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News

Gay protest at Emancipation Park

JamaicaObserver.com

Monday, May 17, 2010



HUMAN rights and gay activists held a short protest outside Emancipation Park in New Kingston this morning to coincide with today's International Day Against Homophobia.

Held between 8:00 to 8:30 am the protest was intentionally short to avoid a disturbance, said one human rights activist to whom the Observer spoke. He said that several drivers honked in support while others shouted their disapproval.

However the activist reported no violence against the protesters. He said that although not a homosexual, he took support in support of human rights in general.

"Just because in principle I believe in the universality of human rights and I'm against certain laws and public opinion in Jamaica," he explained.

Homosexuality is effectively criminalised in Jamaica by the anti-buggery laws, which are supported by public opinion.

Supported by international human rights groups, gay activists led by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) have become increasingly vocal in recent times.



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COMMENTS (30)

Blue Stuart
5/17/2010
I wish the 'gays' in Jamaica would tell the truth and stop spreading the lies....many people in Jamaica dont give a rat's a$$ about them!!....What Jamaicans will not tolerate is the public flaunting of their sexual orientation.....Live your lives homosexual men and women, just do so in the privacy of your homes!!! And truth be told most crimes perpretrated against gay men and women are committed be their own partners or someone of the same sexual orientation...
anton brown
5/17/2010
All this about what the Bible says. But so what? Who are you to tell others to live by your Bible? Would you like it if the muslim population in Jamaica grew to the point where they could vote in laws that banned pork and alcohol? I bet all of you who justify forcing homosexuals to hide who they are in public, which is supposed to be a free space for everyone, and for keeping laws on the books to imprison them, would soon be talking about how church and state must be kept separate as the constitution provides!!!
Olivia Dwyer
5/17/2010
Oooohh Dear Lord, what is this am hearing.....
keesa green
5/17/2010
Me sure say a bruce golding send them out fi distract the people...I shall not ....I shall not be distracted...!
roxanne buchanan
5/17/2010
If you dont stand for something, you fall for everything!
roxanne buchanan
5/17/2010
@ George Martin. You are the one who sounds very ignorant now. In case you missed it, we have many accomplished, and talented jamaicans. Compared to our population, it's safe to say that majority of us have made great strides. Please stay in the USA. No one is begging you to visit Jamaica. And in reagrds to us being poor, I always say that Jamaica is poor only on paper. Many of us enjoy a higher standard of living than many people in America do. I've seen poor in America. Dont sorry for us, We have everything we need in JA, trust mi.
Chloe Alexis
5/17/2010
Mclean Bryan, you may want to learn to spell before you post anything about how gays "fource thair" [sic] lifestyle on people. Good God, education goes a long way doesn't it? LOL! I was born and raised here and I couldn't care less about whether or not people are gay or straight. I've never met a gay person who forced anything on anyone. Expecting tolerance is "force"? Come on people. Wise up.
Tee Matthews
5/17/2010
@mclean bryan HOW ARE THESE INDIVIDUALS FORCING THEIR LIFESTYLE UPON THE SOCIETY? IF THIS WAS SO DONT U THINK THE LIFESTYLE OF THE STRAIGHT PEOPLE WOULD BE FORCED UPON THESE GAYS? THEN WE WOULDNT HAVE ANY OR THAT MUCH IF IT WAS EFFECTIVE. I SEE ITS MOSTLY THE UNEDUCATED PEOPLE WHO SAYS STUPID THINGS
Truth Dame
5/17/2010
You know, Gays are really something else with their behaviors as if they are the most victimized people in the world when in fact there are more INNOCENT VICTIMS, like WIVES & CHILDREN and/or GIRLFRIENDS & CHILDREN of Gays. Many women & their children worldwide, INCLUDING IN JAMAICA have been the victims of Gay sexual orientation, especially when Gays live homosexual or bisexual lives undercover and contract HIV/AIDS which they spread to women & children. Yet, there are no protests in memory of the women & children VICTIMS OR COLLATERAL DAMAGE OF HOMOSEXUAL & BISEXUAL SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Gays have "mass murdered" - whether deliberately or unintentionally - millions of women & children worldwide.
Jesse Fraser
5/17/2010
@ Richard Edwards: Fact, almost all violent crimes perpetrated against members of the homosexual community in Jamaica are carried out by other members of the homosexual community.
Silber Henry
5/17/2010
