The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, joined OUTBermuda at City Hall today as the charity marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
The gathering brought together community members, leaders and supporters to recognise the importance of dignity, fairness, safety and respect for all people in Bermuda.
Speaking at the event, Minister Wilkerson thanked OUTBermuda for organising the occasion and acknowledged the leadership of its Executive Director, Joshua Samuels.
Minister Wilkerson stated: “This day has a clear purpose. It asks societies, including our own, to examine how people are treated because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
“It asks whether our laws, institutions, workplaces, schools and communities reflect the principle that every person is entitled to dignity and equal treatment.”
She said homophobia, biphobia and transphobia must be recognised for the harm they cause.
Minister Wilkerson said: “Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are not merely differences of opinion. They cause real harm in exclusion, intimidation, harassment, discrimination and violence.”
She added that those forms of prejudice affect people’s daily lives, including “how safe they feel, whether they seek help, whether they speak openly and whether they believe the institutions around them will protect them fairly.”
The Minister said the standard from a justice perspective must be clear.
“As Minister of Justice, let me be clear about the standard,” Minister Wilkerson added.
Minister Wilkerson also recognised OUTBermuda’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community.
“OUTBermuda has been consistent in raising issues that matter to Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community,” she recognised.
“These are serious matters and they deserve serious engagement.”
The Attorney-General said meaningful progress requires listening, respect and a willingness to examine where systems may not be serving people fairly.
“There is work to be done,” she said. “That work must include listening. It must include respect for the lived experience of people who have faced discrimination.
Minister Wilkerson also acknowledged the broader work being led by the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors under the leadership of the Hon. Tinée Furbert, JP, MP, including the work of the Gender Affairs Council.
She noted that the Council’s mandate includes issues affecting “women and girls, men and boys, and LGBTQI+, gender-diverse and non-binary persons.”
Minister Wilkerson stated: “Its work is focused on legislation and policy, research and evaluation, community engagement and education. That matters because good policy must be informed by evidence, public input, and the realities people are facing.”
The Minister concluded by affirming the Government’s support for the purpose of the day and for those in Bermuda who have experienced prejudice or discrimination.
“Today, I stand in support of the purpose of this day,” she declared. “I stand in support of the people in Bermuda who have experienced prejudice, rejection or discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
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