Jamaica, why rejoice over eviction of homeless gay men?
There are times I am disgusted to be a middle-class Jamaican Christian and this is one such occasion. The majority of my class and country rejoice at the continued homelessness of 16 desperate gay citizens who are once again hounded from their latest refuge, this time by police officers wearing masks and gloves. A day after their very public eviction the abandoned house that these human beings had inhabited was demolished, no doubt to prevent further “infestation.”
As usual, the Jamaica Observer (owned by Gordon Butch Stewart of Sandals Resorts) takes despicable delight in pandering to this homophobic class warfare. It is as if we REALLY think the growing challenge of homeless gay men will be met by chasing them from place to place, perhaps until we succeed in pushing them into the Caribbean sea.
And instead of seeking to extend a hand of compassion to these displaced souls, the fundamentalist Jamaican churches expend resources on mounting massive anti-gay marches, all in the name of a “healthy society.”
There are simply not enough negative epithets to describe the callous uncaring behaviour of the Jamaican faith community with regard to its treatment of these and other homosexuals. However, Barbara Gloudon, a popular radio talk-show host and committed Anglican parishoner does a fair job of summarizing it. On her widely heard programme on Thursday, July 4, she asked: “Are we saying that these young men are so noxious that no one, not even the church, can help them?”
Recent coverage of homeless gays in Jamaica:
- JFLAG blames family abandonment for gay’s ‘rowdy’ behaviour (Jamaica Gleaner, May 31)
- Caretaker wants uncontrollable gay men out of Millsborough house (Jamaica Observer, June 12)
- Police evict 16 gay men from Millsborough Ave house (Jamaica Observer, July 3)
-
Weeping gays booted from upscale St Andrew community (Jamaica Gleaner, July 3)
-
Millsborough house in which gay men were squatting to be demolished (Jamaica Gleaner, July 4)
-
Barbican house captured by gay youngsters demolished (Jamaica Observer, July 4)
-
Millsborough house torn down (Jamaica Observer, July 5)
Related articles:
- Jamaica: Evicted, gay man aims to overturn sodomy law (76crimes.com)
- Jamaica: Straights are still kings of crime, not gays (76crimes.com)
- Plea for Jamaican LGBT rights now that ‘gay cure’ lie is past (76crimes.com)
I am often amazed that these persons who profess loyalty to a belief system supposedly based on the teachings of an itinerant carpenter can ignore the basic tenets (faith, hope and charity) that he espoused. Isn’t this the work of their feared antichrist? Their blatant hypocrisy demonstrates their rejection of their beliefs.
Jamaica’s Anti-gay lobbyists have revved up their campaign against expanding right in the island, even as a gay activist,
The men were nuisances is the community. As the residents said, it matters not whether they were gay but it’s a matter of decency. There were several criminals among them who made the lives of the residents hell. When they were to be booted, all of a sudden they were willing to point out who among them were causing trouble. They paraded in half-naked and even naked around the yard at times, etc. Furthermore, this Gleaner story (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130705/lead/lead2.html) explains that the property owner has plans for the property, which meant the house had to be torn down. Plus the guys were given notice two months prior. I am gay myself and I am disgusted by their behaviour. This isnt a gay issue. Not every issue involving gays mean gays are being attacked.