Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Saturday, April 22, 2006

(Weekly Column)

In flowery billboards and endearing television ads, the Jamaicans look so incredibly friendly. On the website www.jamaicans.com, the slogan is "home away from home." In another ad campaign, the residents plead with benign smiles, "Come Back to Jamaica." But it turns out that Jamaica is not home if you're a homo, and you might come back from Jamaica in a body bag. For whatever reason, the locals have gone loco and gay bashing has replaced Jamaican bobsledding as the national sport.

An article in last week's Time Magazine calls Jamaica the "most homophobic place on earth." It points out that recently two of the island's leading gay rights advocates, Brian Williamson and Steve Harvey, had been ruthlessly slain. If that was not enough, a crowd essentially danced on Williamson's grave by celebrating over his mutilated body.

In 2004, a father learned his son was gay and went to his school to invite a group of peers to lynch his son. Now that's family values!

Not too long after this sickening episode, witnesses claim police egged on a mob that stabbed and stoned a gay man to death in Montego Bay. Earlier this year, a Kingston man, Nokia Cowan, drowned after a crowd shouting "batty boy" (a Jamaican slur for queer) chased him off a dock.

"Jamaica is the worst any of us has ever seen," Rebecca Schleifer of the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch explained to Time.

Despite this record, Americans continue to subsidize this slaughter by boarding ships destined for Jamaica to cruise and booze. This is unconscionable and you can bet there would be a much greater uproar if this abuse were happening to any other minority.

Sadly, Jamaica's curious anti-gay fixation is spreading to other parts of the Caribbean. In St. Maarten, two producers for CBS News were gay bashed by thugs weilding tire irons. The attack occured outside the nightclub Bamboo Bernie's, where Richard Jefferson, 51, and Ryan Smith, 25, were first harrassesed for being gay earlier in the evening by the assailants. The victims were airlifted for medical treatment to Miami. Jefferson, who has been released, said Smith was being treated for brain damage.

Additionally, Jefferson told the Associated Press that local authorities had not spoken to witnesses the night of the crime, nor had they pursued leads. Instead of St. Maarten's CSI, the police were MIA.

"The people who harmed us are well-known punks," Jefferson told reporters last week, according to the AP. "People in the community know who these guys are. They are not talking to the police. The entire island is watching something bad happening."

Two men were finally arrested this week, (one was already released) but their cowardly actions seemed to win the approval of a local newspaper, Today, that derisively referred to gay people as "faggots" and "homos." According to the unfathomable April 11, editorial:

"During and after World War II, it was considered common sport for military guys to let themselves be picked up by a faggot in a bar in Los Angeles or San Francisco. The one who was picked up would pretend to go along for the ride, only to turn around and beat up or rob the homo who picked him up, leaving him without wallet and sometimes teeth.

"All that has changed, of course, largely due to American laws that are being spread around the world. Gay bashing is now a no-no. Slurs against homos, a no-no. And beating a person over the head for flagrant public behavior that once was considered criminal misconduct is a no-no."

In a comparatively minor, but no less telling cultural barometer, the Bahamas banned Brokeback Mountain. It seems Nassau must decide if it is an island chain open to the world or a palm tree-lined prison where its pristine waters are merely a mote to drown tolerance and diversity.

Unlike other homophobic hotbeds in the Middle East, our community can exercise considerable leverage over these human rights abusers. While few Americans are going to spend a holiday in Jeddah or Tehran, we are frequently visiting the Caribbean. Many of our allies would gladly vacation elsewhere if they were aware that their gay friends and family members were being brutally attacked.

It is time for Americans to reassess their relationship with islands such as Jamaica, St. Maarten and the Bahamas. Either they welcome all of us, or none of us. But these "paradises" can no longer be playgrounds for heterosexuals and hunting grounds for homosexuals.

Here is a message that Jamaica might understand: "Aloha, Mon, friend of batty boy going to Hawaii."

31 Comments:

I went to the Caribbean a couple of times many years a go when it was friendlier to gays. However, just last year, my partner went to Jamaica. He had a great time, but I'm not certain that he was aware of Jamaican homophobia at the time. I frankly have no intention of setting foot in Jamaica, nor in countries like Saudia Arabia. Give me Scandinavia any day!
posted by Anonymous, at 4/22/2006 7:14 AM

If I ever vacation to any tropical place again, it will be Hawaii, or Fiji-something like that.

