A New Kingston judge has ruled that gay teenagers who have been thrown out by their families are entitled to live in the sewers.
Police in Jamaica have been attempting to evict the homeless youth, some as young as 12-years-old, in a string of early morning raids, claiming they “attract criminals.”
The teens have been seeking refuge in the sewers and gutters because they have no other place to turn for shelter.
Yvonne McCalla-Sobers, a Jamaican LGBTI rights activist, said: “Police had already chased them from every abandoned building they previously occupied and the buildings were then torn down.”
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She continued: “Some of the youth were arrested for resisting their forcible eviction. They were also charged with using swear words.”
Last week, a judge fined the homeless youth for using “calumnious language,” but then ruled that police couldn’t evict them from the sewers because sewers are public spaces.
“Although the Jamaican Commissioner of Police has issued a directive that LGBT victims are not to be discriminated against,” Maurice Tomlinson, a lawyer and LGBTI rights campaigner in Jamaica, told Gay Star News, “it is clear that there is a lot of work that needs to be done with the police in order for them to respect and support the human rights of vulnerable gay Jamaicans.”
Last year, two men were trapped by a mob for “appearing gay.” And in July, a 17-year-old trans woman was chopped to death.
Video of the sewers where the teenagers have been living was uploaded to YouTube in December. See the disturbing footage below.
Apparatus
It flies in the face of their whole easy breeze island image, but Jamaican culture is very anti-gay and Jamaica is not a safe country for any LGBT individuals.
It’s as backwards and savage as a lot of African nations in that respect.
I only wish there was a way for LGBT persons to flee safely and find refuge in a better country.
Dakotahgeo
As soon as the GLBT youth and adults and supporters are allowed to emigrate to Canada or the USA and are totally out of Jamaica, I would allow the entire nation of Jamaica to slide gleely into the coral blue sea, preferably to the depth of several thousand feet. May it happen quickly.
Scribe38
I have never been one of those guys who has wanted to adopt children. I think my life is pretty full as is, but this just breaks my heart. Every child deserves a safe place to be raised. Maybe its time for gay men to start adopting these kids and giving them a better life.
Joetx
@Apparatus: Yeah, it’s only the Africans that are “backwards and savage.”
*sarcasm*
Eastern Europe says “hello.”
1. Check your racism at the door. Better yet, do the rest of us a favor & don’t enter.
2. Homophobia exists throughout the world, sadly.
3. White evangelicals (e.g., Scott Lively) have played BIG roles in the anti-gay fervor in Africa.
Stache1
@Scribe38: Jamaican’s would rather see them die first. Any attempt would be vilified just like Uganda has done.
Stache1
@Joetx: Anywhere where you have a population controlled by corrupt religions and a lack of democracy you’ll see this.
Joetx
@Stache1: I’d add politicians looking to score easy points by appealing to people’s fear & ignorance, as well as a general population with said fear & ignorance.
Tookietookie123
To believe a government can stand idly by and watch their youth be forced to the brink of suicide is beyond me. Jamaica, you’re a piece of crap island that I will personally never visit, and I’ll be warning my friends.
Mdterp01
@Apparatus:
Right….because some other African nations are the only other backwards countries that exist. Thanks for reinforcing why there is a need for separate pride gatherings for Blacks.
JustaThought
@Joetx: How was racism brought into it other than by you?
Check out the stats and you tell me where most homophobia and anti gay laws come from, and yes, even queerty has a link to this page…
http://equaldex.com/
Stache1
@JustaThought: Hey thanks for the great link. Boy that really puts it in perspective. There’s nothing that compares to the savagery of most of Africa and the middle east where your very existence is worthy of death.
Powerful and corrupt Religion/Politicians + ignorant gullible people + lack of democracy = atrocities.
Stache1
I’ll never step foot in that cesspool Jamaica. That place is a hell hole which is too bad because it could be such a beautiful place. I still have my South African and Serengeti Safari plans though 🙂
Mdterp01
@Stache1:
I’d go to Jamaica before I go to some places here in the deep south.