Another week and another report of violent anti-LGBT attacks in Jamaica. Police in Kingston were reportedly called to disperse an angry mob that formed after a Rastafarian man attacked a woman whom he suspected of being gay ... and a male student who came to her aid.
The man started an argument with a female student he accused of making a pass at his female companion. An alleged eyewitness said a young man who attends the same school reportedly came to the aid of his fellow student. The Rasta man then turned his fiery wrath on the male student.
One man who claimed he was an eyewitness told the Observer: "Me a come from school and all of a sudden me see a Rasta man a beat a youth in a the road."
Police are at the location investigating the matter while an angry mob is waiting on the alleged attacker who was taken inside a building by cops who are interrogating him.
The attack comes at a time of heightened brutality and harassment toward Jamaica's besieged LGBT community. Two gay bars were raided in February. In December 2010, an activist with Jamaica's sole gay rights organization was found viciously stabbed to death. There have been no arrests.
The group reportedly coming to the defense of the young woman is a far cry from Jamaica's recent anti-gay mob violence. In February 2008, up to 20 men attacked the home of four gay men in Mandeville—three were seriously injured and one was killed. And in February 2007, a bloodthirsty homophobic mob of more than 2,000 chased and stoned three young gay men in Kingston. The police who were called to the scene saved the gay men from their would-be killers ... but also beat them and hurled insults.
Did You Read? ...
Jamaican Gay Activist Murdered in Kingston
Gay Jamaican Cop Seeks Asylum in Canada
JA Gay Activist Attacked by Mob Seeks Asylum
JA Mob Attacks Two Gay Men
Angry Mob of 2,000 Jamaicans Attack Gays
"One Gay is Dead, What's the Difference?"
Jamaican Newspaper Criticizes Anti-Gay Laws
"Gay Panic" Defense in Brutal Slaying
Who Killed Ambassador Peter King?
"Gay Panic" in Killing of Popular Priest
"Flaunting Sexual Preference May Incite Violence"
Just horrible, breaks my heart. Prayers to all my LGBT brothas and sistas in Jamaica.
Posted by: Reynolds | 17 March 2011 at 23:21
Jamaica has never lost its reputation as being a highly homophobic place and being people who were God fearing. These two traits do not encourage homophobic behavior. Why is it that people cannot reduce their public display of homosexual activity if they know it is disliked by the community? This would be similar to wearing a color in a community that you know hates that color. It may be illegal to attack someone strictly because they are wearing a color but in places like Jamaica, Compton etc this is a reality of life.
www.jamaica50anniversary.com/
Posted by: Jamaica anniversary | 18 March 2011 at 12:03
"This would be similar to wearing a color in a community that you know hates that color."
You mean like being Black in a all White neighborhood. Should one is Black get beat up for that?
I doubt if any Gay person in Jamaica is flounting their sexuality--not nowadays. Those Gay Jamaicans who are attacked seem to be those that have been "outed" or those that cannot hide what they are because they don't fit the gender role norm.
In Jamaica (and Africa AND COMPTON California) too many people are using Gay folks as scape goats for the poverty and decay of their own surroundings--blaming someone else for your misery...or their miserable attitudes.
You've allowed unscrupulous "leaders" to take the attention away from their own failures by turning the attention on a vulnerable minority group who haven't done a damn thing wrong to you: Gay people.
As far as "God Fearing Jamaicans"--are y'all fearin' God when y'all commit fornication and adultery just like all the other God
Fearing Fools on this Earth?
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 18 March 2011 at 12:40
Kinda ironic that a country like Jamaica that promotes such lawlessness in dance hall music would be so uptight about countering sexuality. Look at the women spinning on their heads while masturbating to the latest reggae track, very graphic sexual culture but uptight about gays. GEEZE. Why dont they stone all the reggae artist that dress so outlandish? Out of all the Caribbean Islands it is usually Jamaica that is so violent. Backwards forward expression of sexuality in that country. Not to mention a lot of Jamaican men sex anything with a pulse, just turn off the lights though. SMH.
Posted by: Lang B | 18 March 2011 at 14:13
Not surprising @ all.
Posted by: thegayte-keeper | 20 March 2011 at 15:42