How do you feel about Jamaica's attitude towards homosexuality?

Question

http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20080403/news/news1.html

I personally do NOT agree with violence towards homosexuals.

On the other hand, i believe that the politically high-handed approach of many lobby groups WILL lead to increased aggression. EXTREME and UNNECESSARY aggression.

The 'religious' and social basis for Jamaicans' position is DEEP-ROOTED. It is a deep reality here that can't be changed overnight.

I believe that they would be more successful if they attempted to tackle the specific social issues related to the widespread homophobia. I have YET to read a document that has studied it without having irrelevant biases - Such as being biased against 'dancehall music', etc.

Priority #1 should be stopping the HATE CRIMES.

Subsequent priorities need to be about shifting attitudes. If popular opinion doesnt shift, the government WILL NOT legalize anything.

Answer 1

wow.

Answer 2

Personally, I think it is wrong.

But I would never resort to harming a person just because of their sexual preference. It's THEIR choice and in the end it's THEIR life.

Answer 3

am jamaican and in jamaica if they see a g*y guy they will beat him so most of the time g**s them look str8

Answer 4

I think violence directed towards any individual who is different (be them g*y, black, etc.) is a result of ignorance and disgusting. The reality is, Jamaica is a poor country with an undereducated population. The frustration is compounded by the fact that poor Jamaicans have to see, every day, tourists spending more money in a day then they make in a week. Unfortunately they like to take out their frustration on a perceived weaker group, g*y people. What I find so ironic is that Jamaica is populated by predominately black people, a group that many people look down upon. You would figure that they would be more empathetic towards other groups that are looked down upon instead of taking out their anger on them.

The reality is, in this day and age, many people view discrimination towards homosexuals as reprehensible. If this continues to get publicized Jamaica will lose a lot of tourist business, something its fragile economy can ill afford.

Answer 5

It is never acceptable to use violence on a person just because of his or her sexuality. That's disgusting and rather hypocritical, when you think about it. Everyone is different, it's just more obvious with some more than others. The only way to change that is to promote tolerance. You don't have to like it, but you have to tolerate it, and be respectful. It's going to be a gradual thing, but it's something that people like you need to start. The more people who join in, the harder it will be to go against the grain.

Not too long ago, America was the same way toward homosexuals. There are some places that still seem to be that way, but no matter how slow, progress is progress.

Answer 6

There is never any excuse for physically assaulting anyone. Bottom line. However, let's not just target Jamaica. Many countries in the world have not come around to the thinking that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. For instance, not too long ago the Cayman Islands prevented a g*y cruise ship from docking in their country. And homosexuality is still a crime in many Arabic and African countries. It's simply that the visibility of dancehall artists and their anti-g*y lyrics has placed Jamaica in an unfortunate position. It is nothing but an act of arrogance when other countries try to FORCE their "newly-found awareness" on to other countries, simply because they are more powerful in the world. They themselves took centuries to come around to the thinking that g*y rights are valid, and in many quarters of those countries, there are people who still do not buy into it.

Also, anti-homosexual feelings and values have nothing to do with education, to whoever said Jamaicans are undereducated. As the asker stated, attitudes towards homosexuality in many countries around the world have to do with religion, culture and tradition. Just as women, people of African descent and Jews, for instance, are still battling for rights and against discrimination despite centuries of fighting, g**s will also have to endure the slow wheel of change.

Answer 7

Hate crime??

I've never understood 'hate-crimes' being treated any different from any other crime. They're all crimes.

Answer 8

i feel that homosexuality is very very g*y

Answer 9

buggery laws. that's funny.

Answer 10

verry g*y

Answer 11

I think that every crime, ultimately, is a 'hate crime.'

However, I do think that people who deliberately attack, physically or verbally, another person because of his or her sexuality, are as wrong as can be, and are failing to understand complex psychological issues pertaining to human psychosexuality.

That is a shame that Jamaica is so homophobic- but here in America, the same attitudes exist, albeit they may be slightly different or less draconian.

All of the people whom responded above with commentary such as "homosexuality is g*y," et cetera have immature and myopic attitudes towards their fellow humankind. Let's be real about this, ladies and gentlemen. Homosexuality has been on this planet for a long time. Is it time for you to grow up and accept other people without resorting to infantile name-calling? (Stingjam, this question isn't directed towards you- this is directed towards those people who had answers that were sophomoric and narrow minded).

I know a lot of people hate President Bush. But you know what, I don't hate him. In fact, I like him. Did you know that one time, someone surreptitiously recorded the President while asking him questions about g*y people- and the President only had kind, gentle, compassionate words about this matter? It's true. How magnanimous.

I also agree that violence against homosexuals is wrong. Violence is wrong, period. There are only a few extreme situations where violence can do anything to better the lives of people. Case in point, the war in Iraq. Some people will not listen to reason. They have to be persuaded with might.

g*y people are not bad people. I am not against g**s. I only have a problem with the sins they commit. But let me clarify something, I am no different. I am no better. I sin, too. Sin is sin, and God doesn't see any difference. Only people choose to see differences, and that can lead to hypocrisy. I am no better than a g*y person- therefore, I love g*y people, because they are my neighbors. I do not approve of their choices, but you can love someone and not approve of their actions. These people are not weird or inferior. They are human beings, with dignity. We should respect them.

