09/29/07

By TAMARA McKENZIE, Assistant News Editor

tamara@nasguard.com

If the Bahamas Christian Council had its way there would be no gay networks on the line-up of Cable Bahamas channels. And to express its seriousness about blocking the proposed move, the Council, in addition to forming a sub-committee earlier this week to address the "gay agenda", announced yesterday that it would present a paper outlining its issues with the gay community to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham by the end of this week.

"We will also send a paper to the minister in charge of broadcasting [Katherine Forbes-Smith] and to other media houses and businesses that are interested in promoting the gay agenda, as we are strictly opposed to it," said BCC President John Humes.

Debate on whether Cable Bahamas should incorporate the LOGO network in its line up of channels intensified in recent weeks, as members of the Rainbow Alliance maintained that if some 10 porn channels are aired on Cable Bahamas, the company should have no problem approving its request for one gay channel. The LOGO channel specifically caters to bi-sexual, gay, lesbian and transgender (BGLT) viewers. The channel, according to its website, www.logoonline.com, offers a variety of programs from sitcoms, dramas, full-length movies, news and documentaries. Director of Public Affairs at Cable Bahamas Dr. Keith Wisdom recently told the Guardian that there has so far been one request for the LOGO channel to be incorporated into its line-up, as they prepare to hold discussions for its programming schedule for next year.

Humes told The Guardian yesterday that the Council would present a clear and definitive statement on how they can assist gays and of ways to stem the gay agenda. "We know that the blood of Jesus Christ can transform them and free them from their lifestyle," Humes said. He noted that the committee, formed earlier this week, is comprised of ministers from various religious denominations who tackle issues regarding the proposed incorporation of the LOGO channel and other matters involving gays.

"Once we have done our work, we will let it be known where we stand completely on this agenda," Humes said. "I admit that people are entitled to do what they want to do, but look at the consequences it will have on the country and on our young people. All I can say is the lifestyle of homosexuality is an abomination to God and we cannot accommodate it in any form," Humes said. "We are totally against it, just like sweet-hearting, violence and pornography."

But spokesperson for the Rainbow Alliance Erin Greene told listeners of the GEMS "Tell It Like It Is" radio talk show yesterday that there were so many issues plaguing society and she found it amazing that the masses, including the BCC, were directing their anger toward gays.

"The only thing I can do is contribute by participating in the healthy development of my community, but the outrage does not need to be directed at me or gay people. We need to come together as a community," Greene said.