Jamaica just like many other countries across the world has made great strides when it comes to advocating for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. The current successes, which have seen the country become more receptive must be celebrated as they have not been easy to achieve. For a long time, Jamaica was considered as one of the most homophobic nation owing to the discriminative policies against the LGBTQ. Perhaps the reason for this intolerance was the 1864 Offences against the Person Act, which prohibited buggery thus criminalizing homosexuality. Earlier Jamaican music, literature and other forms of art, which advanced violence against homosexuals, worsened the diverse effects of such legislation. Nonetheless, this situation has changed over the years owing to various proactive movements and agencies, which have continually advocated for equal treatment of all Jamaicans no matter their sexual orientation. Some of the most influential human rights groups advocating for fair treatment include Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG). The LGBQT social movements in Jamaica must continually engage with the policy makers to create a more receptive environment for all individuals in spite of their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Origins
The origins of LGBTQ social movement in Jamaica can be traced to 1864 when the Offences against the Person Act was passed criminalizing homosexuality. This act proposed a minimum of 10 years of imprisonment and hard labor for individuals convicted of buggery. The act culminated to the denial of basic rights and services for the members of the Jamaican LGBTQ community, which led to an increase in homelessness and HIV (Stewart, 2017). This particular act set the stage for LGBTQ movement as these individuals started seeking for redress to deal with this outright inequality. When Jamaica got its independence in 1967, it adopted the British Buggery law, which does not criminalize being an LGBTQ but the buggery conduct itself. This buggery law is still in use today and it has continued to define how the LGBTQ community is treated. However, it should be noted that Jamaica has adjusted the buggery law to match the global trend, which is more accommodative. As a result, the various human rights groups have engaged with the political players to create a friendly country towards achieving equality.
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The European Parliament, which is in great control of this Caribbean nation seeing that Jamaica was its colony, passed a resolution in 2005. This resolution aimed at calling Jamaica to repeal its age-old and discriminatory sodomy laws to combat the widespread homophobia. Portia Simpson, the Jamaican Prime Minister pledged that no Jamaican would be discriminated based on his or her sexual orientation (Human Rights First, 2015). This political goodwill created an environment for activists to advance for the cause of the LGBTQ community in this Caribbean nation. In spite of this political goodwill, the efforts to reduce criminalization and homophobia were slowed down in 2009 by Ernest Smith, who felt that homosexuality was taking over Jamaica at unprecedented rates. Smith proposed for stricter laws, which would help in outlawing homosexuality by imposing up to life sentences for the convicted.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms approved by the Jamaican Parliament in 2011 helped promote the fight against homophobia. This charter outlined that individuals ought to be protected from discrimination though it is not particular on discrimination on grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation. This obvious failure to protect individuals from being discriminated based on their gender identity and sexual orientation form the basis of the activist movement. According to the LGBTQ movements, it is time that all forms of discrimination are enshrined in the Jamaican constitution. The activists in Jamaica are of the idea that the parliament should include a broader definition of non-discrimination (Stewart, 2017). Doing this would ensure that all Jamaicans are treated equally in spite of their sexual orientation. The attempt by the activists to have the parliament extend non-discrimination to cover the LGBTQ community was unsuccessful and was thus excluded from the charter.
The murder of Dwayne Johnson in 2013 owing to his open display of undesirable sexual orientation brought a new perspective on the issue of discrimination. Following his death, the Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexual, and Gays (J-FLAG) established that 231 more Jamaicans had suffered discrimination owing to their sexual orientation (Human Rights First, 2015). Some of the obvious challenges that the LGBTQ community faced prior to Dwayne’s murder included denial of housing, medical and employment services, and opportunities. The murder of Dwayne forced the lawmakers and policymakers to rethink about their stand regarding the issue of discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Mark Golding, Jamaican minister of justice, felt that it was high time that all well-thinking Jamaicans embraced the concept of human rights for all persons (Human Rights First, 2015). In this case, Golding advocated for tolerance towards minority groups. More so, Golding hoped that violence against the minority groups should cease in as much as their lifestyle deviated from the majority’s norm. These sentiments were welcome by the various human right s movements championing for the rights of the LGBTQ communities in Jamaica.
