By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday called for the country to address the issue of gay marriage "sooner rather than later" to avoid a potential conflict of interest as a member of the international community.

Mr McCartney exaplained that while he did not personally support the legalisation of gay marriage in America or elsewhere, his party had not yet decided on it's formal position.

On Friday, the United States Supreme Court delivered what is considered by some to be a historic victory for gay rights, ruling five to four that the American Constitution requires that same-sex couples be allowed to marry no matter where they live and that states may no longer reserve the right only for heterosexual couples. 

According to the Washington Post, advocates have reportedly called it the most pressing civil rights issue of modern times, while critics said the courts had sent the country into uncharted territory by changing the traditional definition of marriage.

Commenting on the ruling, US President Barrack Obama said that America has made the marriage union "a little more perfect".

Mr McCartney said: "As indicated in the United States the ruling that came down is that it's legal now in all 50 states. That is something, whether we like it or not, that this country will have to address probably sooner rather than later. I think the former chief justice said that some time ago, and it's something we'll have to address. 

"You see the prevalence of the gay movement, and lesbian movement throughout the United States and throughout the world. If you look at even some of the commercials that come on television today you see gay marriages or couples. Years ago that would've been taboo.”

He added: "I cannot speak for the DNA as a whole because that question is still out there for a determination. I can speak for Branville McCartney as an individual. I personally do not support gay marriages. But that does not mean that by not supporting it that I do not respect their views or I do not show any type of uncaring towards persons with that belief. Not at all. But it's something that I don't personally support and that is based on my convictions with the teachings of the Bible."

In 2013, then Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett drew the ire of local pastors when he told judges the Bahamas will have to address the issue of same sex marriage at some point.

Sir Michael said Bahamian society cannot "pretend these issues do not exist”. He said the issue was "healthy for democracy," arguing that the more society discusses an issue (like same sex marriage) the "more society comes to a consensus as to how to treat the issue."

After his initial comments, many pastors came forward and expressed their opposition to same sex unions, some saying they would never preside over a marriage ceremony between two men or two women.

The issue returned to the national stage due to fears that the Constitutional Amendment Bills and, more specifically, the wording of the fourth constitutional bill, which would make it unconstitutional for any law or person in public office to discriminate based on sex. 

Many, including former PLP MPs Greg Moss and Dr Andre Rollins, have expressed concern that the bill would pen the door to same sex marriage in the country.

However, Prime Minister Perry Christie has remained adamant that the fourth constitutional bill would not legalise same-sex marriages in the Bahamas. 

He said the government is not going to change the wording of the amendment that has sparked heated public debate.

Mr McCartney said on Friday: "Whether (Bill) four is passed or not, that's going to be a question that we as a country must address. You would recall we were the first ones to bring up the concerns of article four regarding opening the gateway to gay marriages."

Mr McCartney added that based on "treaties" signed by the Bahamas government in the international community, the issue of same-sex marriages is becoming a reality for the country to discuss.

"We already signed off on certain treaties that talk about equality of gender and the equality of women and the equality of persons having the right to do what they want to do," he said.

"It's coming. And I think we need to, like I said, we have to be very mature, sensitive, loving, and open about it when decide to make that determination. But it's the people of the Bahamas who make that determination. And whatever the people say would have to be the case."