Gay Jamaica News & Reports 2007-08

by Karyl Walker
Three men branded as homosexuals were yesterday rescued by the police from an angry mob outside a pharmacy in Tropical Plaza, where they had been holed up for almost an hour. But even after the police managed to take the young men from the Monarch Pharmacy, one of the three was hit with a stone, forcing officers to fire tear gas on the crowd which included men, women, teenagers and small children. The approximately 2,000 people gathered outside the Kingston pharmacy hurled insults at the three men, with some calling for them to be killed.

The crowd grew larger as the minutes ticked by and the three men and staff inside the pharmacy were visibly terrified as the mob demanded that they be sent out so they could administer their brand of justice. "Send them out!" shouted one man. The men, who all had bleached-out faces, and dressed in tight jeans pants and skimpy shirts, were saved due to quick action by police from the St Andrew Central Division. When the officers arrived and attempted to push the crowd back from the front door of the businessplace they were greeted with some resistance and when they attempted to escort the men to a police service vehicle, which was parked near to the entrance of the pharmacy, one of the alleged homosexuals was hit on the back of the head with a stone as he flashed a wry smile before attempting to hustle inside the police car.

The cops were forced to disperse the large mob by dispensing tear gas canisters and whisking the men away as the crowd scampered in all directions in an effort to escape the irritating fumes. One man in the crowd was determined to get a chance to beat them and hurled insults at the police when they drove out of the premises. "Unu can come save them nasty boy yah? Them boy yah fi go down," the man bellowed.

One woman expressed surprise at the brazenness of the men who were clearly displaying effeminate behaviour. "Jamaica has lost its way if men think they can openly flaunt being gay without any consequences. We don’t want that kind of open gay life in this country," the woman said. Homosexuality is frowned upon in Jamaica and gay rights groups have constantly branded the island as anti-gay. Under Jamaican law a male can be slapped with a sentence of up to nine years if caught in a compromising position with another man.

direland.typepad.com
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/02/jamaica_gay_lea.html

February 21, 2007

2
Jamaica: Gay Leader Escapes Homophobic Lynch Mob

On St. Valentine’s day, a homophobic lynch mob of over 200 Jamaicans pursued three men for being gay and threatened a fourth, Jamaican gay leader Gareth Williams of J-FLAG (Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All- Sexuals, and Gays) when he went to help them.Williams was then badly beaten by Jamaican police for trying to restore calm.

Sunday Observer
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070317T160000-0500_120540_OBS_LARGE_NUMBER_OF_GAY_COPS_.asp

March 18, 2007

3
Large number of gay cops – Homosexuals in the JCF get high marks for performance

by T K Whyte Sunday Observer correspondent
Like their counterparts in many other parts of the world, Jamaican cops are learning to live with a large and growing number of gay and lesbian colleagues, in a profession known to be typically hard on homosexuals. But the increase in the number of homosexuals has apparently caught the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) off guard. There is no official policy on gays in the constabulary, and while it has been acknowledged that they are many – one cop used the term "rampant" – actual figures have not been compiled.

"We have quite a large number of them (gays and lesbians) in the force but they are not openly acknowledged. They are still in the closet," said head of the police legal affairs division, Inspector Gladys Brown-Campbell. Brown-Campbell, a lawyer, also admitted that the force did not have a policy on how they must be treated, and in the absence of official policy on gays, the police force treated homosexual cops as any other members of the force.

"If an offence is reported against them, it is investigated and if proven, they are usually dealt with to the full extent of the law, and that is to place them before the courts," Brown-Campbell told the Sunday Observer in an interview. "They are not treated differently from other offenders of the law at all. There is no policy on how to treat them," she emphasised. Supporting Brown-Campbell, Police Officers Association (POA) chairman, Superintendent Norman Heywood, insisted that although the force had no policy to deal with homosexuals, the rule of law would be enforced if the offence of buggery was committed by any police officer.

"We still have buggery as an offence on the law books, and if a police officer commits this offence, the rule of law will be enforced," said Heywood. But other cops say differently, some alleging that homosexual officers who broke the law were usually transferred to a division of the JCF which they did not want to name but which they said was well-known to the men and women in uniform.

A recent incident in which a senior cop allegedly forced a teenager to have oral sex with him and was sent to that dubious division, is now threatening to drive the issue of homosexuality in the force out into the open. Sunday Observer sources said disgruntled police personnel assigned to that division have warned they would take "drastic action" soon if the offending policeman, a corporal, was not removed from the division.

The corporal’s colleagues have refused to work with him and are calling on Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas to immediately transfer him "so that we can get on with normal police work". Police officers who asked for anonymity told the Sunday Observer that the alleged incident took place in November last year when the 19-year-old youth arrived at the Kingston Divisional Headquarters from deep rural St Elizabeth to spend time with his cousin, a district constable living at the headquarters.

The story is that the corporal invited the youth to accompany him on an assignment in Portmore, St Catherine. On their way back, the cop took the young man to his St Andrew home for lunch and cooked him a "sumptuous meal". After lunch, the corporal allegedly slipped an X-rated homosexual movie into his DVD player and attempted to fondle the young man, who resisted. The corporal is then said to have taken out his 9mm service pistol, placed it on a dresser in his bedroom to intimidate the young man and asked to have oral sex with him.

Fearing for his life, the youth complied, but later reported the ordeal to his outraged parents in St Elizabeth who reportedly stormed into the police divisional office and demanded that action be taken against the gay cop. Police there promised to get to the bottom of the matter, but nothing has so far been done, the parents and enraged cops complained. A high-ranking divisional commanding officer, who also didn’t want his name called, confirmed the incident in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

"There was a homosexual contact between the sub-officer (corporal) and the young man," the commanding officer said. He suggested that the corporal was likely to be transferred from the division, adding that the matter had been dealt with "internally and professionally". But the protesting cops at the division declared that they were incensed by their colleague’s conduct, alleging that he was one of five homosexuals now assigned to the division. They accused the police high command of "dumping" policemen with homosexual tendencies in the division once they get into trouble.

"We are very concerned that our work with thousands of young Jamaicans could be compromised and badly set back if the public, especially parents and guardians, lose faith in us and our effectiveness," said an inspector who also requested anonymity. But, if Brown-Campbell is to be believed, the offending cop was not typical of homosexuals in the force, who, she said, were tolerated and respected by their heterosexual colleagues.

"Those who we know are treated with a great level of respect as they themselves are respectful, refined and intelligent, their level of intelligence far outshines persons considered to be normal. The force has quite a number of them, men and women," she said.
Brown-Campbell gave gay cops high marks for performance, describing them as "the best set of police to work with". She said straight cops did not mind working with them, adding that since 2003, the force had developed "a tolerance level as they do not bring their sexual advances to straight cops".

"They are very professional workers and their colleagues treat them professionally and work with them," the JCF legal advisor asserted. Another senior cop suggested that the police force "is just mirroring the ills of the society"

Sun-Sentinel.com (www.sun-sentinel.com)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pcgayjamaica19mar19,0,2557404.story

March 19, 2007

4
Area church helps Jamaica’s lesbian, gay community

by Alva James-Johnson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
When members of the Sunshine Cathedral heard reports that gays and lesbians were being abused in Jamaica, they extended their reach from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean island. The church at 1480 SW Ninth Ave. now has a branch in Jamaica 83 members strong, church leaders said.

The congregation established the Jamaican church in December in response to a 2004 Human Rights Watch report that alleged police and citizens were persecuting gays, sex workers and people with HIV/AIDS, according to the church pastor, the Rev. Grant Lynn Ford. Church leaders have traveled to the island to support gay men and lesbians and challenge homophobic attitudes among government and religious officials, he said.

"The government says it’s not happening. They attribute the death of every gay man and lesbian woman to domestic violence or a trick gone bad," he said. "But it’s not that. It’s a homophobic mob mentality." Sunshine Cathedral is an affiliate of Metropolitan Community Churches, a Sarasota-based denomination that provides spiritual support for gays and lesbians worldwide. Ford said the Jamaica initiative is part of a 10-year plan to establish churches in diverse communities throughout South Florida and the Caribbean. He said the gay and lesbian community in Trinidad and Tobago already expressed interest in starting a congregation.

The church also hopes to plant a church in post-Castro Cuba and is planning for congregations in the Pompano-Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs and Miami Beach areas to cater to gays and lesbians from Brazil and other Latin American countries. The Jamaican church is divided into four groups, one each in Mandeville, Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, church leaders said. Worshipers rotate locations for fear of attack. They meet once a month for a national gathering and three times a month for local services. The cathedral provides bus transportation, worship leaders and other resources.

Human rights organizations list Jamaica as one of the world’s most inhospitable countries for gays and lesbians. Homosexual acts are prohibited by law on the island and punishable by years in prison.

Alva James-Johnson can be reached at ajjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4546.

www.pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-4116.html

12th April 2007

5
Homophobic violence at Jamaica funeral

by PinkNews.co.uk writer
A funeral service in the Carribean island of Jamaica has been disrupted by a mob attempting to attack a group of mourners. The Easter Sunday funeral of Kirk Wayne Lester, a Jamaican businessman, was attended by "gay cross-dressers," reports Real Jamaica Radio. A mob surrounded the church and attacked people thought to be gay with knives, stones and bottles. Missiles where thrown through the windows.

The island’s gay rights movement, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (J-Flag), is forced to operate underground and anonymously. It called on police to find the people who attacked the church in Mandeville. Pressure group Jamaicans for Justice agreed that a urgent police investigation is needed. JFJ said it is deeply disturbed by yet another incident involving mob violence against gay people latest incident is particularly daring because it occurred during a church service.

In February three gay men were stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack in Jamaica. Police came to rescue the men from a pharmacy in Saint Andrew Parish, where they had been hiding for almost an hour. An angry crowd had gathered outside the pharmacy, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men. When the police arrived, the mob demanded the men be handed over to them. The police tried to escort the men to their car, but the crowd began to throw stones at the objects of their hate, hitting one of them on the head.

Finally, officers were forced to disperse the crowd with tear gas. According to the Jamaica Observer, as many as 2000 people were involved in the attack. International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. Gay and lesbian relationships are largely conducted in secret.

Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour. In December 2003, a World Policy Institute survey on sexual orientation and human rights in the Americas said that:

"In the Caribbean, Jamaica is by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities, with frequent and often fatal attacks against gay men fostered by a popular culture that idolises reggae and dancehall singers whose lyrics call for burning and killing gay men. Draconian laws against sexual activity between members of the same sex continue to be in force not only in Jamaica, but in most of the English-speaking Caribbean."

According to Amnesty International, the gay and lesbian community in Jamaica faces "extreme prejudice" and are ‘routinely victims of ill-treatment and harassment by the police, and occasionally of torture." Amnesty has highlighted the growing problem of vigilante action against gays and lesbians – Wednesday was just one example of this. In 2004, the organisation revealed that "gay men and lesbian women have been beaten, cut, burned, raped and shot on account of their sexuality," and that they are one of the "most marginalised and persecuted communities in Jamaica."

Political parties have ignored the issue of gay rights. Indeed, homophobia is flourishing amongst politicians and the police. For example, opposition leader Bruce Golding vowed last year that "homosexuals would find no solace in any cabinet formed by him."

GAY.COM
http://uk.gay.com/article/5487

17 April, 2007

5a
‘If You’re Gay in Jamaica, You’re Dead’

by Stewart Who?
Amnesty International has publicly condemned recent episodes of violence against persons who are perceived to be gay in Jamaica. The organisation is particularly concerned by reports of mob violence against persons perceived as homosexuals who are targeted because of their appearance or behaviour, which seems to be increasing in frequency. Following the murder of gay activist Brian Williamson in Kingston in June 2004, the Jamaica Observer published a letter which read, “To be gay in Jamaica is to be dead.” Despite the international attention which followed the murder, the situation for the |OLGBT community in Jamaica has deteriorated further.

On Sunday 8 April 2007, a crowd allegedly surrounded a church in Mandeville and hurled different objects through a window at the back of the church. The attacks were directed at persons in attendance of the funeral being held there, who the crowd believed to be homosexual. On 2 April 2007, another crowd reportedly threw stones and bottles at a group of costumed men who were dancing in the carnival procession along Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay. According to reports, the crowd was angered because the men were supposedly gyrating in a sexually suggestive manner and demanded that they leave the stage. According to eye-witnesses, the men were attacked, chased and beaten by the mob of around 30 or 40 people. At least one of them had to be hospitalised due to injuries.

These two incidents occurred only two months after a group of men were targeted in a similar manner in a pharmacy in Tropical Plaza, Half-Way Tree, in Kingston. A human rights defender told Amnesty International that a mob of at least 200 people had gathered outside the store, calling for the men to be beaten to death because they were homosexual.

