10/14/2009
Jamaican Prime Minister: No Same-Sex Marriage on My Watch
It's little surprise that the Prime Minister of a country where open gays are regularly attacked and persecuted by mobs would be against same-sex marriage, but PM Bruce Golding has come out and made a strong statement to that effect.
Said Golding in a debate yesterday regarding "a major proposed amendment to the constitution which would lay out the scope of rights and freedoms for Jamaicans": "I make no apology in saying decisively and emphatically that the
government of Jamaica remains irrevocably opposed to the recognition,
legitimization or acceptance of same-sex marriages or same-sex unions. There is the possibility that sometime in the future parliament could
pass a law that says same-sex unions are legal but it won't be done in
this parliament. Not as long as I sit here."
The AFP reports: "Golding, who in 2007 told the BBC he would not allow gays to sit in his cabinet, said he does not believe it is the business of government to 'interfere in what two consenting adults chose to do within their own protected privacy.' But he stressed 'I will not accept it that homosexuality must be accepted as a legitimate form of behavior or the equivalent of marriage.' He acknowledged to parliament that his stance could prompt the "aggressive" international gay-rights lobby to continue attempts to discourage tourists and investors from traveling to Jamaica. 'But we remain steadfast in our determination that the values and culture must be protected and preserved,' Golding said."
Posted 11:08 AM EST by Andy Towle in Bruce Golding, Gay Marriage, Jamaica, News | Permalink
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Well, fuck you, too.
Posted by: JeffRob | Oct 14, 2009 11:19:03 AM
One love?
Posted by: David R. | Oct 14, 2009 11:25:33 AM
No problem uncle Tom, I would waste my money/breath/spit on your tragic low life island....go fuck yourself.
Posted by: Disgusted American | Oct 14, 2009 11:33:13 AM
This from a nation that tried to win a medal in bobsledding. Please.
Posted by: Jessej | Oct 14, 2009 11:38:42 AM
"'But we remain steadfast in our determination that the values and culture must be protected and preserved,' Golding said."
But aren't Jamaica's values and cultures imported? Jamaica was once a colony of Spain and England. Jamaica should import some modern and open-minded values.
Posted by: Progression | Oct 14, 2009 11:48:19 AM
Jamaican "values" include savagely beating or killing homosexuals. Steadfast, assholes.
Posted by: LD | Oct 14, 2009 11:59:41 AM
According to the Jamaican Prime Minister, their culture of bigotry, homophobia, inequality and violence must be preserved.
Sounds like a lovely place to visit (NOT).
I wonder when all this hatred started. I understand that it was not always like this. Noel Coward built his home, Firefly, in Jamaica in 1948...and from what I have read, the culture was much more accepting at this time.
Other carribean countries are guilty of a homophobia as well....but I must say, Jamaica takes the cake.
Posted by: excy | Oct 14, 2009 12:19:00 PM
As a gay Jamaican-American (yes, I have dual citizenship which affords me more insight to other cultures) it absolutely INFURIATES me to see Americans - in their typical blind arrogance and intolerance of the rest of the world - condemn a culture they know absolutely NOTHING about.
Kinda like Americans in Iraq or Afghanistan openly drinking alcohol without consideration of the Islamic culture.
Prime Minister Golding CLEARLY stated that he sees a future where parliament may pass a law recognizing same-sex unions, and said in an earlier interview with the BBC that he doesn't think government has any role in what two consenting adult do.
A Jamaican prime minister making these statements on record is a HUGE achievement for Jamaica.
So what if he says it won't be on his watch? He's not immortal, he will be replaced...when WE see fit.
I don't know why the American GLBT community act as if the USA is nirvana for gay rights - there are still many, MANY places in the U.S. were Americans attack and kill gays, or where gays are afraid to to be open about their sexuality.
(Didn't y'all just march in Washington because of your own frustration with GLBT rights in the USA?)
To quote from that intriguing collection of fairy tales, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
And for those of the GLBT community that state it's not a country for them to visit - don't worry; the remaining 90% of the world's population WILL visit and see the beauty of Jamaica and it's people and not condemn a country solely on the actions of a few.
Remember George 'Dubya' Bush?
Posted by: CARIBTONY | Oct 14, 2009 12:50:56 PM
And @ JESSIEJ: not only did we win a medal in bobsledding, we also kicked ASS in the Summer Olympics and this year's World Games in Berlin, setting world records in both the 100m and 200 m races.