We jamaicans will not tolerate homosexuals behaviour as it will always stay as a criminal offence and if and when i should lead jamaica i will make it more of a crime for those JFLAG people, that organization will be band i will not sanction anyone to harm them because that is violence but that lifestyle will not be leagal in JAMAICA therefore do whatever u want with your same sex but it will not be legal and if they go public with their affection i have no control over the public reaction therefore they would be going at their own risk
normal bberth
5/17/2010
I cannot understand what are these "Guys" problems.look how many hetorosexuals die every day and where are these human rights groups? (wrapping up with their homosexual friends unconcerned?) No one on JA are looking at these sect, yet they want to force their lifestyle on Jamaicans. there lifestyle is punishable by up to 15years? in prison? what now, should the Gun men of this country start marching to be given the freedom to be who they want to be? should the rapist, pedophlia, should motorist?
Don Jam
5/17/2010
If most Jamaicans ignorantly agree with the Anti Gay laws then they will forever emit negative energy. Cosequently, with all that negatove energy Jamaica will be sadly stuck where it is : a third world economy. P.S. most of you on thos forum who voice opposition to equal rights for gays are closeted gays who are ashamed of who u are.
Yard Vibz
5/17/2010
But George Marvin, you’re a very unreasonable and unconscionable man. Instead of you and your friends a walk and ‘cushaf’ people who nuh share unno belief, why don’t you commend the nation’s citizens for the elevated levels of maturity and tolerance they have developed towards your kind over the last decade. I remember not too long ago, when this headline was only imaginary. I am in agreement with you on the argument of backwardness and ignorance, but that doesn’t negate the fact that babies should be allowed to walk before they are told to run. Trust mi brethren, Jamaica has come a long way where civilization is concerned; otherwise your friends and colleagues who are posing in the file photo would be taking up residence @ KPH. Suh tek yuh time and bruckhaf a little piece at a time and si if yuh can convert a few more, cauz words in the streets, a nuff a unno deh yah a masquerade as people husbands, but in fact, unno a other people wieves. Peace!
Concerned Jamaican
5/17/2010
I find it amazing that persons are using the US and Europe as examples of successful countries. News flash: The US, as well as Europe, are as broke as we are. And a big part of the reason we are poor as a nation is because (1) those "first-world" countries you praise robbed Jamaica, and the rest of the Caribbean, of its resources to build their own societies and (2) because our politicians, just as with politicians in the US, are concerned with their own self-interests. It has nothing to do with our beliefs about homosexuals. I don't condone violence, but if we as a country do not like homosexuals, it is our right to do so. @ George Marvin, If you are happy in the US, it's OK--we don't want you here! Your absence is depriving no one. The few extra dollars we could potentially earn from homosexual tourists, or homosexual advocates, are immaterial. The main cause of Jamaica's woes result from restrictions placed on us by the IMF, bad political decisions, etc, not because of our faith.
Dennon Williams
5/17/2010
Imagine for a while that your teacher were gay; your parents are gay; "everyone" around you were gay and you were straight but you had to pretend to be gay because of fear of being ostracised and even beaten... perhaps then it will be easier to understand the call for human rights to be extended to all.
The argument about buggery being illegal cannot hold; because that law in itself is a violation of human rights. Just as we are calling on the government to honour its commitment to the international treaty that was signed on extradition issues we are also calling for them to honour their commitment to human rights by sending a clear message on its support for human rights by repealing archaic laws that deny said human rights (buggery included).
Further, jamaica is a land of diversity. please stop using Christian arguments as a basis for enshrining homophobia. Why not hold to those same christian dogma as it relates to casnio gambling, smoking of weed or hetero-sexual promiscuity.
A. Croft
5/17/2010
How long is it going to take people to understand tha homosexuals do not choose their sexaual orientation? Just as I did not choose to be heterosexual they did not choose to be homosexual.
They should not have to put up with human rights abuse.
MaRK Harris
5/17/2010
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL..... FOCUS ON THE GARBAGE THAT THE PM IS FEEDING Y'LL AND NOT ON THE LIVES OF TAXPAYING CITIZENS>>> BLOODY HOMOPHOBES>>>
We Care
5/17/2010
Who is beating any of them when they walk or go about their business? No one!!! They just need to keep to them self, we dont need to see them hugging and kissing!! if they want to be gays, stay in their bedrooms with this.