Amnesty International condemns these attacks and calls on the Jamaican authorities to ensure that a full and impartial investigation of the above-mentioned cases takes place, and that those responsible for the incitement of violence and for public beatings will be brought to justice. In compliance with its international obligations stated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in the American Convention on Human Rights, Jamaican authorities should send a clear message to society that discrimination against sexual minorities will not be tolerated and that violent episodes will be fully prosecuted. Such assaults are both human rights violations and a threat to the rule of law in Jamaica.

Amnesty International urges the Jamaican government to work closely with human rights defenders and with groups representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Jamaica to find solutions to prevent these episodes from occurring again. The climate has been exacerbated by the enduring popularity of ‘murder music’ produced by unrepentant artists such Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Capleton, T.O.K. and Shabba Ranks. An campaign against homophobia by reggae and dancehall singers has been launched by OutRage! and the UK-based Stop Murder Music Coalition (SMM) and others. An agreement to stop anti-gay lyrics during live performances and not to produce any new anti-gay material or re-release offending songs was reached in February 2005 between dancehall record labels and organisations opposed to anti-gay murder lyrics. It seems that this agreement was nothing but begrudging lip service and an attempt to protect loss of sponsorship contracts.

The Stop Murder Music campaign won the Advocacy Award at the Black LGBT Community Awards 2007 ceremony in London. The Advocacy Award was in recognition that the Stop Murder Music campaign had "brought together activists worldwide in challenging homophobic lyrics which incite people to violence against LGBT people". Dennis Carney, vice-chair of the Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group (BGMAG) collected the award on behalf of the campaign, which involved a partnership between BGMAG, OutRage! and the Jamaican gay rights group, J-Flag. Mr Carney paid tribute to the dozens of gay and anti-violence groups around the world that participated in making the campaign so effective and successful:

"I thought the BLGBT Community Awards event was fantastic and I was over the moon that the wider Black LGBT community fully recognises and supports the dedication and commitment of the Stop Murder Music Campaign’s work at making homophobic dancehall lyrics a thing of the past, by voting SMMC the winner of the Advocacy Award 2006". said Mr Carney.

Jamaica Gleaner Online
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070429/cleisure/cleisure4.html

April 29, 2007

6
Gays again?

by Orville Taylor, Contributor
Every time that I conclude that the gay debate is over, I realise that I can’t turn my back on it. Rather, it is an issue that sensible well-thinking Jamaicans must confront. In recent weeks, there has been a spate of encounters between the public and the gay minority. Most of the scenes and some of the participants were ugly. The first involved three suspected homosexuals who, when disturbed by an inquisitive female, responded by assaulting her with a drink they were having. Already intolerant of ‘sodomy’, the rabble turned into a typical violent mob, hell-bent on lynching them. Luckily, they were rescued by police personnel who wisely put them in the rear seats and beat a hasty retreat.

Another incident involved a set of overly exuberant gay youths gyrating on stage in Montego Bay and getting pelted with missiles. Why are they called missiles if they hit their target? Anyway, the third attack was at a rural church where men were reportedly flouting the normal ecclesiastical dress code. Not willing to accept the biblical admonition to "rend your heart and not your garments," the members of the community literally understood what it meant to ‘cross dress’ as they were all vexed to the point of stoning the building. Taking a break from prophesying and counter-prophesies, the church, with Bishop Herro Blair as chief advocate, joined Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) in condemning violence against gays. Some disagree with Blair et al and suggest it was a ‘Herro’ to ‘defend b-bwoy,’ and it would be an unsuccessful Blair Witch Project.

Homosexual cross-dressers

Public Defender Earl Witter raised the arguments that male homosexuality was illegal and perhaps Jamaican gays should "hold their corners" or hide in the cracks. Just before Witter opened his mouth on the subject, gay men from the aforementioned Montego Bay, advanced upon the non-rival regional paper, the Western Mirror, threatening to harm the reporter who had written a story about homosexual cross-dressers buying female underwear. It was a rather amusing story as it is difficult to imagine male genitalia fitting into thongs. Women, with far less to accommodate, often complain tha very appealing, they are notoriously uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, amusement apart, the recent sorties point to some fundamental issues. First of all, we are too violent a society and are far too prone to such acts. No one should be subject to violence unlesshe or she is in the process of harming others or is seriously resisting arrest. That is the rule in a law-abiding society. People ought not to be beaten simply because their lifestyles are offensive. One can, however, excuse the public when there is pederasty (child-targeted homosexuality), or other attempts to force one’s sexual will unto a victim. Therefore, it is difficult to reproach an unsuspecting gardener, who accepts a drink from the boss, who then plies him with alcohol and attempts to violate him in his stupor. Neither can one have much sympathy for those predators who lure and drug young boys and have sex with them against their will.

The same goes for those ‘bad men’ in prison who try to ‘bow’ new inmates, and those outside of institutions, who feel that having sexual contact with an enemy or disobedient ‘soldier’ is an acceptable means of punishment. However, two adult men, consensually engaging in samurai-type activities or fencing, in the privacy and the confines of their homes is a different kettle of fish. According to the 2003 case of Lawrence v. Texas, the state has no place in a citizen’s bedroom as long as there is no crime being committed. True, the act of male-to-male homosexual intercourse is the crime of buggery, but how does that affect us straight ‘vaginophiles?’ Yet, these recent face-offs between the homophobes and the homophiles raise two fundamental questions. First, it is whether we should expand our human rights to accommodate this type of ‘diversity’. Second, whether we should widen the tolerance of a violent Jamaican public.

Anti-gay countries

However, there is a big difference between allowing gay persons to live peacefully and uninterruptedly and making sexual orientation a fundamental right. The United Nations, the conceptualiser and guardian of human rights, has not gone in that direction. Try as you may, only a small number of countries legalise homosexuality. In virtually all of Africa and Asia, it is criminal. Latin America is far more anti-gaythan Jamaica. Why would one expect the most reverend Prime Minister and deacon Golding to push for this? I bet my bottom dollar that despite the strong belief that homosexuals and bi-sexuals figure among the 60 parliamentarians, none will propose such legislation even though it would benefit them.

On the matter of tolerance, I have to take issue with an editorial in this newspaper on Thursday last. One of the inviolable elements in a democracy is freedom of conscience and most important, freedom of expression. This is further consolidated as freedom of the press, one principle upon which this publication was founded. The public defender makes sense, because I would not walk into a Ku Klux Klan-dominated neighbourhood in Alabama with a Black Panther jacket. Neither would I recommend anyone to walk into Tivoli with a yellow Portia shirt, or into Payne Land with a green Bruce jersey. Discretion is the better part of valour. Cross-dressing is not the same as effeminacy. More worrisome was the attack on the press. Gay advocacy is one thing; violating the press is another.

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at UWI, Mona.

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-4626.html

13th June 2007

7
Gay bashing reggae performers promise to stop the hate

by Tony Grew
Three of the world’s top reggae and dancehall singers have renounced homophobia and condemned violence against lesbians and gay men. Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton had previously released anti-gay hate songs, including incitements to murder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. They have now signed up to the Reggae Compassionate Act in a deal brokered with top reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists.

The Act reads: "It must be clear there’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia. We do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of LOVE, RESPECT and UNDERSTANDING towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae. We agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community."

The agreement follows the three-year-long Stop Murder Music campaign, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of the singers’ concerts and sponsorship deals, causing them income losses estimated in excess of five million dollars. "The Reggae Compassionate Act is a big breakthrough," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who is coordinator of the worldwide Stop Murder Music campaign.

He helped negotiate the deal with the three singers. "The singers’ rejection of homophobia and sexism is an important milestone. We rejoice at their new commitment to music without prejudice," said Mr Tatchell. " This deal will have a huge, positive impact in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The media coverage will generate public awareness and debate, breaking down ignorance and undermining homophobia. Having these major reggae stars renounce homophobia will influence their fans and the wider public to rethink bigoted attitudes. The beneficial effect on young black straight men will be immense," he said.

Mr Tatchell said that the campaign against the three artists will now be suspended, but he urged journalists and others worldwide to monitor the performances and statements of Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton.

The fight against other homophobic performers continues: "The other five murder music artists – Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton – have not signed the Reggae Compassionate Act. The campaign against them continues. These singers have incited the murder of lesbians and gays. They should not be rewarded with concerts or sponsorship deals. The Stop Murder Music campaign urges organisations worldwide to intensify the campaign to cancel these five singers’ concerts and
their record, sponsorship and advertising deals," said Mr Tatchell.

His views are echoed by Gareth Wiliams, co-chair of the Jamaican gay human rights group, J-Flag: "This statement against homophobia and violence is a move in the right direction," he said.

"We hope it is not commercially motivated by the singers’ desire to maintain their concert revenues, but a sincere commitment that will encourage an end to homophobic violence and to all violence against everyone. The five artists who have not signed the statement should now follow this lead and declare their support for universal human rights, including the human rights of lesbian and gay people," said Mr Williams.

jamaicaobserver.com
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/html/20070708T200000-0500_125099_OBS_JAMAICA__GLOBAL_TRANSFORMATION_AND_THE_GAY_LOBBY.asp

July 09, 2007

8
Jamaica, global transformation and the gay lobby

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding would have surprised no one with his assertion in yesterday’s Sunday Observer that his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will not attempt to remove Jamaica’s anti-gay laws should they win political power in the upcoming elections. Any such attempt at this juncture in Jamaica’s history would be tantamount to political suicide. The anti-homosexual sentiment among Jamaicans and much of the Caribbean runs across all social classes and all sectors. It is deeply ingrained – embedded in our culture and traditions. On occasions in Jamaica, homophobia has caused us to hang our heads in shame following mob houndings, stonings, beatings, even murder of individuals accused of being gay.

The aversion to homosexuality has been a major reason for the long delay in consensus on the very important Charter of Rights Bill currently before Parliament. Readers will recall, for example, that a group of Christian activist lawyers – Lawyers Christian Fellowship (LCF) – fear that the concept of privacy could be used as a basis for the Courts to declare homosexual activity, within the confines of people’s homes, legal. The truth, though, is that on a global scale attitudes are changing rapidly, and in the context of homosexuality Jamaicans need to be alert as to what that means. In Europe and much of the rest of the world, buggery laws such as exist here have long been scrapped. And in the European Union (EU) the right to be homosexual is now accepted as fundamental. Countries like Jamaica are now seen by the EU and others – not least human rights groups – as being in breach of basic human rights because of anti-gay laws and attitudes.

It is likely that the pro-gay pressure on Jamaica and its Caricom partners will become even greater should the more liberal Democrats overcome the Republicans in the US presidential election next year. Jamaicans are already well aware that Reggae artistes who have used their medium to campaign against homosexuality have felt the weight and power of the growing global gay lobby. For Jamaicans, caught up in our own little world, the global pro-gay trend has developed with bewildering speed – sneaking up on us like a thief in the night.

Perhaps nothing illustrates the global transformation as the very word ‘gay’. Not so long ago it meant happy, light-hearted, carefree. In modern dictionaries that meaning is now described as ‘dated’. In the context of homosexuality, those are the realities that Jamaica’s political leaders must bear in mind as they approach life after the upcoming elections. Like it or not, our political and other leaders must somehow start to nudge our people towards the day when an accommodation is made with the homosexual community. And while it won’t happen anytime soon, Jamaicans will have to understand that there will come a time when our buggery laws end up on the scrap heap of history.

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-4992.html

23rd July 2007

9
Reggae star turns his back on homophobia

by Tony Grew
Reggae star Buju Banton has become the latest homophobic performer to renounce homophobia and condemn violence against lesbians and gay men. He has signed up to the Reggae Compassionate Act in a deal brokered with top reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists. His decision is in marked contrast to his attitude in October 2006, when two of his concerts in the US were cancelled after pressure from gay activists

"Fuck them," was his response.

He made the comment to American music site Billboard.com, who asked the singer about his cancelled concerts around the world. "I have never bashed any gays before, and if I bashed gays, I bashed them 16 years ago," said Banton. "There’s no tolerance from [the gay community]. I’m not a gay-basher. I’m not a homophobe." It seems the economic reality of his defiant stance has prompted a change of heart. Last month artists Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton, who like Banton had previously released anti-gay hate songs, including incitements to murder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, signed up to the pact.

The Act reads:

"It must be clear there’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia. We do not encourage nor minister to HATE but rather uphold a philosophy of LOVE, RESPECT and UNDERSTANDING towards all human beings as the cornerstone of reggae. We agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community."

Mr Banton became notorious for his 1992 song Boom Bye Bye which advocates shooting gay men in the head, pouring acid on them and burning them alive. His decision to stop performing homophobic songs is another victory for the three-year-long Stop Murder Music campaign, which has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of concerts and sponsorship deals, causing income losses estimated in excess of $5m (£2.5m).

"The Reggae Compassionate Act is a big breakthrough," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who is coordinator of the worldwide Stop Murder Music campaign. "Having these major reggae stars renounce homophobia will influence their fans and the wider public to rethink bigoted attitudes. The beneficial effect on young black straight men will be immense," he said.

