An Opposition senator asked the Upper House to condemn threats made to LGBTQ people after the island’s first Gay Pride celebration was announced.

Dwayne Robinson, of the One Bermuda Alliance, said yesterday that he hoped more leaders would speak out against malicious comments.

He told senators: “There is a Pride parade coming up and in the midst of this Pride parade, we have had incidents of threats and unintended consequences being aimed towards those members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Though I am not a member of this community, as somebody in a leadership position within my community, and to fellow leaders sitting around the table, I would like to publicly denounce these threats and call upon the Government and my colleagues to also publicly denounce these threats.

“Whether or not we agree or disagree with the lifestyle choice of our fellow consenting Bermudians who are adults, I believe that we all should be concerned that a minority group within our society has come out to celebrate their history, their struggle, and they have been met with a huge amount of push back within our community and this has even resulted in threats of violence.

“I would like to personally state that I do not agree with any sort of discrimination — be it race, age, whatever.”

Mr Robinson said that he hoped colleagues from both the Opposition and the Government “will stand up and stand with this minority group”.

He added: “I hope to see a bit more denouncement of these threats and malicious intents within our community and a bit more support for a group coming out and supporting themselves.”

Mr Robinson was speaking after police confirmed they were investigating threats and suggestions of violence against members of the LGBTQ community on social media.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley added this week that the Bermuda Police Service’s backing of the Pride parade on August 31 was not limited to assistance with the route or traffic management but included officers’ attendance and more general support for the island’s LGBTQ community.

Anthony Richardson, a government senator, expressed concern over Mr Corbishley’s comments.

He said: “The community is very sensitised to the idea of the proposed Pride parade.”

Mr Richardson added: “It is a sensitive area for the community and I was surprised that the commissioner, acting in his role as commissioner, spoke to the fact that the police service would support the parade, as distinct from stating that the police service would ensure that there is the proper maintenance of law and order, which is their remit.”

He added: “Yes, clearly, I do believe that the majority, if not all, senators would support the idea that no one wants to encourage any threats of violence against anybody in the community.”

Mr Richardson said that he expected the Commissioner of Police to act to ensure appropriate, law-abiding behaviour at the event.

He was also concerned about whether Mr Corbishley’s comments set a precedent for future community events “whereby the police service will or will not commit, from his perspective, to supporting the goals of that activity”.

Mr Richardson highlighted the Theatre Boycott of 1959 and asked: “For example, would the police service be seen to support those type of events?

“I’m just trying to emphasise my personal surprise in terms of his comment that they would support the parade as opposed to ensuring that law and order does take place.”

Mr Robinson said afterwards: “Regardless of how you feel, it is not acceptable to make threats like this.

“Members of the LGBTQ community should be free to express themselves without having to face that kind of hostility. It reflects badly on us as a people that we cannot be tolerant of others.

“I would urge the public to assist the police in their investigations and would ask that the Government also condemns these threats.”

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said later: “I have been informed that there have been threats of violence to the LGBT community on social media.

“The Commissioner of Police has informed me that the threats are being taken seriously and are being investigated.

“The Government denounces and condemns all threats of violence against the LGBTQ community.”

Mark Anderson, a gay rights campaigner and entertainer whose alter ego is Sybil Barrington, Queen of Bermuda, said threats and abuse against gay people “need to be taken very seriously” and that there should be a law against hate speech.

He added: “I would like the Government to pass legislation to outlaw hate crimes. It’s long overdue. I mentioned this several years ago and it’s something I’d still like to see.”