Homosexuality in Jamaica
Introduction
Relevance of Topic
Discrimination against sexual orientation, particularly gays and lesbians has been widely reported in the newspapers, in books and even on the television. This research is geared towards finding out how discrimination against sexual orientation is handled in the eyes of the law versus that of societies in the Caribbean region. In all regions of the Caribbean, people experience violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. In many cases, even the thought of homosexual identity puts people at risk. Repercussion for homosexual acts may sometimes include killings, rape and physical attacks, torture, arbitrary detention, the denial of rights to assembly, expression and information, and discrimination in employment, health and education. This growing problem has attracted attention from the Organization of American States (OAS), Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana), The Jamaican Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Inter American Court of Human Rights (ITACHR) and many more organizations in the fight for equality and human rights. Many Citizens of Jamaica have already voiced their opinions on the subject matter pertaining to discrimination against sexual orientation but observation of the situation in the community of Flanker in Montego Bay, Jamaica is the main factor that influenced the conduct of this study.
Problem Statement
Gays and lesbians have been over the history of time and are still victims of persecution, discrimination and other abuse. Many factors contribute to this situation, including ignorance and intolerance that lead to stigma and denial of equal rights by individuals, groups and societies in the Caribbean as a whole. This research topic which is “Discrimination on the grounds Sexual Orientation in the community of Flanker” seeks to examine the impacts of discrimination against sexual orientation of gays and lesbians in the
Relevance of Topic
Discrimination against sexual orientation, particularly gays and lesbians has been widely reported in the newspapers, in books and even on the television. This research is geared towards finding out how discrimination against sexual orientation is handled in the eyes of the law versus that of societies in the Caribbean region. In all regions of the Caribbean, people experience violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. In many cases, even the thought of homosexual identity puts people at risk. Repercussion for homosexual acts may sometimes include killings, rape and physical attacks, torture, arbitrary detention, the denial of rights to assembly, expression and information, and discrimination in employment, health and education. This growing problem has attracted attention from the Organization of American States (OAS), Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana), The Jamaican Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Inter American Court of Human Rights (ITACHR) and many more organizations in the fight for equality and human rights. Many Citizens of Jamaica have already voiced their opinions on the subject matter pertaining to discrimination against sexual orientation but observation of the situation in the community of Flanker in Montego Bay, Jamaica is the main factor that influenced the conduct of this study.
Problem Statement
Gays and lesbians have been over the history of time and are still victims of persecution, discrimination and other abuse. Many factors contribute to this situation, including ignorance and intolerance that lead to stigma and denial of equal rights by individuals, groups and societies in the Caribbean as a whole. This research topic which is “Discrimination on the grounds Sexual Orientation in the community of Flanker” seeks to examine the impacts of discrimination against sexual orientation of gays and lesbians in the
Bibliography: British Broadcasting Corporation, Interview of then Prime Minister Bruce Golding by Stephen Sackur, May 20, 2008, available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQx‐zmHgg8. Carr, R. “On ‘judgements’: poverty, sexuality-based violence and social justice in 21st century Jamaica.” Caribbean Journal of Social Work, 2 (2003): 71-87. Chin, T.S. “Jamaica popular culture, Caribbean literature, and the representation of gay and lesbian sexuality in the discourses of race and nation.” Small Axe, 3 (1999): 14-25.