It has been over twenty-five years now since I traveled to Jamaica on business on two occasions when I was in-house counsel for an American oil company. One trip involved meetings with governmental officials in Montego Bay and Kingston in negotiations for an exploration concession agreement. The second trip involved a formal signing ceremony at Government House - I was seated at the table with Edward Seaga, the prime minister - followed by a reception in Kingston and then a weekend of festivities in Ochos Rios on the north side of the island with Jamaican government officials and representatives of our partner, Agip, the Italian national oil company. Traveling by car across the island, what I saw was a beautiful island, generally very friendly people, and a place that I thought I would always want to visit again.
I do not know what has happened to Jamaica and its populace in the intervening years, but the mind set and homophobia seems to have taken a horrific turn for the worse. I for one, would NEVER go back until huge changes take place in terms of government action to stop anti-gay violence. As for why things have become so awful, I do not know. Perhaps the Christian church denominations have been taken over by the Jamaican equivalent of the Christian Right and anti-gay hatred has been instilled in the younger generation. I believe gay tourists need to avoid Jamaica like a plague and also encourage their friends to spend their travel dollars in more gay-friendly destinations. Here are highlights from Box Turtle Bulletin (http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/04/07/1767):
With their “Come to Jamaica and feel alright” campaign, the island nation seeks to present itself as a paradise for vacationing Americans. But sadly, the Jamaican society does not seem to believe that reality need live up to their media image.
Recent attention has been given to the violence against gay persons in the country. And resulting from the attacks on gay men, MCC has called on the country to repudiate such violence and to take steps to ensure the safety of the gay men and women who live there. Now Jamaicans in position of influence have given their response. Today Radio Jamaica reports that the Tourism Minister is not concerned about the efforts of MCC or other “homosexual groups."
But at least one Jamaican business recognizes that anti-gay violence does not sell well outside of a homophobic culture. Brewing company Red Stripe says it will not sponsor several upcoming concerts in Jamaica because of increasingly violent lyrics. The company has withdrawn thousands of dollars (euros) in sponsorship from the popular “Reggae Sumfest” and “Sting” reggae show. Musicians are glorifying violence in what has become a worrisome trend, the company said in a statement Friday.
What is missing from the conversation in Jamaica is the voice of reason, the voice of non-violence, the voice of decency. When confronted with murder, the response is, “How dare you criticize me?” and no one seems to find this concerning.
Perhaps Minister Bartlett shares the homophobia that is rampant in Jamaican society. Or perhaps he fears the condemnation he would receive as a result of being perceived as inadequately hostile to homosexual activists such as me. But if he cares about the future of his nation’s economy and stability, he might be better concerned that his nation not come to be seen by the American public as a hostile and violent place and he might wish to consider that the tourists he seeks to draw do not often share his culture’s fear and revulsion of gay men and women.
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