THE Tribune took to the streets to quiz the public on their views about lesbian, gay and transgender rights, in the wake of Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell’s statement that the US might cut back on assistance to the Bahamas over a negative stance on rights.

Jerome Gray, 36, a taxi driver from South Beach, said: “We shouldn’t allow LGBT rights because we call ourselves a Christian nation and it would be ungodly to do so. The government can risk losing assistance from the US because we can get assistance from other countries.”

Captain Ricardo Morley, 34, of Sea Breeze, says: “We shouldn’t allow LGBT rights. Can the US cut us off? They can’t do that! We can’t afford being cut off, but we can’t afford the rights of gays. This is a Christian nation, you know.”

Teacher Carla Campbell, 35, of Pinewood, said: “They shouldn’t allow LGBT rights. The Bahamas shouldn’t allow the US to bully them we are a sovereign nation and we shouldn’t allow anyone to bully us into making decisions.”

Anthony O’Brien, 55, of Bain Town, said: “They shouldn’t allow LGBT rights because God made a man for each woman. The US could do whatever they want but we shouldn’t follow them because there are consequences for every action. These are the days of those consequences. The Bahamas should allow the gays to come over here because we need their money but we shouldn’t allow them to get married and do what they want over here. A man can’t make another man gay so as people they can do whatever they want to do, but as a nation we should follow the laws of God.”

Irene Bannister, 56, of Killarney, said: “Yes, we should allow it. We can’t afford a cutback on assistance because we don’t have the resources like Jamaica and other countries to sustain ourselves. We need the help of the US because they bring in the tourists and money.”

Mr Clarke, vice-principal of CR Walker, said: “We shouldn’t allow it because we should live by the Bible. The US is bullying the whole world. The Bahamas can sustain itself, you know, we should just test them, test them to see what will happen. Until they have it written that they won’t assist us, we can do what we want.”

Tim Nottage, 36, a teacher from Sea Breeze, said: “Our identity is that we are a Christian nation. We shouldn’t let the opinions of others dictate to ours. We should be cut off and that will help us stand on our own two feet and be able to stand up for what we believe in.”

Prestian Hanna, 31, a teacher in the Bain Town constituency, said: “Hell no, they shouldn’t allow LGBT rights. Who cares if the US stops assisting us - let them do what they want. They don’t run our country, we do! We shouldn’t let people tell us how to live and what morals to live by.”