Comments on: Jamaica Boycott Kicks Off In San Francisco

By: Birdzilla

Birdzilla — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:49:44 +0000

San Franstinkhole has become a blight in america we should het them where it hurts their bank account

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:42:10 +0000

As a much closeted homosexual that resides in Jamaica. I must express my gratitude and wholehearted support for your stance to encourage the boycotting of Jamaica. I know we may all suffer, gays and straight alike. But this is a price that I am willing to pay just like all other groups in the past that fought to have their rights respected. I hope as many persons as possible will come onboard.
I recall during the nineteen eighties the great pride many of us Jamaicans felt as we boycotted and encouraged others to boycott South Africa when that country was proud of its system of oppression and ill-treatment of blacks.
The violence reported against Gays in Jamaica is very real. Most of us gays have either been affected directly or know someone that has been. Anyone who dares to be open about their sexuality is inviting violence or possible death. The State and the Religious leaders provides no protection as they view this as a moral matter in which Gays through there immoral choice of living justly invites the wrath of the society’s righteous cultural guardians.

By: leslie reid

leslie reid — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:35:41 +0000

I welcome the boycott globally over jamaica homophobia general violence murder rate,and torture united nation shouid lift sanctions for breach of human rights abuses. and economic inequality.

By: JJQR

JJQR — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:52:57 +0000

Stop blaming Europeans and their churches for instilling the homophobia in Jamaicans. That wouldn’t account for Rastafarian homophobia (and anti-Catholicism). Also, I think those supposed Jamaican “adults” would be able to make up their own minds about how they treat their own minorities (unless you think they’re so dumb that they just take on whatever white people tell them), without listening to colonialists all those years ago.

By: GaySolomon

GaySolomon — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:45:21 +0000

IntelligenceWorks

In Canada duing the 1970′s, rights for LGBT people were not given – they were taken.

In our experience, it is only when you threaten to deprive the controlling elite of something that they desire, will those elites even listen to you.

The most important legal industry in Jamaica is tourism. Believe me – if you threaten that industry you will get the attention of Jamaica’s ruling elite. Until the Jamaican elite starts to listen to the legitimate aspirations of LGBT people there will be no real change.

It is not pretty, and it is often messy – but economic or social disruption, or the threat of economic or social disruption, really do work.

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:17:53 +0000

IntelligenceWorks, you oppose the boycott but you don’t offer any alternative for changing this situation. Simply sitting back and hoping things will change isn’t going to work.

The boycott is a good idea in that it will raise the idea in people’s minds that maybe its wrong to harm gays whereas if you do nothing that idea is never challenged, never reconsidered. Sure you won’t change the hard core homophobe’s mind but to the average person for whom the idea that its wrong to oppress gays never crossed their mind this starts the process of questioning which is a necessary step to change minds.

By: IntellgenceWorks

IntellgenceWorks — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:14:57 +0000

This isnt a very well thought out idea.

How is a “boycott” of an entire nation going to help the gays in it?
Jamaicans, gay or not, are very proud of their country and heritage, and wouldnt appreciate that. And on top of that, when this news reaches Jamaica, do you think the people there are going to say “hey, lets suddenly be nice to gays since san franciscans dont buy my beer” or are is it going to incite more attacks against gays?

And for the most part, throughtout the carribeans many countries arent very gay friendly.

And Jamica’s anti gay attitude isnt even their fault. It stems from the anti-buggery laws left by the British.

Jamaica is a very beautiful but conflicted country and culture, and if you really want to help Jamaica’s gays, find a SMART way to do it. Because Bashing someone’s homecountry gets you NO WHERE.

By: cowboy

cowboy — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:14:29 +0000

Jamaican,

I empathize with you. However, I doubt any boycott will “break” any of the deep-seated, engrained social mores there. The “break” will come from within the citizens of Jamaica…when they so choose to embrace truth. It’s a daunting task. It won’t happen with a proclamation from Secretaries of States. It won’t happen with every gay person leaving the country, either. I find economic sanctions are not generally known to change the hearts of man but, rather, it only makes people begrudgingly comply.

However, the more publicity about how homophobic Jamaica is and is reported by the main-stream-media the more likely this might be a catalyst to bringing about the “break”. But until then…

———————————————
A few years ago were not there a boycott of Sandals Resorts when they were not too gay friendly? How did that go?

By: Larry in Miami

Larry in Miami — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:22:10 +0000

I wish I could afford to travel so I could BOYCOTT JAMAICA!

By: Jamaican

Jamaican — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:18:22 +0000

As a closeted homosexual living in Jamaica, I fully support this decision. Here is the problem, the officials and the government may apologize, but the vast majority of Jamaican citizens remain a problem. The society and culture are very indifferent to the views and freedoms of persons who are homosexual. They don’t see it as being the way you were born, but more of a deviant choice and lifestyle.

The church which many people look up to in Jamaica endorse hatred against homosexuals. The fact that homosexuality is considered worst than murder and even prostitution, puts you in a situation where you just have to remain invisible and pretend. If I ever get the chance to leave this place I would – really sick and tired of it. Lets hope the boycott and the current state of the economy breaks the ignorance and misunderstanding of different persons living here.