Jamaican Gay Bashing can be defeated

[admin]

Way off topic, but I heard today on OutQ radio that Jamaica is still doing nothing to protect gay people. I saw their open hostility demonstrated in Rosie O'Donnnel's gay family cruise documentary, but it has apparently gotten even worse since then. Violence including murder goes uninvestigated.

I personally have bought my last bottle of Jamaican booze, including Myers Rum.

If you see Red Stripe, Dragon Stout, Kingston, or Lion Heart beer on sale in a gay or straight bar, set them straight (no pun intended).

If you have a cruise planned that stops there, call now to cancel and tell them why.

http://BoycottJamaica.org

-Ron

[Adam-Cymru]

I support you 100% on this Ron, here in the UK some Jamaican reggae artists were refused entry to do shows due to their homophobic lyrics.

[AntonioRaphael]

It is nice to see that there is some support for gays even if they are in another country. Seems that there is nothing better for people who bash gays to do. If they spent more time in their own back yard they might have a better quality of life. Enough said. Antonio

[shadowking14]

I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of boycotting Jamaica. As someone whose family is from Jamaica I must confess that it is indeed a very homophobic place.

However I do feel that Jamaica is being singled out here. Most Caribbean cultures in general are homophobic and you would find similar attitudes to homosexuality in several other Caribbean countries (Guyana, Trinidad, Antigua, etc.) Furthermore, as someone who still has family living there and has been there several times, I don't think I can justify taking sorely needed money away from the pockets of people on the island, many of whom are struggling with an increased cost of living, skyrocketing crime and violence, and the constant reality of unemployment and underemployment for the youth of the country.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am no advocate of violence or discrimination. I believe that people, whether straight or homosexual, should have the right to live and thrive unmolested and not be persecuted for their orientation or beliefs. However, I think that this boycott is the wrong way to do things. This will only be interpreted by islanders as another attempt by the liberal west to impose its will and cultural values on a small nation that is not ready to accept it. This boycott will do nothing to ease the plight of gays in Jamaica since it will not change the deep-seated cultural attitudes held by the Jamaican people which are rooted in a mixture of Caribbean cultural norms and a strong Protestant religious background.

People living outside of the country who are concerned should seek to provide material support to groups such as J-flag and other NGOs run by native Jamaicans, since they (we) are the only ones who will be able to achieve the lasting change needed to make Jamaica a place that is safe for ALL its citizens, regardless of orientation.

~David

[admin]

I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of boycotting Jamaica. As someone whose family is from Jamaica I must confess that it is indeed a very homophobic place.

Thanks for sharing your insight.

I'm not sure the boycott is really hitting the Jamaican pocketbook anyway.

I certainly did see "first hand" in Rosie's documentary how bad it can get.

I think boycotts can get governments to look at their options, even if they can't make individuals get enlightened.

Cheers,
-Ron