The fight against other homophobic performers continues: "The other four murder music artists – Elephant Man, TOK, Bounty Killa and Vybz Kartel – have not signed the Reggae Compassionate Act. The campaign against them continues. These singers have incited the murder of lesbians and gays. They should not be rewarded with concerts or sponsorship deals."

"The Stop Murder Music campaign urges organisations worldwide to intensify the campaign to cancel these five singers’ concerts and their record, sponsorship and advertising deals," said Mr Tatchell.

A spokesman for the Jamaican gay human rights group J-Flag told The Guardian: "I really hope that his actions are genuine and it is not just because international pressure is hurting his pocket. We hope it is a sincere commitment that will end homophobic violence."

Mr Tatchell commented: "This deal is already having a huge, positive impact in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The media coverage has generated public awareness and debate; breaking down ignorance and undermining homophobia. Having these major reggae stars renounce homophobia is influencing their fans and the wider public to rethink bigoted attitudes. The beneficial effect on young straight reggae fans is immense," he said.

This view is mirrored by fellow Stop Murder Music campaigner, Dennis L Carney, Vice-Chair of the Black Gay Mens Advisory Group (BGMAG) in London. Mr Carney is of Jamaican descent, and also played a leading role in negotiating the Reggae Compassionate Act. He added: "I am thrilled that Beenie Man, Sizzla, Buju Banton and Capleton have signed up to this historic agreement with the Stop Murder Music campaign. We welcome their commitment to not produce music or make public statements that incite hatred and violence against gay people. This is a giant leap towards restoring peace, love and harmony to reggae music. These performers are sending a clear message that lesbians and gay men have a right to live free from fear and persecution – both here in the UK and in Jamaica," concluded Mr Carney.

Direland
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2007/07/murder-music-tw.html

July 26, 2007

10
Murder Music: Two-Faced Reggae Stars Sign, Then Reneg On, Pledge To Stop Hate Songs

The following is a revised and expanded version of an article written for Gay City News, which published it today:

Two Jamaican reggae stars want to have it both ways: they’ve signed a pledge to put an end to their songs calling for the murder of gays and lesbians — and thus halt a successful boycott of their hate music — but back home in Jamaica (one of the world’s most culturally homophobic countries) they’re trying to pretend they didn’t sign the pledge. Banju_banton This week, gruff-voiced reggae mega-star Buju Banton (left), notorious for his song lyrics calling for the murder of homosexuals, signed a pledge to cease his homophobic music-making after a successful three-year global boycott initiated by the U.K.-based Stop Murder Music campaign. The Stop Murder Music campaign, a joint project of the militant British gay rights group OutRage!, the Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), and the British Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group (BGMAG), caused the cancellation of hundreds of concerts and sponsorship deals, costing homophobic reggae artists more than $5 million.

Banton — the stage name of 35-year-old Jamaican dancehall music star Mark Anthony Myrie — signed the Reggae Compassionate Act (RCA), by which he agreed to not make homophobic statements in public, release new homophobic songs, or authorize the re-release of previously-recorded hate-gays numbers, the British daily The Guardian reported on Monday, July 23. Among Banton’s particularly poisonous anti-gay songs, his "Boom Bye Bye" features sounds of gunfire "in a batty-boy’s head" — "batty-boy" being Jamaican patois for "faggot" — and says of any "batty-boy," "burn him up bad like an old tire wheel." The Reggae Compassionate Act states, "There’s no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism, or homophobia."

The pledge was drawn up by the Stop Murder Music campaign, and was also signed at the beginning of June by reggae stars Beenie Man (famous for singing, "I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays"), Capleton (one of whose hit songs says "Blood out di chi chi, bun out di chi chi," Jamaican patois meaning "kill and burn gays"), and Sizzla, also noted for kill-gays lyrics [ADD: like "shoot queers, my big gun goes boom."] Dennis Carney, vice-chair of the U.K. Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group, who is of Jamaican descent, said: "These performers are sending a clear message that lesbians and gay men have a right to live free from fear and persecution, both here in the U.K. and in Jamaica.

And Gareth Williams, co-chair of the Jamaican gay rights group J-FLAG, added in a statement, "This statement against homophobia and violence is a move in the right direction. We hope it is not commercially motivated by the singers’ desire to maintain their concert revenues." But, back home in Jamaica, Radio Jamaica’s website claims Banton’s manager has denied that the singer signed the RCA pledge: "Speaking with RJR news, Buju’s manager Donovan Germaine dismissed the report out of hand," the Web site said. While providing no direct quote, it continued, "He added that the [Banton] management team would not comment further on the issue as it was being used by the gay rights group to gain mileage for their cause." Pandering to the hometown homophobic fans, wouldn’t you say? Meanwhile, the newspaper Jamaica Observer reported on Sunday that Grammy-winner Beenie Man, in remarks also apparently designed only for home-turf consumption, has denied having signed the RCA agreement, which he blamed on profit-hungry European promoters, and said he would not pledge to honor it.

"‘It’s a ting from the promoters of Europe. They are getting so much fight from the Christian and ‘g’ organisation and everything,’ said the self-proclaimed ‘King of the Dancehall,’ who apparently could not bring himself to say the word gay," the Jamaican Observer reported, adding that Beenie Man "said he did not personally sign any agreement and could not promise that he would be abiding by it. ‘I do music,’ he argued. ‘Dancehall mi do, I can’t promise nuh man dat. And mi neva sign it, yuh hear sah.’" But contacted by this reporter, Peter Tatchell of OutRage! (left), which has coordinated the Stop Murder Music campaign, provided me with photocopies of the RCA statement signed by Banton and the other three reggae stars, all of whom used their real names. The photocopies of the signed statements are also now posted on Tatchell’s Web site.

"The signatures were obtained on our behalf by the U.K. reggae promoter Eddie Brown of Pride Music," Tatchell told Gay City News, adding, "I have total confidence that he obtained their real signatures." Tatchell explained to this reporter how the stop-gay-hate agreement was reached with the Jamaican singer-songwriters. "Negotiations over the RCA began in March this year," he said, recounting how, "Eddie Brown of Pride Music U.K. — not a gay company despite the name, but a straight reggae promotion and PR firm — approached me expressing concern that the ‘murder music’ tag was harming the Jamaican music industry. He admitted the SMM boycott campaign had hit the artists hard financially and also damaged promoters like him. He offered to try to broker a deal to end the singer’s incitements to murder LGBTs . Our aim is to stop murder music, so we agreed to cooperate. Eddie acted as the go-between."

Then, Tatchell told me, "Within the framework agreed with J-Flag, OutRage!, and BGMAG, Dennis Carney of BGMAG and I drafted the statement, and I sent it to Eddie Brown. Our draft consciously pitched it to reject all hatred and violence, and to appeal to reggae’s tradition of one love, peace, and justice." After that, Tatchell said, "Eddie forwarded our version to the singers and to his fellow reggae promoters. The artists rejected our first draft and we rejected the revised version they sent back to us. The title Reggae Compassionate Act was the idea of Eddie and his fellow promoters. Eventually, Eddie and his colleagues accepted our second draft, which was a slightly softer-worded version than the first. Nevertheless, it included all the essential points we wanted. He then put our new version to the singers on our behalf. One by one the four artists agreed to sign it."

According to Tatchell, "Eddie arranged the actual signatures with the artists while some of them were in Jamaica and while others were on tour. He negotiated face-to-face with some of their managements. The four signed agreements were delivered to him. He then sent us PDFs of these signed documents, which I have put on my Web site." (To see the signed documents, go to Tatchell’s Web site and click on the rubric "Pop Music.") Tatchell added, "Eddie is totally confident that all four artists have signed — and we have their signatures, including Banton’s, to prove it. Eddie also believes that more dancehall stars will eventually sign up to the RCA." In a note to editors accompanying its press release on Banton’s signing of the RCA, the Stop Murder Music campaign asked, "To test the singers’ sincerity, we urge you to assign your journalists to interview them to make sure they personally confirm their commitment to renounce and oppose homophobia." In view of the reported denials in Jamaica, it looks like that was a wise precaution.

A key figure in the SMM campaign, Brett Lock of OutRage!, said: ""We have never accepted any agreement whereby an artist agrees to not perform homophobic lyrics at concerts in Europe and the US, but continues performing them in the Caribbean. The idea that these singers can incite the murder of gay people in Jamaica and then come to Europe and be accepted as legitimate artists is morally sick and indefensible. The only agreement we will accept is an agreement that they will not incite homophobic hatred and violence – in lyrics or in public statements – anywhere in the world, including Jamaica. This is what the Reggae Compassionate Act says, and this is the pledge made by the four singers who have signed it," Banton has a record of homophobia that is a lot more than musical. In 2004, Banton was charged with being part of an armed group of homophobes who invaded the home of several gay men in Jamaica and badly beat them, sending two to the hospital.

"Mr. Banton was allegedly one of a group of about a dozen armed men who forced their way into a house in Kingston on the morning of June 24 and beat up the occupants while shouting homophobic insults, according to the victims," the Guardian reported on July 17 of that year. Banton was later acquitted by a jury, at a time when a public opinion poll showed that 92 percent of Jamaicans believe homosexuality should remain criminalized. Gay sexual behavior currently carries a penalty of 10-15 years in prison. Several gay and lesbian leaders in Jamaica have been murdered in recent years, and gay men walking in the streets are frequently targeted by lynch mobs (for details, see this reporter’s articles, "Jamaica, Island of Hate," October 5-11, 2006, and "Jamaican Mob Threatens to Murder Gay Men," February 22-28, 2007.)

British reggae DJ Mark Richards from the reggae label Xtremix records, asked by the Guardian about this week’s signing by Banton of the RCA agreement, said, "I can see why he’s done it. He doesn’t want to jeopardize his whole career over just a few songs. But it doesn’t mean he’s going to change any of his opinions." The Stop Murder Music Campaign is continuing to target other reggae artists whose lyrics incite murder of lesbians and gays — among them Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz, and TOK.

msnbc.msn.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20644162/site/newsweek/

September 8, 2007

11
Growing Up Gay In Jamaica – What it’s like to grow up gay in Jamaica, where bigotry is widespread

by Patrick Falby, Newsweek International
Gay rights may be spreading in many countries, but not in Jamaica. Violence against gay men is high, and police often look the other way, say activists. When Brian Williamson, Jamaica’s leading gay rights activist, was murdered in June 2004, a crowd gathered outside the crime scene to celebrate. NEWSWEEK’s Patrick Falby spoke with Devon, a 30-year-old homosexual who was granted asylum in the United States three years ago, about growing up gay in Jamaica. Devon, who lives in New York and attends a Seventh-day Adventist church, didn’t want his last name used for fear of being thrown out of the congregation. Excerpts:

Falby: What’s it like being a homosexual in Jamaica?
Devon: Wow. Terrible. Ridiculous. I have not been accepted by my family. My sister kicked me out of her house, and I was dis-fellowshipped by my church. At church I was an usher, and I used to sing in the choir.

When did you realize you were a homosexual?
When I was born; ever since then I’ve felt that way. I used to wear my mother’s shoes on the road sometimes, and my family used to kick me with the shoes and tell me to not put them on. Because I had four sisters I played girls’ games like bandy shandy. I even used to play cricket with the girls. They used to say that I’m not a man, that I’m a woman because I play women’s games. They used to call me “battyman,” which means gay in Jamaica. I tried to keep a low profile, though, because people used to get beaten for being gay.

How did people find out?
A friend of mine came over to the house to give me guidance one day when I was 18, and one of my sisters saw him. From there on my sister said that she didn’t want me near her because I’m whatever and whatever. When my sister went to work, I used to make sure her kids were properly dressed, bathed, had something to eat, got them off to school and picked them up. I was her helper. When she said that about me it was surprising. My brother, when he found out, he told me he was going to kill me because he didn’t want somebody in the family like me. I couldn’t really believe my own family would do that, until it happened to me. I was surprised because back home I used to do anything they asked. If they called me and told me they needed anything and I had it, I’d give it to them.

You are no longer in contact with your family?
Once in a blue moon I’ll call them to say hi, and when there was a hurricane I called to find out if everyone was okay. I mostly talk to my niece and nephew, because they’re small kids and you cannot hold anything against a child. I also call my mom. She doesn’t approve of [being gay], but you know a mother will always be a mother no matter what. She will always show me a good face, but behind it she’s maybe not with me. Now that I’m in America, she might figure that I have money to send to Jamaica or something.

How were other homosexuals and lesbians treated?
Horrible. Terrible. I used to have a roommate, and when I left to come here she was killed at our place. Some men beat and cut up her and her lover.

