15 attorneys fighting the UNIBAM case
In the case of Caleb Orozco versus the Attorney General of Belize, the Attorney General is being represented by Crown Counsels Nigel Hawke, Gillian Smith, Herbert Panton and Magali Perdomo, while the Church, as an interested party, is being represented by distinguished attorneys Eamon Courtenay, Rodwell Williams, Michel Chebat, Jacqueline Marshalleck and Christopher Coye. Today we spoke to attorney Michel Chebat outside the courtroom, and Mike Rudon has the story.
Mike Rudon, Reporting
Attorney Michel Chebat could not get into very much detail on the case which is in its first day in the Supreme Court, though he did explain why they got involved on behalf of the churches as an interested party.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Attorney for Churches
“We represent the churches—the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and the Evangelical Churches of Belize. And we have intervened in this court case because we feel that the issue at hand is a serious issue; it impacts our society, it impacts the morality of the society, it impacts family life in the society. And the churches feel that this is an area on which they should be heard before any changes are made to this law.”
While propaganda has raged wild and free from the interested parties, there is a perception that the state, which is the defendant, has maintained a hands off stance on the issue, but Chebat says that is not the case.
Michel Chebat
“They are the substantive party; they are the defendants, and they are the ones who must seek to uphold the constitutionality of section fifty-three. And I think to characterize them as not having participated is a bit unfair. I think they have been participating. They were present at all the preliminary hearings we had. And they are here today. They have made submissions and as you can see they are here in full force. So I think they are doing what they need to do.”
So what can we expect in the next week?
Michel Chebat
“More of today. The claimants have been allotted five hours to present their case. Tomorrow, the foreign interested parties who support the claimants will go on. After they are done, it is expected that the Attorney General will go on then. That is expected to last for most of tomorrow. And then on Thursday morning, we are expecting that we are going to have our turn to make our presentation to the court.”
Mike Rudon for News Five.
The foreign interested parties in the case, namely the Human Dignity Trust, International Commission of Jurists and Commonwealth Lawyers Association, have joined with the claimant Caleb Orozco. They are represented by Lord Peter Goldsmith and Godfrey Smith, rounding out a very impressive tally of fifteen attorneys.
The union of a man & woman is the essence of a family unit. Many homosexual couples adopt children with the intention of making their lifestyle a natural act for the children to accept. How can they ever explain the birds and the bees? Let us get it very clear, it is Adam & Eve, not Adam and Steve. This is not about being a homophobe, this is about choice. Homosexuality is a lifestyle. You are not born a homosexual, just like you are not born a thief. The impact is on the children. Check out nambla.org (don’t do it on a full stomach). This is what the UNIBAM agenda is all about. Ask Caleb Orozco if he likes little boys. When did sexual preference become a human right? Sex is between a man and a woman. It is not a right, it is normal human behavior. Can two men or two woman produce a child without the intervention of surgery or artificial insemination? The answer is a resounding NO
FOREIGN INTERESTS SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO APPEAR IN THIS CASE IN OUR COURTS. WHAT DO THEY WANT TO DO, COLONIZE US AGAIN, AND IMPOSE THEIR OWN PERVERTED VALUES ON BELIZEANS?
Belize for Belizeans!
As a matter of fact, I seriously believe we should deny entrance to Belize to foreign homosexuals — if we reject their behavior, we have the right to reject them as visitors. Otherwise, we let the foreign camels get their noses under our tent — and pretty soon, the entire camel will be in the tent with us,.
How lovely to see so much christian love being articulated by some Belizeans. Instead of worrying about gays and their possible influence on morality perhaps some of ye member of the god squad start asking some men why they feel it is their right to abuse women and girls.
Religion is the opiate of the masses and the pillar of patriarchy.
so who’s the girl in the pink shirt (in the pic)? if she’s same-sex that would definitely be a waste. maybe she can charm caleb back to normalcy. btw, i hope she’s not a trans, cause i’d be so caught.
I’ve been considering a trip to Belize to experience the wonder and beauty of its natural history. But repressive societies turn me off. Count me out.