Tactics/Protests/Organizing Strategies
The LGBTQ community in Jamaica has remained marginalized for a long time owing to the existing discriminatory policies and legislation. This form of discrimination is even evident in how the LGBTQ community members are denied basic services, which has, in turn, forced them to stay hidden in the backstreets. In spite of these obvious discriminatory practices, LGBTQ movements have not relented in their efforts to have their members treated equally with the other Jamaicans. The movements have continually engaged with the political players to amend the existing policies so that they can be included in mainstream society. However, their efforts have been futile seeing that Jamaica is yet to develop a responsive legal system, which includes the rights of LGBTQ persons. The police who are supposed to protect the LGBTQ individuals are in fact the very same people who advance homophobic treatment (White, Sandfort, Morgan, Carpenter, & Pierre, 2016). Assaulted individuals are not assured of police help, as the police are lax to take any form of action. This laxity is what has fuelled the need to have an overhaul to how the legal system works to enhance equality.
Human rights groups have made considerable effort to help Jamaicans to achieve equality based on their sexual orientation. Jamaica is part of numerous international treaties protecting the advancement and upholding of human rights of LGBTQ communities. For one, Jamaica is party to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This UN Human Rights Committee has established that the protection based on sex should be broadened to include gender identity and sexual orientation (Human Rights First, 2015). This provision is not in the Jamaican Charter of Jamaican Freedoms and Rights something that has fuelled the violence against the LGBTQ community. Jamaica is a member of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which advances for the protection of women against all forms of discrimination. Jamaica has done little to protect its women considering that women who engage in socially unacceptable sexual acts are subjected to imprisonment, public shaming, and violence. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has done much to ensure equal treatment of all Jamaicans in spite of their gender identity and sexual orientation (White et al., 2016). This agency has established that Jamaican sodomy laws are in contravention with the human rights that are enshrined in the American Convention on Human Rights.
Jamaican Human rights movement has added their voice to the international human rights bodies by advancing for the rights of the LGBTQ communities. Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG) is perhaps one of the most visible movements. This movement has continually sought avenues to ensure that the Jamaican constitution enshrines the rights of this community. J-FLAG, which was launched in 1998 has managed to transform the Jamaican culture which has for a long time judged the LGBTQ community harshly and violently. This movement has continually engaged with the international human rights groups to help the political leaders see the dangers of criminalizing the LGBTQ communities in Jamaica. Unlike at the beginning where this movement worked in the background, this movement organizes campaigns to enlighten Jamaicans. Latoya Nugget is perhaps one of the most visible leaders who are keen on championing for equality for this community. Latoya came out publicly as a lesbian and has done much to change how Jamaicans view and treat the LGBTQ members (Nelson, & Lloyd, 2015).
J-FLAG uses several strategies and tactics to protest the unfair treatment of the LGBTQ community by the police and the public. Some of the strategies that J-FLAG adopts are mild while others are meant to send strong messages that this community is relentless in its effort to ensure that they are treated with dignity. Some of the mild strategies that are adopted by J-FLAG and similar human rights groups include wearing t-shirts that bear strong messages. Examples of messages on the t-shirts include ‘ SOME PEOPLE ARE TRANS. GET OVER IT! ’ (Nelson, & Llyod, 2015) This slogan may appear mild yet it is sending a strong message that it is time accepted this fact and moved on. The Jamaicans cannot afford to keep on fighting the LGBTQ community since it is becoming a waste of time. Apart from the t-shirts, J-FLAG organizes debate competitions, cultural events, and social media campaigns to raise awareness regarding the LGBTQ issues in Jamaica. These strategies are seen as the best when it comes to mobilizing a supportive community as well as increasing the visibility of this vulnerable minority, which is facing unique struggles while navigating life in Jamaica.
