Tag: gay jamaica

Panos to launch MSM publication today

Panos Caribbean — A publication documenting the stories of 32 Jamaican men who have sex with men (MSM) will be released today, Monday, September 30 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The publication, titled Speaking Out! Voices of Jamaican MSM, highlights the issues that affect MSM, including high levels of stigma, discrimination and homophobia,… Read more »

Another homophobic attack in Jamaica

At around 11 p.m. on the evening of September 21, 2013, a young gay Jamaican man was walking home after visiting a friend in the community of Newlands, Portmore, St. Catherine. Without warning he was set upon and stoned by a mob of men shouting “Ketch di battyboy” [catch the faggot], “Kill the battyman,” “Hol’… Read more »

Comment: With all eyes on anti-gay Russia, there are three countries with a shocking need for coverage

Paul Canning looks critically at media coverage of the LGBT situation in Russia, highlighting other areas around the globe where hate crimes and violence have also soared, yet where media coverage is still minimal. It’s Russia, Russia, Russia when it comes to ‘foreign gay news’ these days. But it’s a much bigger and badder gay… Read more »

Visibility is liberty

Outside of this country’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, few might be familiar with the name of Maurice Tomlinson, a gay Jamaican activist and attorney who is fighting regionally for LGBT people. But if Tomlinson’s lawyer, Lord Anthony Gifford QC, who won the case against the anti-sodomy law in Northern Ireland, gets leave… Read more »

Jamaica TV must not ban gay adverts, Supreme Court hears

A landmark case has begun in Jamaica with gay activist Maurice Tomlinson demanding the constitutional right to screen an ad promoting ‘love and respect’ Banning a gay campaign advert from being televised in Jamaica breaches the constitution, judges have been told. Gay activist Maurice Tomlinson is taking action against three Jamaican TV stations who refused… Read more »

The Struggle for Gay Rights Vs. Jamaican TV: The Court Case Begins

Unprecedented case deals with constitutional right to freedom of expression, addresses systemic homophobia Kingston, Jamaica — Freedom of expression is at the core of a major constitutional challenge using Jamaica’s new Charter of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. From May 27-31, AIDS-Free World’s Maurice Tomlinson will put those rights to the test against three of Jamaica’s… Read more »

Javed Jaghai, Gay Jamaican Man, Set To Challenge Country’s Anti-Sodomy Laws

A gay Jamaican man is planning to “aggressively agitate for change” to his country’s anti-sodomy law after allegedly being kicked out of his home because of his sexual orientation. As the Washington Blade is reporting, AIDS-Free World filed a Feb. 7 complaint with the Jamaica Supreme Court on behalf of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and… Read more »

Gay student challenges Jamaica’s anti-sodomy law

A gay student from Jamaica is set to challenge the legality of the country’s anti-sodomy law Javed Jaghai, a student and Jamaican gay rights activist has initiated a challenge to the country’s anti-sodomy law. AIDS-Free World, a Jamaican advocacy charity, filed a complaint against the law with Jamaica’s Supreme Court on behalf of Jaghai on… Read more »

Jamaica – Top 10 LGBT Achievements in 2012

2012 was another challenging year but there are a number of noteworthy achievements. Jamaicans—government and citizens—continue to show we are able to recognize and respect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, regardless of our differences. The 2012 Boxill Survey on Homophobia showed that one in five Jamaicans respects LGBT people. Additionally, one in five… Read more »

Human rights group worried at “alarming level of violence in Jamaica”

Washington D.C., United States,- The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) says it is concerned at the alarming level of violence in Jamaica that has been affecting all sectors of society for many years and has led to progressive deterioration of the human rights situation. In its “Report on the Situation of Human Rights in… Read more »

Jamaica hints a law banning gay discrimination may be passed

Jamaican Minister of Justice hints a law banning anti-gay discrimination may be introduced due to pressures to accept ‘Western’ human rights In response to a report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) criticizing Jamaica for its abuse of its LGBT citizens, the country’s Minister of Justice hinted that an anti-discrimination legislation, inclusive of… Read more »

2013 David Kato Vision and Voice Award

AIDS-Free World’s Maurice Tomlinson, recipient of the 2012 David Kato Vision and Voice Award, delivered this speech in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the ceremony honoring the 2013 recipient of the award. Access changes attitudes. This is true of any civil rights struggle. If you are not at the table, you can’t challenge the hateful rhetoric… Read more »

Activist to sue Trinidad and Tobago entry ban on gays

A gay Jamaican activist is suing the government of Trinidad and Tobago over its entry ban against homosexuals Maurice Tomlinson, an LGBT advocate is to challenge Trinidad and Tobago’s entry ban on gays in an international court. Tomilnson, a Jamaican national and legal advisor for the NGO AIDS-Free World has been invited to give two… Read more »

