Jamaica town declares 'Gay Eradication Day'

Do you really need to even ask?

Why are they not focused on the misery of the poverty

Because "community leaders" don't know how to solve these issues, so instead allow this kind of hate to fester and grow. Who needs to feed starving children, when you can refocus the people into hating a minority?

Help defend equality, visit One Kalamazoo http://www.onekalamazoo.com/

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by: Mattkazoo @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 13:09:47 PM CST

An international campiagn against the Jamaican tourist industry

...is long overdue. We should be treating them like Apartheid South Africa and making the parallel publically at every opportunity.

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by: steerpike66 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 13:14:54 PM CST

One of the quotes

"Mi nuh know how dem come an a gwaan like seh dem tink a farin dem deh, dem tink seh dem can come inna gangsta town wid dem wrong up behaviour an nuttin nuh happen? Dem haffi leave, anyting a anyting," one obviously angry male said.

So I guess being a "gangsta town" is right up behaviour, then?

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by: xerxes @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 13:42:10 PM CST

Jamaica is bereft of any semblance of civil society and

should be shunned at every opportunity, in trade, in foreign affairs, and by every tourist in America.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.-- Thomas Jefferson

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by: Mykelb @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 14:26:02 PM CST

boycott

Some Jamaican reggae artists are notorious for encouraging this homophobia.  A  comprehensive boycott is needed along with loud condemnation.  This place is not a paradise.  

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by: Passionforprog @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 14:27:43 PM CST

I don't understand the gay community's love of Hillary

I love her and respect her as a tough, hard-working, smart woman, but she's never been an outspoken advocate for us except in the context of asking for our money and votes.

In 8 years in the Senate she never signed on to Uniting American Families Act, or advocated or introduced a piece of legislation that would help our community.

Now, she's giving big, tear-jerker speeches about the plight of women at the hands of the Taliban, but remains silent on this and the 1,000 or so gay men kidnapped, tortured and slaughtered in Iraq since the US occupation began.

At the very least, she could speak out and direct the press to report on stories like this. But she doesn't.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 14:28:56 PM CST

The long suffering diva who's man did her wrong

That's Hillary. Many a night, gay men have danced to these songs.

I quite frankly think that's it.

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 14:52:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hillary's life as

Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

Damn you, now I've got that song running through my head.

Cause any fool knows, a dog needs a home; a shelter from pigs on the wing

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by: QueerInSoCal @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:10:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Personality cult in the gay community with Hillary Clinton?

Yes, defintely so...again, that's not a good or a bad thing.

(Lest I be accused of all sorts of crazy bigotry type shit by SciFi Geek...)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:11:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I sadly think you're right.

Because I don't think either she or Bubba have done enough acts to repent for DOMA & DADT.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:55:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I sadly think you're right.

Because I don't think either she or Bubba have done enough acts to repent for DOMA & DADT.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:55:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

April 26 2007

I was posting the original Jamaican Star story to my Facebook when I noticed the story was from April 26th 2007.

I am sure Jamaica still hates gays, but it seems a little dated to repost.  

This is moral and immoral. The moral thing, the thing that everyone knows is right inside, though some are afraid to say, is EQUALITY. Inequality is immoral.

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by: mickdansforth @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 14:43:14 PM CST

some perspective please

The community being referenced is a small, extremely impoverished shanty town. It's kind of ridiculous to paint an entire country with a broad brush just because of what some uneducated people in a small community are saying/doing. If that were the case then people should also be boycotting the USA.

It's also extremely irritating to see the general tone of the post and comments. Of course there's a big problem with homophobia in Jamaica. But there's also a big problem with homophobia in the African-American community. Yet no one is saying that all African-Americans should be packed up on a boat and sent back to Africa or anything like that. In fact I see a lot of discussion about finding allies within the community and building relationships etc. So why all this hatred and blatant ignorance targeted at Jamaica? All this does is reinforce the perception there that this isn't really even about gay rights but it's just another way that arrogant wealthy foreigners can bully Third World people for sport.

I'm a gay Jamaican and yes I want to see things improve for LGBT Jamaicans but I also love my country and I'd never want to work with any group of people who continually make extremely negative blanket statements about the place where I was born and raised and where most of you have probably never even been to.

I understand the anger but if you really want to help and to build alliances you need to adjust your attitudes and get educated. Or at the very least just stop saying stupid shit.

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by: sweetjamaican @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:24:49 PM CST

When people are bludgeoned to death on the streets of Jamaica

for being gay, and it's happened to British diplomats, it's time to say enough is enough.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.-- Thomas Jefferson

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by: Mykelb @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:32:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

seriously?

Right, cause no one ever gets attacked/killed for being gay in the US. And certainly not in a place like NYC. Cause then no self respecting gay person would ever spend another dime there.