Advocacy is seen as the best tactic to enhance equality in Jamaica seeing that protests may not yield similar results owing to the sensitive nature of homosexuality. These advocacy efforts are meant to empower the LGBTQ members so that they can champion for their own right. Women’s Empowerment for Change (WE-Change) is one of the advocacy groups that was created in 2014. This group comprising of lesbians, trans-genders, and bisexual women, aims at helping such women to advocate for their political, economic, and social rights in the Jamaican society (Nelson and Lloyd, 2015). Moreover, this advocacy group hopes to create safe zones where the minority groups can vocalize their issues, support one another, as well as socialize. Overall, these advocacy groups hope to reduce homophobia by educating the authorities, parents and guardian son the importance of embracing everyone in spite of their gender identity and sexual orientation. The efforts by the various advocacy groups may finally help to reduce violence against the LGBTQ communities if the responsible policymakers agree to enforce the proposed legislation.
Ripple Effect: Impact and Transformation
LGBTQ social movements and Jamaica has made numerous efforts to reduce intolerance and homophobia in Jamaica. At one point Jamaica was quite intolerant to the LGBTQ communities, which saw these individuals remain in the background with no one to advance their cause. However, all this has changed as numerous local and international human rights agencies have joined forces to call for equality in spite of ones gender identity and sexual orientation. J-FLAG is one of the most visible LGBTQ rights organizations that have dedicated itself for this transformation. This organization has relentlessly championed for the rights of the LGBTQ individuals through various aforementioned strategies and tactics. During its formation 20 years ago, LGBTQ human rights were downtrodden and there was no possibility that they would have a better future. 20 years later, this organization has achieved numerous milestones while championing for the rights of the LGBTQ individuals. In spite of the numerous challenges and oppositions, Jamaica is on the road to transformation as the concept of equality and non-discrimination is a global call.
Some few decades ago, Jamaica was considered as the most homophobic place on earth owing to the violence against the LGBTQ community. Songs were composed to advocate for the killing of homosexuals, which was based on the discriminatory policies and acts of parliament. However, all of this is in the past considering that this nation has become accommodative. Human rights societies advocating for increased tolerance and equality of LGBTQ individuals conduct their campaigns openly without fear of reprisal. More and more people are coming out openly and declaring their sexual orientation and identity. The US has played a major role when it comes to the realization of this major transformation by collaborating with the local civil society. The most visible effort by the US to transform how Jamaicans view the homosexuals was in 2015 when the then US President Barack Obama made a hallmark visit to Jamaica. Obama asserted that a time has come for every nation to uphold the rights of every human being no matter their overt and covert physical or social differences (West, & Noel, 2015). These efforts by the US have in turn seen more positive outcomes as the political players are more open to dialogue involving advancing the rights of the LGBTQ communities in Jamaica.
Present-day Jamaica is a far reflection of the British colony as it is more receptive and allows the LGBTQ community to thrive. For the first time, these individuals are free to come out without the fear of reprisal. A case in point is the breakfast party that was held at Hope Gardens in Kingston Jamaica where 200 individuals drawn from the LGBTQ attended. During this event, one would not fail to notice the same-sex couple dancing together with “ Miss Supermodel Intl 2018 ” being the highlight of this event. Faber (2018) concludes that this kind of event could not have happened a few decades ago due to the homophobic tag that resonated with this Caribbean nation. However, Jamaica has made great strides, which has helped remove the homophobic tag. This event is not the only reason for claiming that Jamaica has undergone a major transformation when it comes to LGBTQ issues. For the first time, Jamaica has an organization that focuses solely on trans-gender's health. It should be noted that prior to these transformations individuals with questionable sexual orientation and gender identity were denied basic healthcare services. TransWave Jamaica has come to end this discrimination by advocating for the wellbeing of the trans-genders (Moneymaker & Alatalo, 2017). It is hoped that similar organizations will come up to create more equality in Jamaica.