What have YOU done lately?
Sheesh....
Posted by: CARIBTONY | Oct 14, 2009 12:53:59 PM
CARIBTONY,
Remember: some of the same posters who condemn Jamaica in general couldn't give a hoot about Gay Jamaicans. Some of them (not all, but some) are the same posters who comment on any Towleroad topic dealing with people of color just so they can let out their hate. They condemn anybody darker than Adolf Hitler.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 14, 2009 1:05:38 PM
Hey Caribtony...I don't mind what you say - I wouldn't go to Jam. if a Trip was given to me...they can EAT thier Buy-Bulls and survive on them. NEVER will I spend my tourism dollars in such a Hateful palce...same goes with hateful states in America...I've read enough about the murders,and beatings these so-called beautful island religious people give to gay people...No thank U...they can suck it,and don't get me started on the lyrics of those so-called musicians....as a Human being I do not associate nor spend my money on anyone/any grp thats hateful no matter where they are...and IF you think its so wonderful why live here...go back to that wonderful excepting island country you love.
Posted by: Disgusted American | Oct 14, 2009 1:06:58 PM
Caribtony, Do I have to live in Iran for 20 years to know they execute Gay people. Do I have to live in Jamaica to know they beat to death Gay people. Your point is well made, America is not the safe haven for Gay people it can be, nor is Jamaica. Jamaica and America are backward, oppressive, ignorant nations when it comes to treating Gay citizens the same way they treat Str8 citizens. It's just that when a leader of a nation built on the blood, sweat, tears, and backs of oppressed people says it's fine and dandy to oppress and treat others as unequal, well it just sort of rubs the wrong way.
Posted by: Sargon Bighorn | Oct 14, 2009 1:07:22 PM
@CARIBTONY
I totally appreciate your insight on Jamaica. Personally, the situation I see is that the only gay-related news I get from your country are negative :(
As for the incendiary responses on this thread, well...grow up people.
Posted by: Felix | Oct 14, 2009 1:07:59 PM
"So what if he says it won't be on his watch? He's not immortal, he will be replaced...when WE see fit."
Have at it. Who is the "WE"?
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 14, 2009 1:16:18 PM
I never in a million years thought I would defend Jamaica ,but, Carib does make sense. As does Derrick.
I will NEVER spend a dime in Jamaica, however, I will also never spend a dime in quite few US states whose populations are quite a bit larger than Jamaicas'.
I hope that LGBT tourists at least do a little research into the places they spend their vacations. If you simply must go to a place with a bad record on LGBT issues, at least try to stay in a Gay B&B or eat at a Gay owned restaurant, something.
One more thing. Don't go someplace and treat the locals as servants and/or sex toys. That goes for Vegas as well, btw. ;-)
Posted by: Derek Washington | Oct 14, 2009 1:18:34 PM
I'm certainly not going to defend Jamaica. Because it is an officially homophobic country that criminalizes homosexuality. And the Jamaicans can defend those policies themselves if they wish.
But the double standard is pretty glaring. Whenever there's a story about anti-gay government officials in Britain, Italy, Greece, Poland, Australia, Canada, America, and such - it is treated with golden silence. You can't say the same of homophobic incidents in Africa, Latin America, or Asia. That's when the faux outrage starts.
And every time Dan Savage or any of these self-annointed gay spokesman dismissively talk about the "perception" of racism within the community - as if it was just some conspiracy devised to make them look bad - I want to toss something at the TV.
It is not merely a perception.
Please stop calling it a perception.
Minorities aren't retarded children. We know racism when we see it. And the fact they it is thinly veiled under the auspices of protecting "gay rights" overseas doesn't make it any less vile.
Posted by: John | Oct 14, 2009 1:37:59 PM
How is what Golding espouses any different than what Hitler promoted? This man is dangerous in his statements and to pretend he isn't or to justify it as "cultural" is bullshit and pathetic. Any gay person that spends a dime in that shithole of a country deserves to die at the hands of their hatred,intolerance and bigotry.
Posted by: SFshawn | Oct 14, 2009 1:47:39 PM
"Any gay person that spends a dime in that shithole of a country deserves to die at the hands of their hatred,intolerance and bigotry."
So, where are Gay Jamaicans suppose to buy their groceries, SFSHAWN? Key West?
