Comments on: Jamaica PM stands firm on sodomy law

By: SteveMD2

SteveMD2 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:01:43 +0000

Let them rot. No tourism. start telling the truth all over about the crime level, and the cheating that goes on there.

They will forget their stupid hatreds when their stomach is empty. And hopefully forget their stupid churches if they are the source of this ignorance

By: Jamaica SUCKS!

Jamaica SUCKS! — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:12:15 +0000

The wost thing that happened to Africans around the world is RELIGION!! The group that decided to go to Africa to get slaves did so because in the bible it states that one should get their slaves from anywhere outside their own country! So, the Africans of countries like Jamaica and even some in the USA and other countries are using the SAME book (the bible) to justify their crazy reasoning for being against LGBT!

So, for the person/people that say what can I do besides NOT going to these countries, you can also start exposing the truth about what ignorance and pain that is being perpetuated from “misuse” of the bible, koran, etc….

By: tjr

tjr — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:00:56 +0000

Dave W I seriously doubt the homophobia in Jamaica would grab our sec of state’s attention…lol.

Being from the Caribbean myself I can say there are many islands that have issues with homosexuality. The populations of these islands tend to be deeply religious and therefore very conservative. Many of the laws in the Caribbean date back to colonial times and haven’t been changed. Homosexuality is taboo in these islands and the topic is avoided like the plague. On the streets of the cities it’s not unusual to hear derogatory words refering to homosexuals such as “batty boy” and “chi chi man” Jamaica however is the only island where I see violence against homosexuals occur so frequently and blatantly, this is partly due to many of its music artists singing hateful songs about homosexuals and encouraging violence. There are some islands that are conservative but also more accepting such as Trinidad and Barbados.

By: TC in Brooklyn

TC in Brooklyn — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:40:30 +0000

“A Positive Jamaican” really underplays what is happening in Jamaica to LGBT people. The list of assaults and murder in the article is only the tip of the iceberg. An economic boycott of Jamaica would have some effect in terms of generating more discussion about the existence of LGBT people in the country (JA newspapers often act as if homosexuality is a “foreign”, especially American, concept), but I agree that SoS Clinton should raise the issue. Also, don’t forget about LGBT Jamaicans themselves, who live in constant danger if they deign to live openly. If any of you have seen performances by the lesbian Jamaican artist, Staceyann Chin, you will get some sense of what life can be like. Certainly, many LGBT Jamaicans would want to leave and come to the US, Canada or the UK, for example, but leaving one’s family is never easy. Beyond not spending tourist dollars in Jamaica, we have to figure out how to support the LGBT community there. While some commenters here have merely lumped all Jamaicans together as homophobic, I know that there are tolerant people there. (My family is from JA.) Unfortunately, they’re often shouted down by the rabid Christianists, who can be worse than the one’s we have here.

By: A Positive Jamaican

A Positive Jamaican — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:55:45 +0000

As a US based Radio Personality and Journalist from Jamaica and having seen the news item you are referring to, I am not aware of any factual statement of hate for homosexuals mentioned by the Jamaican Prime Minister. For example I note these quotes: – “MP Ernest Smith (Minister of government) last month suggested life sentences for homosexuality. He also called for the prosecution of LGBT rights groups Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, and J-FLAG under the country’s law against conspiring to corrupt public morals.
Prime Minister’s comment:
“I disagree with the comments he made about the rights of persons who advocate for liberation of laws relating to sexual offences, to facilitate, to allow persons the right of choice in their sexual practices,” Golding said.
It does appear to me that in a nutshell, this is what the PM is saying “…to allow persons the right of choice in their sexual practices,”.
I also understand that to mean that no one should threaten or in anyway harm homosexuals/Gays.
Furthermore I also know thousands of fellow Jamaican heterosexuals who like myself, do not believe in harming anyone because of his or her sexual preferences.
I know this is a tough subject but I think there are some misunderstandings by some Jamaicans and some in the gay community, from time-to-time.
Your reply will be accepted and fully respected.

By: mac

mac — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:21:05 +0000

Jamaica is a really messed up country. I can’t believe how many people would go to such a hateful nation

By: sam

sam — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:15:01 +0000

Sessy, Has the U.S Government promoted hatred, jail sentences, and murder towards black Jamaicans?

Are we talking about the non existent atrocities the U.S Government has committed against black Jamaicans, or are we stating the facts, of bigoted, horrific crimes of hatred, which the Jamaican Government not only endorses, but brutally enforces, and condones towards gay people!

Sessy, If you take this so personal, you must be part of the hate problem in Jamaica.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:11:49 +0000

No gay person with any sense would go to Jamaica. But we need to get the word out to the larger population that spending money in Jamaica seriously harms gay people. GLAAD and other civil rights groups need to organize and publicize a boycott of Jamaica (and Jamaican music, which celebrates gay bashing).

By: Dave W

Dave W — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:46:08 +0000

Sessy probably wants to keep going because it is so easy to buy weed in public.

How about try Amsterdam?

I was in Jamaica once, just passing through the airport on a business trip to South America. I had to go outside to change terminals, and as soon as I stepped on the sidewalk 3 or 4 people started following me offering pot. I was dressed in business attire!

I’m not at all against pot but this is just my example of what an out of control society it must be there. You would think they could get it away from the airport, at least, with the vacationing families arriving etc.

What a double standard, it seems. Now that we have a more receptive audience in Washington, it may be time to get Mrs. Clinton doing something to put pressure on them. I guess another letter to write….

By: Ed in Philly

Ed in Philly — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:14:46 +0000

Boycotts do work, look at how it influenced other countries in that area that would not allow gay cruise ships to dock in their waters. When gay people are being beaten and killed it is very disturbing (sorry, but you are part of the problem, Sessy) when we think more about our own needs for recreation and sunshine than their welfare.