BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) – A religious leader has criticised the decision of the United States Embassy here to fly the rainbow flag, which is the recognised symbol of gay pride, here, describing it as a “sad day in Belize”.

But US Ambassador Carlos Moreno said the flag, which is on the same pole as the United States flag, was not intended to promote lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex (LGBTI) activities in the Caribbean country.

“I don’t think the religious community per se has anything to be concerned about when the advocacy here is to accord everyone basic human dignity. I certainly respect people’s religious beliefs and I don’t think that this impacts those religious beliefs in any meaningful way,” Moreno said of the flag-raising event on Thursday.

The flag will fly over the US Embassy until the end of the month, in recognition of the “impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) individuals have had on our history.

“The rainbow flag serves as reminder to all of us that everyone, everyone, no matter what their creed or race or sexual orientation or identity, deserves basic human rights and human dignity. It symbolises collectively our commitment as citizens to show understanding and compassion to those who may be different than us.”

But president of the National Evangelical Association of Belize, Pastor Lance Lewis, said that the flag is sending a “clear signal” that the Americans are “pushing an LGBT agenda”.

“We are concerned about that because LGBT represents a downgrade, a family division, a destruction, and we will see more and more situations like what occurred in America happening around the world.”

Pastor Lewis said that “to bring up a group and say that they’re a small group and they need to be recognised, I think that is going the wrong way.

“It is going against the order of nature and it is putting our whole family values to the bottom and putting things that are blatantly wrong and scripturally wrong to the forefront, and we are against this. So we think that this is a backward step. It is a sad day in Belize and we are praying that this sad day will change or that people who have promoted it will face the consequences by Almighty God.”

The religious leader said that the event was also intended to show support “to disturb and destroy the moral fibre of this country.

“We could not go to America and do what they come here and do, even in our embassy. So I think that they should retract from this and we should get them to move away from this agenda,” he added.

Earlier this month, Jamaica’s Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, criticised the decision of the US Embassy in Kingston to fly the rainbow flag in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting that left 49 people dead.

In a personal posting on social network, Malahoo Forte said, while she condemned the killings, she found it “disrespectful” to have the flag flown there.

“I strongly condemn the #OrlandoNightClubShooting but I find it disrespectful of Jamaican laws to have #RainbowFlag flown here. #MyPersonalView,” Malahoo Forte posted.

But the the US Embassy, responding to the Attorney General’s posting, asked her for a legal reason regarding her position.

The embassy said it has been flying the American flag at halfmast in memory of the Orlando victims and the rainbow flag in solidarity.