My point is that their are Gay Jamaicans, Gay Caribbean folks, Gay Africans, etc. and they may hate the homophobia in their home lands, but they still love what is lovable about their homelands.
If I were to say something nasty about all of Russia, Ukraine or Poland because of homophobia in those places--I would feel like a fool. WHY? Because there are gay people who come to this blog who are from those places. I would be offending them.
Now, New Jersey is another matter. I don't care if I offend Gay New Jerseyians. THey ought to stay on their side of the Delaware...nuisance...and uppity, they are.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 14, 2009 2:11:02 PM
As I said RACISM is written all over the gay walls.White gay men swear up and down that they are better than gay men of color.I hope those of you took a good look around you at the equality march (for those who attended) Because I sure as hell didnt see many Blacks,Hispanics,nor Asians of the GLBT community at this march.Its because the oppressive white gays make it an obligation to ignore any gay person who isn't pale skin as themselves.You can bitch at my comments about this all you want,but its the mother-fucking truth.GET WIT THE PROGRAM
Posted by: Rocky | Oct 14, 2009 2:18:07 PM
No tourist dollars on your watch!
Posted by: alfredo | Oct 14, 2009 2:20:23 PM
@Rocky: That's not true.
The problem is that the media focuses exclusively on White males. Sure, there's an occasional black woman here and there, but, have you ever seen me interviewed? Nicole Ramirez? I could go on and on? Where are the Asians other than Dan Choi amd there's NO latino gay perspective EVER shown.
You have no idea of the battles I fought to get media to cover people at the march or behind the scenes who were of color. WHY are these guys commenting about any fucking thing? I had 14 sub cmtes and I only heard from ONE white reporter. I guarantee that I know more about the march than just about anyone, but, media is stuck in the past and is only interested in White males.
If you had been at the march (were you?) you surely would have seen the most diverse group of people to ever march in a LGBT march. That was not by accident either, we made it a point to have that sea of diversity.
It really pisses me off that I am seeing these idiots like Savage passing themselves off as our spokespeople when they didn't have one fucking thing to do with the march.
Breathe.
Yeah, I got a little off subject there.
"Never mind" Emily Littela
Posted by: Derek Washington | Oct 14, 2009 2:31:36 PM
Carib- I absolutely understand "this is our culture, if you don't like it don't come, but don't make us change". I respect it, and I think Americans who embrace multiculturalism respect it, too.
What's beyond unacceptable is the de facto legalization of violence against glbt people. When law enforcement does not enfore the laws, the international community has a duty to defend the defenseless. It is a moral imperative.
The PM may have stated clearly he could imagine a future parliament legalizing gay marriage, but he only made the illustration to punctuate that it won't happen on his watch; don't fool yourself or us- this is no kind of progress or achievement, and neither was Buju meeting with Petrelis et al in SF, where nothing happened. We're not idiots, and it's clear the situation is actually getting worse as our issues are aired up here in the states.
I would say something needs to happen, but the only thing that really needs to happen now is that we all actually take Jamaica up on its request that if we don't like it we don't come. If we can truly put a stranglehold on Jamaica's tourism, from everywhere in the world friendly to our cause, we might be able to slightly make a difference.
Posted by: JeffRob | Oct 14, 2009 3:35:14 PM
Typical primitiveness from that part of the world. Just consider the pathetic poverty-ridden, backwards, disease-ridden nationality of the speaker of those words. Jamaica is a backwater along the lines of ignorant, poverty-stricken west Africa. Who cares what these vestiges of neandrathals have to say?
Posted by: Dann Cobbb | Oct 14, 2009 4:24:38 PM
If Caribtony is so optimistic about the comments of the PM, why doesn't he wait on the island, and forego his dual citizenship, and stick with the one that has so much promise? As a Jamaican, also, I can tell you there is no way LGBT people will ever get any type of recognition as human beings. THAT is the sad culture we grew up with. The best response is to not spend our money there!
Posted by: Reggie | Oct 14, 2009 4:43:57 PM
Well, his request will very happily be complied with here... "no dollars to support your nasty regime, Golding. Fuck you!"
Let's hope his reign is short-lived and intelligent Jamaicans vote him out SOON... and someone with a brain and with a heart replaces the despot!
Till then, it's just another place on the map that will get NOTHING from me.
Posted by: CKNJ | Oct 14, 2009 5:34:31 PM