A delegation of ex gay supporters went there-DL Foster trumpeted it on his website.
I knew exactly why such people would go to and spend money in a place where gay people are violated and imprisoned.

So much for their message of compassion and helping you with the 'choice' for to be release and redemption from homosexuality.
Sure, what would YOU choose if you had a rock OR a hard place?
posted by Regan, at 4/22/2006 1:10 PM

Regan, before you pack your bags for Fiji you might want to consider their sodomy laws, which have been in the news the last few years due to a recent series of arrests. Fiji's religious community is also very fundamentalist and has been very active in anti-gay politics over the last couple of years.

Of course, if you're female, in Fiji as well as many (if not most) other countries with sodomy laws, these laws don't apply to you. There is no law against Lesbian sex in Fiji.

More info here:
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/fiji/fiji.htm
posted by Hayden, at 4/22/2006 9:47 PM

I guess my point is, do your research before choosing a travel destination. You would be surprised how many countries have anti-gay laws and are hostile to gays outside of the tourist traps.

Hell even Canada, which we see as the gay Utopia has a very gender biased age of consent law. The age of consent for heteros and lesbians is 14, whereas the age for gay males is 18. I don't understand why the gay community ignores this fact and allows this discrimination to go on unchecked.

Frankly I think 14 is a bit young but if it's good for the straight goose and lesbian gander it should be good for the gay goose.
posted by Hayden, at 4/22/2006 9:52 PM

Hmmm, thanks for that Hayden. I only mentioned Fiji cause I speak the language of that tropical place, but I can skip it too.
I know that hetero geared tourist info doesn't tell you what's gay friendly.
But OUT traveler does. And I do and will pay close attention next time.

I recently read an article concerning age of consent for one of the Bible belt states. The legislature made it sixteen instead of fifteen.
This after a 37 year old married and had the baby of her fifteen year old son's best friend.

I don't know why it isn't 18 across the board for legal consent, period.
But two gay ADULTS being treated worse than straight CHILDREN and adults, where legal marriage is concerned is really terrible.
After all, the one thing that will cement the likelihood that a straight pedophile can marry their VICTIM...is a pregnancy.

That this isn't considered more of an individual and societal impact than a gay marriage is insane.
posted by Regan, at 4/23/2006 1:30 PM

Rasta Man dont apologise to no batty bwoy.

http://www.freemuse.org/sw8022.asp
posted by Anonymous, at 4/27/2006 7:40 AM

More sensationalist reporting than anything else. The report would make one want to think that its hunting season on gays - but that's not true.

The incidences are true - but not the norm. Ask any recent visitor to Jamaica if this was the impression they laft with....
posted by Anonymous, at 4/28/2006 5:15 PM

Wayne,

Your work is so incredibly important. I learn something every time I read your column and the quality of your research (you do your homework!) helps me to see through the smoke and mirrors of those who are not really exhibiting the integrity they pretend (like Mary Cheney) or being intellectually dishonest and spiritually abusive (anti-gay conservative Christian organizations - that's almost universally redundant, I know, though there are exceptions).

Wayne - this is what *I* need your thoughts one- what I'd like you to write about - for me, and for our movement - the passivity of our movement (some of which is clearly because of the homophobia/ heterosexism and real risks of getting involved, some of which is because of the diversity of people in our movement who don't all agree on the same issues or see the same stakes in them, some of which is due to ignorance about our history as well as not knowing what we can do to make a difference, some of which is due to laziness or apathy, and some of which is due to other reasons I've not listed here.

Wayne, help us think more clearly about our movement for social justice. What can activists, for example, do to make it more likely that more of us (glbt folks and allies) will get involved in the struggle for social justice? What will inspire people who are lazy or apathetic (but who are "out") do to their part? What do you think our national GLBT organizations can do to be *more* effective? What can we do on a local level that that will be more effective?

Thank you for the weekly insight and inspiration, Wayne. You work has truly infused my own activism and you are literally saving lives with your work. I hope you know this profoundly.

