Boycott Jamaica
Gay bashing in Jamaica is so prevalent that in 2006 Time Magazine wrote an article about the island headlined, "The Most Homophobic Place On Earth?" The New York Times this week showed that the anti-gay climate has only worsened, with the island caught in a downward spiral of outright psychosis. It is time to hand an ultimatum to Jamaica's public officials: Stop allowing rampant abuse of gay people or your economy will be crippled.
The Times story is downright chilling. It details how last month five gay men were having a dinner party when a mob appeared at the front door - kicking it in and attacking the men. While screaming homophobic epithets, between 15-20 thugs beat the victims senseless with sticks and cut them with machetes. One man is still missing, but police found blood at the mouth of a deep hole near the yard.
This was not an isolated incident. The Times went on to report a shocking attack on a gay man's funeral last year, where hooligans trashed the church with rocks and bottles as the service was in session. Of course, this unholy barbarism occurred in the name of God. Interestingly, Jamaicans have turned their sex-fueled island into a heterosexual bathhouse and ganja den, but seem to get sanctimonious and discover the Bible when it comes to homosexuality.
Prior to these incidents, two of the island's notable gay advocates, Steve Harvey and Brian Williamson, were murdered. Time Magazine reported that a crowd celebrated over Williamson's disfigured body. Time also recounted an incident in 2004 where a teen was nearly killed when his father learned his son was gay and urged a mob to lynch the boy at his school. In the same year, it was reported that police heartily cheered on another mob as it stabbed and stoned a gay man to death in Montego Bay. In 2006, a Kingston man drowned after a horde screaming "batty boy" (a Jamaican slur for gay people) chased him off a high dock.
On American docks, six hundred miles west of this homophobic hellhole, tourists regularly line up to board massive luxury liners destined for Jamaica. The tropical island earned $2.1 billion from tourism in 2006, an increase of 24 percent over 2005. More than three million people visited Jamaica in 2006, with 1,025,000 arrivals from the United States.
Clearly, the answer to Jamaica's love affair with lynching is an aggressive campaign designed to put the clamp on tourism - particularly the cruise industry. The goal should be to strangle Jamaica's economy and force the island to change or suffer severe consequences. With tourism Jamaica's second largest source of revenue, such a campaign could have a powerful impact that achieves tangible results.
It appears that four major cruise lines are the main conduits in which people infuse Jamaica's economy with blood money. They are Carnival, Costa, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The ports where the ships leave are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston.
It is imperative that one of the GLBT international groups or a major U.S. gay rights group create a campaign to shame these corporations and the passengers that travel on their ships. With so few ports, it would be relatively simple to call for a boycott and picket, while handing hand out informational flyers to cruisers. A "Boycott Jamaica" advertising campaign would greatly strengthen these actions. Billboards would need to be strategically placed along I-95 between Miami and Fort Lauderdale with the bold headline: "JA-MURDER."
Undoubtedly, there are many passengers with gay friends and family members who are unaware of Jamaica's sickening and immoral violence against GLBT people. Once informed, many individuals would opt to vacation elsewhere. There is no doubt that with a concerted effort, Jamaica could be brought to its knees.
To lift such a boycott, Jamaica would have to abolish its "buggery" law. Public officials would have to undergo sensitivity training. The police would be required to set up daily undercover stings - where officers would dress in stereotypically gay clothing and arrest would-be attackers. Finally, Jamaica's public officials would have to openly welcome gay and lesbian travelers and offer enthusiastic support for homosexuals living within the country.
It is time we stopped vacationing from our responsibility and started holding Jamaica and its corporate enablers accountable. Until anti-gay atrocities are no longer the norm, Jamaica must be seen as an international pariah, rather than the faux paradise it presents itself to the world.
Note: Of course, there are other parts of the world, particularly Middle East countries, which treat gay people at least as poorly as Jamaica. There are also nations in Africa and Eastern Europe where homosexuals are marginalized and stigmatized. However, there is little leverage to facilitate change in these remote parts of the world. America is not going to jeopardize its oil supply over gay people. And, if most Americans are not going to pay attention to famines and genocide in Africa - they certainly are not going to concern themselves with the treatment of homosexuals. Anti-gay activity in countries like Poland or Russia is more the purview of the European Union. Jamaica is the one place where Americans can make a difference - thus we should.
