Comments on: JFLAG Opposes Jamaican Boycott

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:24:05 +0000

Some anti-gay Jamaicans are already charging that we are trying to force our values onto that nation’s society.

The unending cry of the oppressor.

By: Alex H

Alex H — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:55:43 +0000

I won’t be going to Jamaica anytime soon and I cringe every time I hear that whining voice singing in the stupid Jamaican tourism commercial about “Let’s get together and be all right.” Please!

Boycott. Period.

The violence will continue against LGBT people in that region, no matter what we do, so don’t give into these terrorist threats.

By: John

John — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:36:24 +0000

What the Jamaican government might not have realized just yet is that most tourists are skittish about any potentially violent place. Sure, there are adventure tourists who will risk what ever in war torn areas, but they are a distinct minority.

As more people become aware of “mob violence” that isn’t addressed by the police, it isn’t going to matter who the intended victim is. These people are going to stay away.

Jamaica may not think that they have a problem, but if people don’t feel safe, nobody is going to go there.

By: cowboy

cowboy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:55:59 +0000

I wouldn’t go there even if Kenny Chesney personally invited me.

By: grantdale

grantdale — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:34:02 +0000

Having raised the attention, what did they imagine would happen — that gay tourists would flock to a dangerous location simply to prove people wrong???

Urh, no.

We decided long ago to avoid all such locations; if we can, and when we know.

We don’t buy products from Jamaica, nor will we visit there. We also ask where the coffee is from — and refuse if it’s from Uganda or Kenya. We will not buy steel buckets or brooms from China, because many are made in prisons. We will also not buy “Made in USA” jeans… from Guam. We have a deliberate 3-year cycle of donations. Etc. Etc.

We’re not boycotting. We’re refusing. We have a long, long list.

But no fricken way or hell on earth are we two about to holiday in Jamaica. We’re clearly not welcome, and clearly we would be in danger. Stuff that.

Noel Coward must be spinning in his gayest of gay graves.

By: Attmay

Attmay — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:12:49 +0000

Jamaica is a terrorist state.

By: D M Herzer

D M Herzer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:19:51 +0000

I think that there was already an unofficial boycott in place. Our “leaders” are just catching up. What self-respecting LGBT would spend money to travel there? I haven’t bought red stripe beer for months since I heard about the violence…I poured out the remaining stock at work…don’t tell my boss.

By: HappyCat

HappyCat — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:12:07 +0000

Damned if we don’t, Damned if we do. As you stated you didn’t take this decision lightly. One of the things that can be done is to let the company we are boycotting know the reason why. I will not buy Chick-Filet. I have written them and told them why. I have never gotten a response, so I guess they believe they can survive without my family’s business. I actively spread the word to new friends that I make, and I let it be their choice.

I can not see my money going to places that use the profits to discriminate against me. If the situation does get worse for our LGBT brothers and sisters in Jamaica, it needs to be brought into the light. hopefully more people will take part to where the Haters decide it isn’t in their best interest to Hate.

By: Pender

Pender — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:26:16 +0000

People discuss boycotts as though they are giant, centrally-controlled corporate endeavors. They aren’t. They’re a huge number of individual people like me individually deciding that we don’t want our individual money helping the economy of one of the most virulently, violently bigoted governments in the world.

As to the response (that the Jamaican gestapo will redouble its violence if I spend my money this way) — well, sorry, but it’s not my job to pay ransom to quasi-terrorist organizations no matter whom they hold hostage. I’m going to wash my hands of that whole horrible country. May it sink into the depths of the Atlantic.