Jan 08 - ERG Will Seek Legal Advice Following Discriminatory Remarks
The Equality Rights Group has reassured the LGBT community in Gibraltar that they will seek legal action to stop any further discrimination, following controversial statements made by Charles Harrison on following the announced launch of his new anti-LGBT rights campaigning group. There was an outcry on social media yesterday following Mr Harrison's interview on GBC, where he spoke of a new association, In Defence Of True Marriage - Family and Decency Group, who are campaigning against same sex marriage in Gibraltar.
Felix Alvarez, Chairman of the ERG, said: "I make no apology whatsoever for unequivocally defending the rights of the LGBT community as I have for the past 16 years, and can only share the strong sense of distaste which has been widely expressed yesterday both by straight and gay people following Mr Harrison's unfortunate public statements.
"I, nonetheless, urge all right-thinking citizens in Gibraltar, however, to respond with an abundance of charity, avoiding invective, insult or bitterness. Indeed, there is deep pathos in this gentleman’s public claim that homosexuality is an illness or disorder given the fact that not only was homosexuality struck off the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and from the World Health Organisation’s Directory of diseases. There is no sensible argument against the stated facts of the medical and psychological professions and international authorities. They speak for themselves.
"Additionally, whilst we sincerely trust this does not apply in this case, scientific academic studies have linked individuals who display hostile attitudes to gay people to psychoticism, which is a psychological personality trait typified by a number of disorders, including an increased vulnerability to psychosis, such as schizophrenia.
"In the face of unkind remarks and treatment, LGBT people, their friends, families and supporters should express not only kindness and respect, but should turn to the only remedy for discrimination and injustice: democracy and the law. Yet let all the community be alert and aware: it is important you continue to fight for your rights, and those of your friends and loved ones. If you haven’t done so already, write before 29 January to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your support for Government’s proposed Bill to introduce one civil marriage law for all. As you can see, you yourself may forget to write in, but your opponents will not!
"In the face of recent developments, the Community should rest assured that, as Chairman of ERG, I and our organisation will be keeping a vigilant eye on all developments. On the narrow front, we will take whatever legal action is required where insult or degrading treatment is visited upon the LGBT community. And in the broader picture, and given the possibility of different outcomes to the present situation, plans are already in place for me to consult in the coming days with top legal experts in the UK in order to prepare for any affront to the rights of the LGBT community. We will not allow LGBT citizens to be treated in discriminatory fashion or to have humiliating or unequal processes applied to them that no other sector of the community of Gibraltar have ever had to endure. ERG will not stand idly by in such circumstances.
"As Gibraltar’s human and civil rights organisation, ERG will take whatever legal steps are necessary to protect the dignity and rights of sexual minority citizens in Gibraltar as we progress towards a better and more just Gibraltar. It is, in fact, the change we were promised. For this,I call on everyone to stay solidly together and not for one minute to relax the demand for Government to finish the job of equality by introducing One Civil Marriage Law for All without any further delay or impediment."
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