PHOTO: Jamaica Gleaner
There is very good news from Jamaica. LGBT activists on the island are hopeful after the December 29 election of People’s National Party leader Portia Simpson-Miller. The former opposition leader and incoming prime minister came out for gay rights during a televised debate.
Simpson-Miller previously served as Jamaica's prime minister from March 2006 to September 2007, and was the first woman in that role.
Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...
Simpson-Miller made the comments during a December 20 debate with Jamaica Labour Party leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Both candidates were asked if they were willing to appoint gays to their cabinet. Simpson-Miller's transcript as follows:
"Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be demonstrated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide protection. We should take a look at the buggery law. Members of parliament should be able to vote based on their conscience after consultation with their constituents. But for me, I support the [appointment of people] based on their abilities. ... I have no intention of prying in the personal business of anyone."
The question was in response to former Prime Minister Bruce Golding's infamous 2008 statement that he would never appoint a gay person to his cabinet. PM Holness first avoided answering the question directly, but then noted that most Jamaicans were against appointing gays to public office.
Simpson-Miller's remarks on the nation's "buggery" laws come during the first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws. Although rarely enforced, the law mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery."
The international advocacy organization AIDS-Free World has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of two Jamaican gay men. HIV/AIDS advocates estimate that almost one third of men who have sex with men are HIV positive, compared to a rate of 1.6 percent in the general population. Many experts believe that the island's homophobic culture and sodomy laws discourage MSM from being tested and/or seeking treatment for HIV.
Sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations, such as Belize, are also being challenged. British PM David Cameron has asked African, Asian and Caribbean nations in the Commonwealth to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight rampant HIV rates across the global south.
Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...
Did You Read? ...
Jamaican PM Blasts Gays
Anti-Homophobia PSA Campaign Launched in Jamaica
JA: Police Chief Apologizes After "Gay Crime" Remarks
JA: Judge Allows Gay Panic Defense for "Killing Homo"
Rasta Attacks Woman Suspected of Being Lesbian
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"
Knowing Jamaica reputation of being the murder capitol for gays, I am sincerely shocked and very pleased by this news of a Jamaica Prime Minister that supports gay equality. Hopefully long needed change will come to Jamaica. I just wish some of our fallen brothas could be here to see it.
Posted by: Larry | 04 January 2012 at 13:33
Simpson-Miller is a strong woman.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 04 January 2012 at 22:55
I will not travel to Jamaica becaue of their homophobia and because they get such pleasure from murdering us. I hope this courageous woman can bring about some changes so that gay Jamaicans can be safer.
Posted by: Jerry | 05 January 2012 at 07:16
I so admire this woman, and fear for her ...
Posted by: Account Deleted | 05 January 2012 at 10:42
I've made that choice as well Jerry, I will not visit the country again, not out of fear but on principle.
I am pleased to see the progressive changes lately and hope it spreads throughout the general community.
Posted by: Procrastination_Xtravaganza | 05 January 2012 at 12:35