By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

IT’S SAFE to say that if you don’t know how you’re going to vote in the gender equality referendum by now, then you probably don’t have any plans to head to the polls on June 7.

With little more than a week left, one can also reasonably assume that if you don’t understand what the four Constitutional Amendment Bills seek to change, then you are intentionally distancing yourself from this monumental democratic process. As the reforms stated by the bills are all but gobbled up by the rhetoric of religious conspiracy theorists and political opportunists, take a step back and forge your own understanding of the amendments.

After four years of groundwork - and more than a year of delays - it is inexcusable for anyone to use a lack of understanding as a mask for rejecting the bills. If you don’t understand, then you must endeavour to understand, and do so quickly. To not vote, or vote in ignorance, would be a grave disservice. Not only to future citizens who will be affected by the changes, or lack thereof, but for so many in the country who are powerless to participate because of the current inequalities that exist.

The amendment bills read:

Bill 1: Under the proposed change to the Constitution, a child born outside of The Bahamas would, after the coming into operation of this amendment, become a Bahamian citizen at birth if either its mother or father is a citizen of The Bahamas by birth.

Bill 2: Under this proposed change to the Constitution, the foreign spouse of a Bahamian citizen would, after the coming into operation of this Article, be entitled to apply for and obtain citizenship subject to satisfying: existing national security or public policy considerations; and new provisions guarding against marriages of convenience.

It is important to point out that the foreign spouse must be married for five years before they can apply for permanent residency. If granted, they must maintain that status for another five years before they can apply for citizenship. Additionally, the spouse must then give up their former nationality in order to become a Bahamian.

Bill 3: Under this proposed change to the Constitution, a Bahamian father of a person born out of wedlock after the coming into operation of this amendment would be able to pass his citizenship to that person subject to legal proof that he is the father.

Bill 4: Under this proposed change to the Constitution, it would be unlawful to discriminate based on “sex”, which would be defined as “being male or female”.

The fourth bill has been the target of caustic national debate between persons who believe that it is a natural progression to remove discrimination against women and those with steely conviction that the entire referendum is a veiled bid to introduce a legal pathway to same-sex marriage. These starkly different interpretations represent the fluid nature of the law, which is ultimately based on the social norms and values of the electorate. For those with a biblical principle against equality for women, should temper their convictions with the realization that the constitution already provides discrimination based on religion. Therefore, why should there be a legal backing for inequality between men and women? It will have no impact on the teachings and practices of the Church. Each bill is separate and can be passed on its own so ignore the calls for a sweeping yes or no vote and scrutinize each bill. Ask yourself what can be gained from an outright rejection of all bills, and equally, what will be lost? There is no need to use this referendum as a tool to express dissatisfaction with the Christie-led administration, or exact karma for their role in the failed 2002 referendum.

Unlike the gaming referendum, which was non-binding, Bahamians hold absolute power over the outcome of this process in the same way that we control the outcome of the 2017 general election. In less than a year’s time, voters will send a clear message on matters of governance; however, now is the time to hold ourselves accountable. The government, political parties, religious groups, or the LGBT community will not bear the responsibility for what happens at the polls on June 7 - it is the citizenry. Will you be distracted by the circus acts, or will you evaluate the bills and their proposed impact through the lens of national development. It is ok to disagree with the amendments, it is not ok to abdicate your rights on the whims of an external political agenda.

This is why the recent utterings of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis are reproachful at worst and disenchanting at best. The Free National Movement has been circling this wounded process like a shark drawn to blood, inhibited only by its parliamentary pledge that it would not campaign against the vote. But the opportunity to savage the government became too great for Dr Minnis when he took aim at the government last week. Siding with the vote no campaign against the government’s support of the YES Bahamas campaign as “unequal and unfair”, Dr Minnis took what could have remained an arguably neutral observation a step further and questioned how voters could be expected to make a decision on something they have “little to no knowledge about”. He went on to suggest that the government was trying to shove a yes vote down people’s throats. While he would have us to believe that the missiles came straight from the hip, his statements do little to mask the stench of political opportunism. With the vote a matter of days away, his statements rang hollow in the absence of what efforts his party have taken to increase education and awareness. There is no room for empty criticism, and it is especially disappointing given the FNM’s legacy of advocacy on this issue. Without a doubt it is politically advantageous to appear sympathetic to the religious-backed vote no campaigns, the most vocal being Save Our Bahamas. This group of prominent religious leaders already has one referendum ‘success’ under their belt. They campaigned against the poorly attended gaming referendum, and although the outcome of the vote was not upheld, the referendum failed overwhelmingly.

Pair that with the widely-held belief that the June 7 vote will be a litmus test for the 2017 general election, and the proof is in the pudding. But in case anyone had any doubts, Dr Minnis then ratcheted up his pseudo concern over “process” and condemned the government over allegations that persons were being bribed for yes votes with money, jobs, and contracts. He made the claims as a guest on radio talk show Hard Copy with Steve McKinney on Peace 107.5FM, citing “legitimate sources” that had “no reason to call me and give me untruth”. As leader of the Official Opposition, it is indeed Dr Minnis’ duty to bring these allegations to the fore if they are deemed credible. However, as a leader, it is also his duty to ensure that he is not further handicapping the vote. He should emphatically state his position on the referendum in a way that clearly reinforces his party’s promise to support the bills. It is not enough to simply make a speech in Parliament, and then distance yourself from the process, waiting in the wings to drive a political stake through whatever outcome.

The government issued a statement yesterday appealing to the estranged FNM leader to get back on message.

“The concerns Dr Minnis voiced recently about public education are unfounded,” the statement read, “in fact, the public education campaign has been extraordinary, with more than 200 public information sessions held by the independent Constitutional Commission over the last two years.

It continued: “He (Minnis) also offers, without evidence, the accusations that votes are being improperly obtained. We invite Dr Minnis to campaign in support of the bills he voted for in Parliament. We ask him to join his many colleagues from both political parties who have offered their support and activism in favour of a yes vote.

“Should Dr Minnis locate the courage of his conviction, and campaign with YES, he will see firsthand the inspiring and extraordinary work being done to ensure our sons and daughters are equal in the Constitution and under our laws.”

As the time winds down on what will be a defining moment in Bahamian history, take control of your country and its future.

• What do you think? Email comments to aturnquest@tribunemedia.net