Creative Power: Symbols, Art and Music
The issue of sexual orientation and gender identity highly correlates with art music and symbols as it is a cultural and social phenomenon. Jamaica is one of the nations with a rich cultural value owing to its popular music that focuses on the existing social issues. The symbols, art, and music are reflective of the political stand related to the treatment of the LGBTQ community to a greater degree. Most of the popular musicians have done little to end the discrimination against the homosexuals, lesbians, transgenders, and bisexuals in Jamaica. Some of the popular musicians such as Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, TOK, Mavado and Shabba Ranks have openly advocated for violence against the LGBTQ community (West, & Noel, 2015). Most of their songs assert that gays and lesbians should be attacked and killed for a better Jamaica. Buju Banton one of the avowed homophobes 1992 song titled Boom Bye Bye openly suggests that gays have to die through being shot or by being burnt alive. This kind of music has done little to reduce homophobia thus derailing the efforts of the civil society.
Jamaican art and symbols have progressively helped to create a more accommodative environment for the LGBTQ community. Artwork that addresses LGBTQ-related issues is increasingly becoming acceptable which is a step in the right direction. Some of the common artworks depict men in various states of undress lying, standing, or posing at the beach (Breukel, 2011). While these images are not overtly sexual, they help to paint a modern picture of the place of homosexuality in modern Jamaica. However, it should be noted that artists are wary of the deep-rooted homophobic tendencies, which means that the exhibitions can only be done in galleries. Nonetheless, it is possible that this intolerance is about to end seeing that some Jamaican lawmakers are supporting various initiatives aimed at reducing homophobic tendencies. Some of the most popular campaigns aimed at enhancing gay rights are “ Unconditional Love ” and “Walk for Tolerance” (Breukel, 2011). These artistic campaigns are likely to change the Jamaicans perspectives as they move towards a more accommodative country.
Rastafarianism is the main symbol that is associated with this Caribbean nation. While most people may think that Rastafarianism is a cultural religion, it must be noted that it is part of Christianity, which has shaped the issue of LGBTQ. Essentially most Rastafarians are conservative when it comes to the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity, which contravenes the social and cultural norms. Attempts to infringe on this conservative religion have been met with resistance, as Jamaicans are not able to move out of their comfort zones (West, & Noel, 2015). Interestingly, this same religion advocate for brotherly love. One feels that it is time that brotherly love broke all the existing boundaries by embracing the LGBTQ community. There is no better way of demonstrating the need to embrace contrary thoughts and opinions than through art or music.
In conclusion, Jamaica just like any other nation in the world has had its fair share of challenges especially in the area of LGBTQ issues. The post-independence policies establish hefty punishment for individuals involved in buggery something that is yet to change. LGBTQ communities in Jamaica have continued to suffer from widespread discrimination, which has attracted the attention of international human rights and civil societies. Local civil society groups such as J-FLAG have done so much to champion for the rights of the LGBTQ community through engaging with policymakers and other strategies. The international community has engaged Jamaicans in finding effective ways of accommodating all individuals in spite of their gender identity and sexual orientation. Several artists have also made artworks, which aim at establishing that it is high time that Jamaica joined the rest of the world in accepting all in spite of their sexual orientation. The lawmakers should endeavor to make amendments to the existing discriminating rules and policies by collaborating with the existing civil societies. It is hoped that these little efforts are going to transform the Jamaican nation to reducing the homophobic tendencies to create a more accommodative nation for all Jamaicans.
Op-Ed
All human beings are equal but there are other human beings that are more equal. The issue of equality is a farfetched one especially when one considers the minority groups such as the LGBTQ communities. These groups of people have continually faced harsh criticism from the same individuals who are supposed to promote equality. These people only matter when the political leaders want to ascend to the seats of power since their votes matter. Since when did one's vote matter but their existence did not! It is time that the political class and other individuals in power practiced what they preach and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ.