Why is homophobia is so strong in Jamaica?
People are not tolerant with the lifestyle. Even married men, they go hide and they do their stuff, and at the end of the day they go back with their wives. If it was more accepted, people would be free and do things that they wanted. It’s also because people tend to lean on the church’s side, and say it’s not accepted by God and stuff like that. In church, when I hear them talk about it, I put up blind ears, like I don’t hear what they say. Even now, because I still go to a Seventh-day Adventist church here [in New York]. When they talk about it, I put up blind ears about it. [In Jamaica] and here [in New York], because of the church lifestyle, nobody’s going to come out.

How did you end up applying for asylum in the United States?
I just decided I really couldn’t take it anymore in Jamaica. So I went to the embassy and applied for a visiting visa and I decided I’m not going back, I’m going to apply for asylum. And here I am.

I’m not going to work now, but I’m going to college at the present, and I’m in the process of looking for jobs. I’ve been in America for three years. I also volunteer for Gay Men’s Health Crisis, a nonprofit organization in New York.

Do you think you’ll ever return to Jamaica?
The only way I’ll ever want to go back is if something changes so that people can live their lives and be free. They need to put something in place to protect people who are living this lifestyle in Jamaica. They have nothing in place; the police beat them, the members of the community beat them. And I hope and pray that [the new prime minister] can put something in place so that people like me, who lived the lifestyle in Jamaica, can live their lives.

October 24, 2007

12
Interview with Jamaican lesbian activist on OPrah Winfrey TV show: http://www2.oprah.com/world/politics/slide/20071024/politics_284_106.jhtml

According to a 2007 Jamaican study, almost 100 gays and lesbians were targeted in mob attacks over a six-month period. When Jamaica’s leading gay rights activist was murdered in 2004, a crowd gathered at the crime scene to celebrate.
Staceyann Chin is a critically acclaimed poet, playwright, performer and lesbian activist who was born and raised in Jamaica. She says she fled her native home because of the vicious crimes being committed against people like her. She now lives in a small Caribbean neighborhood in New York City. "I like being with people who look like me and sound like me," she says.

Staceyann says she didn’t know she was a lesbian until after her late teens. "I grew up in the church in Jamaica, so I grew up knowing that being gay was a bad thing," she says.

Many parts of the Jamaican culture are homophobic, she says. "I grew up listening to these songs like ‘Boom Bye-Bye,’" she says. "It really says that, you know, the sound of a gunshot is like boom bye bye, you know, you’re shooting a gay man in the head. They have to die. You always have to be looking over your shoulder for your own safety."

In New York City, Staceyann makes her living with her powerful voice. In Jamaica, she says her decision to speak out about her sexuality made her a target.
" One afternoon I’m coming home, and I walk in and there’s a bunch of boys kind of around me, and I don’t know what happened. I think one of them grabbed my bag," she says. "Before I knew it, my back was against the bathroom door. I had been shoved in, and I was inside and those boys were inside with me. In my memory, I think it was about a dozen."

Staceyann says they began circling her. "Then I kind of knew what was happening and I was kind of freaking out in my head. Then they started throwing taunts at me and then they started grabbing at me," she says.

" [They said], ‘We’re going to show you what a real man feels like,’" she says. "I think the moment I knew something terrible was for sure going to happen was when … my bra strap broke and he stuck his hand into my shirt."

Staceyann says she was too afraid to fight back. "All the time I was thinking they’re not going to rape me. And then when it was apparent that they were going to, it was as if I wasn’t kind of in my body. I was kind of watching them do this to somebody else," she says. "I’d always been such a big mouth, and I always knew that if something happened, I would fight back. … And when it happened I was silent. I’m still angry at myself that I didn’t do anything, that I didn’t punch one of them."

Before things went any further, someone intervened and saved Staceyann from being raped. "The day it happened I knew I couldn’t live my life as an out lesbian. I couldn’t raise children in a partnership, and I knew if I couldn’t do that I wouldn’t be able to kind of be myself, and so I knew that I had to leave that space so I could do that." Staceyann sold her computer and used the money to buy a plane ticket to her aunt’s home in New York.

When Staceyann decided to come out to her family, she says her brother had the most difficult time accepting the news. "My mother and father did not raise me and they weren’t around when I was a child. My grandmother, I don’t think she cared," Staceyann says. "I think that my brother was most challenged because he was a Jamaican boy who was very against homosexuality, and I think his love for me conflicted with [that]. So now he’s maybe a little better about it."

Why is homosexuality so taboo in Jamaica? "There’s a culture of braggadocio. We don’t like people telling us what to do," she says. "Couple that with religion and poverty and the intense lack of knowledge. I mean, half the people I know in Jamaica confuse pedophilia with homosexuality. They don’t know the difference."

Staceyann says she feels safe living as a lesbian in New York City, but she desperately misses living in Jamaica. She still visits and hopes her story can help transform the way people perceive homosexuality back home.
" It’s not that Jamaica is bad. I think that we just need a whole bunch of education in Jamaica," she says. "We need to have support from the legal system."

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6013.html

9th November 2007

13
US grants asylum to gay Jamaican

by PinkNews.co.uk staff writer
A gay man who feared persecution because of his sexual orientation if forced to return to Jamaica has been given asylum in the United States. The grant of asylum to Ven Messam was issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and comes at a time when conditions for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Jamaica are getting more dangerous by the day. International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. Gay and lesbian relationships are largely conducted in secret.

"I am grateful to the United States government for saving my life," said Mr. Messam. "My life in Jamaica was constantly in danger, with angry mobs carrying machetes, stones, knives, and guns, threatening to kill me because I am gay. When I tried to contact the police for help, the police instead threatened to arrest me and told me to leave the country if I wanted to stay safe."

Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour. According to Amnesty International, the gay and lesbian community in Jamaica faces "extreme prejudice" and are "routinely victims of ill-treatment and harassment by the police, and occasionally of torture." Amnesty has highlighted the growing problem of vigilante action against gays and lesbians. In 2004, the organisation revealed that "gay men and lesbian women have been beaten, cut, burned, raped and shot on account of their sexuality," and that they are one of the "most marginalised and persecuted communities in Jamaica."

Political parties have ignored the issue of gay rights. Indeed, homophobia is flourishing amongst politicians and the police. Columbia Law School’s Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic secured asylum for Mr Messam. Professor Suzanne B. Goldberg, director of the clinic, said: "This asylum grant highlights the particularly severe dangers facing gay Jamaicans. From election campaigns that use songs which promote burning and killing gay people to police support for violent, anti-gay mobs, the Jamaican government is actively menacing and endangering its gay citizens."

"Mr. Messam’s personal story, and the stories of countless other Jamaicans demonstrate the terrifying situation facing GLBT individuals in Jamaica" said Simrin Parmar, one of the Columbia law students who worked on this case.

365gay.com
http://365gay.com/Newscon07/12/120407ja.htm

December 4, 2007

14
Jamaica Bans School Books That Mention Gays Favorably

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Kingston) Jamaica’s Ministry of Education has ordered a ban on any book that mentions homosexuality in a favorable light. The directive followed a decision to remove a book on home economics that has a four sentence mention of families headed by same-sex partners. "It is unfortunate that four sentences on page four in the text under the sub-heading family forms, were used to label the total text as a gay book; we are very angry about that because that was not the intention," author Rita Dyer told the Caribbean Media Corporation. "It says there is much discussion about what constitutes a family, there seems to be a broadening of a traditional definition of a family structure and when two men or women live together in a relationship as lesbians or gay they may be considered as a family; they may adopt children or have them through artificial means," Dyer said.

Education Minister Andrew Holness has issued a warning to all schools instructing them to submit to the government any book they were uncertain about. Holness said that schools would be held accountable for breaches of regulations governing the use of textbooks. Jamaica has what has been described as the worst record of any country in the New World in its treatment of gays and lesbians. Gay sex is illegal in Jamaica, punishable by ten years in jail, with the possibility of hard labor. More than 30 gay men are believed to have been murdered since 1997 Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) says. In most of the cases the killers have never been brought to trial. Arrests, however have been made in several cases which received international attention.

In 2004 Brian Williamson, Jamaica’s leading LGBT civil rights advocate was brutally murdered. He had been stabbed at least 70 times in the neck. A 25 year old man is currently serving a life sentence for the murder. In December 2005 Lenford "Steve" Harvey who ran Jamaica AIDS Support for Life was killed.. Harvey was shot to death on the eve of World AIDS Day. (story) His organization provided support to gay men and sex workers. Four men were arrested almost a year later. Last year the bodies of two women believed to have been in a lesbian relationship were found dumped in a septic pit behind a home they shared. The killers of Candice Williams and Phoebe Myrie have not been caught.

Students at University of the West Indies in Kingston rioted last year as police attempted to protect a gay student and escort him from the campus. The incident began when the student was chased across the campus by another student who claimed the gay man had attempted to proposition him in a washroom. Also last year a young man plunged to his death off a pier in Kingston after reportedly being chased through the streets by a mob yelling homophobic epithets. (story)

In February of this year three men in "tight jeans" and wearing what some witnesses described as makeup were cornered by a mob of 2000 in a drugstore. There were yells of "kill them" along with gay slurs and demands the three be sent out "to face justice". Police had to fire teargas into the crowd to rescue the three. Reggae, or Jamaican dancehall music, is blamed for fueling homophobia. Reggae star BujuBanton’s hit song Boom Boom Bye Bye which threatens gay men with a "gunshot in ah head".

the.point.is
http://en.tpinews.com/2007/12/10/“it-is-hard-to-survive-when-you-are-gay-in-jamaica”.html

December 2007

15
“It is hard to survive when you are gay in Jamaica”

by Jean-Cosme Delaloye, Kingston
Kingston. Janice has been beaten up for being a lesbian. Sitting in the small windowless room in an anonymous house in uptown Kingston, the 31-year old Jamaican shows a scar above her left eye. She says she never leaves her house without her knife nowadays. She claims she used it “a couple of times for self-defense”. When she speaks about her life as a lesbian in Jamaica, one can feel the pain in her angry eyes. She left home as a teenager because her family never approved her sexuality. : « I was 14, she says. My sisters had boyfriends, and I didn’t want any. So, I told my mom I was not going to have any boyfriend and any kids because I was different. She did not accept it ».

At the time, Janice moved in with a friend. « When I left home it was quite ok for a while until I was on my own on the streets, she adds. I left my friend’s place when I was 17. It was just hell for me because I could not just walk to a person and say “hey I am gay, but it’s ok” because Jamaicans are so much against it”. Jamaica has anti-sodomy laws and gay sex is punishable with up to 10 years in jail. Sexual acts between women are not mentioned in the law and are therefore legal but are not tolerated by most Jamaicans. At the same time, the crime rate is skyrocketing on the Caribbean island. Over 1440 people have been killed since the beginning of 2007 and the country could match its record of nearly 1,700 murders in 2005.

In this context, violence against gay people is a common occurrence. In June 2004, Brian Williamson, a gay rights activist, was brutally murdered. A 25-year old man is currently serving a life sentence for the murder, whose motive was officially given as robbery. But supporters of Mr Williamson, 59, say he has been stabbed with a machete at least 70 times and in the neck and talk about a hate crime. In 2004, a gay teenager survived a lynching at school by a mob invited by the father of the boy. In December 2005, Lenford Harvey, a gay activist who ran Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, was also killed. In April 2007, a cross-dresser, was beaten up in broad daylight by a mob at a bus stop in Falmouth, a town in Western Jamaica. Janice tells of a similar story. “ One day, I met a girl I knew at a bus stop, she says. We were talking and when two guys came up and called me a lesbian. They liked the girl and beat me up ».

Jay describes herself as a tomboy. She wears a wide white t-shirt, straight jeans and white Reebok shoes. She also a large silver cross necklace. Her voice is deep when she speaks about her daily struggle. « To survive here when you are gay, you have to decide what you are living for and what you are hoping, she says. I am hoping that one day I will be able to walk on the streets and be who I am. But instead, I have to fight for that. I have to fight very hard. (…) This is Jamaica : once you are gay, you have no rights ».

Garymary is gay. The 26-year old Jamaican AIDS activist from Kingston says he is not trying to hide his sexuality but does not talk about it outside homosexuals circles. « Being openly gay here is a risk. Groups of men will tell me things. They will call me a “battyman” (n.d.l.r.: an abusive term for a gay man) I look a bit different. I talk a bit different. I walk with a flair, with a swing. They look at me as if I am strange. But for my own comfort, I try not to think about what they are thinking. I want to be me ».

The situation is not about to improve for gay people in Jamaica. Last October, the Education Minister Andrew Holness reacted to the mention of same-sex unions in a textbook: « We want to make it absolutely clear that the Ministry of Education does not endorse or support the teaching of homosexual relationships as the accepted standard of family, Mr Holness told the Jamaican Observer. We don’t teach it and we don’t recommend it”. Last July, the former leader of opposition and now Jamaican Prime minister Bruce Golding, addressed the matter of homosexuality on the campaign trail: “We don’t believe that the state should be pushing down people’s bedroom doors to find what they do there, because, if you push it down today to enforce laws that relate to sexual activity, you will push it down tomorrow for some other purpose, Mr Golding told the Sunday Observer. But in so far as providing official sanction to that kind of [homosexual] activity, we are not going there”.

