To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say. — Rene Descartes

An excerpt from Aesop’s fable The Goat and the Goatherd:

A goatherd had sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no attention to the summons. At last the goatherd threw a stone, and breaking its horn, begged the goat not to tell his master. The goat replied, “Why, you silly fellow, the horn will speak though I be silent.”

Moral/Interpretation: Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid.

A couple weeks ago the president of Gambia Yahya Jammeh threatened to kill homosexuals in his country.

“If you do it [in The Gambia] I will slit your throat,” President Yahya Jammeh said in a public speech in the Wolof language, cited by VICE News. “If you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it.”

Unlike President Jammeh, I do not believe that it is the business of the State to be peeping through the keyholes of consenting adults as regards their sexual activities. Government does not, however, have the luxury of privacy. It is de rigueur for citizens in a functioning liberal democracy to have their government under constant surveillance.

In Jamaica, we have a history of government lying to us to satisfy party political objectives and election agendas. For this and other reasons related to healthy scepticism, utterances by especially this Administration must be treated with more than a pinch but more so a pound of salt.

Last week, we had more than a whistle stop from two of the most senior LGBT lobbyists out of the United States. Their landing on our shores was not coincidence. It followed on the heels of Obama’s. He did some additional preparatory work in the matter of what a Sunday Observer banner headline a few weeks ago called, ‘Obama’s Gay Play’.

What preparatory work? A May 2015 publication by Human Rights First, an American-based organisation, provides an answer.

“Prior to Obama’s visit, Human Rights First led a letter signed by 20 national advocacy organisations asking the president to include LGBT issues on the agenda for his bilateral talks with the Jamaican Government.

“We requested that he meet with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders in Jamaica during his visit to uphold his commitment to full inclusion of LGBT issues in all US foreign policy efforts.

“President Obama did exactly what we called for during his visit. While meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Obama expressed his Administration’s concern about the lack of protection and respect for the rights of the LGBT community in Jamaica. Additionally, the president invited LGBT activists to participate in a forum with Caribbean youth, attended by approximately 350 young leaders.

“In his remarks, President Obama praised the young leaders for envisioning the world as it should be and can be, and recognised the important work of Jamaican LGBT activist Angeline Jackson, executive director of Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ).” (Humanrightsfirst.org; page 3)

What is the raison d’être of Human Rights First (HFR)?

“Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organisation that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the struggle for human rights so we press the US Government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they don’t, we step in to demand reform, accountability, and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms.” HRF has as their motto, “The world as it should be.” (Humanrightsfirst.org)

Before Obama landed in Jamaica members of Human Rights First visited Jamaica and met with members of this Administration and other groups.

“Human Rights First travelled to Jamaica in March 2015 to meet with US Embassy staff, Jamaican officials, civil society, and individual members of the LGBT community, to discuss the challenges to the human rights of LGBT people in Jamaica and to learn about the important work to combat discrimination and violence.” (Humanrightsfirst.org)

It is curious that HRF’s meetings in March with this Administration were kept private and hidden from public view. What objectives of HRF were satisfied from the consultations held with the Government? We need to know.

President Obama said in his visit in April that Jamaican citizens need to interrogate the Government on public policy. Consistent with Obama’s admonishment, this Administration needs to tell us if any undertakings/agreements vis-à-vis the repeal of the buggery law were hammered out with HRF. Did any agreement/undertaking with HRF form the basis of any quid pro quo for the less-than-24-hour visit of Obama?

Randy Berry and Todd Larson’s presence in Jamaica set off a firestorm of interest and criticisms. Why were they here? many Jamaicans asked. Were they here to possibly strengthen the foundations that were planted by Obama during his visit in April?

“Randy Berry and Todd Larson wanted Jamaicans to have a clear understanding of the reason for their visit to the island last week.

“So, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer lasting just under 30 minutes, the US Government officials stated more than once that they were here to listen, to engage America’s partners in dialogue on human rights, and that meant the State giving equal treatment to everyone, regardless of their race, class, sexual orientation, or beliefs.

“We’re not advancing special rights, but talking about the universality… of human rights of everyone,” said Larson, the United States Agency for International Development’s senior LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex) co-ordinator.

“That point was reinforced by Berry, who was just a few weeks ago appointed special envoy for the human rights of the LGBTI community by US Secretary of State John Kerry.” (Observer, May 27, 2015)

They were here to look and not touch.

“We have been very, very careful — as the president (Barack Obama) was during his visit and others — to ensure we are engaging in a spirit of equality within a human rights framework. That is what we are interested in. We are not at all interested in making judgements, in using any other manner than to seek just and honest dialogue.”

“Berry said that, while he was aware of that view regarding his and Larson’s visit, he was confident that there wouldn’t have been that much controversy if there was an understanding that both men were here ‘engaging in a human rights framework’.

“Added Berry: ‘Both Todd and I have a global mandate from our respective agencies, and that is basically to seek partnerships, to consult, to learn, and to inform US policy, not just in Jamaica, but as a global issue, and to just make sure that we’re speaking very clearly to our friends about where US policy is, understanding that we have also come into this space after a long struggle and to see how we can be a positive partner.’

“Against that background, both men described their meetings with various groups in the island as successful.

