Dear Editor,

National patriotism is in the air! Emancipendence is here! But it is sad that while the whole nation celebrates this historic week, some people have decided to wave another flag. A flag which does not symbolise the triumph over the atrocities of slavery, or freedom from British colonialism, but one that seeks to take away our hard-won freedoms and introduce a new domination: affirming homosexuality as well as other behaviours which may fall in the category of ‘all-sexuality’.

When I was 10 years old, upon overhearing the term “J-FLAG”, I thought it was just an easy way to say ‘Jamaican flag’. What a rude awakening some years later when I realised that it really meant Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays. The time I confused the two still saddens me today. But as I sit here pondering the celebrations of this lovely week, one so prized and cherished, worthy of national pause and filling ones heart with what may be a fixed annual injection of patriotism, I can’t help but wonder how some Jamaicans can use such a historic week of celebration to affirm homosexuality, “come out” as homosexual, and have separate events, waving around another flag, one very different and independent of the Jamaican flag. How can some restaurants give deals to only people who ask for the “Power of Pink Week” discount in our special national week? How can some people, even those in government positions, use our National Motto as a form of justification for the acceptance of homosexuality? And in this week?

This is sad, distracting and disturbing. I must be absolutely clear, I don’t have anything against the homosexual person, even though I believe homosexuality to be a sin. Nevertheless, all Jamaicans should get discounts this week. If that be the case, not just ones that are attracted to the same gender or philosophically agree with same-sex relationships. And surely not in this week!

One flag should be up this week; no other nation’s flag, no multicoloured flag. The Jamaican National Flag is the only one that should be waved with great pride, at least for just this week! This is the time for patriotism, not opportunistic all-sexual pride.

Let us use this week to honour the great national leaders that have gone before us, freedom from the oppression of slavery and the birth of our own identity as Jamaicans.

Daniel Thomas

Love March Movement