In the windowless room of uptown Kingston, Janice says she dreams of a day when she will be able to come out as a lesbian : “Everybody deserve to live their life the way they want to live it, she says You are supposed to live what you feel. This is who I am. We don’t adapt, this is in us”. She says she wants to become a clothes designer and a gay model: “I would design men’s clothes and wear them ».

pinknews.co.uk
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6735.html

1st February 2008

16
Homophobic mob attack Jamaican gay men

by PinkNews.co.uk staff writer
The Jamaican government is being urged to tackle mob violence against gay people in the country after an attack on a group of men alleged to be homosexual. The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays, JFLAG, is urging the Jamaican government to action. "This has become a blot on Jamaica’s human rights record," said a JFLAG spokesperson. "No modern democracy can afford to revert to jungle justice. We must give real meaning to the rule of law through our constituted authorities and institutions."

The attack took place on Tuesday in the town of Mandeville. Two men were hospitalised, one with serious injuries, while another man is still missing. According to reports, the men were attacked in the privacy of their dwelling by an angry mob who had days before threatened them if they did not leave the community. JFLAG is calling for the leadership of the country, beginning with elected officials, to honour their obligation by protecting citizens from violent attacks, regardless of the circumstances.

"They must extend the full arm of the law to make examples of any proven perpetrators so that mob violence can be seen as a punishable offence under the law," said a spokesman. "As the global village becomes smaller in real terms, Jamaicans will have to realise that targeted acts of violence which infringe human rights will only serve to further undermine our reputation in the international community. This extends from the basic breach on individual human rights to undermining the confidence of potential investors who seek a civil and stable environment in which to do business. We are cultivating an uncivil society which seems to be itching for a reason to resort to mob violence as a redress for real or perceived grievances. When those with whom we entrust the responsibility of leadership fail to act decisively, they betray all Jamaicans. Our leaders must work to create a safe environment for every Jamaican regardless of colour, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or other status."

International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. Gay and lesbian relationships are largely conducted in secret. Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour.

In December 2003, a World Policy Institute survey on sexual orientation and human rights in the Americas concluded: "In the Caribbean, Jamaica is by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities, with frequent and often fatal attacks against gay men fostered by a popular culture that idolises reggae and dancehall singers whose lyrics call for burning and killing gay men. Draconian laws against sexual activity between members of the same sex continue to be in force not only in Jamaica, but in most of the English-speaking Caribbean."

According to Amnesty International, the gay and lesbian community in Jamaica faces "extreme prejudice" and are "routinely victims of ill-treatment and harassment by the police, and occasionally of torture." Amnesty has highlighted the growing problem of vigilante action against gays and lesbians. Political parties have ignored the issue of gay rights. Indeed, homophobia is flourishing amongst politicians and the police. For example, opposition leader Bruce Golding vowed in 2006 that "homosexuals would find no solace in any cabinet formed by him."

The homophobic island nation is given money by the British government. "The Department for International Development (DFID) have an aid programme for Jamaica worth in the region of £2.5 million a year," according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. "In addition, the UK also waives approximately £5-6m of Jamaican debt annually. Major projects include assistance to the programme to reform the Jamaican police force; assistance to the private sector to enhance the competitiveness of Jamaican exports; support for the Government’s public sector reform programme and other programmes related to social development and giving disadvantaged groups of Jamaican society a stronger voice in the development of policy by the Government."

pinknews.co.uk
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6852.html

14th February 2008

17
Jamaican activist seeks asylum in Canada

by PinkNews.co.uk staff writer
A prominent member of gay rights group J-FLAG, Jamaica’s Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, is claiming refugee status in Canada. Gareth Henry, who spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gay people in his country, told CBC News that 13 of his friends have been killed in the last four years. On this day last year Mr Henry was one of three gay men stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack. Police eventually escorted the men from a pharmacy in Saint Andrew Parish, where they had been hiding for almost an hour.

An angry crowd had gathered outside the pharmacy, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men. Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas. As many as 2,000 people were involved in the attack.

Mr Henry, 22, told CBC: "When you find police officers who are leading mob attacks, turning up at people’s home like myself, pointing guns at my window, with civilians with them, and saying that I need to leave or they’re going to kill me, it reinforces homophobia."

Two weeks ago an attack on a group of men alleged to be homosexual left one man seriously injured and another missing feared dead. International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour.

In December 2003, a World Policy Institute survey on sexual orientation and human rights in the Americas said: "In the Caribbean, Jamaica is by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities, with frequent and often fatal attacks against gay men fostered by a popular culture that idolises reggae and dancehall singers whose lyrics call for burning and killing gay men."

The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html?ei=5070&en=cee12d700f347db0&ex=1204434000&emc=
eta1&pagewanted=print

February 24, 2008

18
Attacks Show Easygoing Jamaica Is Dire Place for Gays

by Marc Lacey
Mandeville, Jamaica — One night last month, Andre and some friends were finishing dinner when a mob showed up at the front gate. Yelling antigay slurs and waving machetes, sticks and knives, 15 to 20 men kicked in the front door of the home he and his friends had rented and set upon them. “I thought I was dead,” Andre, 20, a student, recounted in a faint voice, still scared enough that he was in hiding and did not want his full name to be used.

The mob pummeled him senseless. His right hand, the one he used to shield himself from the blows, is now covered with bandages. His skull has deep cut marks and his ear was sliced in half, horizontally. Doctors managed to sew it back together and he can hear out of it again. Being gay in Jamaica is not easy. For years, human rights groups have denounced the harassment, beating and even killing of gays here, to little avail. No official statistic has been compiled on the number of attacks. But a recent string of especially violent, high-profile assaults has brought fresh condemnation to an island otherwise known as an easygoing tourist haven. “One time may be an isolated incident,” said Rebecca Schleifer, a researcher for Human Rights Watch who has studied the issue and regularly gets calls from the island from gays under attack. “When they happen on a repeated basis across the country, it is an urgent problem that deserves attention at the highest levels.”

Disapproval of gays is an entrenched part of island life, rooted, Jamaicans say, in the country’s Christian tradition. The Bible condemns homosexuality, they say. But critics say islanders are selective in the verses they cite, and the rage at gay sex contrasts sharply with Jamaicans’ embrace of casual sex among heterosexuals, which is considered part of the Caribbean way. While some other Caribbean tourist destinations have made a point of marketing to gay travelers, Jamaica has notably not joined the trend. The double standard on the island is reflected in the antigay lyrics of Jamaican dance hall music, the headlines of more hyperventilating tabloids — “homo” is the term most often used — and the fact that homosexuality remains illegal here, with the specific crime called “buggery.”

No place has shown that hostility recently more than Mandeville, a prosperous and quiet town in the South Coast area that rarely makes big news.

A couple of weeks back, a local tabloid, The Jamaica Star, ran a screaming headline when a local police officer, disturbed by the attack on the dinner party guests, decided to disclose his sexual orientation to the paper. He said he had been harassed regularly by his colleagues because he is gay. He said the police did not take violence against gays seriously. “Jamaica’s motto is ‘Out of Many, One People,’ and I say, ‘What about us?’ ” said the police officer, Michael Hayden. Mr. Hayden, who has since taken leave from the force, is in hiding out of fear that his colleagues might kill him.

Not even funerals are safe for gays. A year ago, just down the road from the disrupted dinner party, a gay businessman’s funeral was interrupted by a mob that gathered outside the church. The mob, outraged that effeminate mourners wearing tight pants and shirts had dared to show up, threw bottles and rocks through the church’s windows, then barged inside and ordered that the service be stopped. The pastor, who had not known the dead man was gay, pressed on, furious at the protesters for what he considered a defiling of his church. “The same religion they use to justify these attacks, I use to show what they do is wrong,” said the pastor, the Rev. Amos Campbell, of True Vine True Holiness Church. No one was prosecuted in the episode.

The country’s public defender, Earl Witter, later condemned the violence at the funeral, but he also reinforced the common view that if only gays would be less flamboyant, there would be less violence against them. Speaking to the Mandeville Rotary Club last April, he urged Jamaica’s gays to avoid flaunting their sexual orientation. “Hold your corners,” he said in the local vernacular, because “it may provoke a violent breach of the peace.” As it is, Jamaica’s gays socialize at underground nightclubs and worship at secret church services that move around the island. The leading gay rights organization, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, must lie low even as it pushes for societal change.

Gareth Henry, a former leader of the group, fled to Canada last month, saying he had grown tired of being threatened. “Here, I’m no longer living in fear,” he said in a telephone interview from Toronto. “I’m finally able to be myself, to be an out gay man.” The commander of the Mandeville police station, Inspector Claude Smith, while making clear that his religious beliefs firmly oppose homosexuality, rejected the notion that the police condone violence against gays. Enforcement of the law against homosexuality, he said, should be up to the police, not angry mobs. In an interview, he recalled protecting a gay man who was chased through the streets of Mandeville about 15 years ago for wearing lipstick and carrying a purse. He predicted that the climate would not change for gays any time soon. “Based on the response of these mobs, people get very angry when they come across them,” he said. “I don’t think they can survive in the open.”

The issue, though, is certainly out in the open. Last November, The Gleaner, the largest daily newspaper here, published an article saying that some of the island’s schools were using a home economics textbook that suggested same-sex unions were a type of family. Andrew Holness, the new education minister, swiftly pulled the book from circulation. “We are reviewing all our books to ensure that they adhere to the moral view of society,” he told reporters. Last April, the local news media reported that gays had protested outside the offices of the Western Mirror, a Montego Bay newspaper, after it published an article that said gays were responsible for a shortage of women’s underwear in the city.

Then there was the recent attack in Mandeville, which is still under investigation, with no arrests. Next to Andre, huddled in a corner during the attack, was his boyfriend, 22, who goes by the nickname Junior. Deep machete slashes run up and down the arm he held in the air to protect himself. His head was also battered, though he escaped a more vicious beating by running through the mob waving a kitchen knife.

Two other men at the dinner got away, but the fate of one guest remains unknown. He had fled into the yard before the attackers broke in and has not been heard from since. The police found blood at the mouth of a deep hole nearby; they suspect he may have been attacked in the yard, then fallen to his death. Since the attack, Andre said, he has been trying to undo his gayness, following a common view here that it is an acquired behavior that can be dropped if only one prays more and pays more attention to the opposite sex. He fled Mandeville after the attack and found refuge at the home of a pastor, who now delivers at-home sermons to him on how he must change. With the pastor standing over him, Andre said he would try to be attracted to women, if only so he would never be beaten again. But he mentions another option, as well: leaving Jamaica. The pastor says he has a son who is gay and has been unable to turn him around. But he is intent on converting Andre.

“Instead of cutting him, people should be counseling him,” said the pastor, who declined to be identified out of fear that his family might be attacked for protecting a gay man. “He needs to get over this demonic thing.”

pinknews.co.uk
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6954.html

26th February 2008

19
Jamaican gay cop fears for his life

by Tony Grew
A 24-year-old police officer is in hiding in Jamaica after being abused and attacked by fellow officers because of his sexuality. Michael Hayden told the Toronto Star that he wants to seek asylum in Canada. A leading gay rights activist from Jamaica, Gareth Henry, did so last week, claiming that thirteen of his gay and lesbian friends had died in the last four years. "I want to stay here and fight," Mr Hayden said in a telephone interview from Jamaica with the Toronto Star. "But it’s not safe for me. My life is in great, great jeopardy." He is on leave and in hiding while his allegations of abuse at the hands of other officers are investigated.

Mr Henry, a prominent member of gay rights group J-FLAG, Jamaica’s Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, claimed refugee status in Canada earlier this month. He spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gay people in his country. Mr Henry told the Toronto Star that the situation is getting worse. On Valentine’s Day last year he was one of three gay men stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack. Police eventually escorted the men from a pharmacy in Saint Andrew Parish, where they had been hiding for almost an hour. An angry crowd had gathered outside the pharmacy, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men. Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas. As many as 2,000 people were involved in the attack.

pinknews.co.uk
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7013.html

3rd March 2008

20
Jamaican gays reject tourist boycott over homophobia

byTony Grew
J-Flag, the Jamaican lesbian and gay rights group, has rejected calls for a tourist boycott in protest at homophobia on the island. Canadian newspapers have been focusing on the prejudice and violence gay people face in Jamaica since a leading activist sought asylum there, and some have called for Canadians to refuse to holiday in the popular destination. In a statement released yesterday, J-Flag, Jamaica’s Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, said it shared the frustration at the "slow progress towards transforming the social climate that makes it difficult for gays and lesbians in Jamaica to lead lives free from homophobic violence. Yet, because of the possible repercussions of increased homophobic violence against our already besieged community, we feel that a tourist boycott is not the most appropriate response at this time. In our battle to win hearts and minds, we do not wish to be perceived as taking food off the plate of those who are already impoverished. In fact, members of our own community could be disproportionately affected by a worsened economic situation brought about by a tourist ban. The concern and support of the international community has been critical in focusing attention to our situation. We are open to further engaging with you in pursuing constructive interventions that both make our case for human rights protection and minimise risk to our physical and material well being."

Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour. Hatred for gay people is often publicly expressed by political and religious leaders in Jamaica. Opposition leader Bruce Golding vowed in 2006 that "homosexuals would find no solace in any cabinet formed by him."

A World Policy Institute survey on sexual orientation and human rights in the Americas said: "In the Caribbean, Jamaica is by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities, with frequent and often fatal attacks against gay men fostered by a popular culture that idolises reggae and dancehall singers whose lyrics call for burning and killing gay men."

Gareth Henry, a prominent member of J-FLAG, claimed refugee status in Canada earlier this month. He spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gay people in his country. Mr Henry told the Toronto Star that the situation is getting worse. On Valentine’s Day last year he was one of three gay men stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack. Police eventually escorted the men from a pharmacy in Saint Andrew Parish, where they had been hiding for almost an hour. An angry crowd had gathered outside the pharmacy, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men. Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas. As many as 2,000 people were involved in the attack.

Last month two men were hospitalised, one with serious injuries, while another man is still missing and may be dead. The men were attacked at a private home in Mandeville by an angry mob who had days before threatened them if they did not leave the community. Despite repeated calls for help, police 90 minutes after they were first called and half an hour after the mob broke into the house and attacked the men. That most recent attack echoes another incident in the same town on Easter Sunday 2007.

Approximately 100 men gathered outside a church where 150 people were attending the funeral of a gay man. According to mourners, the crowd broke the windows with bottles and shouted, "We want no battyman [gay] funeral here. Leave or else we’re going to kill you. We don’t want no battyman buried here in Mandeville." Several mourners inside the church called the police to request protection. After half an hour, three police officers arrived. But instead of protecting the mourners, police socialised with the mob, laughing along at the situation.

xtra.ca
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=4808&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=9

May 21, 2008

21
Jamaica boycott called off: Official response from the island government is a step forward, says Stop Murder Music Canada

by Krishna Rau
The tourist boycott of Jamaica has been called off despite an official response from the island’s government that barely mentions homosexuality. Stop Murder Music Canada (SMMC), the group organizing the boycott, cancelled the action after receiving an official response from Anne-Marie Bonner, the Jamaican consul general. The response refuses to specifically recognize gays and lesbians as a protected group in Jamaica’s constitution and doesn’t even mention repealing laws against homosexuality. But Akim Larcher, the founder of SMMC, says the response was enough to call off the boycott. The response was dated May 15, three days after the deadline set by SMMC. "The letter may not suffice in every respect but it is definitely a step forward that they see a responsibility to protect their citizens," says Larcher. "There are quite a number of positive things, especially around police and law enforcement."

SMMC — a coalition of groups including Egale Canada and the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto — had demanded that the Jamaican government immediately denounce homophobic violence in the country and begin work on repealing laws criminalizing homosexuality, including sexual orientation in the Charter of Rights and developing education campaigns for the country and for the police. Bonner’s response doesn’t specifically address any of those demands, although it does address questions of police accountability and structural reform. She writes that she wants to "draw attention to some of the relevant actions being taken by the government of Jamaica:

"A bill for consideration by Parliament at this session to establish an independent authority to have statutory responsibility for investigating instances of abuse by members of the security forces; A bill to establish a special coroner to conduct speedy inquests in cases where a citizen dies at the hands of agents of the state… Budget provided for continuation of the Citizens Security and Justice Program (CSJP), which had a positive impact on community strengthening and crime reduction."

The Jamaican Ministry of National Security describes CSJP as a "national crime and violence prevention strategy." Bonner writes that "The government is focused on the need to dramatically reduce the incidence of crime in the country, regardless of cause…. You would be aware of the public statement issued by the government on Apr 14, 2008 reiterating its strong condemnation of ‘mob attacks and violence against any individuals or groups for any reason whatsoever,’ whilst underscoring the obligations of the state, in particular the police in such cases.

"In the context of your specific concerns it is to be noted that the constitution and laws of Jamaica provide protection for the rights of all. There is not an intention to write into the constitution specific reference to any particular group, as all groups and individuals have equality under the law."

Larcher says he is not disappointed by the letter’s failure to mention homosexuality. "That was totally pretty much expected," he says. Larcher admits that the defiant response of Jamaican prime minister Bruce Golding also made SMMC think twice about a boycott, as has the possibility Golding may soon call a snap election. On Apr 23 Golding told reporters asking him about a possible boycott that he had "seen nothing yet to convince" him to repeal Jamaica’s antisodomy laws, saying, "There is a road down which I’m not going to allow this country to go under my leadership."

But Larcher says the boycott call has had positive effects. "It has not left us where we were," he says. "It’s forced the Jamaican government to face the issue head-on. It’s put them on alert. In terms of the international support it has raised the level of support." Larcher says SMMC will try to force the Canadian government to use its trade relationship with Jamaica to effect change. "We will continue to raise the education level here in Canada," he says. "We will continue putting pressure on the government here to raise human rights and sexuality in the current situation in Jamaica."

Bonner’s letter also makes reference to the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, Allsexuals and Gays (JFLAG) — the country’s queer lobby group. It is, in fact, the only time the letter uses any words to do with homosexuality. "You would, I am sure, be aware, that the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, Allsexuals and Gays does not support your strategy for a boycott of Jamaica’s tourism and trade…." she writes. "It is to be assumed that, naturally, the views of the persons whose interests are ostensibly being promoted will be respected."

"We are continuing to have an ongoing dialogue with JFLAG," Larcher says. "We are going to try to provide more strategic support for them." The program coordinator of JFLAG says the boycott proposal has led to additional homophobic violence. "We’ve had about four cases [of attacks attributed to the boycott] which have come to us," says Jason MacFarlane. "Our perspective is still the same. A boycott is not helpful, especially since the prime minister has made a statement that he won’t be going down that road."

Travel agents say that a tourist boycott was not likely to have a major impact anyway. "I’m not sure if they’re getting a lot of queer dollars so I’m not sure how much impact a boycott will have," says Deb Parent of Toronto’s Conxity travel agency. Parent also says a boycott might have hurt gay Jamaicans more than it helped them. "There are many poor countries around the world where poor queers are part of that tourist economy," she says. "It might be better to actually make a point of going and hanging out with queers who are on the front line in a way that I, as a Canadian, am not."

John Tanzella, the president of the Florida-based International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, agrees a boycott would accomplish little. "Zero," he says. "If anything it’s going to hurt the gays and lesbians in Jamaica who are trying to survive on visits from gay and lesbian visitors. It wouldn’t be proper for us to go against the wishes of the local gay organization. It would be kind of arrogant."

From: Rainbowvibes.com
Press Release: The Caribbean’s first Gay & Lesbian Social Network launches from Jamaica

June 16, 2008

22
Jamaica, dubbed one the most homophobic nations on earth has spawned the Caribbean’s first Gay and Lesbian social network: Rainbowvibes.com- Where Caribbean Gay Life Meets the World.

"The site is an online hub for Caribbean gay, lesbian, bisexual individuals living at home and overseas, in addition to the many others across the globe who have interest in the Caribbean. Now Jamaican gays and lesbians can connect with others in Trinidad or Barbados or Guyana. Likewise, American, Canadian and European gays and lesbians can meet Caribbean gays and lesbians in that single space online at rainbowvibes.com," Andrea* added.

It’s the brainchild of Matthew Raine * a gay Jamaican IT executive who now lives in Canada and Andrea Rainford* a Jamaican lesbian marketing executive who lives in Kingston, Jamaica. " The need was glaring and since it’s something we craved ourselves and had the know how to get it done, we said let’s be bold and give this Pride month gift to our community of Caribbean LGBT people wherever they are in the World," Matthew* said.

The site, which is translatable in six languages, has all the interactive features of a social network like Facebook. Members are able to create and join groups, add music, events, videos, chat, make friends, find dates, create and join discussions, write blogs and read news from the Caribbean and the World. An online store will be launched soon where members can buy rainbowvibes.com merchandise such as T-shirts and stickers (a good chunk of the funds generated will go towards Caribbean LGBT organisations). "Our focus is on making the site it a fun, vibrant and meaningful destination online where our members are happy to spend time and tell their friends about it too," Matthew* explained.

RainbowVibes.com went live on June 14, 2008 and "we’re expecting it to do great things," they said.

Contact: Matthew Raine / Andrea Rainford : rainbowvibes@gmail.com
*identities protected

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8685.html

August 13, 2008

23
Jamaican lesbian avoids deportation from Florida

by Rachel Charman
A Jamaican lesbian living in Sunrise, Florida, has been allowed to stay in the U.S.A as she could be at risk of homophobic violence in Jamaica. Advocate reports that the woman, using her middle name Nichole maintain anonymity, was originally ordered to be deported following two drug convictions. Immigration judge Irma Lopez-Defillo deferred the order in the same ruling due to Jamaica’s criminalisation of homosexuality.

Lopez-Defillo said: ‘The general atmosphere in Jamaica is a feeling of no tolerance towards homosexuals in general, and as such, . . . the respondent’s life is definitely at risk,’ according to The Miami Herald.

Nichole, who moved to the U.S. at the age of 10 with her family, stated that being gay ‘is the worst thing you can be stricken with [in Jamaica]. ‘You basically have to live undercover.’ The case was handled under the United Nation’s convention against torture, preventing immigrants if it is likely that they will be tortured back in their country of origin. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 28,130 cases were filed under this statute, but only 449 asylum seekers were allowed to stay. The Department of Homeland Security, however, may still move Nichole to a country other than Jamaica. She plans to apply for legal residency in the U.S.A.

soulrebels.org
http://www.soulrebels.org/dancehall/b_intro.htm

24
Dancehall: An Introduction

Ska music started in Jamaica in the early 1960’s. After a really hot summer in 1966, the beat slowed down and then came rock steady. From this style came reggae. Over the years, the music evolved in different directions such as roots reggae, dub, ragga and lovers rock. Ragga started in the mid-1980’s from which emerged dancehall music. One way of describing the genre would be to say that it’s a cross between reggae and hip-hop, with a dance music vibe. It became extremely popular in the Caribbean and pretty much eclipsed the original form of reggae from the airwaves in the 1990’s. Some of it has an appealing dance beat, mostly composed with synthetized rhythms. Although some artists chose to sing about the same themes as did the initial form of reggae, such as repatriation, slavery, poverty, universal love and teaching Rastafarism, some others chose a romantic theme. Dancehall is also largely known for its slackness. Let’s not forget that this music comes from the ghetto, which may explain some of its claims, but where reggae was able to address social concerns in a positive way, dancehall all too often does it through anger and negativity. Because of the beat, the way the message is delivered and its slackness , dancehall doesn’t appeal to everyone. If you want to dance in reggae clubs, you have no choice but to be exposed to dancehall, which represents the majority, if not the entire selection, of some DJ’s play lists.

Being a roots reggae lover for more than a decade, I know that Rastafarians, followers of the Old Testament, cannot deal with homosexuality, as is true in many other religions. Over the years, the biblical concept has been prominent in their music, but dancehall singers have taken this to a completely new level. They now promote discrimination and violence towards gays and lesbians. When they sing about male homosexuality, they use street terms such as Mauma Man (Maama Man), Fassy Hole (or simply Fassy), Faggot, Fishman, Funny Man, Freaky Man, Poop Man, Bugger Man and the most commonly used, Batty Man (but man) and Chi Chi Man (chi chi, in Jamaica, is the slang for vermin). For women they use: Sodomite, Chi Chi Gal or simply Lesbian. I believe the majority of dancehall singers are not Rastafarians,but some seem to be strict followers of the Rasta faith. The Rastafarian movement has evolved into four, main distinct groups over the years: the Orthodox Rasta, the Nyahbinghi Order, the Twelve Tribes Of Israel and the Bobo Shanti. Some say that homosexuality is a Babylonian disease brought to the Caribbean by the white conquerors, and that it must be eradicated. They condemn it, as expressed by Judgement Day, to be thrown in fire. The Bobo Shanti seem to be the group that have the strictest views on homosexuality, and the way to deal with it. The Bobo Shanti, which include popular dancehall singers such as Sizza, Capleton and Anthony B, condemn everything that doesn’t go along with their beliefs: “Fire pon politicians, Fire pon Vatican, Fire pon chi chi man…” Singers defend themselves in interview by saying that it’s a "spiritual fire." Jamaican strong homophobia can be partly explained by the following factors: a society in which the majority of the population live in extreme poverty, and in which religion and machismo are very prevalent.