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Comments
I am an 18 year old living in Jamaica, s I will be the first to admit that homosexuals should not be killed or attacked. i agree with that.
But no one is asking you to come to the country. If you don't want to come, don't come.
Secondly, you cannot expect us to just accept the views and standards you wish to impose on us and not react. You have your standards, we have ours. Why can't be allowed to do what we are used to?
Thirdly, Jamaica is a very Christian country on a whole, even though most people are not Christians. According to the Bible, homosexuality is wrong. There are no ifs and buts about it. However, it doesn't say that they should be killed. In fact I have friends now (I'm studying in the UK) who are homosexuals and while I absolutely detest their practice, I realize that (1) it is their life and as long as they don't involve me, they can do whatever they want and (2) I am not in Jamaica and therefore wouldn't be able to do anything even if I wanted to.
Banning Jamaicans who want to travel is not the answer as Jamaicans (as people in general) will only kill/attack/etc. when in a mob (called the 'herd mentality'). Also, most of those who travel are not the ones who are committing these acts of violence. Are you telling me that I should be punished and that people should be denied the opportunity to travel and study abroad because of what their fellow countrymen are doing? We might as well say that no one from the US should come to Jamaica because there are some racists in the US. Is that fair?
Why is it that America will only take action when they have something to gain or nothing to lose? You said it yourself: "America is not going to jeopardize its oil supply over gay people." Why don't you apply the action right across the board rather than selecting the situations which you can win? I think that is a very cowardice approach.
Please think before you say things.
Ms Sykes.
P.S. Russia might see this as an oppotune time to create another ally. Don't think America would want that.
A Jamaica vacation is not in my future, thats for sure.. rather spend my money where I don't have to be afread of who I am... Jamaica get a clue ...gays spend big bucks on vacation, why would they want to support a country with their gay dollars and have to keep looking over their shoulders to see if they are safe. There are to many great places like Thailand , Mexico, that is friendly and welcome gays... f**k Jamaica.
It is unfortunate that Jamaica which is such a magnificently beautiful island is turning so ugly in regard to Gays and Lesbians.
I am proud of the Island of St. Croix, USVI where I live and do marketing for a resort which is not only welcoming to all but even have gay owned and operated resorts as well.
To the Gay/Lesbian Community: Please contact me at debidglhotels.com if you would like to visit our very beautiful and very welcoming island.
First of all, I believe that Jamaicans cannot have it both ways. If they want all this financial aid from abroad they also have to listen to people abroad. Why should gay people pay taxes to support a gay-bashing nation?
Second of all, it's a pain to always here people mentioning religion for their prejudices. Most religions have been pragmatic in the past if they saw there revenue streams fade away. One example would be the Mormon Church changing it's statutes in the 1960's just before the Voting Rights Act was introduced. Before that blacks were considered inferior. Thereafter things officially changed (because of the tax-exempt status etc.). Thus religion can change if there is pressure. God understands if things like money are concerned :-)
Most priests I know in Germany are gay. On the one hand they condemn homosexuality on the other hand they enjoy it themselves.
Jamaicans will probably still need some time. Evolution takes its time!
Marku
It is against the law to commit the kinds of crimes that were purportedly committed against these men in the privacy of their setting. I hope the perpetrators are prosceuted to the fullest extent of the law. No-one has the right to take another person's life under any circunstasnce. For those who are gay and non-gay I suggest you protect the human rights of each other regardless of your social or religeous feelings. Understanding your feelings toward those who committed these crimes against these men I would ask that you work to increase tolerance among peoples while respecting the laws of Jamaica (some similar to those in the US and other European conutries on this subject). Practically, if legislation is passed tomorrow making it a crime to victimze gay people; you will still have these occurances. What is important is that the authorities remain vigilant and make it absulutely clear that murdering or attacking other individuals will not be tolerated. Calling for boycott and embargo is not the answer. Like racism and other anti-social behaviors it will not dis-appear overnight..as they will...over time. In the mean time love your brother/sister as yourself. Keep on visiting Jamaica and have fun. One Love!!
