Dear Editor,
I respond to the article headlined 'Belize case said being used to push gay agenda in Caribbean' of Sunday, May 19, 2013 in the Jamaica Observer.
I am one of the lawyers who appeared in this case — on behalf of the applicant — Caleb Orozco. Accordingly, I anticipate that, in fairness, you will publish this reply.
In September of 2010, Caleb Orozco filed a constitutional challenge of Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize as being contrary to and in contravention of his fundamental rights and freedoms as contained in the Constitution of Belize.
Orozco is seeking a review of the law on the basis that his rights are — and are likely to be — violated by this section of the Code.
To contend that the Orozco v AG case is "part of a larger effort by the homosexual lobby to get buggery laws repealed in the Caribbean and push that lifestyle on the public" is to pretend, ignore, and effectively deny that Mr Orozco has these rights at all; and worse, to relegate his challenge to the law as mere assertion of some mythical "agenda".
Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only has the State not challenged Mr Orozco's locus standi on that basis, but the only parties who say so baldly, without any proof thereof, are the Churches' interested parties in Belize and, of course, Ms Shirley Richards and Dr Wayne West.
The Jamaican Coalition for Healthy Living is not a party to the Belizean case at all, unless they wish to now disclose their participation in the matter, so that their own agenda may be revealed.
It is most interesting, however, to learn that "... West and his coalition are not sitting still while the court deliberates".
Instead of "warning" the Caribbean, "including Jamaicans, to be aware of the terrible consequences that a repeal of the buggery law will bring about", Ms Shirley and Dr West should seek instead to work with UNIBAM (United Belize Advocacy Movement) and other groups to reform our outdated, colonial and ineffective sexual offences legislation in order to properly defend and protect the children of the Caribbean as well as our women and men. I submit that that should be the "grave concern" of these worthies.
Never swallow the line that if you are not a criminal you do not have to worry about a law. Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize directly impacts real persons, Belizeans and visitors alike, rendering them liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
The State confirmed in its submissions to the court that it applies equally to heterosexuals and to other forms of sex. There should, by all means be "...a deliberate action to get these laws repealed in the Caribbean...".
The stated fear that "punishment that will be meted out to persons who speak out against homosexuality if the law is repealed" is nothing more than the 'Chicken Little' cry of the sky falling. It is absolutely and categorically untrue that anyone is asking for any "punitive rights".
No one is being asked to give up freedom of conscience, expression, religion or speech. But we are asking that human dignity be upheld.
More human rights for the LGBT citizens will not mean less rights for those persons of faith. It will simply mean more human rights for more Caribbean persons. Resist the fear-mongering cries of a coming Caribbean Sodom and Gomorrah.
We are a wise people, a strong people who defeated slavery and survived. We will survive this too. We will decide for us, with the help of our courts and our legislature, what is the right path for us. We have never been nations of sheeple.
I have faith in the families of thousands of Caribbean LGBT people that they want their loved ones to suffer no more discrimination simply because they are not heterosexual. They do have human rights, Reverend Garth. Let us ensure that they get them.
Lisa M Shoman, SC
Attorney-at-law for Caleb Orozco and UNIBAM
lmshoman@hotmail.com
Caleb Orozco
Resist the fear-mongering cries of a coming Caribbean Sodom and Gomorrah
-->
I respond to the article headlined 'Belize case said being used to push gay agenda in Caribbean' of Sunday, May 19, 2013 in the Jamaica Observer.
I am one of the lawyers who appeared in this case — on behalf of the applicant — Caleb Orozco. Accordingly, I anticipate that, in fairness, you will publish this reply.
In September of 2010, Caleb Orozco filed a constitutional challenge of Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize as being contrary to and in contravention of his fundamental rights and freedoms as contained in the Constitution of Belize.
Orozco is seeking a review of the law on the basis that his rights are — and are likely to be — violated by this section of the Code.
To contend that the Orozco v AG case is "part of a larger effort by the homosexual lobby to get buggery laws repealed in the Caribbean and push that lifestyle on the public" is to pretend, ignore, and effectively deny that Mr Orozco has these rights at all; and worse, to relegate his challenge to the law as mere assertion of some mythical "agenda".
Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only has the State not challenged Mr Orozco's locus standi on that basis, but the only parties who say so baldly, without any proof thereof, are the Churches' interested parties in Belize and, of course, Ms Shirley Richards and Dr Wayne West.
The Jamaican Coalition for Healthy Living is not a party to the Belizean case at all, unless they wish to now disclose their participation in the matter, so that their own agenda may be revealed.
It is most interesting, however, to learn that "... West and his coalition are not sitting still while the court deliberates".
Instead of "warning" the Caribbean, "including Jamaicans, to be aware of the terrible consequences that a repeal of the buggery law will bring about", Ms Shirley and Dr West should seek instead to work with UNIBAM (United Belize Advocacy Movement) and other groups to reform our outdated, colonial and ineffective sexual offences legislation in order to properly defend and protect the children of the Caribbean as well as our women and men. I submit that that should be the "grave concern" of these worthies.
Never swallow the line that if you are not a criminal you do not have to worry about a law. Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize directly impacts real persons, Belizeans and visitors alike, rendering them liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
The State confirmed in its submissions to the court that it applies equally to heterosexuals and to other forms of sex. There should, by all means be "...a deliberate action to get these laws repealed in the Caribbean...".
The stated fear that "punishment that will be meted out to persons who speak out against homosexuality if the law is repealed" is nothing more than the 'Chicken Little' cry of the sky falling. It is absolutely and categorically untrue that anyone is asking for any "punitive rights".
No one is being asked to give up freedom of conscience, expression, religion or speech. But we are asking that human dignity be upheld.
More human rights for the LGBT citizens will not mean less rights for those persons of faith. It will simply mean more human rights for more Caribbean persons. Resist the fear-mongering cries of a coming Caribbean Sodom and Gomorrah.
We are a wise people, a strong people who defeated slavery and survived. We will survive this too. We will decide for us, with the help of our courts and our legislature, what is the right path for us. We have never been nations of sheeple.
I have faith in the families of thousands of Caribbean LGBT people that they want their loved ones to suffer no more discrimination simply because they are not heterosexual. They do have human rights, Reverend Garth. Let us ensure that they get them.
Lisa M Shoman, SC
Attorney-at-law for Caleb Orozco and UNIBAM
lmshoman@hotmail.com
Caleb Orozco
Resist the fear-mongering cries of a coming Caribbean Sodom and Gomorrah
-->