Jamaican Tourism Minister Shrugs off Violence Against Gays. Jim Burroway and Tim Kincaid of Box Turtle Bulletin have earned the scorn of the homophobic Jamaican government for daring to point out the increasing violence against its own LGBT citizens while courting U.S. tourism dollars. It’s worth the read.
Check out this bold letter to the editor from a die hard homophobe – the writer is miffed at the idea that people would stay away from the island nation because of its hostility toward gay citizens.
It fully angers me to hear that this group of foreigners think they can dictate the policy and laws of another sovereign nation because they trade products and services with them. It was selfish, shortsighted thinking like this that led to Haiti being in the state it currently is.Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett apparently doesn’t give a damn about his countrymen and women either. Read below the fold.I always thought that the laws of a nation were dictated by what that society decided was right and wrong and that we were in a world where, if my countries laws and polices were not the same as yours, we could agree to disagree.
Radio Jamaica:
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has brushed off calls by homosexual groups for a tourism boycott of Jamaica and Jamaican products.Come to Jamaica and feel all right…In recent weeks, these calls have come from several organisations in Canada, the United States and Europe.
The gay rights groups claim that Jamaica is a homophobic society where gays and lesbians are at risk of being violently abused by their fellow citizens. They claim the Jamaican government has not done enough to stop violence against homosexuals.
Mr. Bartlett told the RJR News Centre that the letter sent by the group is now before the Prime Minister who will deal with the issue in due course. He however dismissed the calls by the gay rights groups that the Jamaican tourism product should be boycotted.
Related:
* ‘Hated to Death’ in Jamaica
* LGBT-affirming church in Jamaica faces violence
* A Bashing in Jamaica
10 Responses to “Jamaican government - tourism first; violence against LGBTs A-OK”
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I always thought that the laws of a nation were dictated by what that society decided was right and wrong and that we were in a world where, if my countries laws and polices were not the same as yours, we could agree to disagree.
Multiculturalism used as an argument in favor of eliminationism. Wheee!! I wish I could say this was the first time I’d seen someone try to do that.
I always thought that the laws of a nation were dictated by what that society decided was right and wrong and that we were in a world where, if my countries laws and polices were not the same as yours, we could agree to disagree.
Um, that also means I don’t have to give you my money by visiting your country when I don’t agree with your policies. I certainly hope this affects their tourism.
I remember there being calls for a boycott after some particularly egregious incidents last year–are there any stats on whether or not it’s had any impact, or is it tough to tell given the general sucky state of the global economy?
I always thought that the laws of a nation were dictated by what that society decided was right and wrong and that we were in a world where, if my countries laws and polices were not the same as yours, we could agree to disagree.
We can agree to disagree, but that doesn’t mean I have to come over to your house and give you lots of my money.
Note that all that’s being asked for here is that laws against assault, homicide, etc., presumably already in place, be enforced–i.e., that the cops comport themselves with the most modest degree of professionalism.
And for some reason, they said no.
So it’s not simply about G/Ls not getting the protection in Jaimaica that they should. It’s also that Jamaicans probably don’t either.
By itself, that’s a good-enough reason for nobody to go there.
Obviously, this is about homophobia. But if Jamaicans haven’t figured out how to get their cops to toe the line for Jamaicans, then getting them up to par for a bunch of tourists is probably the least of their law enforcement problems.
Note that all that’s being asked for here is that laws against assault, homicide, etc., presumably already in place, be enforced–i.e., that the cops comport themselves with the most modest degree of professionalism.
And for some reason, they said no.
So it’s not simply about G/Ls not getting the protection in Jaimaica that they should. It’s also that Jamaicans probably don’t either.
By itself, that’s a good-enough reason for nobody to go there.
Obviously, this is about homophobia. But if Jamaicans haven’t figured out how to get their cops to toe the line for Jamaicans, then getting them up to par for a lot of tourists is probably the least of their law enforcement problems.
Ultra Magnus you obviously do not understand freedom, markets, free markets, and market freedoms
The local LGBT rights group in Jamaica was actually against calling for a tourism boycott, certainly in early March. But they were also trying to get a meeting with the Tourism Minister back then, and evidently he’s not going to.
Sorry about the double post, y’all.
I’m a Jamaican citizen (living in Canada).
This homophobia isn’t something that popped up overnight; it’s simply a part of Jamaican culture–the end. I am not a homophobe and nor is every single Jamaican citizen but this is the general way of things there and despite how much I don’t like it because every human being should at least be entitled to respect and not being killed for who they are; it is my home. Moreover, though I don’t agree with it, I also understand why many Jamaicans think like this; a topic too complicated to explain here.
Also, the entire country is in shambles; the police can’t protect anybody and crime is spiraling out of control due to poverty, gangwars and drug-abuse. The police should be defending all peaceful citizens from danger and if they can’t even do that for my people; how can you possibly expect them to do it for anyone else?
If this article has touched a cord with anyone, I would highly suggest you read up on my country and it’s circumstances before passing judgements.