More anti-queer madness in Jamaica, where an angry mob beat a transvestite over the weekend. The unidentified man had been walking through a public square when someone called him out as a cross-dresser.
Within minutes, a group of bashers swarmed to wreak their homo-hating havoc:
The news of the man’s presence in the community spread rapidly and in a matter of minutes scores of angry residents converged on the scene and began to rain blows all over the cross-dresser’s body with sticks, stones and whatever weapon they could find.
The man has since been hospitalized. He’s hardly safe, however. Police confirm that people have gathered outside the hospital to finish what they started.
This attack’s just one in a series of violent homophobic crimes in Jamaica. Most recently, a group of mourning ‘mos found themselves under fire during a friend’s funeral. Before that, a group of queens were run out of a neighborhood festival for dancing on stage. These and other crimes like them have spurred The Caribbean Anti-Violence Project to initiate a website, which will discuss anti-gay stigmas and provides a forum to report hateful crimes.
Mob Beats Cross-Dresser [Jamaica Observer]
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Dave
So much for “one love” and everything “will be alright” as the Jamaica tourist board loves to advertise, but Jamaica is not alone in these atrocities. It’s beyond a shame that this still level of homophobia continues and remains ignored in the mainstream press. It actually goes pretty much ignored even in the gay press which stresses such important things as “outting” celebrities (i.e. the latest cover of OUT magazine), instead of focussing on these atrocities. But then, such things are not “glamarous” or “fabulous” enough to cover let alone place on the cover. This is something that happens not only in Jamaica but in New York City and it seems to be getting worse not better. But “Out” and other publications are more preoccupied with fluff because that’s what sells. Instead of GLAAD getting preoccupied with the nonsense like the Jimmy Kimmel Show and the Isiah Washington debacle, how about speaking out against these atrocities? How about GLAAD getting ontop of the supposedly gay or gay-friendly media on covering real issues? How about GLAAD being something more than a vehicle for kissing Hollywood starlets asses? Is anyone else irked by what constitutes “NEWS” updates on LOGO? News on Logo consists of Jason Bellini or Itay Hod giving us news we get in Entertainment Weekly??? How crass! But then, that’s asking for too much, so let the drum beat on, let us continue to live in the illusions we’ve created in our ghettos, ignoring issues that are happening right here in the United States and put our noses down on what’s happening in Jamaica without realizing it happens everyday, in one form or the other, just as violently, right here in the United States. How many Teena Brandons and Matthew Shephards do we need to realize this? Even in the ‘civilized” United States, even in the “safe havens” of Chelsea and Greenwich Village, there are incidents of brutality against the gay community, and the police isn’t a safe haven for us either in this country either. So before we cast stones about how intolerant other countries are to their homosexual populations, shouldn’t we do something about it here too besides insulating ourselves in illusionary ghettos?
cjc
On a corollary to that, haven’t you noticed that the serious news postings on here get little to no comments, but the ones dealing with celebs and other Entertainment Weekly fodder get way more? Maybe we fageles just respond to celeb and gossip news better–or pay attention to it more–because we’re tired of all the bad shit that goes on and just want to avoid it?
Chapeau
It is high time the GLBT community start demanding a boycott of Jamaica.
It seems to me that one of the only things that Jamaica has going for it, well besides Rum, is tourist dollars.
It’s time to demand that friends of the GLBT community stop turning a blind eye to the atrocities being committed there.
nystudman
NYT has 52 entries for “gay,” Jamaica” and “violcence,” including editorials. who says mainstream media isn’t covering? And I see articles about it all the time in gay media. I get a little sick of people just shootingoff about “the media” from the hip.
But agreed about boycotting this fucked up country. Meanwhile, no one seems to complain when “queer” writers & others (like Voice’s Tristan Taormino) go to Jamaica & write about it. When I hear of someone, gay or str8, going to Jamaica, I always try to talk them out of it. Unfortunately, as you say, the national gay organizations haven’t gotten behind this.
nystudman
BTW, I don’t watch Logo. Tried to watchthe new sketch show but it was beyond pathetic.
Tom
Jamaica is a sewer and I would never consider setting foot on that island and many others in the Caribbean including the Caymen’s. I agree there should be a formal organized boycott of Jamaica and all of its products (ie: rum) by the LGBT community and our supporters. There’s only two things Jamaican’s understand, violence and money. Hit them in their pocket books and maybe their hateful attitudes would change a bit. But don’t expect much, I’ve found them to be very ignorant people.
I’ve known and worked with many Jamaicans, having lived for some time in Miami, Florida. I found them to be extremely hateful and bigoted people, so filled with the “love” of Jesus and the “holy ghost” and so ready to condemn anyone with whom they disagree. In reality they are vulgar and vicious people you never want to turn your back on. Visit Jamaica? Why not just go to Guantanamo instead?
Stancel
Dave, I completely agree. esp. about GLAAD
Tom in Houston
How much you want to bet that the woman in the photo above about to hit the man is never arrested or charged?
I agree with those that want to boycott Jamaica. A good place to start: Red Stripe and Myers Rum for sale at Gay Bars.
Andrew
The usage of the word Jamaican is deplorable on this site. Not all Jamaicans are homophobic, and the way the gay media has focused on Jamaicans is telling – your reporting on rampant homophobia in Poland and Israel focuses on specific groups of people and individuals. But I guess populations of people of color think with only one mind. Yes, homophobia is a huge problem in Jamaica, but that doesn’t mean all Jamaicans are homophobic – a point you clearly understand, given your reluctance to paint the Polish or Israelis as homophobes – but you clearly don’t see fit to give colored communities the same credit.
