02 Feb 06

Speaking at a Media Briefing by Cabinet members on 27 January The Leader of Government Business, Hon Kurt Tibbetts, defended his official statement over the arrival of a gay cruise tour in the Cayman Islands on 31 January.

Saying that none of those raising objections to the visit had considered it more than he had, he added that there is nothing to be afraid of.

“The real fortune is that they don’t have anything to fear but for issues that may arise from a moral standpoint. It is easy to take up that position but none of them believe in my God more than I do.”

Mr Tibbetts acknowledged that the issue was one around which there would be strong objection.

“My official statement is not a reflection of the people’s sentiments, and, for those who might wish to object to it they have every right, within reasonable methodologies, to do so.”

Defending the Government’s decision to allow the cruise visitors on the basis of the Islands’ policies of non-discrimination and human rights, Mr Tibbetts said the Government has to look at inherent responsibilities that it can’t put aside.

‘We cannot remove ourselves from our responsibilities as a Government,” said the Leader of Government Business.

“The world is getting smaller everyday and we can’t just take on one portion and not the other. That will sometimes have the result of putting us into difficult circumstances.

“If we want to think in a short-sighted way and not have certain difficulties then we could go ahead and simply express the same view.

“But there are international repercussions to face and not even those objecting would want to have to deal with the international repercussions we would have to face if we did not extend courtesies to the cruise line.”

Mr Tibbetts spoke about the Government’s “difficult position” on such an issue when some of the very people who voted the People’s Progressive Movement, (PPM) into Government would be those objecting to the cruise’s visit.

“It is our incumbent responsibility to do as they wish, but, at the same time, we must act responsibly on behalf of those same people,” he added.

“The decision was best for us, and them. We knew full well what was going to happen in terms of public outcry. But we now live in a global village and we know that there is no survival without facing issues such as these.”

Mr Tibbetts pointed out that we all have to deal with gays and lesbians in offices and at social gatherings and then said that these persons were only visiting from a cruise ship.

“If these people are coming to act as normal tourists it is impossible for us to say no.”

Mr Tibbetts said the only objection that could be raised is if “their behaviour were untoward.”

In relation to that point Mr Tibbetts and Hon Arden McLean, Minister of Communications said, “And we won’t know that until they get here.”

Asked if Cayman had made the cruise line aware of what would be considered untoward behaviour, Mr Tibbetts said he was not able to answer as, he said that neither he nor the Ministers present had spoken with the cruise line, but they said that Hon Charles Clifford, Minister for Tourism, who was not present, had.

Mr Tibbetts said if Cayman exhibited a bias on the basis of sexual orientation then it would also have to look at being judgemental about people who commit adultery, fornication and a host of other religious offences.

“If we limit ourselves in one area then we have to go all the way,” he said.
“We can’t afford to keep ourselves secure on the basis of no exposure. Because of that decision we do stand to see it has severe negative effects. We have stepped back and thought about all that and realise that we can’t please everyone.”

Asked if there would be additional security at the port on 31 January because of the cruise line’s visit Mr Tibbetts said, “I expect that things will be normal in terms of security.”

He said that he expected that there would be just the amount of security needed to accommodate any form of legally authorised protest.