VIDEO: More dialogue needed on gay issues — TVJ head

BY AINSWORTH MORRIS Sunday Observer writer morrisa@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, August 21, 2011

KAY Osborne, the general manager of Television Jamaica, (TVJ) has called on Jamaicans to start having more amicable dialogue on the controversial issue of homosexuality.

According to Osborne, Jamaican society has reached a point where the intolerance of homosexuality needs to be addressed through civil and more respectful conversations.

"Conversation is not confrontation. Conversation is not a demand. It is not a 'you shall'. It is not a 'you must'. It is a 'let us converse together'. It is dialogue.

"Conversation is honest dialogue among stakeholders who acknowledge, value and respect the position and attitudes and values of people on the other side. In my view, we must be ready for that conversation," Osborne said.

She was the guest speaker at the 2011 JPS & Partners Co-operative Credit Union Limited's Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston last Thursday.

Osborne was speaking to TVJ's much-publicised decision not to air a public service announcement (PSA) presented by gay lobby -- Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG).

The PSA showed a former Miss Jamaica, Christine Straw, expressing love for her gay brother, and encouraging Jamaicans to show love and embrace their family members and friends who are either lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The prospect of the PSA being broadcast on local television stations inspired a backlash from irate Jamaicans, many of whom do not support the gay lifestyle.

The TVJ general manager acknowledged that the culture of "good, moral and ethical Jamaicans, does not support homosexuality at this time", indicating that this was a reason behind TVJ's decision not to broadcast the PSA.

"Like it or not, they are right. This is truly where we are..." Osborne said.

However, she also opined that while this pervasive cultural intolerance of homosexuality cannot be ignored, citizens need to become a more friendly and create acless hostile society that can move towards narrowing the gap between bigotry and justice for all.

"Good, moral and ethical Jamaicans will understand that our obligation is to move forward as a country, towards becoming a more just society.

"In my view, it is time for informed conversation about intolerance and bigotry, about humanity and tolerance. A conversation about the kind of society that we live in, and the kind of society that we want to live in," Osborne told the audience.

The controversial J-FLAG PSA was launched last month with the lobby group hoping to have it aired on national television stations this month.

The issue was brought to public attention recently by the Sunday Observer in an article entitled 'Gay TV advert angers clerics', where local pastors lashed out at the PSA and its message.

TVJ said it would not air the PSA at this time, citing concerns about the structure of the announcement, among other things.

In the meantime, there is still no official word as to whether CVM, the other major television station, would consider carrying the pro-gay advert.

"No comment" was the response from the CVM Group's vice-president for marketing and sales Ronnie Sutherland.

[ video link for mobile viewing ]

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COMMENTS (11)

Nejeeper KNG
8/22/2011

@John Brown are they anything that you consider immoral? If so, would you like to see those things advertise on TV? We are not living in a perfect world however we should do our best to uphold our principles. Just because it is on the Internet and Spongebob doesn’t mean that I should start promoting it. One love.

John Brown
8/21/2011

@Nejeeper I dont know what kind of exposure you are talking about. As I am sure the children will watch tv or browse the internet . It is everywhere..even in cartoons (yes Spongebob and Patrick google it ) and popular children networks. It is the responsbility of parents or guardians to instill morals and values in their children so they will not it is not acceptable or natural

John Brown
8/21/2011

Good talk Mrs. Osbourne their needs to be more dialogue on the issue as well as a clear policy for dealing similar occurrences in future @ Press Association and broadcasting Commission. I have noticed the Broadcasting Commission has not said one word on the issue, yet they were so loud and quick in their push to get Ragashanti off the airwaves. I’m sure that homosexuality is a greater issue in Jamaica than Ragashanti on the radio. What hypocrites!!!

Nejeeper KNG
8/21/2011

We have to think about the children and these types of exposures. It is traumatic for a grown, morally balance person to see men carry on the way these people do. Imagine what it does to children. Many talk as if we don't have a right to dislike this lifestyle? We have so many issues to deal with that is not by choice. We have law abiding citizens dealing with crime, failed social programs, high unemployment and a corrupt system that is not working for most J’cans. Can we move on?

Virginia Thom
8/21/2011

Ms. Osborne, hypocrisy is thy name. Lots of words! Your speech while eloquent lacks any real solutions on how to move forward. "Tolerance, justice-for-all, dialogue" a good start if TVJ/RJR and you would "honestly" start the debate on bigotry! Live up to the words on your paper. One's sexual orientation is not a crime or a choice or should be fodder for condemnation. Do you condemn adultery or men fathering several children with many women or the behavior of corrupt politicians? Start the dialogue!

david thorpe
8/21/2011

be true to yourself Jamaican tolerance doesn't necessarily means acceptance

anthony mulcahy
8/21/2011

Pure moral cowardice. Fay Osborne and the TVJ board should be ashamed of themselves. You only get a few chances in this life to stand up and make a difference. You just blew yours.

Ramon Castro
8/21/2011

"Good" moral and ethical Jamaican do not support homosexuality? However these same Jamaican are willing ro forsake their "morality and ethics and elect corrupt politicians to lead our nation. The call to move towards narrowing the gap between bigotry and justice for all and your refusal to air to a PSA is simple double talk. We want the dialogue but we are not going to initiate it for fair of being labelled as cosy with homosexuals. Lets show the same hostility toward men who inpregnate teens!

Jakan 2011
8/21/2011

"Good, moral and ethical Jamaicans will understand that our obligation is to move forward as a country, towards becoming a more just society."
SI YAH ooman, speak henglish! Typical Jamaican official theory and diatribe that only unu wan undastan. Jamaicans have made it clear on the most part they don't want this lifestyle around them. What more do you want them to say? Must be some blue light you want to hear for what else. Very provoking and then you blame the provoked. Stop provoking!

Dwight Hendricks
8/21/2011

And the church always want to be the first to act like they are a beacn for morality, when they really arent, what happen to preaching forgiveness? and showing love? isnt that what the church should be about? instead it seems the church is all about preaching judgement and more judgement? how did we get to that? dont blame whats wrong with the economy on how someone chose to live their life, blame it on poor governance and ignorant paranoya..... and remember "God is Love" and thats the message!!

Dwight Hendricks
8/21/2011

The Culture of "good moral and ethical Jamaicans, does not support homosexuality at this time" ? what happen to "all man are created equal"? and if not now, then when? ever since i was 5yrs this has been a edgy topic in JA, when we spend so much time casting hate, when do we have time to show love and respect? like it or not, in every family there is atleast 1 person thats either gay or lesbian, even if they want to accept it or not........ so the person we might be bashing could be our own!!!

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VIDEO: More dialogue needed on gay issues — TVJ head