On the same day the prime minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding (right), visits 10 Downing Street in London to meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, he forcefully reiterates his opposition to decriminalizing homosexuality but claims attitudes towards gays and lesbians are "changing" in Jamaica. Fascinating.
Prime Minister Golding's double talk happened during an interview on the BBC-TV. Golding claimed his administration would not be pressured to recognize gay rights. "Jamaica is not going to allow values to be imposed on it from outside, we are going to have to determine that ourselves and we are going to have to determine to what extent those values will adapt over time, changing the perception and to changing understanding as to how people live. But it can't be on the basis that a lobby group, far and away from Jamaica, is going to start to define for Jamaica how it must establish its own standards and morals," he said.
When asked if he would ever appoint an openly gay man or lesbian to his cabinet, the prime minister became outraged and said "never".
Jason McFarlane, spokesman for the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), tells The Jamaica Gleaner that Golding's remarks would have serious implications for Jamaica's international image and likely to incite more violence against gays in the country.
Mob justice and horrific violence against gays is common in the island nation. In February 2008, a mob of up to 20 men attacked the home of four gay men in Mandeville—three were seriously injured and one was killed. In February 2007, several Jamaican gay men were attacked by a mob of thousands.
PM placed in the hot seat on BBC talk show [Radio JA]
Church, gays divided on PM's BBC interview [JA Gleaner]
More JAMAICA
Did You Read? ...
Guyana Will Ban Anti-Gay Bounty Killer [R20]
Financial Probs for Anti-Gay Bounty Killer [R20]
iTunes Canada Pulls Anti-Gay "Murder Music" [R20]
Buju Banton Concert Cancelled [Club Rimshot]
Buju Banton Busted By The Bay [Keith Boykin]
Buju Banton Pro/Con [R20]
Beenie Man and Buju Banton Cancelled [R20]
JA Gays Oppose Boycott Over "Murder Music" [R20]
Church: "Ludicrous" to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence [R20]
JA Gay Activist Attacked by Mob Seeks Asylum [R20]
JA Mob Attacks Two Gay Men [R20]
Angry Mob of 2,000 Jamaicans Attack Gays [R20]
Did Jamaican Cops "Rescue" Gays? [R20]
JA Leading Newspaper Demands Equal Rights [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Bloodlust at UWI [R20]
"One Gay is Dead, What's the Difference?" [R20]
"Jamaica, Island of Hate" [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Jamaican Newspaper Criticizes Anti-Gay Laws [R20]
"Gay Panic" Defense in Brutal Slaying [R20]
Who Killed Ambassador Peter King? [R20]
"Gay Panic" in Killing of Popular Priest [R20]
"Flaunting Sexual Preference May Incite Violence" [R20]
He's selling out to popular prejudice. Just because the majority support a belief does not make it right.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 21 May 2008 at 18:13
Two word response: BOYCOTT JAMAICA.
Posted by: Stuffed Animal | 22 May 2008 at 11:23
second that:BOYCOTT JAMAICA!
Posted by: Brokeassnigga | 25 May 2008 at 01:02