Dear Editor,

It is rather interesting to see how the matter surrounding the Montego Bay Pride celebrations has brought into focus some other matters which we need to face.

It is an unfortunate commentary on the Church and its leadership when there is silence concerning the rights and freedom of a minority group. No one from the space of religion was found to speak up for their constitutionally protected right to freedom of speech and that of peaceful assembly.

Instead, we saw a parade of bigotry and the promotion of prejudice.

Will we, therefore, move to honestly disregard millennium development goals, abandon the promotion of diversity, and exile inclusion?

We may also seek to defend our first-place position in the Caribbean regarding human rights violations.

Thankfully, tourists may still come and have a protected stay within all-inclusive walls. Do not let this turn you away.  You will be protected from the ugliness of abusive pastors and politicians who promote homophobia, while ensuring that the scourge of HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain a challenge that the Ministry of Health and various civil society organisations try to reduce through costly education campaigns.

Dear visitors, you will not have to encounter the eyesore of mined hills or the harmful exposure to bauxite dust.  Above all, you will not meet with the misery of the local LGBT+ community which continues to assume that it should have the same rights and privileges of other Jamaicans.

Laugh out loud, but some even believe that they should be covered under Jamaica’s beautiful motto: “Out of Many, One People.”

What a day when we all realise how much we have been trapped by mental slavery, political expediency, and religious confusion.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell

Anglican Priest and human rights advocate

seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com