@Evolved One, Christians hate the sin, but we love and pray for the sinner. Christ came to save the sinner, and made it easy to be saved. I’ll pray for you, and I imagine a lot of other believers will, too.
Why does sodomy have to be an either/or choice regarding abuse of girls? That’s condemned, too. Read the Bible and try to live it, and you’ll be a lot happier.
Rick2L,
I would really like to know which un-repressive country it is in which you reside. For the record, you are probably better off not visiting our jewel.
There we go again the same arguments over and over. The foundation of religion is love so why so much hate? Let us just respect each other instead of worrying who is sharing the sheets with whom. Let’s worry about the bigger problems that our country is facing such as rampant violence and political corruption. Why don’t we make such a big fuzz about these issues instead?
We do not need anymore filt in our belize so take that g*y !@#$ back with you.
“What does the Bible say about gay marriage / same sex marriage?”
While the Bible does address homosexuality, it does not explicitly mention gay marriage/same-sex marriage. It is clear, however, that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.
Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24, describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33, the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Biblically speaking, marriage is the lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.
The Bible alone, however, does not have to be used to demonstrate this understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage. Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good gender role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In nature/physicality, clearly, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, clearly only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. Nature argues against gay marriage.
So, if the Bible, history, psychology, and nature all argue for marriage being between a man and a woman—why is there such a controversy today? Why are those who are opposed to gay marriage/same-sex marriage labelled as hateful, intolerant bigots, no matter how respectfully the opposition is presented? Why is the gay rights movement so aggressively pushing for gay marriage/same-sex marriage when most people, religious and non-religious, are supportive of—or at least far less opposed to—gay couples having all the same legal rights as married couples with some form of civil union?
The answer, according to the Bible, is that everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural, and the only way to suppress this inherent knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all opposition to it. The best way to normalize homosexuality is by placing gay marriage/same-sex marriage on an equal plane with traditional opposite-gender marriage. Romans 1:18-32 illustrates this. The truth is known because God has made it plain. The truth is rejected and replaced with a lie. The lie is then promoted and the truth suppressed and attacked. The vehemence and anger expressed by many in the gay rights movement to any who oppose them is, in fact, an indication that they know their position is indefensible. Trying to overcome a weak position by raising your voice is the oldest trick in the debating book. There is perhaps no more accurate description of the modern gay rights agenda than Romans 1:31, “they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”
To give sanction to gay marriage/same-sex marriage would be to give approval to the homosexual lifestyle, which the Bible clearly and consistently condemns as sinful. Christians should stand firmly against the idea of gay marriage/same-sex marriage. Further, there are strong and logical arguments against gay marriage/same-sex marriage from contexts completely separated from the Bible. One does not have to be an evangelical Christian to recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman.
According to the Bible, marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Gay marriage/same-sex marriage is a perversion of the institution of marriage and an offense to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. Rather, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and contend for truth with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
back and forth on this issue is a waste of time. Love who you love! Live your life and stop worrying about the life others are living.
people turn a blind eye on soooo many other things that are bigger than this issue!
Where are the big shots from Islam on UNIBAM? Not a peep from them.
I AM SO HAPPY THAT THERE ARE SOME REALLY WISE PEOPLE IN BELIZE@ Brown Boy
We dont want you @Rick2L
Farakkan already warned that this would happen……
Wonderful exposition, Brown Boy. It should go viral, to help people in other nations counter the homosexual agenda.
Rick2L thank you for your wise decision we will do just fine without your visit.
Evolved One, not a religious person not a homophobe but the point the religious groups are making is that no-one was really worrying about the gays UNTIL they started pushing their agenda down the throats of all Belizeans. While it is their right to push their agenda and I fully support and defend that right. I do not however have to agree or believe in their agenda. They are a MINORITY after all
STORM the “Colonial” angle is a a dead horse please stop flogging it. We might as well all sit in the corner and sulk that no-one likes us because we are black or ugly or whatever other pathetic excuse we need for not accepting responsibility for our own destiny.
