Dear Sir,It is very distressing to hear the latest news that the One Bermuda Alliance is proposing amendments to the Human Rights Act to ensure that the existing marriage act is paramount to it and to maintain the legal definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Equality under the law for all citizens is what any government should represent and strive for, regardless of popular opinion. These proposed changes do not represent equality. How can such caveats be proposed to a human rights act? They are discriminatory in their very nature. Although civil union legislation is being proposed, this in itself is also discriminatory because it is applicable only to same-sex partners. If the process and legal rights are to be exactly the same as marriage, why not call it marriage? Why continue to segregate a segment of the community? The LGBT community will not go away. It is a fact of human life and deserves to have the equal rights of all other citizens. Allowing same-sex marriage won’t change anything for those who are afforded the right to get married at present. I am a Bermudian living overseas because I cannot live in Bermuda with my life partner. I was born and raised in Bermuda and served three years in the Royal Bermuda Regiment, but I am not granted equality under the law. My story is very similar to the stories of many other Bermudians. The main argument against same-sex marriage is that children require a mother and a father, but where in the Matrimonial Causes Act does it state that having children is a prerequisite for the legal status of marriage?The Bermuda Government has an opportunity to move forward towards a society of inclusion and equality for all citizens. Please reconsider your proposed amendments and avoid taking steps backward.EXCLUDED FROM EQUAL RIGHTS