As I said above, gaiety has been around since time immemorial. There were a group of soldiers in ancient Greece who did everything together, and that included having sexual relations. But these men were fearsome warriors- they were strong, robust, and struck fear into their enemies. Would you call those brave men 'g*y?'

What about the magnificent Samurai? They also could choose either gender for mates. Would you call a Samurai warrior a weak man? Effeminate? Personally, I wouldn't. I think that the Samurai were noble fighters. I am not condoning homosexual acts- I am just saying that these are facts about history.

America just needs to grow up. A lot of people have narrow minded ideas here. We should embrace our fellow man and woman. That does not mean that we approve of their selections- it just means that we can overlook their choices, and see the person behind those choices.

EDIT:

As I read some of the previous answers, I feel that some people could be more sensitive about this topic.

Sonny G- I wonder if you are a Christian?

Think about this for a moment- what would Jesus say to those g*y people that you hate?

We should love the sinners- but not the sin.

TRUE Christians will know that God wishes us to love g*y people. Period.

None of us 'straight' folks are perfect, so we can't throw proverbial stones.

Answer 12

Real Jamaicans dont agree nor apologise to NO BATTYBOYS.Jamaicans believe in the bible and Jesus and when he was creating the earth he made Adam and Eve not Adam and steve.i hope you see the point tht i am trying to make that Jamaica doesn't approve it and the bible doesn't so i think it is 100% wrong.

Answer 13

Atitudes towards sexuality are not universal. Different cultures have different rules, and true tolerance is about accepting these rules around the world. America has its own rules. Others will beg to differ:

1. At some point in social history, it was OK to marry and have s*x with a 14 year old 'woman'. In some USA states, this may STILL be legal. In other states its pedophilia...a s*x crime. This is an 'intolerant' part of AMERICA's social rules, and is also not universal (noting that MANY religious/historic texts - not just christian - involve marriages of children who are this young).

2. In some countries it is illegal, indecent and immoral to kiss a woman in public. Not even on the cheek. (Richard Gere in India???)

3. In some countries a man must NOT be in private (behind a closed door) with a woman who is not his direct family member.

4. In Jamaica, homosexual public displays of affection are NOT acceptable. Thats a fact. Most would prefer it to be totally ILLEGAL just like in India.

5. The U.S.A. Military still has a "don't ask don't tell policy".

JAMAICANS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO TOLERATE THINGS THAT VIOLATE THIER OWN SOCIAL NORMS.

I say:

1. Push for HATE CRIMES laws, that would ESCALATE the seriousness of assaults against g**s, rastafarians, and anyone else that could get beaten 'just because peopel dont like them'.

2. Make certain PUBLIC displays of affection ILLEGAL, so that the peoples' widespread beliefs are reflected in law.

True tolerance means respecting cultures of societies other than your own. Everyone cannot (and should not) share America's beliefs.

Answer 14

As a proud Jamaican and a proud American let me just say that I do not like g*y people...I like the fact that Jamaica is a country with Christian traditions that frown on homosexuality, I'm glad that they coninue to look at it as something disgusting and wrong, and if the g**s dont want any violence directed towards them, then they shouldnt be there, or at least not be open practitioners of their disgusting habit while they are there.

Jamaica's tourist industry would continue to do just fine without the money that homosexuals bring to the island, there are plenty of other countries in the world that these people can visit. In this society (America) we are told that we must embrace all beliefs no matter how bizzare or wrong they are, and unfortunately too many people believe that. I have a problem with g**s and their way of life, and I'm glad that there are still places like Jamaica where they say that it's okay to dislike g**s. Why should Jamaica change just because it makes g**s (who arent welcome there anyway)uncomfortable???

Answer 15

i applaud your efforts and i agree that hate crimes are wrong but face it the police is just as anti-g*y as the rest of Jamaica. We are ignorant people like it or not and i dont see any change of our behavior towards g**s in the near future.

and u know wat else if the g**s feel like they r not safe they shud isolate themselves....i know this may sound immature and unintelligent but I THINK WE SHUD SHIP OUT ALL THE g**s TO AN ISLAND BY THEMSELVES WERE THEY CAN DO AS THEY PLEASE CUZ WE DONT WANT THEM HERE!!!!

Answer 16

Look all the g**s and other people that support g**s need to get over themselves and the fact that Jamaica does not support it. WE WILL NEVER GET IT. Let us be, we dont support it, u do let it stand at that.  Jamaica would rather sink more. there are alot more important issues that lack attention. issues having to do with life and death. homosexuality is not half or a quarter important keep it to urselves. who dont like it s***w u. case close.

Answer 17

Most of my sentiments have been expressed by HoHo, Mark H and Fatdude4... except that I think people should be encouraged to change their mindset IF their thinking and subsequent actions are to the detriment of a specific group of people.  Whenever I hear this kind of reasoning I think back to slavery and wonder where we would be if a few people had not dared to defy the general concensus of the time.

Also, I don't have a problem with homosexuality.  I don't think it's a sin; I think it's as natural as being left/right-handed, black/white or short/tall human beings.

@HoHo, the irony you mentioned has always amazed me about blacks.  One WOULD think that we would be more empathetic towards people who face discrimination simply because they are considered different....  That and the whole hypocrisy of Jamaicans' attitude towards homosexual men and women.  If homosexuality is soooo sinful, why then are these "sins"  more easily tolerated when committed by women rather than men?