In gratitude,
Christine
posted by Anonymous, at 6/10/2006 11:43 AM

Jamaican people are just EXTREMELY HATEFUL. Their religion is evil that is why they are so hateful. I was hated on and they tried to destroy me completely after I married and brought one of their indigent men to the greatest country in the world. PURE EVIL. I will never go back. That places gives me nightmares 10 years later. I have been trying to get Oprah and Dr. Phil to do a program on the subject but I guess the tourist industry won't let them touch it.
posted by Anonymous, at 8/15/2006 2:57 AM

Black Americans are being conned into marriages that should be classified as hate crimes. Instead of showing us outright hositility they are conning us to marry them to get to U.S. and before their feet hit the ground good they start abusing us mentally and physically. They steal every cent they can from us to send to their people and are destroying MANY lives. The department of immigration does nothing about it when you let them know the marriage you made is a fraud. They won't even let you annul it and you have to go through a full divorce. They abandon their children by american women because they weren't born in Jamaica. The people are uncivilized hatemongers. I have written a book about it called, "A Marriage made in Hell." It should be out in the Fall and will be sold at www.publishamerica.com. I want to get it into as many hands as possible. People need to be warned.
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posted by Anonymous, at 8/26/2006 1:59 PM

As one of Brian Williamson's nieces, I am offended by the comment that Jamaicans are "hateful". They certainly are not - as a group, most Jamaicans I know are tolerant, warm, and welcoming people. There is a problem with homophobia in Jamaica: no one knows that more than Brian's family and friends, who lost him so violently. But it is unfair, and untrue, to say that Jamaicans are more hateful than any other people. Unfortunately, hate is alive and well all over the world.

(Exactly which religion practiced in Jamaica is deemed to be evil? To the best of my knowledge, all Jamaicans do not practice the same religion...)
posted by Anonymous, at 12/12/2006 12:18 AM

These people are violent by nature and always have been throughout history. Just look at most parts of Africa: Rwanda, Somalia, all the people killing each other there. For that matter, look at inner city LA, Detroit, or New Orleans before Katrina. Savage is as savage does. I wonder if there are resorts off limits to these types, where Americans and Europeans can enjoy the pristine scenery without contact with the natives.
posted by Anonymous, at 3/23/2007 2:02 AM

Apparently you did little or no research when writing this piece, you bias has tainted the entire story. I am Jamaican and I have nothing against gays provided that you not all up in my face with it. Likewise i’m sure that gays wouldn’t want me constantly shouting that i’m a heterosexual. I kindly request that in the future u do more research.
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　　心中一阵不安升降机，因为我忽然又想起了那道剑光升降平台，可怕的剑光升降台，美丽的剑光登车桥。为什么那一剑是那么的美丽货架，却又那么的可怕呢集装袋？在我倒下之前我说地磅，好美的剑塑料托盘，好恨的剑塑料托盘。我倒下了仓储笼。在我失去知觉之前仓储笼，我听到他说北京货架，这叫艺术超市货架，剑的艺术北京货架。

　　我并没有死广州货架，原来我的心是在右边仓储货架，而是不是左边货架厂。所以在那穿胸一剑之下我并没有死南京货架。

　　是一阵暴雨把我冲醒了货架公司。听说雨是上天的眼泪深圳货架，也许这天又有人死在那美丽的剑光之下吧服装货架！我张开嘴巴托盘，任雨水打进我的嘴托盘，直冲我的胃塑料托盘。我的伤口又开始流血塑料托盘，但已经不痛了木托盘。试问：仓储笼一个心已经死了的人仓储笼，肉体上的疼痛又算得了什么呢仓储笼？我知道我的刀再练一百年也无法那么美丽仓储笼，那么恨托盘，而且永远别想杀了他托盘。

　　我退出江湖了手推车，我没有通知江湖上的朋友们静音手推车，并来一个什么金盆洗手静音手推车，因为我的朋友们差不多都被他杀了置物架。我悄悄的走了置物架，隐进了山林之中堆垛架。俨然一个世外高人的样子堆垛架，每天一壶绿茶登高车，放在身边的几上登高车，然后或盯着一朵白云超市手推车，或盯着一片树叶物流手推车，或双目紧闭物流台车。我的刀在玉盆中泡了七七四十九天角钢货架，已经没有血腥味了角钢货架。然后我把它放在我的屋顶轻型货架，任它风吹雨打轻型货架。