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by: sweetjamaican @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:51:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's ridiculous to make comparisons

between Jamaica & NYC with regards to GLBT hate crimes. Jamaica has less than 3 million people on the island.

Five GLBT-murders were recorded in NYC, in a city of 8 million plus. And NYC hasn't attracted the attention of Amnesty International like Jamaica has.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/annu...

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:29:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

in addition to that...

what is the political rhetoric of our country's President as regards gays and lesbians? (In spite of my criticisms of Obama)

What's the political rhetoric of the Jamacian Prime Minister and the Jamaican government (regardless of Party)?

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:33:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I tried googling Jamaica's

gay viloence statistics, and they're hard to come up with. I guess that'll happen when the police are as likely to be doing the bashing as collecting the data.  

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 18:28:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

On the subject of police bashing, before we get too paytriotic and holier-than-thou...

check out  "Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People in the U.S." dealing with the crimes that US police and prosecutors perpetrate against GLBT folks" linked to at http://www.amnestyusa.org/docu...  

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 20:42:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Speaking of political rhetoric...

how does 'gawd's in the mix' and the Obama administrations use of vile lies comparing us to child molesters (as if we were a bunch of depraved priests) fit into your definition of Obama's rhetoric?

Obama intentionally screwed our chances to retain same sex marriage in California with the bigot battle cry "gawd's in the mix" by which Obama meant that the Sky Farter thinks we're second class citizens and not quite human enough to get married.  

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 20:38:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

But Obama's political rhetoric

has not even hinted at the fact that American LGBT's deserve death, donal1944. The Jamaican government has more or less said that they believe that GLBTs are worse than untouchables and do not even deserve to live.

Jamaican law enforcement turns a blind eye upon our deaths. Big difference. (though I agree with your specific criticisms of Obama)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 21:17:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yes and no.

You're right - the differences between Jamaican politicians and American politicians are qualitative (with some exceptions like Buchanan, who's a fascist). Obama would never dream of calling for our extermination - he needs our money and our votes and if he keeps pissing off union folks he gonna need us badly.

However when Clinton, supported by most Democrats and all Republicans passed DOMA and DADT they enshrined bigotry in law. When Obama defends them he does the same.

They and Bush send a clear message that we're not quite human, that we're flawed. Bigots understand what they're saying and vote against us on referenda about same sex marriage. Worse, the thugs hear that message loud and clear. It emboldens them and gives them a target for their sociopathic urges. It's as if these politicians and the cult leaders they cater to paint a big target on our backs and the words "I'm a fag, kill me".  

That they do is not just reprehensible or narrow-minded; it's inflammatory. There's a direct relation between the uproar caused by their comments and actions and the rate of beatings and murders. The data and trends presented by the NCAVP that out in detail.  

That's why; in spite of the differences between Obama and Bruce Golding, the Jamaican PM, I give Obama no credit and no respect. Seen dispassionately, just on his record, he's more than just a panderer and a clone of Slick Willie, he's our enemy.  

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 01:35:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

"NYC hasn't attracted the attention of Amnesty International like Jamaica has." That's simply not true Clark67.

That's simply not true Clark67.

Amnesty International is very critical of the US government, under Clinton, Bush and now Obama,  for it's policy of rendition (CIAspeak for what street cops call kidnapping, torture and murder, for mass murder in Iraq of 1,000 or so GLBT folks in Iraq by the government, a creature of the US military occupation authorities, and similar crimes.

See their http://www.amnestyusa.org/docu... on concentration camps like Abu Ghraib and their document "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Human dignity denied. Torture and accountability in the 'war on terror. A report based on Amnesty International's 12-point Program for the Prevention of Torture by Agents of the State " linked at http://www.amnestyusa.org/docu...

They also published "Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People in the U.S." dealing with the crimes that US police and prosecutors perpetrate against GLBT folks". If I remember it has some info on NYC. Link to it at http://www.amnestyusa.org/docu...

Amnesty International is not exactly thrilled with the crimes of the US, including its police agencies. Nor are they apologists for bigotry and crimes against humanity by US authorities, internally or in the oil colonies.  

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 20:31:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thanks

I never really did get much information to put all of this in perspective. I know I'll probably never travel there, like I'll probably never visit Florida, but it's nice to have a dissenting argument too to remind me to keep all my doors open so I can keep looking out each one.

"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, you must set yourself on fire!"

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by: Reiuji @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:32:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Exerpted from the Amnesty International 2009 report - nuff said?

Discrimination - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
There were continuing reports of mob violence against people, mostly men, perceived to be involved in same-sex relationships. The true extent of attacks on gay men was unknown as the subject is taboo and people do not report attacks for fear of exposure.