Kweli Simba
5/17/2010
@ Richard Edwards: there you go again "buggery is a crime in Jamaica." When you are not asking for the boycotting of Jamaican products overseas, because of Bruce's behavior you want gays to break the Jamaican laws. They don't bother me neither, however, this is just as immoral as Bruce not being straight with the country. Consider this, most Jamaicans believe Bruce went wrong. Maybe most would disagree with you on the gay issue also. what you think?? Thats the kind of people we are.
George Marvin
5/17/2010
Yeah, Jamaica... What a loony bin of homophobia... I'm staying right here in the United States which looks absolutely rational when compared to backwaters like Jamaica. I cant imagine anyone ever wanting to vacation there. Ignorant people make ignorant choices. That's why Jamaica will remain a poor country for a very long time. It's poor for a reason, folks. Stay away.
ONeil Hibbert
5/17/2010
All
English lanuage changes so often in my days gay meant to be happy.Now they change it to mean homosexual.Do you all see hoe unhappy these peoplr are with themselves.They cant even call what they partake of by the right name.HOMOSEXUAL.
Kweli Simba
5/17/2010
Everyone now is going to try to use the current kabbakabba with govt. to get some kind of mileage for their vehicle. Our laws says that buggery is illegal and for most Jamaicans immoral. Leave well alone...this current climate is not the best conditions for such.

5/17/2010
Nobody is forcing their way of life on anyone, they are not trying to "make" you gay. It's the same foolish talk over and over. Quote the bible all you want but when I read the news of murder, rape and abuse, I rarely see anyone quoting scripture about that? It's hypocrisy! The gay men and women of JA just want to be able to walk down the street without people hurting them..many of the homophobes which quote the bible also agree with the beatings. Hypocrites! Spend your energy on the real people decimating your society, the violence and mayhem that has become common place among your desensitised people (mostly heterosexuals!). Your reputation overseas is one of extreme violence, this affects YOUR livelihoods through tourism. Don't you think that's more important? Instead, you support another form of violence and human rights abuse through the abusive language and actions of the homophobic people. Start fixing the decades of problems you already have, stop creating more problems
Concerned Jamaican
5/17/2010
Make them protest. I am sure antsy Jamaicans are filing their machetes and eagerly awaiting news of another demonstration.
Richard Edwards
5/17/2010
The bible has a lot to say about murderers, adulterers, liars etc, but I don't hear people quoting scriptures when the people of Jamaica, murder, rape and continue to maim each other.Bunch of hypocrites! Gay people in Jamaica bothers nor kills no one, it is not gay people that are killing nearly 2000 people each year, they are usually not the gun slingers either. They really don'y bother anyone, they certainly don't bother me, there are so many other pressing issues that confront the nation, the least of which are gay people. My suggestion, leave these damn people alone, and as to quoting scriptures, reserve that for people who believe in the Bible, incidentally, you are preaching and quoting to the wrong group of people. What is gay people crime in Jamaica, they have not committed any crime, and what they chose to do with their private lives should be none of our business. Leave the damn people dem alone.
Richard Edwards NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com
mclean bryan
5/17/2010
ABAMINATION, THE BIBLE SAYS, SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH, I AM NOT ADVOCATIG VOILENCE STILL, BUT Y THEY WANT TO FOURCE THAIR LIFESTYLE UPON THE REST OF THE SOCIETY???????????????
genna young
5/17/2010
whatever.....
Elli Deedo
5/17/2010
Be Careful Homosexuals, you are running a big risk! Demonstration!!?. The Majority are afraid, only a few of you?.!!
tina chambers
5/17/2010
r u guys for real, read the book of Romans in the Bible....as Bob sd ...we got to chase these crazy bald heads out of town...

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