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Homophobia or Propaganda?
Assessing Jamaica's Perception as 'Most Homophobic Country'
The Associated Press' recent report of a transgender teen murdered by a mob in Jamaica further fueled the reputation of Jamaica as being the ''most homophobic country on 'earth." But the story also brought to the fore the latest trend to gain attention by some members of the gay community in Jamaica.
Let me begin by adding my voice of condemnation against the senseless death of Dwayne Jones. It is rather deplorable that there are persons who resort to deadly violence when they are offended by the actions of another person. It is my fervent hope that those responsible will be soon brought to justice.
Deliberate Acts of Provocation
As the story is told, Dwayne attended a ''straight'' party with other cross dressers, with the expressed intention to deceive his targets. His disguise was so perfect that he was highly sought after by several straight men who danced with him before the ruse was discovered. He subsequently met his death at the hands of the infuriated mob.
That being said, it is quite incomprehensible to me that a young man who lived in constant fear of his life, having been ostracized from school, home, and community, would decide that his best course of action would be to attend a 'straight' party and pretend to be a female. And what of his friends -- who were all adults -- were they on the same mission? Were they also pretending to be women? Why was Dwayne targeted? Did his friends attempt to get police help when things got out of hand?
Tolerance Doeso Exist in Jamaica
Jamaica is far more tolerant of gays than its detractors want to publicize. As a Jamaican by birth, I can attest to the fact that effeminate men have always been prominent in the country. They walk the streets of downtown Kingston daily, flaunting themselves. Had there been routine attacks on effeminate men, the country's population would be half the size it is now. Sure, effeminate boys may be teased by schoolmates, but the same sort of attitude is displayed towards anybody deemed ''different," as does happen in any other society.
In recent times there have been several reports of homosexuals deliberately attempting to incite violence from groups of Jamaicans in public places, seeking to provide evidence that Jamaica is a homophobic culture. I dare say, had this homophobia really existed, there would not be the need for their orchestrated efforts around the country. I strongly suspect that Dwayne Jones was chosen for martyrdom by his group of friends who wanted to use him to further their cause. These are the very friends who watched him die, and who should be found partly responsible for his death.
Assessing Jamaica's Perception as 'Most Homophobic Country'
The Associated Press' recent report of a transgender teen murdered by a mob in Jamaica further fueled the reputation of Jamaica as being the ''most homophobic country on 'earth." But the story also brought to the fore the latest trend to gain attention by some members of the gay community in Jamaica.
Let me begin by adding my voice of condemnation against the senseless death of Dwayne Jones. It is rather deplorable that there are persons who resort to deadly violence when they are offended by the actions of another person. It is my fervent hope that those responsible will be soon brought to justice.
Deliberate Acts of Provocation
As the story is told, Dwayne attended a ''straight'' party with other cross dressers, with the expressed intention to deceive his targets. His disguise was so perfect that he was highly sought after by several straight men who danced with him before the ruse was discovered. He subsequently met his death at the hands of the infuriated mob.
That being said, it is quite incomprehensible to me that a young man who lived in constant fear of his life, having been ostracized from school, home, and community, would decide that his best course of action would be to attend a 'straight' party and pretend to be a female. And what of his friends -- who were all adults -- were they on the same mission? Were they also pretending to be women? Why was Dwayne targeted? Did his friends attempt to get police help when things got out of hand?
Tolerance Doeso Exist in Jamaica
Jamaica is far more tolerant of gays than its detractors want to publicize. As a Jamaican by birth, I can attest to the fact that effeminate men have always been prominent in the country. They walk the streets of downtown Kingston daily, flaunting themselves. Had there been routine attacks on effeminate men, the country's population would be half the size it is now. Sure, effeminate boys may be teased by schoolmates, but the same sort of attitude is displayed towards anybody deemed ''different," as does happen in any other society.
In recent times there have been several reports of homosexuals deliberately attempting to incite violence from groups of Jamaicans in public places, seeking to provide evidence that Jamaica is a homophobic culture. I dare say, had this homophobia really existed, there would not be the need for their orchestrated efforts around the country. I strongly suspect that Dwayne Jones was chosen for martyrdom by his group of friends who wanted to use him to further their cause. These are the very friends who watched him die, and who should be found partly responsible for his death.
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