Bahamas News

Bahamas Christian Council uproar over UB hosting LGBTQ Forum

Published

7 months ago

October 9, 2023

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, October 9, 2023 – The Bahamas Christian Council is moving against LGBTQ efforts by the University of The Bahamas as it decided to host a Pride week forum on its campus this week.

Members of the Council turned up outside the University Campus gates on Sunday October 1st, gathering for a press conference where they protested against the decisions of the university.

Delton Fernander, Christian Council President Bishop, was very vocal about the nature of the University’s efforts to support the LGBTQ community, maintaining that it’s “an affront” to their “national values on the campus of a publicly funded institute of higher learning.”

He explicitly speaks to the use of the people’s tax dollars to fund what he expresses is an act against morality under the beliefs of The Bahamas.

“We do not believe that the university which is funded by our tax dollars should be the platform to advance a lifestyle and agenda that are in contradiction to our nation’s constitution and the values, standards and morals of our country and its people.”

Additionally, the President adamantly maintained that the event cannot be given the chance to be held on the university grounds as long as the institution is funded by taxpayer dollars, and he continues to expound again referring to the violation of the values of the people as stipulated in the law of the land, the constitution.

It is known, as indicated by Fernander, that the event is not under the University despite being held on the campus. It’s revealed that an outside, “special interest group” which wasn’t named, is behind the planning of the event, which the Council says is “an expressed immoral agenda, to stage” what to them is “intended to attack the very moral tenets” of The Bahamas.

He also informed that the event is not part of a course offered at the institution. Considering this, he urged the University to refrain from hosting the forum.

“I believe that right now as a University that they should make the decision, since they’ve removed themselves from the event, since the event is not being endorsed by the University, well then let’s not have it, [on our campus].

Fernander spoke of two fliers for the event, one of which carries the university’s logo and stated, “In celebration of the 4th Annual Pride Week the School of Social Sciences hosts Forward, Upward, Onward, Together, Road to Inclusion”.

The other, does not hold the name of the school or the School of Social Sciences. It was released, according to reports, after the Christian Council advised the media on Friday of its plans to hold a press conference on Sunday to address the matter.

The colors associated with the LGBTQ community were present on the fliers as well as the listed speakers identified as LGBTQ+ activists which only contributed to the anger of the Council as they, without break, rallied against the plans, praying and continuously speaking against the LGBTQ agenda as seen in a video taken by the Magnetic Media team.

The Bishop passionately pointed to concerns about the minds of the younger generation, in relation to the event and events like this.

He said, “This week, I believe there is a sense of anxiety in our country because we are concerned that we are playing not only on the younger minds, but now we are playing on the young leaders of tomorrow that we want to be prepared to lead our country in a better way,” evoking strong waves of agreeing responses from the other members of the council.

Allyson Maynard Gibson KC, who chairs the UB board, in responding to questions regarding the concerns of the Christian Council, according to reports, said, “University of The Bahamas was established by University of The Bahamas Act 2016, which establishes a Board of Trustees ‘ … which shall … be free from undue influence from political, religious or other external bodies and shall protect the institution from such influence.’

“Forums such as this are the places where, as a part of UB’s national development mandate, our national spirit will be enriched and developed, as people with differing views engage in civil discourse and our students and citizens develop a better understanding of different viewpoints,” she added.

The day scheduled for the forum was Thursday October 5th at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Michael Eldon Building, UB. The keynote speaker, the flyer said, was Dr. Kreimild Saunders, assistant professor of sociology at UB. Dr. Richard Adderley, chair of Social Sciences was listed to bring welcome remarks.

The event’s moderator, Alexus D’Marco, PRIDE coordinator and human rights defender and the panel members were named as: Alicia Wallace, Tribune journalist and feminist activist; Erin Green, radio host and LGBTQ+ activist; and Helen Klonaris, adjunct UB professor of English Studies, novelist and LGBTQ+ activist.

The University showed no signs that it would cancel or postpone the event and indeed the lecture, billed under the headline: Forward, Upward, Onward, Together: Road to Inclusion was held on Thursday October 5.

Related Topics:#LGBTQ #LGBTQtargetted #thebahamas

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Get your laugh on, March On, family drama by Gea Pierre, debut this weekend in Turks and Caicos

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale again this weekend, the show debuts Friday night.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew where shows are set for Brayton Hall, for Friday May 10 at 8pm and Saturday has two showings; matinee at 4pm and evening, 8pm.

