Prime Minister Perry Christie during the 2016/2017 Budget Communication wrap up addressed the issue of the recent gender equality referendum stating that the government made every effort to ensure that a bipartisan approach was taken despite the noise in the market.

Mr. Christie says extensive consultation was done via a commission as well as invited church leaders and lawyers, all with the consent of the leader of the opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis.

“We had very dynamic participation from people who were on the yes side and one person who spoke in the meeting on the no side but we had the president of the Christian Council and other people who publicly came out and said no,” he said.

“We ensured that there was uncompromising levels of consultation and we made it absolutely clear to the ministers of religion that we were together, the leader of the opposition and I.”

Mr. Christie also stated while he had strong views on same sex marriage he did not push his opinions on anyone and was extremely shocked when the idea of a hidden agenda emerged.

“One preacher of all assembled clearly articulated that he had strong reservation about it. I was shocked to see the utterances that came out thereafter and everyone had the opportunity in that room to articulate their view.”

“If you thought there was a hidden agenda, if you thought I acted for the LGBT, his is the Prime Minister of the Bahamas in his office in openness with the leader of the Catholic church, the Baptist church, the Anglican church and other independents.”

The Prime Minister denounced any allegations made against him and said that there was a compelling urgency on the parts of some people to “payback”.