Jamaica’s garnered quite a reputation for being anti-gay. And for good reason – last month alone, the Caribbean island saw at least three separate anti-gay attacks. All the negative publicity recently led a group of Canadian gay activists to cancel a conference meant for the island’s pristine beaches.
Now, Jamaican journalist Betty Ann Blaine‘s trying to turn things around. Well, the public image, at least. And much of her efforts are spent building up the nefarious, shadowy “homosexual lobby”:
It is very important that we understand that there is the homosexual community, and then there is homosexual activism.
…
First of all, the global homosexual lobby must be told unequivocally and unapologetically that Jamaica is not a homophobic country – we are a Christian country. The fact that many Jamaicans are bad Christians is a completely different matter altogether. For Jamaicans, the issue of homosexuality is a deeply cultural and spiritual matter. In the eyes of Jamaicans, to say that homosexuality is right, is to say that God is wrong, and that will never happen.
If Blaine’s all about maintaining the island’s “natural” Christian tradition, perhaps she’s keen on reinstating slavery and segregation? The colonizers did, after all, introduce religion and repression in tandem…
Jamaica, beware of homosexual backlash [Jamaica Observer]
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
speedsausage
Is this woman retarded? Are we expected to believe that Jamaica isn’t homophobic but rather peopled by devout christians with poor impulse control? Jamaica hasn’t been labeled homophobic because its citizenry are particularly homophobic (they are, but you can find those type anywhere) rather because they are allowed by the goverment and law enforcement to act on their baser instincts without consequence. As long as that continues, the “homosexual lobby” will continue to label Jamaica homophobic, and rightfully so. Blaine seems to see a pretty organized effort to change Jamaica’s homophobic leanings while I just see simple economics. They offer the gays a lousy
product (Jamaica) so we take our money somewhere better (anywhere else).
Martini-boy
“to say that homosexuality is right, is to say that God is wrong”
That need not always be the case. I hate it how things are placed into black and white terms without looking at alternatives when it comes to ‘tradition’ and ‘faith’.
dolcecaribe
I know Betty Ann Blain and she tries vey hard through her many efforts to find a “better Jamaica”.
I agree that the very conservative/discriminatory veiw of homosexuality in Jamaica, is very present (to be honest), Jamaica can easily over come some things because in some industries like tourism its “don’t ask, don’t tell!”
Alot of the opressive actions by natives are,(and i agree with previous comments) are lack of statutary protection of human right to be what ever the hell you want…gay of a goat!
There is a lack in govt. policy, that we have identified but i beleive key influencial politrixters are appossed to the ammendment..like the AG!
Please stop labelling Jamaica as homophobic, please label its leadership!(or lack of)
.me.
RudeGboi
My mother and father are from Jamaica and homosexuality is something that has always been looked down upon. Now look at me, I am a product of their despise. Jamaica needs to read their bibles and not take things into the figurative.What religious jamaicans and other religious individuals need to understand is that the “man shall not lie down with man” was from the Old Testament. Jesus came into light and anything from the Old Testament that people are trying to preach is obsolete. What pisses me off sometimes is that it is the non-religious people that curse, commit adultery, steal and do other horrible things that think that they are better than me or that they are going to heaven, because he or she is straight. Jamaica needs to bend over and take one for the team if you know what I mean.