Tickets are $75 VIP. General admission is $60.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attentattention.

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. The full team returns on Friday, May 10 with the comedy production being held under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stop laughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”

Bahamas News

The Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays

Published

7 days ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

NASSAU, Bahamas – Hundreds of people from around the world turned out in full force for the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 that took place at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, May 4 -5, 2024.

This is the sixth edition of the relays and the fourth time that The Bahamas has hosted the event, which actually made its debut in The Bahamas in 2014.

President, World Athletics, Sabastian Coe said after three very successful editions from 2014 to 2017, the World Athletics Relays has quickly become one of the World Athletics vibrant competitions, developing a culture of fun and innovation that gives it a unique flavour.

He thanked the Bahamas Government, the local World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 committee and the Bahamian people for agreeing to host the relays. However, his main thanks were to the “world’s best sprinters” travelling from all the continents to compete in preparation for the road to Paris, France, in two months’ time.

During the opening ceremony, the athletes were given words of advice from Carl Lewis, one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

He said, “Keep it simple, do not try to do anything extra. Do what your coaches said. Leave on time, leave on time, leave on time.”

The athletes and crowds were treated to the sounds and sights of Junkanoo at the end of the opening ceremony. The Junkanoo performers stuck around for the two days of competitions, playing for the sprinters as they competed on the track.

Teams competed in the Women’s and men’s 4x100m, and the women’s men’s and mixed 4x400m. A total of 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 automatically qualified for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both days of competition were important, as day two offered another chance for qualifications for those teams unsuccessful on day one.

In fact, The Bahamas was able to take advantage of the second day of competition.

Bahamians were made proud as the country set a new national record during the mixed 4x400m relays thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Shania Adderley, a student of Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

The team came first in their heat on Sunday evening after not being able to gain a spot for the Paris Olympics on the first day of competition.

Other sprinters on the team included Alonzo Russell, as well as Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Bahamas News

PM at World Relays 2024 Opening: ‘Tonight, the eyes are on The Bahamas’

Published

7 days ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the World Athletics Relays 2024, on May 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis welcomed the special guests, athletes, officials, and “all lovers of athletics from around the world” to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in the “vibrant heart” of Nassau, Bahamas.

“This weekend, the world’s finest athletes gather on our shores to embark on a journey that is not only about speed and strength but also about dreams and determination,” Prime Minister Davis said. “From the serene beauty of our islands to the historic grandeur of Paris, this event marks a crucial path to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”

He added: “Here in The Bahamas, we are no strangers to world-class athletics or the warmth and exuberance that such international gatherings bring. It is a distinct honor to once again welcome the World Athletics Relays back to our islands. This event holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing a bridge between nations brought together by the universal language of sport.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that that year’s theme, “Paradise to Paris,” captured the essence of that journey.

“It is here, amidst the splendor of our sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic sway of our palms that the chase towards Olympic glory begins anew,” he stated. “We are thrilled to offer a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, where every sprint, every baton pass, and every victory lap is set against the picture-perfect canvas of our islands.”

He added: “To our athletes, I say this: as you stand on the precipice of your dreams, ready to catapult yourself into the annals of history, know that you are part of a legacy of excellence and determination. This weekend, you are not only competitors but also ambassadors of your countries and the spirit of sport. We are especially proud of Team Bahamas, who carry the weight of their performance and the hopes and pride of our nation. You embody the spirit of The Bahamian people, and we are behind you every step of the way.”

Prime Minister said that to the international visitors, he extended “the warmest Bahamian welcome”.

“Over the next few days, as you revel in the thrill of competition, take a moment to bask in the beauty of our island,” he stated. “Discover why we proudly say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas.” Whether it’s the hospitality of our people, the tranquility of our waters, or the rhythm of our culture, you are in for an experience that captures the heart and rejuvenates the soul.”

“Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sports foster, cheering every athlete and savoring the spectacle of human potential at its best,” Prime Minister Davis added. “I hope the races are swift, the results are inspiring, and the memories are lasting.

“Welcome to The Bahamas, the paradise where champions chase their dreams to Paris. As your host, it is my immense pleasure to declare the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 officially open. Let the games begin.”