Being gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual is a matter of choice just the same way an individual chooses to adhere to a particular religion or political party. I do not understand why society judges these individuals so harshly just because they made a choice and stuck with it. In fact, it is high time that society gave these individuals a chance to be who they choose to be. The increasing criticism does little to create a just society but instead creates an enlarged division.
Think about this, there are individuals out there who advocate for the killing of individuals affiliated to the LGBT communities. Since when did these people become judges of morality and who gave them that responsibility. Such calls are unnecessary seeing that such calls are backward and are taking back societies to the era of uncivilization. Perhaps it is time that these individuals advocated for a more accommodative society that cares for all.
Jamaica is one of the most famous nations owing to its vibrant cultural heritage most especially its global music. Yet with all this popularity, this nation has miserably failed to promote equality. The music, which is meant to connect this island nation with the rest of the nation, does the opposite making this nation more of a homophobic as opposed to a united nation. It is sad that individuals with a global brand can stoop so low to advocate for discriminative practices against their brotherhood.
Christianity, which is at the heart of the Jamaican religious culture, is meant to be tolerant towards all. In spite of widespread Christianity in the form of Rastafarianism, Jamaica is yet to extend the concept of brotherhood and forgiveness. One then is left to wonder about what is good about religion, which is divisive. It is high time that the Jamaicans understood that ‘one love’ as the central theme of the Rastafarianism must be evident in how Jamaicans treat the members of the LGBTQ.
This is a modern era and as such, individuals must change their thinking to align with the modern thoughts. LGBTQ rights are a global phenomenon and any conscious nation must craft policies to advance this global phenomenon no matter its political, cultural or religious perspectives. Choosing to oppose such a global phenomenon does little as it only creates an avenue for increased resistance and uprising.
I would like to applaud all the individuals and civil rights societies which have not relented in their effort to see a more accommodative Jamaica. Coming out and accepting one's sexual orientation and gender identity is not a simple task considering the rigid social and political environment in this nation. I hope more people will join in this fight to ensure that Jamaica rids its homophobic tag which it has held for long. It is high time that all Jamaicans felt part of this island nation instead of feeling as if they are an unwanted lot. The day that Jamaica embraces all people in spite of their gender identity or sexual orientation is not long overdue as all signs point to that possibility. All we can do is to hope and wait.
References
Breukel, C. (2011). Something queer about Jamaican art. Hyper Allergic Media Inc . Retrieved on 8 April 2019 from https://hyperallergic.com/32138/something-queer-about-jamaican-art/
Faber, T. (2018). Welcome to Jamaica – no longer ‘the most homophobic place on Earth’ The Guardian. Retrieved on 8 April 2019 from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/dec/06/jamaica-lgbt-rights-activists-pride-two-decades-of-progress-j-flag
Human Rights First. (2015). “The World as it should be” Advancing the Human Rights of LGBT People in Jamaica. Retrieved on 8 April 2019 from http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/HRF-Jamaica-Report-final.pdf
Moneymaker, J. M., & Alatalo, R. (2017). Jamaica’s first organization to solely focus on transgender health and well-being. Outright Action International. Retrieved on 8 April 2019 from https://www.outrightinternational.org/content/jamaica-first-organization solely-focus-transgender-health-and-well-being
Nelson, J., & Lloyd, K. (2015). Latoya Nugent, Jamaica. Americas Quarterly. Retrieved on 8 April 2019 from https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/latoya-nugent-jamaica
Stewart, Z. (2017). The Legacy of British Rule on LGBT Rights In Jamaica and the Cayman Islands . The University of Southern Mississippi. Masters Theses. 322.
West, K., & Noel, M. C. (2015). Predictors of prejudice against lesbians and gay men in Jamaica. Journal of Sex Research, 52 (3), 296-305.
White, Y., Sandfort, T., Morgan, K., Carpenter, K., & Pierre, R. (2016). Family relationships and sexual orientation disclosure to the family by gay and bisexual men in Jamaica . International Journal of Sexual Health , 28 (4), 306-317.
