THE PROVOCATIVE HEADLINE of last Monday’s DAILY NATION brought to mind the extent to which the media continues to have an unhealthy fascination with the “G” word coupled with the fact that the religious right seems able to command front page coverage even when based on the most ridiculous statements.
On this occasion, the excitement is related to the statement by Ambrose Carter that the Health and Family Life Education (CSE) programme being taught in secondary schools is “turning Barbadian children into homosexuals”. Certainly, a comment as absurd as this would simply be the basis of considerable amusement if it were not for the fact that people like Carter and Government Senator; Dr David Durant (who expressed similar sentiments) present a perspective that the Government appears partial to.
The two are apparently well qualified to pass judgement on matters of this nature. One of them is a highly lettered and well decorated minister of religion who once promised to use his special relationship with God to save the life of a former Prime Minister (who died). The other is a less well known plumber who has distinguished himself as an HIV/AIDS counsellor on account of the fact that he is a father of four and also has a special relationship with God. The cumulative qualifications and experience of this duo entitles them to condemn the programme which has benefited from extensive research and development with input from qualified professionals whose only shortcoming is that they have not received their instructions directly from God.
As much as I am pained to dignify such nonsense with a comment, I think it important to counter the opinions of the Carters and Durants of this world with a perspective based on tangible research and information which would demonstrate that some of us in Barbados do think. Interestingly, in 2013, CADRES conducted a national survey in Barbados that spoke to some of these issues and puts “our” views into a clearer perspective. Respondents were asked a few relevant questions and one of the more interesting was the most important source in the formation of views and opinions on human sexuality. Among the four options presented the most popular (44 per cent) was religion (Holy Bible/Bhagavad Gita/Holy Koran), which is ironic since this source says precious little on the issue of human sexuality and when it does, presents a heteronormative and highly sexist perspective that forms the basis of discrimination and the same bullying we are struggling to curtail.
The second most popular response (30 per cent) was family and friends and while this is unsurprising, it could potentially be problematic since the family and friends probably also get their information from religious sources with the attendant challenges. The final response category identified was popular culture (music, literature, television and the social scene) that was preferred by 11 per cent. This category is, of course, powerful and subject to manipulation; however, popular culture reflects the views and opinions of people which brings us back to the overwhelming influence of religion.
The appreciation that religion is this influential imposes a solemn responsibility on the shoulders of those who are identified as the purveyors of such teachings to elucidate and not mislead. Ironically, in the same survey, the majority (45 per cent) said homosexuality is not an illness that can be cured which is consistent with enlightened professionals and inconsistent with the perspective of Carter and Durant. Moreover, the majority (36 per cent versus 27 per cent) also supported the view that the “scientific facts” regarding homosexuality ought to be taught as a part of sex and sexuality education.
These key findings demonstrate the power of religion in this matter, but also the extent to which the public is clearly more enlightened than the religious right and therefore disposed to better understand human sexual behaviour in the way that the CSE attempts.
Peter W. Wickham is a political consultant and a director of Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES). Email: peter.w.wickham@gmail.com