The Bermuda Government came under pressure to fortify marriage laws as demonstrators for and against same-sex unions filled the grounds of Cabinet yesterday.

Two town-hall meetings on civil unions have been pledged, with the first to be held tomorrow.

The rally was peaceful, but vocal in its outright stand against same-sex marriage, with the biggest cheers going to an organiser who told the gathering that “a few do not decide for the many”.

“If the Bermuda Government is unwilling to stand strong for our society by upholding marriage as between a man and a woman, as previous governments have done for hundreds of years, then the voting population of Bermuda must decide about marriage equality — through a referendum, and not by unelected judges.”

The Government was also chided for failing to bring an appeal against a ruling by Ian Kawaley, the Chief Justice, that granted the foreign same-sex partners of Bermudians the same right as spouses to live and work in Bermuda.

Demonstrators were addressed by Michael Dunkley, the Premier, as well as Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Minister for Community, Culture and Sports, who reminded them that the Government had made no move to redefine marriage. Michael Weeks, the Shadow Minister of Health and Community Affairs, joined with the group Preserve Marriage, telling The Royal Gazette that he considered it a moral issue.

“An issue like same-sex marriage, which can radically change our society, if anything should go to the people as a referendum,” Mr Weeks said.

Despite the placards denying any position of bigotry, campaigner Tony Brannon said he was at a loss to understand why “people from churches who claim they believe in God want to discriminate against marriage equality”.

“These are people who had to fight hard for their rights in the past; I find it weird that they are trying to deny rights to others.”

Allan and Mildred Hunt of Heart-to-Heart Ministries were among those outside Cabinet, with Mr Hunt saying he believes “wholly and solely in the traditional stand on marriage”.

“I'm glad the Rainbow Coalition are here today. We need to share. But nobody is trying to take their rights away. Every right I have, they should have,” Mr Hunt said. “Marriage should be between man and woman, but they should never be discriminated against. I know what it's like. I came up in this country during hard days. But at the same time, I am here today.”

According to Preserve Marriage, the group has a task force of 400 people, and 9,000 signatures backing its petition for marriage to stay “a special union ordained by God between a man and a woman”.

However, Pastor Gary Simons, an official spokesman for the group, said it was “not just for those who believe in faith but also those of non-faith”.

“Most persons, even not persons of faith meaning they don't go to a church or practise a particular religion, still would believe there is a higher power,” he said.

“There are many in that category that still have signed the petition because they strongly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Most of the world, and most religions of the world, would say that marriage was started by Him.”

The group opposes civil unions and is urging the Government to add supremacy clauses to legislation backing traditional marriage.

Such clauses would give laws such as the Marriage Act 1944 and the Matrimonial Clauses Act 1976 superiority over the Human Rights Act.

One demonstrator, Pattie Jones-Moore, said she felt the One Bermuda Alliance had done “a disgrace to Bermuda”, adding: “I'm a baby of the 1950s; I don't believe in this stuff. It's a disgrace to my people.”

Meanwhile, Dallas Bowers, with the group Love Wins, was out in support for her daughter Nikki Bowers, who said she and her same-sex partner co-parented an eight-year-old child whose father remained “very much involved” in his care.

About 750 people, the majority of whom were Preserve Marriage supporters, turned out for yesterday's demonstration, handing their petition to Ms Gordon-Pamplin.

Thanking them, the Premier said that “with a foundation based on respect, understanding and tolerance, together we will find the best way forward”.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin said the people's views would be deliberated upon.

The minister is to attend both town-hall meetings along with Trevor Moniz, the Attorney-General, and Michael Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Tomorrow's meeting is from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium in CedarBridge Academy, while Monday's meeting is at the same time in the Berkeley Institute auditorium.

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