The Rainbow Alliance has issued a statement of comfort to LGBTQ residents in the wake of a referendum turning down same-sex unions, but fell short of the numbers required to make it official.

The group expressed gratitude for an end to “the divisive and often hurtful campaigning that this exercise has inspired”, saying public discourse had been rife with attacks on LGBTQ people.

“Particularly, we want to tell the young LGBTQ community that the island’s majority failing to speak for them does not mean that they are in any way unworthy,” the statement added.

“You are amazing and deserve love without constraints within a supportive society. We want to tell the LGBTQ Bermudians that could not vote on their rights because they have been forced to leave for more accepting communities: we miss you, we love you, and we want to make home a safer place. LGBTQ family, you matter, and love will ultimately win.”

The group also acknowledged an outpouring of support leading up to the referendum — but called the poll itself, which failed to get sufficient voter turnout, “a colossal waste of taxpayer funds”.

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