HUGE TURNOUT FOR GAY RIGHTS REFORM JERSEY EQUALITY PARADE

"They don't like it up em" - Why the political Right is entirely to blame for deferment of the same sex marriage debate.

Senator Ozouf has sought to place the blame for the debacle over same sex marriage in the States upon me rather than where it correctly lies – with a political Right that is beholden to Christian sects –  usually the allies of the good Senator who is "hard" on economic issues. 

It was Senator Le Marquand's last minute amendment that acted as the wrecking motion, designed to put off an awkward decision until AFTER the October election. Members supported the amendment as a “Get Out of Gaol Card”. They feared that if they voted against the principle of same-sex marriage (the substantive basis of Deputy Mezec’s proposition) the “Liberals” amongst the electorate would be shocked; were they to vote in favour then they would alienate their natural voters on the conservative Right, many of whome are religious fundamentalists and whose views include homophobia.

Members who voted to defer a decision to less politically contentious times, when they would have been safely returned to the Chamber, have, ironically, to face the backlash from the LGBT community and socially progressive island opinion. Saturday's demonstration will be the measure of that anger. What the House rejected the Street will demand - and elections are coming.

My remarks in the House merely pointed out this evasion and did not go down well for that reason alone. Yet I was right on the mark – that’s why they are squealing now. As the saying goes "They don't like it up em"

The worst nightmare of the religious fundamentalists may yet occur. The LGBT community in Jersey may be so shocked by this blatant homophobic act, that they will come out to demonstrate in significant numbers, resulting in an organizational outcome – the birth of the first LGBT campaign group in Jersey -that in turn engages in the electoral process resulting in a number of high profile casualties at the 15th October General Election.

The 12th of July is traditionally the day of Orange marching in Northern Ireland; by contrast the colours of Jersey's march will be those of the rainbow.

Make sure you attend the Rally for Equal Marriage and Gay Rights - Jersey's first LGBT Rights Parade - Royal Square - Noon, Saturday 12th July. The march will proceed at 12.20 to Liberation Square to be followed by speakers and music.