Aaron Chandler, the American who found himself dragged to a police station for same-sex public affection in the Cayman Islands, received a personal apology from the Cayman Islands’ tourism minister, Pilar Bush, who, we’re sure, is also talking to other gay jet-setters: “On behalf of the entire Department of Tourism, I apologise for your upsetting experience and want to assure you that the Cayman Islands is a welcoming jurisdiction to all people… What happened to you was an isolated incident, and is not representative of Cayman. We know that thousands of gay and lesbian visitors travel to the Cayman Islands every year and enjoy their vacation.” [Cay Compass]
Cayman Apology!
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Z.
THAT’S NICE!
http://www.ilovezeren.com
Hephaestion
I’m glad she apologized, but it would mean more for a real Cayman official to apologize.
You couldn’t PAY me to go anyplace in the Caribbean. It is all way too homophobic and unsafe for gays. Give me a gay-friendly destination like San Francisco, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Montreal, or Provincetown. No place is perfect but at least the police will help you in the gay-friendly places. In the Caribbean the police will stand there and let you get beat up or killed if you are gay.
churchill-y
Hephaestion said,
“In the Caribbean the police will stand there and let you get beat up or killed if you are gay.”
– Or join the mob.
An Other Greek
don’t forget Mykonos!
woo-hoo!!
PS agreed about the Caribbean and gays… While we got issues here at home to work out, down there it is a tragic combination of poverty and post-colonial christian fundamentalist oppression… Not pretty for tourists, EVEN WORSE for the brothers and sisters living there…
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hisurfer
Just a thought: it wasn’t that long ago that Mexico was a dangerous place for gays and lesbians. The cops in Puerto Vallarta were notorious, and there were some high profile bashing incidents.
Now? Guadalajara, the City of Roses, is Mexico’s answer to San Francisco, and nearby Puerto Vallarta welcomes the queers with open arms.
Places change if we can keep the pressure on. I don’t know much about the Caymans, but this seems like a good sign.
Bob R
Hephaestion mentions London in his list of Gay friendly places. I fear with the election of the new ultra-conservative, anti Gay Mayor of London, that will soon change too. Also, it seems if my memory is correct, the Caymen’s refused to allow passengers from a Gay Caribbean cruise to disembark on the island not all that long ago? I agree with those who say avoid the Caribbean at all costs, especially Jamaica. Why take a chance to have a vacation ruined by rude and ignorant homophobes when there are so many nice places that welcome Gay visitors? I try to spend my money where people treat me with courtesy and respect and truly appreciate me. Screw the Caribbean.
Saunders
Bob R you should not screw the Caribbean but use some of your money to screw yourself. Instructions: roll it until resembles a long rod and stick it where you will feel it, and I dont mean in your ears. Stay away from the Caribbean – we don’t need you or your money. We are not used eating Top Loin steaks Without money we can eat lobster, shrimp, crabs etc. You use whatever money you have left from your rolled rod and pay for lobster, shrimp etc whereever you are, we don’t need money especially yours that might have ship on it.
Saunders
Bob R We don’t need money especially yours that might have SHIT on it.
Caribbean Queen
Saunders that was the best thing tha was posted!!! LMAO. And BOB R. for someone on you level of ignorance, I suggest two doses of what Dr. Saunders prescribed every day!!!
Saunders you have many silent supporters! Straight talk, we don’t need to hide in a closet to say what we have to say…
“No apology that is my analogyâ€- Vybez Kartel