Jamaica's leading newspaper,
The Gleaner, has published an editorial in favor of LGBT equality, titled "
End Discrimination Against Gays Now."
To be clear, our position is neither an endorsement nor rejection of homosexuality. Frankly, we do not care. How consenting adults choose to live their lives is none of our business. There are, however, a couple of things that concern us and which we believe should be the concern of all Jamaicans.
First, while we note and commend the advances in individuals' rights contained in the charter, we are aware that the possibility of discrimination against any group is a toehold for the erosion of the rights of others, notwithstanding the cover of constitutional protection.
Moreover, the fear of stigma, discrimination and violence pushes many people into the closet. Their talents are often underutilised, to the detriment of the society and economy. There is evidence, too, of the health problems faced by gays, many of whom prefer to live without treatment for their illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, for fear of discrimination. The public-health risks are obvious.
It is nearly 50 years since the promulgation of the Constitution; waiting a few more months to get a better charter won't hurt.
Improving the charter will require that it lie in the legislature for months in accordance with the time stipulation for amending the Constitution. In the meantime, legislators should expunge the buggery law, the main bit of existing legislation that makes homosexuality illegal.
Even though the editorial was published onFriday April 1st, it does not seem to be an April Fool's joke. The Parliament is revising Jamaica's Charter of Rights and the editorial calls for an elimination of the country's sodomy ("buggery") law during this process.
Good news at last out of "
the most homophobic place on Earth"!
Hat/tip to
LGBT Asylum
