Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Our Readers' Opinions
May 14, 2004

Burning homosexuals is not the answer

Editor: This is a response to a letter written by “Unisex” in the News Newspaper of April 30, 2004, concerning a remark made by Selmon Walters (it makes me cringe to type the word “honourable” in connection with this man). This remark, of course, deals with Walters’ intent to burn all homosexuals given the opportunity.{{more}}
I do not generally keep up with what’s in the news – this is a failing of mine – but if Walters did indeed say this, then I feel obliged to respond. I feel obliged to respond because I am a gay man who makes a daily contribution to the well-being of this country. How am I supposed to feel, after all the sacrifices I have made for St. Vincent, when the very government I serve holds me in contempt?
If Walters wants to burn gays, then perhaps he should also burn adulterers; let’s see how many people are left in St. Vincent after that!
All of this goes even further than the bigoted, narrow-minded comments of one man, however.
There is a serious culture of intolerance in St. Vincent. There is intolerance and prejudice in terms of grace, gender, sexuality – anyone in this country who does not conform to the narrow, patriarchal views of what human beings are supposed to be is reviled. Why is this? When did we become a country of enforced “normality” and prejudgment?
I love St. Vincent. My navel string is buried under a breadfruit tree in my parents’ back garden. So why do I feel so uncomfortable here? I fully support the right of every person to his or her own opinion. However, along with this comes the right of everyone to live their own lives without fear and without ridicule. I no longer participate in carnival because of the proliferation of homophobic, heterosexist calypso and soca songs. I suppose that this is what people like Mr. Walters ultimately want. They want gays to be reclusive and antisocial.
So what about the gay doctors, gay teachers, gay nurses, gay social and gay government officials?
If we all retreated from society what would happen? Trust me, St. Vincent would come to almost a screeching halt if this were to happen. We never get thanks, we only get revulsion.
Ask anyone who has a gay friend or family member – our sexuality does not define our lives, it is only one aspect of such. People should look beyond their preconceptions and see the person, not the sexuality. Is this such a difficult thing to do?
N. Nigel Thomas, a gay Vincentian living abroad, wrote in his novel Spirit In The Dark that:
“They called you ‘buller’ because they could not get away with pushing a knife or pumping bullets into you, and they hoped that the way they said it would drive you to push the knife or pump the bullet into yourself.”
This seems, to me, to be the kind of thing Walters wants – a mass suicide of ten per cent of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Just remember, the people who are most homophobic are those who are insecure and unsure in their own sexuality. Perhaps Walters needs to examine himself before unwittingly burning himself up.

Joe

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    New heavy equipment arrives for new Port
    Front Page
    New heavy equipment arrives for new Port
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    New heavy equipment was transported to the $700-million New Modern Port in capital, Kingstown, on Sunday, October 19, 2025 in readiness for its offici...
    Leacock not going to opening of new Port
    Front Page
    Leacock not going to opening of new Port
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    Opposition Member of Parliament, and Vice President of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Major St Clair Leacock, has publicly made clear his position on...
    Own your future – Senator Peters
    Front Page
    Own your future – Senator Peters
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    Government Senator Keisal Peters, has called on Vincentians to do the right thing for “we have to own the future,” as she addressed a massive crowd at...
    NUSS celebrates World Food Day with annual cook-off
    Front Page
    NUSS celebrates World Food Day with annual cook-off
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    Instead of being confined to their classrooms writing notes and taking tests, the students of North Union Secondary school (NUSS), created modern and ...
    PM launches his two latest books
    Front Page
    PM launches his two latest books
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    On Thursday night October, 16, 2025, at the Peace Memorial Hall, Kingstown, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves launched his two most recent publicatio...
    St Martins Secondary launches Agriculture Science Programme
    News
    St Martins Secondary launches Agriculture Science Programme
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), with the support of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU), officially launched a new Agriculture S...
    News
    St Martins Secondary launches Agriculture Science Programme
    News
    St Martins Secondary launches Agriculture Science Programme
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), with the support of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU), officially launched a new Agriculture S...
    Chieftan Neptune to Park Hill residents: “Know what you are worth”
    News
    Chieftan Neptune to Park Hill residents: “Know what you are worth”
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has reached out to the electorate in Park Hill, to support its candidate for the area Chieftan Neptune, and...
    Louise Mitchell says the  mainland is ready for change
    News
    Louise Mitchell says the mainland is ready for change
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    Louise Mitchell, daughter of former Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell, is confident that mainland St Vincent is ready for political change. Making re...
    St Lucia’s Olympic champ, Alfred launches jewellery line
    News
    St Lucia’s Olympic champ, Alfred launches jewellery line
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    A new jewellery collection celebrating Olympic champion Julien Alfred, has been unveiled, with proceeds set to support her charitable foundation. The ...
    George Stephens Secondary marks 20th anniversary
    News
    George Stephens Secondary marks 20th anniversary
    Webmaster 
    October 21, 2025
    by Grace Francis The George Stephens, Snr Secondary School (GSSS), marked its 20th anniversary on Sunday, September 5, 2025. Named after former primar...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok