One Bermuda Alliance candidate John Seymour has defended controversial social-media posts he made as a citizen about the LGBTQ+ community — but apologised for any offence caused.

The candidate for Pembroke East Central questioned why the letter “H”, representing heterosexuals, was not included in the acronym LGBTQ+, and accused the community of lack of inclusion.

Mr Seymour, a musician, entrepreneur and the Minister of Music at the First Church of God, also made a religious reference and said he did not want “folly” to be “flaunted” in his face.

Posting in response to a story in The Royal Gazette highlighting upcoming Bermuda Pride events, Mr Seymour posted on X on Friday: “I want to know why the LGBTQ+ community isn’t inclusive enough to respect my rights, they have yet to add my H in there, H for heterosexual!

“They aren’t an inclusive group but expect inclusion from the rest of the country!”

One commenter likened Mr Seymour’s comment to those that declared “all lives matter" in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Antiracism groups made the point that it was the Black community being marginalised.

The commenter said in response: “Because heterosexuals are not marginalised.“

Another wrote: “If that’s how your candidates behave, the @OBAbm is not an option for me.”

Responding to a comment saying that God cares more about how he treats others than his feelings about consenting adults’ sexual preferences, Mr Seymour posted: “The blood of Jesus wasn’t shed for me to sit on the side line [to] watch folly continue to be flaunted in my face. I stand on that 10 toes down!”

When approached about the comments, Mr Seymour told The Royal Gazette: “My intention was not to offend anyone with my tweet. For those who felt my tweet or subsequent responses were offensive, I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies.

“I was not speaking in the capacity of a political candidate but rather as John Seymour the citizen. I realise that there is a very fine line between the two."

The OBA has stood by its candidate and said it was not in a position to dictate.

Jarion Richardson, the Opposition leader, said: “The OBA is not in the business of telling anyone what to believe and feel. Our highest values are that a person puts Bermuda’s interests before their own and maintains integrity in politics.

“We expect our caucus members to authentically put forth their unadulterated views and to debate them vigorously. Our policies are not the result of polite conscientious but loud, assertive disagreement.

"It would be a betrayal of our values if we ever became a party of colour-coded repetition to those in power.

“We stand by each and every candidate, not because we look alike, sound alike and think alike, but because we aspire alike.”

A spokeswoman for the Human Rights Commission said: “The HRC reminds the public that if they have experienced unlawful discrimination due to any of the protected grounds within section 2(2) of the Human Rights Act, 1981, have questions or want to submit a complaint, they are encouraged to contact the office of the HRC in person, by phone 295-5859 or e-mail at info@humanrights.bm.”

The section deems it discriminatory to treat anyone less favourably than others based on varying factors including sex or sexual orientation.

Michael Weeks, the Progressive Labour Party MP for Pembroke East Central, did not respond to questions.

OutBermuda, a charity focusing on LGBTQ+ awareness, education and equality, declined to comment.