　　十年就这年过去了中型货架。为何今天天忽然想起那柄剑中型货架，那道剑光重型货架？而且内心为什么如此不安重型货架？不应该是这样的仓库货架，对于一个喝了十年绿茶的人来说服装货架，面对死上海货架，也已不再惧怕精品货架，不再不安苏州货架，但今天又为何如此呢托盘货架？

　　莫非是他青岛货架，和他的剑库房货架，加上他的剑光沈阳货架。我已不问江湖之事天津货架，想他十年前也应该坐上武林盟主的位子了杭州货架，一个武林中人做了武林盟主山东货架，这一生还有什么要求的呢文件柜？

　　我不停的喝着绿茶工具柜。绿茶静心工具柜。但此时怎么也静不下来零件柜。茶已尽工作台。平时茶尽之时工作台，正也是日落之时工作桌。

　　一定快有什么事情发生了工作桌。

　　剑还是那美丽的剑Google左侧排名，如果再加上一道剑光吹塑机，就会形成剑的艺术色带，武学的艺术电源插座。

　　我问反光背心：为何还来找我滚针轴承，我已在十年之前就退出江湖了夜光粉。

　　他说文化石：因为你没死缎带，因为我没有对手风火轮。

　　我说激光打标机：十年前已不是你的对手平衡机，何况现在十年未动刀大功率led。

　　他说磁力泵：放眼天下梯子，只有你一个人是我的对手网眼袋，也只你一个人对我的威胁无尘布。

　　我不再说话手摇手电筒，因为我不知道说什么手板，我知道我十年前就开始找我毛巾布，发现我没有死就开始找我磁钢。我不死促销台，他心不安模具钢材。

　　他说时尚配饰：拿出你的刀筛网。

　　我说齿轮泵：我已无刀天使花房，命托辊，亦可有可无色丁。

　　他盯着我广告衫，握剑的手越来越紧钢坯，我知道那道美丽的剑光可能随时发出过滤网。在那美丽过后疏水阀，我的生命将画上句号胸章。

　　阳光照在了刀上发热管，反射到他的脸上手机耳机。他发现了那把刀螺杆，我的刀插销，宝刀蝴蝶，没有鞘的刀工具包。

　　刀已在我手中点钞机，刀还是那把刀配电箱，人却已不是那个人流苏，因为心不是那颗心沙滩巾。

　　他为了杀我竟找了我十年氯化镁，而为了和我比武竟帮我从屋顶拿下我的刀来双面胶带，并放在我的手中碳纤维。我忽然发现排线，他也变了汽车座垫，他在后悔十年前将所有高手都杀绝珍珠奶茶。

　　高手的悲哀太阳伞。
　　我握紧了刀桥架，我看着他的眼tpr，已经不再像十年前那样明亮了钢丝。

　　他的剑划出柴油发电机组，划出一道美丽的剑光护栏。我想围栏，这十年他大概在不停地使自己的剑光更美围栏。

　　我的刀也出了隔离网。简单的动作隔离网，一刀刺进了他的胸网片。那道美丽的光忽然停止网片，停在我的衣服上南京货架。

　　他说北京货架：这也是艺术北京货架，杀人的艺术北京货架，想不到你十年不动刀还懂这个艺术仓储货架。

　　我说仓储货架：因为我不想再让你痛苦了广州货架。

　　他说广州货架：谢谢货架厂。

　　我走了货架公司。我头也不回的走了塑料托盘。没有取回我的刀塑料托盘，因为我觉得它在我身边已经没用塑料托盘，我后悔我十年前为什么不扔了它塑料托盘？我听到了尸体倒下的声音塑料托盘。我流泪了塑料托盘，我真的不想杀他仓储笼，十年前不想仓储笼，十年后也不想仓储笼，因为我下山时答应过师父仓储笼，一切让着他仓储笼。

　　我叹了一口气仓储笼。远去仓储笼。
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