Anti-Homophobia Candidate Returns To Jamaica Prime Minister Office

For years I have encouraged LGBT tourists to avoid Jamaica like the plague given the government backed homophobia and anti-gay violence that have been the norm in the poverty stricken island nation. Recently, Portia Simpson Miller’s People’s National Party defeated the incumbent Labor Party in a landslide victory in Parliament and she will be returning to Government House as Prime Minister. The Labor Party has shown itself only too willing to engage in gay bashing for political gain much like Rick Santorum. During the December election campaign, Simpson Miller (pictured at left) came out against the “buggery” law in Jamaica that criminalizes homosexual behavior — though she refused to vow to push for its repeal. Thus, it will be interesting to see to what extent the Jamaican government will stir away from institutionalized homophobia. I would not encourage a resumption of tourism to Jamaica just yet, but the situation bears watching. Here are highlights from the Washington Blade:

Portia Simpson Miller’s People’s National Party won a landslide victory in Parliament over the ruling Labor Party in Jamaica yesterday, giving her a second run at her previous role as first female Prime Minister of that Caribbean nation.

Jamaica is well known for its severe homophobia around the world, and in the past decade, many instances of serious anti-gay violence in Jamaica have caught the attention of the international media. In addition disgraced former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, had vowed to keep gays out of his Cabinet, a policy supported by Simpson Miller’s opponent, and outgoing Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who stepped in to take Golding’s place upon his resignation two months ago.

In a nationally televised December debate between Holness and Simpson Miller, the People’s National Party leader came out against the “buggery” law in Jamaica that criminalizes homosexual behavior — though she refused to vow to push for its repeal. “Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans,” Simpson Miller responded. “No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide the protection.”

In addition, when both candidates were asked if they would appoint qualified LGBT MPs to their cabinet, Holness remained steadfast to the existing policy while Simpson Miller refused to apply a litmus test of that sort to her cabinet candidates.

Time will tell whether or not Jamaicans recognize that homophobia and the embracing of religious based hate and ignorance are not in their nation's long term best interests. Simpson Miller's remarks are a possible start. Jamaica is a physically beautiful country, but the all too prevalent anti-gay atmosphere make it an ugly place nonetheless.