It is really dis-heartening to see these comments and people being so hateful on both sides. I am a Jamaican living in the US. I must say that I am certainly not for violence against anyone no matter race, sexual preference, gender, or anything else. I do think however that it is hypocritical for people from the US to be judging or criticizing SOME Jamaicans for their views on homosexuality while there is also violence against homosexuals in the US too. It is also still illegal in the US as sadomy laws are still on the books. You have racial violence in the US that needs to be addressed but you don't hear people boycotting the USA until they stop being racist. Now, the comment I just made is a generalized comment and obviously not everone in the US is racist, but it's exactly like what you all are doing by generalizing and calling all Jamaicans in Jamaica homophobic. I do not think this is fair. I am not trying to say that violence against gays in jamaica is not an issue, just like I would hope you guys would also say that racism and violence and homophbia are also a problem in the US. But it is important to note that media coverage and stories obviously take t most extreme examples in an effort to prove their point and make their story seem appealing and credible.
All I am saying is don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. Acknowledge and deal with your countries wrongs before you try to correct the wrongs of others. The US, Britain, France along with others, have no moral stand point to judge as their hands are not clean when it comes to issues of discrimination and oppression around the world.
I acknowledeg Jamaica is a homophobic country and they should find ways to deal with the violence. I also think the stories are sensationalized for greater appeal. I also believe the most "civilized" countries of the world have these problems that they have to address also. So do not pick on Jamaica. Perhaps you need to boycott your own country as well.
I'M A U.S.A CITIZEN BUT I FEEL IF IT'S THERE LAW THEN OBAY IT BUT
AS FOR US U.S.A WE NEED TO MIND OUR BUSINESS AND WORRY ABOUT BUSH AND THE WAR AND TRYING TO GET US SOME JOBS IN AMERICA. I LOVE TO GO THERE FOR VACATION SO IF YOU DON'T THEN STAY HOME DON'T TRY TO MESS IT UP FOR THE NEXT PERSON.
Poor Jamaica is falling Fast,,Between the constant Crime and Murder, most are afraid to leave their home at Night. Even the Half Moon was Robbed a few days ago and The Ritz Carlton Warehouse a few Months back..No one is Safe here.
Jamaicans are strong believers in the bible, and Jamaicans believe that Homosexual is a sinful behaviour and lifestyle.
Jamaicans respect gays and lesbian in their countries. Jamaicans are only asking you to respect us in our contry. We are a Christian country and we want to keep it that way. Homosexual is sin. Keep this sin away from Jamaica because we have enough sin already.
Andre: Please take note that god does not glorify sinful action -men having sex with men are disgusting, sinful, and nasty. Please seek spiritual deliverance and then you can say to God be the glory.
If Jamaicans want gays to stay off the island, fine. But then Jamaicans who wish to travel to other countries that give gays human rights, should be banned. The country cannot depend on Canada and the USA for financial aid , while maintaining their ignorant views on the gay community. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. The world will respect your" christian" views, but dont expect any international help whatsoever.
my name is andre stewart, I live in Manchester and hanover jamaica, i am as gay as a bird i do fear for my own life every day of my life and its getting uglier and uglier each day but i blame us because 95% of men in jamaica are either gay or bisexual, i know hundreds of men that are married to women and are paying young boys for sex,they use the marriage to cover up their closeted life and if we all would protest and be openly gay we would win freedom for ourselves but instead we sit there and let the so called straight thugs beat us down every day,if someone yell "Batty man" the first person to throw a blow on the person who they called battyman is another battyman, jamaica is full a battymen,closeted married gay men and we need to stand up for our rights, Jamaican women i feel sorry for you all because most of your Husbands are gay and is paying little boys,teenagers for sex,jamaica will be openly gay in my lifetime and i cant wait to see this happen,to God be the Glory for the things he hath done
Yes Therese, you are correct. Other people should ignore the injustice and indignity your islanders heap upon GLBT citizens and tourists. Yes, I agree that if you folks want to live in the 13th century then it is your right to do so. But, for me, my clients and friends, we will choose to spend our money elsewhere. There are other beautiful places where ALL people are respected and honored. You folks in Jamaica can choose to rot in your ignorance, injustice and squalor. The next time a hurricane destroys your island, I will direct my Red Cross donations to anywhere EXCEPT Jamaica - you have not earned my sympathy or respect.
Jamaica: No Problem, I personally want nothing to do with a country that delberately persecutes it's own people! I will be encouraging EVERYONE I know to boycott your island.
I see no reason why people from overseas whould try to impose their beliefs upon us. Homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica and until that law changes, the gays should respect the wish of heterosexuals.
A lot of the information in your article is misleading, people don't see gays on the street and attack them like you are purporting.
Therese
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