I am disgusted, shocked and am unable to find the words to fully communicate just how I am feeling at this point.
I have just read, ‘A leading human rights organisation and a church supporting the rights of gays and lesbians in Canada have issued a May 12 ultimatum on the Jamaican government with regard to protecting the human rights of these individuals.’
This is featured in an article in the Jamaican Star.
If the ultimatum is not met, the groups promise to make a public announcement on 17 May, the International Day against Homophobia, calling for, among other things, a Canadian tourism boycott on Jamaica and a boycott of goods and services from Jamaica.
It fully angers me to hear that this group of foreigners thinks it can dictate the policy and laws of another sovereign nation because it trades products and services with them. It was selfish, short-sighted thinking like this that led to Haiti being in the state it currently is.
I always thought that the laws of a nation were dictated by what that society decided was right and wrong and that we were in a world where, if my country’s laws and polices were not the same as yours, we could agree to disagree.
Firstly, what is homophobia?
Is it hating or being afraid of something?
Being that the root word is phobia, are you now telling me that this group and all other gay and lesbian groups are now going to tell the Jamaican public what it is supposed to be afraid of and what it should accept as right and wrong. If this is allowed then where does it stop?
We already have a situation in Jamaica where reggae music is under attack. Artists aren’t allowed to say onstage certain words that have been deemed lewd, even though these are paid events and they are geared toward mature audiences and these words are said by international artistes in there songs that are played in clubs owned by society’s elite and they are also not allowed to have any view that seems to convey disapproval of a gay lifestyle lest they be boycotted.
The group wants the government of Jamaica to produce public service announcements denouncing homophobic/transphobic violence.
It is also calling for a national homophobia/transphobia education campaign and the repeal of the buggery laws and other legislation.
What power do these people have to tell another nations government what to do?
I have said this before and I will again; these gay and lesbian rights groups aren’t fighting for rights, they are fighting for control. If I am of the opinion that being gay is wrong that is my opinion. You have no right to tell me what to think, no matter how rich you are or how dependent on you my country is for trade or aid. That’s blackmail.
The groups further state that they also want to see a public education campaign aimed at sensitizing members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to deal with the victims of violence around lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people and their families across Jamaica. I have no problem with this because every victim should be treated properly and with care and tact. But media hungry organisations like this keep perpetrating this view that Jamaica is somehow more super anti-gay than anyone.
While the majority of the country does not condone the gay lifestyle, we don’t go about leading anti-gay marches and lynch mobs. Most of us just don’t want anything shoved down our throats. You are gay, OK; just don’t tell me I have to like it.
If I hurt one I should be punished just like I would if I hurt anyone else, not punished specially; are they special citizens? Where is my right to disagree? As a straight man don’t I have any rights?
Davin Jackson
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