These are the growing pains of a young nation we (Belize) need to find our own place and way in the world. Listening to advice and learning from the experience and mistakes of others is a part of that. Being pushed down a politically correct road just because it is deemed correct by the developed world does not make it right or democratic.
If persons whom opposes Unibam stand on section 53 sole argument is based on “MORALITY” and ” Bible Doctrines”, as I constant church goer I know SODOMY in not the only sin. What about FORNICATION and ADULTERY ( just to name a few) of which we see are of a rampant with far more consequences ( illiterate/ abandoned children, broken families, spread of STI’s). Sin is SIN right? Try and address these Belize Action. Then you can probably have the right to ring my BELL!
Sooo yeah I support!
I Vote NO! The Bible clearly states in Romans 1:27 and in vs 32 ….men leaving the natural use of women burned in their lust for one another, men committing what is shameful, receiving in themselves the error which is due……vs 32….those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
I Vote NO! The Bible clearly states in Romans 1:27 and in vs 32 ….men leaving the natural use of women burned in their lust for one another, men committing what is shameful, receiving in themselves the error which is due……vs 32….those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
@ again!, WTF?get outta here, if your belizean shame on you, and if not get the 1@#$ out of here …!
Thats not how we do it here in belize. We are straight, and if your not, something gotta be wrong with you!
I Vote NO! The Bible clearly states in Romans 1:27 and in vs 32 ….men leaving the natural use of women burned in their lust for one another, men committing what is shameful, receiving in themselves the error which is due……vs 32….those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
2 Chronicles 7: 14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
If the bible is the law of the land – can I legally own slaves?
WTF is with wrong with all of you who think anothr man can please u..u are all nasty and incompetent beings!! How dare you think u hav all right 2change what is naturally acceptable(man with woman) who do u think u all are?? U are all such a disgrae 2society n to family n to others…and government is only tolerating ds fight cz dey r soo scared like a chicken of getting voted out of thier seat. This is RIDICULOUS!!!!! May u all supportors of homosexuality be punishd til u hav no more brains to think with.ha!!!
It is Biblical what is happening and sad to say the chose our beautiful country, Belize to carry out an evil agenda. These people behind the UNIBAM are blinded by their style of living which is evil and wicked in the eyes of God and us God fairing people. I want to add to the poling that is going on which is of great concern. What will show on the poles is not a true representation of the voting because it is easy to cheat the system. Once you vote you go and delete the history for the cookies on the use of the web and then refresh the page and you can then vote. You do this again and you can vote a 1000 and more times. The people supporting the UNIBAM are surely using this method to get the numbers in and it is obvious that those who opppose it are doing it too. So the percentages that are displayed at the poles are definitely not a true representation of a transparent voting system. SAD TO SAY….
May God’s mercy be upon our nation and those wanting to make something evil seem good but the Word of God is the TRUTH and no matter what happens… God’s ABSOLUTE nature will never change… God bless Belize
amazing such a small country that is supposed to be so christian and anti-gay………… yet has hiv and aids almost the highest rate in the world
Homosexuality isn’t a human right its is a choice. If homosexuality is a human right I can also argue that smoking week and selling weed to minors and adults is my right, or is a Rastafarian’s right!!!! Belizeans say no to the dodo wiggling !@#$%^ smelling homosexual, Obama and all those perverted super power that is forcing this shameful and sinful thing down the throat of weaker upright country/nations should be a shame of themselves!!!
@NAME WITHELD AGREED…!!!!!!!!
ok, so somewhere in the Bible it state that children who disobey their parents should be punished by death and same as not being a vigin at marriage and same goes for an adulterer. We sure as hell do interpret that literally. Everyone in Belize should be able to be free and be who they are they are children who are listening/readin to what you all say and their self-esteem is being destroyed. UNIBAM is doing the right thing by challenging the laws. …to everyone who hates …. LOVE IS LOVE their is no difference and hate for the gender that you love is stupid some People in this country that i am ashamed of calling my home are so closed minded.