NO Love, NO Heart: Homophobia in Jamaica

After reading an article this week entitled "The Most Homopbhobic Place On Earth?" ( http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html ) I had to write this blog.  Jamaica has long been a travel destination for many tourists, a place of beauty and a place where any and all were welcome to relax and have fun. Now it is considered HELL if you're a gay man or woman traveling to the country.  Jamaicans believe that homosexuality is demoral and even CRIMINAL! Sodomy is considered punishable with jail time!

My post comes after seeing a despicable video of a many being beaten by several Jamaicans while bystanders stood by, watched and even assisted them in beating this gay man until he was no longer able to even fight and they burned him ALIVE. I won't post this video because of it's graphic and disturbing nature.

You've most likely heard in the news the stories of people like Beenie Man and Buju Banton, reggae stars who spew anti-gay lyrics in many of their songs including "Boom Bye Bye" which is about killing gay men.  Buju Banton has been accused of beating gay men, spilling acid on them and burning them alive.  He's a despicable example of a human being and trend setter.  Thankfully he and his cohorts of reggae stars have been blocked from touring in the US costing them thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

The Face of HATE: Reggae Star, Buju Banton

To be out in Jamaica means to be dead basically.  People are in so much fear of coming out in Jamaica due to the hostile nature of their countries residents.  Even gay tourists who have travelled to Jamaica have to live in fear as some of them have been killed themselves.  And what does the countries police do about it? NOTHING. It's basically not seen as illegal in their country
 (http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/story.php?title=killing-gays-in-the-bahamas-is-practically-legal).

Hated to Death (as many are in Jamaica)

LGBT rights groups are working actively to change this countries policies which sees the highest murder rate of any country. Many are hoping that new prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, will change the laws in Jamaica making it a more gay friendly place, but that most likely won't be seen for years and years to come.  Until then, I urge many to not travel to Jamaica or support a country who is so anti-LGBT.  They need to get with the times and see that their anti-gay rhetoric and hate only drives them further into the hole of desolance, despair and the HELL in which they continue to build for themselves.