“‘We’ve had superb meetings with Government officials, leaders in faith communities… I think they have been very, very instructive and enlightening and I come away very, very optimistic because I think there is a wonderful dialogue that is emerging in what is a complicated and emotive environment, but we are here to speak with people, not to speak for them, not to speak at them, to them, but to really engage in dialogue,’ Berry emphasised.

“‘We are here, as Randy said, to listen and to learn, to glean from the Jamaica experience and take back so we can better represent the Jamaican perspective and experience on this issue, recognising that this is a discourse that is well underway,’ added Larson.

“‘As you noticed, when the president was here his approach was to amplify the voices of local actors, not to drown them out or to give a lecture, and it’s very much in that spirit that we’re following the president — listen, learn and bring back,’ Larson said.” (Observer, May 27, 2015)

Somehow the sums don’t make sense here, given their mandate as enunciated by Secretary of State John Kerry. In appointing Randy Berry to his prized perch, Kerry opined, Berry’s mandate was at the “heart of American foreign policy” as an “advocate for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgendered people overseas”, and for “overturning laws that criminalise consensual sex acts”. (The Gleaner, May 24, 2015)

There is little uncertainty about Berry’s job functions and deliverables. They are as straight as an arrow.

How does Berry’s mandate square with recent pronouncements by Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding? Did he come all the way to Jamaica to just “listen, and talk and not to judge”?

“The Government has rejected recurring recommendations from some member states of the United Nations for the country to repeal its buggery law and legalise same-sex marriage. Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding told members of the Upper House of Parliament in a statement yesterday that the proposals from some member countries of the United Nations did not enjoy Jamaica’s support.

“There were repeated calls by some member states for Jamaica to get rid of the law relating to buggery. They claim that the law was discriminatory to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. Some member states have also urged Jamaica to legalise same-sex marriage and grant more rights to LGBT persons.

“The United States recommended that Jamaica repeal sections 76, 77, and 79 of the Offences Against the Person Act, which criminalise same-sex male intercourse.

“In addition, the United States also wants Jamaica to ensure the protection of defendants of the rights of LGBT persons and to take measures to ensure that these persons can fully and freely exercise their rights without fear of attack or reprisal.

“The Netherlands has called on Jamaica to repeal all provisions (in law) that criminalise same-sex activities between consenting adults.

“Belgium, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, France, and Australia have also made similar recommendations.” (The Gleaner, May 23, 2015)

Notwithstanding, Golding’s reassurances, the envoys were quite pleased with the objectives they achieved during their time in Jamaica.

“‘My experience in Jamaica is limited. My experience with the issue theoretically and politically is not, but my understanding relative to where Jamaica stands and where Jamaica is headed on this derived from what the people who we have been interfacing with are saying,’ Larson explained.

“‘Without exception, everyone has endorsed the statements from their colleagues that this sort of conversation would not have been feasible 10 years ago, and yet here we are having a conversation, and dialogue, speaking among friends… and so they have expressed optimism, and as a result I have optimism,’ Larson said.” (Observer, May 27, 2015)

Decoded from diplomatic speak, it means they got what they came for.

So did they really come to look but not touch? This Administration needs to tell the country what assurances were delivered to the two envoys. Evidently, portions of what they are saying are in direct conflict with what Golding told the Senate and the country. Are we being given a six for a nine by the Government? Is the Government in bed with the LGBT community to feather another election agenda?

Clarifications are urgently needed, especially in light of the fact that it is verandah discussion that the People’s National Party (PNP) received handsome donations from LGBT groups in the run-up to the last general election. Doubtless, the generosity of the LGBT community towards the PNP is pinnacled on the promises that were made by the then Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller to repeal the Buggery Act.

The envoys say they are optimistic. I am also curious at the poignant optimism of the US chief diplomat to Jamaica:

“United States Ambassador to Jamaica Luis Moreno says he is proud of his country’s push for respect for human rights here, and vowed that Washington would not relent in this effort.

“Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony for the latest batch of US Peace Corps volunteers to Jamaica at the ambassador’s residence in St Andrew, Friday, Moreno said his country endorses equality and freedom for all Jamaicans.

“‘We want to endorse equal rights for all Jamaicans regardless of race, power, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, just like we try in our country. We endorse equality and freedom for all Jamaicans,’ he said.

“‘Am I proud of that agenda? Yes, I am. Will we back off on that agenda? No, we will not.” (Observer, May 25, 2015)

Decoded: Jamaica had better ‘straighten up and fly right’. Again, Ambassador Moreno’s statements seem a direct contradiction to Minister Golding’s. Whose report should we believe?

At present, some 79 countries globally have laws that make homosexuality illegal. They include: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica — but see “Dominica leader: No enforcement of anti-gay law” — Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Homosexuality is illegal in 34 countries in Africa, 25 in Asia and the Middle East, four in Europe, and nine in Oceania.

In the United States, anti-sodomy laws were ruled unconstitutional by its Supreme Court in 2003, but they are still on the books in 13 states: Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

Is Jamaica being pressured because we are “easy peeps”? It is a term used by Newsweek in reference to economically weak economies that are forced to kowtow to the foreign policy edicts of developed nations.

Is the repeal of Jamaica’s buggery laws imminent? Is the PNP hoping to win another term before they tell the country the truth?

To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement. — George W Truett

Garfield Higgins in an educator and journalist. Send comments to higgins160@yahoo.com.