Gay? No Way

Study shows J’cans growing more tolerant, but majority still opposed to homosexuality Last week’s beating by security guards of a student accused of engaging in homosexual acts in a University of Technology (UTech) bathroom, captured on video and widely circulated, brought into sharp focus a 2012 study that suggested that Jamaicans are becoming increasingly more… Read more »

Anti-gay hate forces closure of Jamaica gay homeless center

Jamaica’s only drop-in center for homeless LGBT youth was closed due to anti-gay sentiments by local authorities and media The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals & Gays (J-FLAG) – a charity organisation, was forced to close down the Caribbean island state’s only drop-in centre for homeless gays which it managed with the Jamaica Aids Support… Read more »

Caribbean: Gay Rights Slowly Coming Out of the Closet

Georgetown, Guyana,(IPS) – Over the past six months, governments in two influential Caribbean trade bloc member states – Jamaica and Guyana – have floated political test balloons on the question of whether colonial-era laws criminalising homosexuality should be amended in keeping with trends in most Western states. The climate for gay people in the two… Read more »

Human Rights Watch urges Jamaica to scrap anti-buggery law

New York, NY – United States-based Human Rights Watch has urged the Jamaica government to repeal its anti-buggery law and protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The human rights group claimed that homophobia is “so bad that human rights defenders advocating the rights of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and… Read more »

Gay Rights Slowly Coming Out of the Closet

Georgetown (IPS) – Over the past six months, governments in two influential Caribbean trade bloc member states – Jamaica and Guyana – have floated political test balloons on the question of whether colonial-era laws criminalising homosexuality should be amended in keeping with trends in most Western states. The climate for gay people in the two… Read more »

“I tried not to be gay by getting married” — Tomlinson

Maurice Tomlinson, who sought refuge in Canada after he received countless death threats following news of his marriage to another man earlier this year, says there is no cure for homosexuality as it is not a disease. Tomlinson, who in earlier days struggled with his sexuality, said he, like Reverend Dennis Jernigan, was a part… Read more »

Dealing with the gay rights issue

People’s National Party (PNP) strategists must still be sighing with relief that there was no obvious backlash to Mrs Portia Simpson Miller’s affirmation in the pre-election debate that Jamaica’s buggery law needs to be reviewed. We say ‘no obvious backlash’ because as we all know the PNP won the election by a 2-1 seat majority.… Read more »

Jamaican gay activist marries ‘soulmate’

Western Bureau – One of Jamaica’s leading gay activists, Maurice Tomlinson, says he may be forced to flee the country following media reports about his marriage to a male police-officer-cum pastor in Toronto, Canada, recently. Tomlinson, a lawyer, married his ‘soulmate’ in August last year in a ceremony in the ethno-rich capital city. However, the… Read more »

Hope for gays as PNP wins Jamaica election

People’s National Party wins landslide victory, leader has spoken in favour of gay rights, JLP homophobes beaten Jamaica’s opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has won a landslide victory in the national election yesterday. The victory brings hope for Jamaica’s LGBT population after PNP leader Portia Simpson-Miller spoke out in favour of gay rights. Officials said… Read more »

Jamaica activist criticizes anti-gay rhetoric by gov’t candidates in leadup to tight elections

Kingston, Jamaica — The leader of Jamaica’s sole gay rights group said Tuesday that some ruling-party candidates have aggressively played to anti-gay constituents by resorting to homophobic rhetoric in the final days of the campaign for this week’s national elections. Dane Lewis, executive director of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, said Jamaica… Read more »

‘Visionary’ Jamaican rights activist announced as recipient of inaugural David Kato Award

Global award honouring murdered human rights activist to be presented to Jamaican lawyer, Maurice Tomlinson in London David Kato, the human rights activist murdered in his home in Kampala, Uganda on 26 January 2011, is representative of the millions of individuals worldwide who daily struggle against hostility and persecution simply because of their sexuality. Inspired… Read more »

J-FLAG Celebrates 13 Years of Promoting Tolerance for Gays

Kingston – Jamaica has come a long way in promoting respect and tolerance for the human rights of Jamaicans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) but much more needs to be done to make Jamaica a cohesive and just society where everyone can live, work and raise their family. J-FLAG was launched on… Read more »

Video: How Homophobia Fuels HIV in Jamaica

How Homophobia Fuels HIV in Jamaica – Video

Free representation for persons facing discrimination

Nassau, Bahamas — Gay men, sex workers and HIV-positive persons will be among Caribbean nationals who will qualify for free legal representation under the newly established Caribbean Social Justice Coalition, if they believe they are being discriminated against. Already the foundation of the international apparel company Levi Strauss Company has stepped forward to become the… Read more »