Way to promote productive debate.
nystudman
Hey Andrew: It has NOTHING to do with “color.” Maybe not “all” jamaicans are hmophobes – but enough are and more support them and the government does nothing. Take your P.C. crap elsewhere. we hate Jamaica. We’re entitled. if you want to be all nicey nicey, do it. I don’t buy it.
BTW, not all Germans supported hitler.
James
Nystudman,
When you use the pronoun “we”, whom are you talking about? You and your friends? The folk who post here?
Tom,
Any other opinions you need to share?
lilly
Hello All-
Yes it is true that a great majority of the Jamaican population are homophobic and you are entitled to “hate” them, because of their opinion on people who are gay. However, how much better are you? How does hating them help your cause? How can you condemn others for hating while you have so much hate within yourself? I am Jamaican and I am not a homophobic person and I am not ignorant and I am not hateful. I believe that is not the fault of the general population but just the trickle down effect of the government and entertainers that promote such a thing. I believe that the government should be held responsible because they are the ones that lead and guide the nation. I understand your frustration but before you punish the people you should try and start with the government.
Activist in the Caribbean
Er, has anyone asked anyone in Jamaica whether a boycott would stop the violence or make their lives better? Gay Jamaicans I’ve talked to think it might make things worse. Those of you who hate Jamaica, for racist or other reasons, might want to leave the work of making it a better place for the gay folks who live there to those of us who want to leave some Jamaica behind. For those of you who care about Jamaica, keep working with gays there to make change.
Dave
Jamaica is only a microcosm of the issue. One doesn’t have to go far to find the same religious fanaticism which justifies and glorifies the assault of those that do not fit the mold. One doesn’t have to go to Jamaica, Iran, China or Sudan alone to see atrocities happen. Folks, it happens HERE in the United States. What’s happening in Jamaica should be brought to an end, most definitely, but before we here in the U.S. cast stones, shouldn’t we clean up our yard first?
nystudman
A boycott WOULD help. Money talks. and please don’t tell me the homophobia is trickling down from the government. Actually, I suspect the government is either against this bad publicity or at least neutral. no, this is a people’s movement, fueled by religious intolerance. to those who say a boycott wouldn’t work or would hurt: You don’t know until you’ve tried. as for me, I’m going to keep telling people to stay away.
Alex Sarmiento
Jamaica, along with several other Caribbean countries, recently played host to the ICC Cricket World Cup. It was by all accounts a disastrous tournament. The stadiums were sparsely-filled, Pakistan’s coach was murdered, and the finale between Australia and Sri Lanka was wet and wild. Where were the spectators? No doubt they were too busy beating up gay people.
David Hauslaib, Queerty
It’s true: When Queerty does address serious issues within the gay community (from hate crimes to political leaders), reader response is markedly less. Posts about Reichen, Lance, and Jake Gyllenhaal will always garner more attention, or at least a measurable response. But that’s not unique to Queerty, or the gay community. The world of celebrity is much more “exciting” (when “exciting” means “glamorous”) than reporting on one of our own getting the shit beat out of them. But there’s a place for all of this on a site like Queerty, which is why we’ll deliver a healthy mix of news/politics along with celebrity/entertainment, whether readers rack up comments or not. (Though it’s certainly more rewarding to produce content — especially original content only available on Queerty — that readers feel strongly about.)
Dave
That’s why I tune into Queerty as much as I can because it’s well-rounded. Debate is good and having a forum for it is better.
lilly
Why I said to start with the government is because if the government had made it illegal to harm any person for being homosexual and enforced such law then maybe so many people being harmed would not happen. Also maybe the people who are gay in Jamaica should fight for what they believe. If you know history then you would know that NO war is won without casualties. Many people died to overcome the nazis and even more died fighting to abolish slavery, many women died in the fight to legalize abortions( since they would have them done without proper medical treatment). You have your right to hate Jamaicans and they have a right to hate homosexuals HOWEVER if it is made punishable by law to harm them maybe they can live with their differences.
NYCJA2007
To Tom #6:
I was born and raised in Jamaica, and I’m deeply offended by your description of my country and its people. I do apologize for the Jamaicans you’ve encountered in Miami that were less than kind to you, but the entire population of Jamaica does not live in Miami and you cannot categorize us all like that.
As for this comment ” In reality they are vulgar and vicious people you never want to turn your back on” HOW DARE YOU! How dare you contribute to the bigotry and racism you so easily condemn so highly on your soap box.
This article was forwarded to me today 5/3/07 at work and I cannot tell you the sickening feeling that came over me in looking at the images. To think that people …HUMANS… can have such hate in their heart to hurt another human being in this manner is utterly disgusting.
I do not support this behavior as I’m sure many other Jamaicans do not and it is entirely your choice not to visit Jamaica or any island in the West Indies, but you cannot base your decision on the Rosie O’Donnell documentary.
Bigotry and racism is prevalent in every country and I’ve seen animalistic behavior in America that would make this incident look tame. For instance when a mob of angry Americans went after a Jewish student beating him to death because some idiot worked the mob mentality up for retaliation on an incident was ruled an accident. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO START YELLING BOYCOTT AMERICANS? No, because thats bloody stupid. Your words only incite anger and hatred and you should be ashamed of yourself. And those who jump on the hatred bandwagon are just as guilty.
FEDUP
Andrew / Alex Sarmiento/ Well done ! your posts only confirm your idiocy. You are the type of people that would follow the mob mentality just based on half ass reports.
Oh wait, now I’m categorizing you!
Matt
This incident does not speak the truth of the people in Jamaica. I have met many wonderful individuals from that Island and I’ve been grateful to call them my friends. Before any of you and yell and scream for the boycotting of Jamaica get your facts straight before your pathetic diatribe contribute to more hatred. America is just as screwed up. Fix the problems in your own house before you throw rocks at the neighbors. But then the drum beating comes in handy when you’re trying to deflect the negative image from your own house.