We all know that religion can sometimes abuse its authority in order to maintain control over people. Government refusal to abolish laws which condone discrimination against homosexuality does not help the situation. In Jamaica, like in most Caribbean countries, severe laws condemn homosexual acts and punisment include time in prison. Also, a macho temperament is predominant in these countries. Even if the women are the real providers of the families, the men like to pretend to be superior. In this context, feminine expression by men is strongly rejected. Chinese-Jamaican gay activist Larry Chang have his own theory about Jamaican homophobia which make a lot of sence: "in our inheritance from slavery, the primary function as a man is to breed. If someone does not fit into this category, than he immediately becomes a threat to the psychological security of self-identity of the average Jamaican male". Read more.

Alexis Petridis seems to perfectly defined the situation: "Homophobia seems utterly entrenched in the island’s culture, thanks to a combination of the same kind of swaggering machismo that informs hip-hop, and, more seriously, religion. Jamaica has more churches per capita than anywhere else on earth, most of them preaching a brand of Christianity that would seem pretty familiar to your average US Biblebelt fundamentalist. As a side order, there’s Rastafarianism, particularly the hard-line bobo ashanti variety adopted by current reggae stars including Sizzla and Capleton. As well as believing in racial segregation, bobo Rastas go in for a fire-and-brimstone reading of the Old Testament that makes Jamaican Christianity look liberal". (extract from The Guardian, December 10, 2004).

To me, reggae stands for fighting against oppression and that’s what I’m doing with this website. I invite you to navigate through its different sections, beginning with my editorial in the LET’S TALK ABOUT IT section.

To learn more about ragga/dancehall: All Music Guide
To learn more about Rastafarians: NiceUp.com

jamaicaobserver.com
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080807T030000-0500_138762_OBS_JA_GETS_GAY_LASHING.asp

August 07, 2008

25
Ja gets gay lashing – Int’l AIDS parley told island’s police attacks homosexuals

by Ingrid Brown, Senior staff reporter browni@jamaicaobserver.com
Mexico City, Mexico – Jamaica came in for a lashing as "a homophobic society that discriminated against homosexuals", at the International AIDS Conference underway in this Mexican capital. Executive director of the little known Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVCC), Robert Carr, used a PowerPoint presentation to graphically paint a picture of Jamaica as a country where cops attack and chase away homosexuals who go to police stations to report crimes against them.

Pointing to a picture of a recent mobbing of gay men at a plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, Carr showed the police holding weapons, and a media videographer filming the event. "In a context where people denied homophobic violence, the police show up armed and the media show up to take pictures," he declared. It was not immediately clear why the AIDS conference was used to provide a forum for homosexuals, but Carr claimed that both the Government and the media denied that there were human rights violations against this group. Carr, who is also a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, was armed with newspaper clippings and photos to support his presentation to delegates attending the International AIDS Society (IAS) XVII Conference.

Under the heading "Structural interventions to challenge homophobic violence in Jamaica", Carr outlined an initiative recently launched to change Jamaicans’ attitude towards homosexuals, noting that it involved working with civic leaders and government members, initiating media campaigns and members of the Catholic Church. He cited an Observer story entitled ‘Inside a gay church’ and a letter to the editor which, among other things, said homosexuality was "contrary to natural law", as evidence of the country’s attitude to homosexuals.

Furthermore, violence and discrimination against gay men were celebrated in popular music, and the police refused to protect and at times even joined in violent attacks when homosexuals went to seek refuge at the stations, he said. When politicians were confronted, he said, their response was that Jamaica was a Christian country. But he acknowledged that the situation was "more promising" now than four years ago, based on the favourable response the gay lobby group Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) had received to a letter written to Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin.

The letter, which was shown in the presentation, gave a promise to change the culture of the police force, accepting that it was their responsibility to protect the rights of all people. "He has since followed through because we are seeing the impact on the ground," Carr said. He added that the group was also seeing improvement in its relationship with religious leaders on the Caribbean island.

From: Michelle Bromley
bromleymichelle@hotmail.com

September 29, 2008

26
Filmmaker Interview of Openly Gay Jamaican Policeman

Dear GlobalGayz,
I’m contacting you about a short film I shot in Jamaica this year, which looks at the life of a Jamaican police officer who came out as being gay, while serving on the force. His story is a courageous one as he has become the target of threats, insults and even physical abuse from others when they found out about his sexuality. Coming out publicly in Jamaica is a very risky decision since the country is one of the most homophobic countries in the western hemisphere. Gay rights activist in the past have been murdered.

Michael Hayden is a dedicated police officer who offers an open discussion of his decision to filmmaker Michelle Bromley. He describes the rejection he has received from peers as well as his determination not to live a lie about his life. He states that he is also thinking of the future when making his decision, thinking about those LGBT people who will come after him and will hopefully be more tolerated and understood. Will Jamaica ever change?, Bromley asks. Replies Hayden, "its very rough in Jamaica; it’s a fight. If you want something you have to fight for it."

The link to the film: http://current.com/items/89341432_gay_jamaican_cop

Thank you
Michelle Bromley
bromleymichelle@hotmail.com

Jamaica Gleaner Online
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081012/news/news4.html

October 12, 2008

27
The gay uprising in the Caribbean

St. George’s, Grenada (CMC) – Fingers pointing to the sky are shaped in the form of guns. Imaginary triggers are squeezed as crowds of partygoers react with approval to a popular song by Jamaican dancehall icon Buju Banton at Grenada’s top nightclub, Fantazia. "Boom bye bye in ah b—- boy head/Rude boy nah promote dem nasty man/Dem ha fi dead" Banton’s controversial homophobic lyrics blare from the speakers. This scene could very easily be anywhere in the Caribbean or the diaspora. While the plethora of homophobic reggae songs might have contributed to a subgenre of its own, it seems to underline the region’s strong resentment to the gay lifestyle.

But Grenadian sociologist Claude Douglas argues that the Caribbean’s attitude to homosexuality is changing. Douglas, a lecturer at St George’s University, says tolerance has increased significantly in recent years and partly blames the United States’ cultural invasion of the Caribbean. "Yesterday’s deviants will become today and tomorrow’s norms. Let us take, for example, the wearing of earrings by men. This was actually taboo in Grenada many years ago. Today, there are men who appear almost feminine," Douglas said in an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation. "As the society evolves, people become more accepting of certain behaviour, and we see the trend developing right now in Grenada."

Douglas makes his case in his new book, Homosexuality in the Caribbean – Crawling Out of the Closet, which examines the rise of this alternative lifestyle in the region. In his 60-page book, Douglas explores issues ranging from biological origins and the "gay-tourist phenomenon" to the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in the region. The university lecturer argues that there is not a tremendous increase in the number of homosexuals in the Caribbean, but that more people are finding the courage to "come out".

"You had a lot of people in the closet, but today many, many people are coming out and at least affirming their sexuality through organisations and through protest marches."

Douglas’s book narrows in on some of the key factors affecting this lifestyle, including religious values and the campaign of the gay-rights movement. Although the former chair of the Social Sciences Department at the T.A. Marryshow Community College does not believe people like to hear his argument, he envisages in his book that "homosexuality is becoming an alternative and acceptable form of human sexuality in the Caribbean".

Persistent struggle

"The disturbing and agonising truth is that homosexuality would crawl out of the closet with pomposity and there would be an alarming incidence of homosexuality in the Caribbean." Despite strong opposition by the religious community, the gay-rights movement is reported to be making considerable progress in the Caribbean.

From The Bahamas in the north to Guyana in the south, there has been a persistent struggle for equal rights. Puerto Rico, an overseas department of the United States, is considered by many to be the most tolerant Caribbean country where gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender and transsexual groups march openly in the annual gay parade. Fidel Castro’s niece and sexologist, Mariela Castro, is leading a new revolution in Cuba, a country in which homosexuality is becoming increasingly recognised.

"I am not an advocate of homosexuality, but of equal rights. Everybody has a right to be respected as a human being and treated equally. Nobody should be defined solely on their sexuality," declared Nigel Mathlin, chairman of GrenCHAP, an organisation in Grenada that looks after the interests of homosexuals on the island. "Homosexuality has been around for a very long time now and will continue, but we still pretend that it is something that can be cured or is not an issue, thus driving people underground, regardless in what context, which festers destructive and dangerous behaviour."

To some extent, it appears that the struggle for homosexual rights is helping to remove laws considered oppressive. In 1997, legislative changes in Cuba effectively decriminalised homosexuality and have paved the way for gay and lesbian couples to enjoy the same civil rights as heterosexual couples. The gay community in the United Kingdom continues to pressure the Caribbean to change laws forbidding homosexual practices.

The British homosexual organi-sation, Outrage, has been working closely with Caribbean groups like Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-flag) and Barbados Gays and Lesbians Against Discrimination (BGLAD). In 2001, the United Kingdom forced the repealing of laws in overseas dependent territories such as The Turks and Caicos Islands, The Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Anguilla.

"I have no doubt we will see changes to the laws of Jamaica. It will take time, but it will require a gradualist approach," said a Jamaican homosexual who resides in Barbados. "The brash, in-your-face approach is likely to only make the situation less secure."

Among those who agree that a change in attitude is needed at the highest levels of society is former Barbados attorney general and present opposition Leader Mia Mottley. "A government in a pluralistic society must accommodate and respect the human rights and dignity of each individual. To that extent, a law, which seeks to discriminate in a society whose history has been scarred with the cancer of discrimination, has in fact, to be reformed."

Testing and counselling

In the meantime, public-health authorities continue to advocate for the decriminalisation of homo-sexuality as a key strategy in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. In 2004, a joint United Nations and World Health Organisation report estimated 350,000 to 590,000 infections in the Caribbean. In 2005 alone, around 37,000 people in the region became infected with HIV and more than 27,000 died of AIDS.

It is against this background that the call for the decriminalisation of homosexuality was made, which, advocates believe, would allow homosexuals to come out and receive testing and counselling. "There is a rampant homophobia in the Caribbean; a lot of it has its origins in the concept that HIV/AIDS was a disease of homosexual males, which of course it is not," declared health expert Sir George Alleyne, who believes stigma and homophobia are obstacles in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9530.html

November 9, 2008

28
Exclusive: UK government minister challenged Jamaican PM about homophobia

by Tony Grew
A British minister raised the issue of decriminalisation of homosexual acts at a recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Jamaica. Gareth Thomas, minister of state at the Department for International Development, told PinkNews.co.uk that tackling state and cultural homophobia is vital to the fight against HIV in the Caribbean. He said he was concerned that "things are not getting better on either front, and more change is necessary." His role at DFID has responsibility for HIV and Mr Thomas has visited the Caribbean several times.

"During those visits I have been struck by the extent to which homophobia and the anti-gay legislation is impacting the effort to fight the surge of HIV infections," he said. During a recent meeting with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Trade Minister, Mr Thomas raised the issue head on. "We had an acknowledgment there was an issue, though there was not a conversation about immediate next steps," he said.

Mr Thomas also met with members of Jamaica’s gay community and said he was shocked by their experiences. "Some of their stories are horrific," he told PinkNews.co.uk. "People who have been forced out of churches, out of their jobs and on occasion, violence. By any stretch of the imagination it is a disgrace and we need the state to take action."

The minister, who has been an MP since 1997, said the UK asylum system would look at gay and lesbian asylum seekers on a case by case basis. A survey published in Jamaica in June found that the Prime Minister’s stridently anti-gay statements have boosted his popularity. 45 percent of people in a poll commissioned by the Jamaica Gleaner said that they are more likely to vote for incumbent Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his Jamaica Labour Party after he told the BBC that he would never allow gays in his Cabinet.

26 percent of people who identified as supporters of the rival People’s National Party said they were more likely to vote for Golding after his outburst. Just 5 percent said they were less likely to vote for him after his widely-reported comments. 70% of Jamaicans do not believe that gay men and lesbians should be granted equal rights, the island-wide poll found. The dancehall music scene on the island is notorious for its homophobia, with many artists taking pleasure in calling for gays and lesbians to be murdered.

That widespread hatred is evident in the wider culture, with reports of gay men and lesbians being attacked by gangs and murdered. In February this year an attack on a group of men alleged to be homosexual left one man seriously injured and another missing feared dead. International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. Mr Thomas said the only way to make any progress was to engage with government and wider community and make the case for a more tolerant attitude on both human rights and HIV prevention grounds.

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9531.html

November 9, 2008

29
Interview: Securing gay rights in Jamaica is vital to AIDS struggle

by Tony Grew
By an stretch of the imagination, the treatment of lesbian and gay people in Jamaica is disgrace, says minister Gareth Thomas. The Church condemns them as sinful and the Prime Minister is unashamed to say he would not have a gay person in his Cabinet. The wildly-popular dancehall culture is viciously homophobic, with many lyrics calling for lesbians and gays to be burned, beaten and shot. Reggae is little better. PinkNews.co.uk has reported many incidents of homophobic violence in the former colony over the last three years.

