule is central to the way that OutRight functions and engages in enabling social justice. We consult, listen to, and are guided by local leaders who are best placed to inform strategy and programs to bring about change.
“Without listening to voices from the ground we all stand to do more harm than good. I ask that you #DontBoycottBermuda and instead learn how to empower local organisations and the movement there.”