In August, a Molotov cocktail (petrol bomb) was thrown into a house in Clarendon, south central Jamaica, occupied by two men who were alleged to be gay. As the emergency services arrived, a small jeering crowd assembled outside the house. One of the men received burns covering 60 per cent of his body and was hospitalized for three weeks.
Death penalty

Question:  What does an atheist do when they fall to the floor and start "speaking in tongues"?

Answer: Get a CAT scan.

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by: Snooky Ookums @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 17:09:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What about other Caribbean destinations?

I have no intention of EVER visiting this shite island...but what islands are safe for LGBT?  How's Cuba or St. Maarten?  Bahamas?  Are these any better?

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by: RadarGrrl @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:29:17 PM CST

Puerto Rico is mostly fine

The island of Puerto Rico is considered among the most safe and welcoming to the gay community.  Great place to travel and vacation.   That said, locals enjoy the traditional homophobia arising from the machismo culture, a homophobia which is being almost institutionalized by an emerging religious right.

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by: mgarcia-ojeda @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 02:25:23 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Any French island is fine.

It's the former colonial islands that have taken themselves out of the protectorates that do not have to abide by the European Union laws (civil rights laws).

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.-- Thomas Jefferson

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by: Mykelb @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:34:12 PM CST

yes, I think all gays should leave jamaica

and then we should nuke it.

Just my humble little ol' opinion.

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by: Tom P @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:04:02 PM CST

Provided we do the same to Russia

I'm all for it. (snark)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:10:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

F*CK Jamaica

If a hurricaine comes and devastates it, I wouldn't give a dime.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:13:15 PM CST

The list of countries I dare not visit...

...still seems to be a long one.

It's depressing there are so many parts of the globe where my being killed is not only likely - but will be doine with the blessing or blind eyes of the authorities

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by: Sparky0 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 16:31:59 PM CST

This sounds like a Jamaican Kristelnacht.

Whatever they are doing in East Kingston is kind of like what Nazis are doing in the Jewish neighborhoods in Europe during Hitler's regime.

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by: Blood From Machines @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 17:01:44 PM CST

A different experience from another nearby Caribbean country

Indeed, homophobia is rampant in the Caribbean Islands. But I think its the Christian religion that contributes to it. The Anglo-Caribbean has a strong Christian influence and the Rastafarian religion is bible based. But don't dismiss the Caribbean as simply a hotbed of Homophobia.

There are pockets of tolerance for gays, in the most unlikeliest places. My family is from Haiti. Don't get me wrong...homophobia is alive and well in Haiti. However, the Vodou sects and vodou dance groups are tolerant of gays. I know some Haitian LGBT find solace in Vodou. Unfortunately, Vodou is a misunderstood religion. I don't practice Vodou, but I respect vodou more than Christianity these days. What makes Vodou interesting is that it is not touched by the Eurocentric Christian Puritan's view of sexuality...that is the root of homophobia in some black churches.

There was even a demonstration last year in Haiti where Gay men were addressing the issue of AIDS...nobody was killed.
I wonder if that would happen in Jamaica?

Of course, like I said homophobia is strong in Haiti. But I can tell you from experience a gay and lesbian Haitian will be teased or mocked, but not killed because of their orientation. Hunger and poverty is a bigger problem for most Haitian LGBTs than Homophobia. You would think Jamaica would think that way too. But Jamaicans have never been "Haitian hungry or Haitian poor"...now that's real struggle!
Haitians are worse off.

My point is to invest in another Caribbean country that has the potential to take a step in the right direction, than Jamaica.

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by: youngmaid @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 18:09:39 PM CST

To be fair it's Christianity PLUS

POVERTY. This sort of scapgoating spikes and becomes most dangerous when their are mobs of disenfranchised, unhappy people looking for someone to blame for their sad lot in life.

The Jews served that function in Germany in the 30s, gays have always served the function. Jesus, we see it in America today.  

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by: Clarknt67 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 18:35:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I've heard this about Vodou

Great comparison here between Jamaica and Haiti.

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 18:39:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The same sentiments...

were expressed by most states when they passed sodomy laws, making our sexuality illegal and a criminal offense and when the good folks of Rhea County Tennessee passed a law making it illegal to be gay.

Without making any sort of defense of the anti-GLBT swine in Jamaica, I think we have to admit that there are a lot of christers like them here too, and that they murder us here too.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone is a terrific commentary from some English jazzists - run foward to about 6 minutes to get the full flavor.

All those Americans who want to kill Jamaicans or condemn all Jamaicans should rethink their smug responses and keep in mind that homohating occurs in most countries and that across the board condemnations of whole peoples or religions does the struggle no good.

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 21:05:46 PM CST

Ding-Ding

We might as well nuke Utah and Mississippi to with that logic that people are using. I agree with you, donal.

And why are we holding Jamaica to a higher standard? Hmmmmmm...

(I'm not saying that Jamaica shouldn't be boycotted and things of that nature, by the way.)

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by: kevinchi @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 21:32:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]