In February an attack on a group of men alleged to be homosexual left one man seriously injured and another missing feared dead. On Valentine’s Day last year three gay men were stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack. Police eventually escorted the men from a pharmacy where an angry crowd had gathered, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men. Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas. As many as 2,000 people were involved in the attack. Everyday life for gay men and lesbians in Jamaica, which has been dubbed "by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities" in the Caribbean.

Gay rights activists have sought asylum, notably in Canada. A member of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Gareth Henry, said in a recent interview with Canadian paper Globe and Mail that 13 of his friends in Jamaica had been murdered. Sex between men is illegal, and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour. The Queen is head of state and Jamaica is an active member of the Commonwealth.

Since 1997 the UK has given £80.5 million in bilateral aid and debt relief to Jamaica, according to the Department for International Development. In addition to the debt relief, in 2007/08 DFID gave £2.5 million in aid to Jamaica and a further £2.5 million is expected to be disbursed in 2008/09. Much of this money goes towards fighting HIV and AIDS. Gareth Thomas has been a minister at DFID since 2003 and last month was promoted to minister of state, as well as holding the same role at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

During the summer, he made a return visit to the Caribbean and spoke to the Prime Minister of Jamaica about the fight against HIV. As many as 39,000 Jamaicans may have the virus, according to UNICEF figures, out of a population of 2.8m. Mr Thomas has visited the Caribbean "four or five times" as DFID minister with responsibility for HIV policy. "During those visits I have been struck by the extent to which homophobia and the anti-gay legislation impact the effort to fight the surge of HIV infections," he told PinkNews.co.uk. "The perception is that it is a gay disease is leading to a series of horrific unintended consequences," over and above the "human rights dimension."

"My worry, frankly, is that things are not getting better on either front and more change is necessary. I made representations to the governments in Barbados and Jamaica. We helped back in 2004 to organise a Champions for Change event that brought together people from music, politics, sport and business in the Caribbean to make the case for change, around its stigma. You cant tackle AIDS stigma without tackling gay rights."

Mr Thomas has raised the issue in public in Jamaica before. Speaking in Kingston in April 2006 he said: "Within the Jamaican gay community homophobia is a key part of the spread of HIV/AIDS, as the added discrimination against homosexuals discourages many from seeking advice about prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. There are also particular problems with some rap and reggae music which includes lyrics inciting violence against gays."

He "welcomed the stronger line being taken by the Jamaica Constabulary Force against those who incite violence through music lyrics and called on musicians to distance themselves from hate-filled songs." DFID has been saying for some time that "stigma and discrimination is the driving force behind the spread of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean." On his most recent visit Mr Thomas took his concerns about the lack of progress to the country’s leaders.

"I met with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Trade Minister in Jamaica this year. I also met with a group of gay activists in Jamaica. We had an acknowledgment there was an issue. There was not a conversation about immediate next steps. In Barbados we did a round-table on AIDS stigma with the Minister for Health and AIDS specialists. We fund a unit that targets stigma in the Caribbean. We need to make sure that people from all walks of life – the church, sport popular culture and politics – are genuinely looking at what can be done. My own view is that one of the areas where we need to see change in attitude is from the church. Now is the time for church leaders to speak out on the issue of discrimination. I deliberately raised in the speech that I gave about our future strategy on AIDS the need for action to tackle homophobia."

Mr Thomas said he was shocked by the testimonies of the gay activists he met, in a hotel in Kingston. They were clearly nervous and fearful they were being watched, and the minister said "for obvious reasons" he did not want to name them. "Some of their stories are horrific – people who have been forced out of churches, out of their jobs and on occasion, violence. By any stretch of the imagination it is a disgrace and we need the state to take action in those circumstances."

Given the controversy in the UK over recent deportations of gay and lesbian asylum seekers, surely these first hand testimonies of homophobia will lead the government to open its doors to Jamaican gays? "Every case has to be looked at on its own merits. You need to unpick the details of what was alleged to have happened," Mr Thomas replied.

Asylum of course is a Home Office matter – DFID’s work tends on the whole to be more positive. "We do make a difference for some of the poorest people in the world," Mr Thomas pointed out. "We have a rising aid budget and we work in 40 countries. We want to improve health, AIDS, child and adult mortality and we want to get more children in school. We have had success in Africa in health but also education."

Mr Thomas is In charge of trade policy, such as big international negotiations on trade, as part of his joint role with BERR and he is also tasked to promote British business. Gay activist Peter Tatchell recently called for all international aid to be stopped for, "viciously homophobic countries like Jamaica, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Iraq and Nigeria." Mr Thomas does not think that is the way forward.

"I do not think you should penalise the people of a country for policies that are not appropriate. We need to continue to engage with countries and be willing to raise difficult issues with them. The Caribbean is a region that is facing huge economic issues with regards to the sugar and banana industries. We have to help them with those issues, as well as being blunt on occasion about issues around AIDS."

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9554.html

November 11, 2008

30
Jamaican star Capleton’s Basel concert cancelled after Swiss gay groups protest

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
A reggae star who has gone back on a promise not to perform songs encouraging violence against lesbian and gay people has had a concert in Switzerland cancelled. The performance by Capleton in Basel was due to take place on November 6th but was pulled by the organisers, according to local LGBT rights group Homosexuelle Arbeitsgruppen Basel (HABS). HABS, together with Stop Murder Music Bern, opposed the concert because Capleton has performed songs encouraging violence against lesbian and gay people, in violation of his commitment to abide by the terms of the Reggae Compassionate Act (RCA). He signed the agreement in early 2007 and undertook to not perform "murder music" songs any more.

Stop Murder Music Bern was able to prove that after he signed the RCA Capleton has performed songs that incite homophobic violence, including during last year’s Christmas Extravaganza concert in Jamaica. "The Stop Murder Music campaign gave Capleton a chance to continue his career unimpeded if he agreed to stop inciting the murder of lesbian and gay people," said Peter Tatchell, gay rights activist and UK coordinator of the Stop Murder Music campaign.

"He signed the RCA and promised to abide by it. But he has carried on as before, stirring up homophobic hatred and violence. We feel tricked, betrayed and cheated. Congratulations to the Swiss campaigners for getting his concert pulled. Performers who promote the killing of other human beings should not be rewarded with concerts, money and stardom. This is the latest of scores of concert cancellations secured by our SMM activists around the world. We have targeted eight Jamaican dancehall singers whose lyrics glorify, encourage and promote the murder of lesbian and gay people. Their incitements are a criminal offence. Our aim is to show these artists that homophobia doesn’t pay. It has a damaging financial consequence," added Mr Tatchell.

In July 2007 artists Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton, who had previously released anti-gay hate songs, including incitements to murder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, signed up to the Reggae Compassion Act, in a deal brokered with top reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists.

The Act reads:

However, in October 2007 planned Sizzla concerts in Toronto were banned. All five dates of the star’s 2004 UK tour were cancelled after gay rights activists protested against his presence. Earlier this year it was revealed that Sizzla was denied a Schengen visa for a proposed European tour. The German Foreign Office phoned the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany to confirm the ban and to confirm that their embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, confirmed that the singer has songs in his repertoire that meet the legal criterion of "incitement of the people."

The Schengen Agreement between 29 nations on the continent of Europe allows free movement across their borders. A common Schengen visa allows tourists access to all the countries party to the agreement.

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9789.html

December 8, 2008

31
Human rights group criticises Jamaica’s homophobic violence

by Tony Grew
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has said that gay and lesbian people in Jamaica suffer disproportionately in the deteriorating situation in the Caribbean nation. IACHR issued preliminary observations after its visit to observe the human rights situation in Jamaica, which took place at the invitation of the government last week. It focused particular attention on the situation of citizen security in the country and the human rights of women, children, and persons suffering discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation.

The Commission said it had "verified an extremely high level of violence in Jamaica," which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. "The historical response of the State has been inadequate, due to the absence of an integral policy to address and prevent violence, the failure to dedicate sufficient resources to the problem, and the absence of an effective response by the police, judiciary and other authorities," it reported. "This has led to a progressive deterioration of the human rights situation in the country. This critical situation disproportionately affects the poorest sectors of the population, as well as women, children and people who face discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

The situation for gay and lesbian people was highlighted by IACHR. Homosexual acts are illegal in Jamaica. "The Commission strongly condemns the high level of homophobia that prevails throughout Jamaican society," it said. "This homophobia has resulted in violent killings of persons thought to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual, as well as stabbings, mob attacks, arbitrary detention and police harassment. The resulting fear in turn makes it difficult for people within this group to access certain basic services, for example, medical services that might reveal their sexual orientation. Defenders of the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals have been murdered, beaten and threatened, and the police have been criticized for failing in many instances to prevent or respond to reports of such violence. The State must take measures to ensure that people within this group can associate freely, and exercise their other basic rights without fear of attack.

"During its visit, the Commission received reports on four murders in circumstances suggesting homophobia over a period of a year and a half. One such murder was reportedly a consequence of the firebombing of the house of a person thought to be homosexual, and another man perceived to be homosexual was chopped to death by machete. The IACHR reminds the government and the people of Jamaica that the right of all persons to be free from discrimination is guaranteed by international human rights law, specifically the American Convention on Human Rights. The IACHR urges Jamaica to take urgent action to prevent and respond to these human rights abuses, including through the adoption of public policy measures and campaigns against discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as legislative reforms designed to bring its laws into conformity with the American Convention on Human Rights."

In June a poll commissioned by the Jamaica Gleaner found that 45% are more likely to vote for incumbent Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his Jamaica Labour Party after he told the BBC that he would never allow gays in his Cabinet. 26% of people who identified as supporters of the rival People’s National Party said they were more likely to vote for Golding after his outburst. Just five percent said they were less likely to vote for him after his widely-reported comments. 70% of Jamaicans do not believe that gay men and lesbians should be granted equal rights, the island-wide poll found.

The dancehall music scene on the island is notorious for its homophobia, with many artists taking pleasure in calling for gays and lesbians to be murdered. A British minister raised the issue of decriminalisation of homosexual acts at a recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Jamaica. Gareth Thomas, minister of state at the Department for International Development, told PinkNews.co.uk that tackling state and cultural homophobia is vital to the fight against HIV in the Caribbean. He said he was concerned that "things are not getting better on either front, and more change is necessary."

His role at DFID has responsibility for HIV and Mr Thomas has visited the Caribbean several times. "During those visits I have been struck by the extent to which homophobia and the anti-gay legislation is impacting the effort to fight the surge of HIV infections," he said. During a recent meeting with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Trade Minister, Mr Thomas raised the issue head on. "We had an acknowledgment there was an issue, though there was not a conversation about immediate next steps," he said.

Mr Thomas said the UK asylum system would look at gay and lesbian asylum seekers on a case by case basis. The IACHR is an autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS). Its mandate is found in the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The IACHR represents all of the member States of the OAS. It also reported on the treatment of Jamaicans living with HIV after its recent visit.

"The Commission received information about the situation of discrimination against HIV-infected persons in Jamaican society," it said. "Approximately 27,000 persons in Jamaica are reported to be infected with HIV, 73% of these are between the ages of 20 and 49. The Commission was informed that once an HIV-infected person’s family and community are made aware of his/her status, they are often rejected from their homes and communities. Further, HIV infected persons are reportedly denied equal access to healthcare due to discrimination based on their medical status. Public education and prevention outreach with the HIV infected population is difficult because this illness remains a social taboo in Jamaican society and largely associated with gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals, who also suffer severe discrimination. Given that Jamaica’s legislation criminalises sodomy, gay persons living with HIV are especially vulnerable to discrimination and violence."

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9971.html

December 16, 2008

32
UN envoy calls on Caribbean nations to decriminalise homosexual acts

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
The United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean has said that countries in the region should move to decriminalise gay sex. George Alleyne said that such a move would help the fight against AIDS. "I believe that the existence of these laws contribute to infected and potentially infected men not coming forward to be tested, and I will propose that such laws be revised," he said at a meeting in Guyana.

In 2007, an estimated 230,000 people in the Caribbean were living with HIV, while an estimated 20,000 were newly infected, and 14,000 died of AIDS-related illnesses, according to UNAIDS. Mr Alleyne said homophobia was rampant and one of several "egregious manifestations of stigma and discrimination," reports the Latin American Herald Tribune. His comments echo those of a British government minister.

Gareth Thomas, minister of state at the Department for International Development, told PinkNews.co.uk last month that tackling state and cultural homophobia is vital to the fight against HIV in the Caribbean. He said he was concerned that "things are not getting better on either front, and more change is necessary." His role at DFID has responsibility for HIV and Mr Thomas has visited the Caribbean several times.

A survey published in Jamaica in June found that the Prime Minister’s stridently anti-gay statements have boosted his popularity. 45% of people in a poll commissioned by the Jamaica Gleaner said that they are more likely to vote for incumbent Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his Jamaica Labour Party after he told the BBC that he would never allow gays in his Cabinet.

Gay Jamaica News & Reports 2007-08

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