LGBTQ rights in Jamaica

LGBTQ people in Jamaica often face difficult challenges that other citizens do not. While laws exist that claim to protect everyone equally, many LGBTQ individuals still face unfair treatment and fear for their safety. This is partly because of strong traditional beliefs in the country, where most people follow Christianity or the Rastafari movement, which often teach negative views about homosexuality.

In Jamaica, it is against the law for same-sex couples to be together, and this can lead to serious trouble, including time in prison. Because of this, many LGBTQ people keep their lives private to stay safe from hurtful actions or unfair treatment. Sadly, violence and unfair behavior toward LGBTQ individuals happen often, making it a very hard situation for them to live in.

In 2012, the government said it wants to treat everyone fairly and that people can ask for help if their rights are broken. However, many people still feel unsafe, and old laws from long ago remain on the books, adding to the worries of LGBTQ people in Jamaica.

Laws, policies, and the Jamaican constitution

Islands in the Commonwealth Caribbean followed British rules about certain behaviors. Jamaica kept these rules after becoming independent in 1962. These rules make specific relationships between people illegal and can lead to up to ten years in prison.

Jamaica's laws make certain relationships between people illegal. This includes any kind of close relationship between two men or two women. These laws have been challenged in court, but they are still in place today. There have been efforts to change these laws, but they continue to remain part of Jamaica's legal system.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

In 2011, Jamaica's Parliament passed a law that clearly stated same-sex marriages and other similar unions would not be recognized in the country. In 2019, both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition said they did not support allowing same-sex marriage.

In July 2019, a person named Maurice Tomlinson asked a group called the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to look at Jamaica's laws. He argued that because Jamaica's constitution does not recognize same-sex marriages, he and his husband, Tom Decker, cannot receive the same benefits and protections as other married couples. Tomlinson wishes to return to Jamaica with his husband from Canada to care for his aging parents. He also asked the commission to tell the Jamaican government to change its laws and to make sure that people are treated fairly and safely, without discrimination or hate.

Jamaican political parties

The two main political parties in Jamaica have not shown support for equal rights for LGBTQ+ citizens. In 2011, during a debate, Portia Simpson-Miller, the leader of the People's National Party, said she would consider appointing anyone she thought was most qualified to her cabinet, no matter who they are. She also talked about letting lawmakers decide their own votes on issues about LGBTQ+ rights.

In 2001, the Jamaican Labour Party used a song with very harmful lyrics about LGBTQ+ people. Later, Bruce Golding, who became prime minister, said that LGBTQ+ people would not be part of his government. Other smaller parties also do not support equal rights for LGBTQ+ people.

Public opinion

In 2001, a poll showed that most people in Jamaica did not support allowing people to love whoever they choose.

Later polls in 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2016 continued to show that many people in Jamaica still had strong feelings against allowing people to love whoever they choose, with most saying it was not right.

LGBT rights movement in Jamaica

Organizations

J-FLAG

J-FLAG, the Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, began in December 1998. It works in secret to support people and change laws, teaching others and helping those in trouble.

Quality of Citizenship Jamaica

Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ) started in 2013 by Jalna Broderick and Angeline Jackson. It aimed to help lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people live better lives, especially women and young people. QCJ stopped working in 2018.

Important people

Brian Williamson

Main article: Brian Williamson

Brian Williamson was a well-known advocate for gay rights in Jamaica and a co-founder of J-FLAG. He was one of the first openly gay people in Jamaica.

Maurice Tomlinson

Main article: Maurice Tomlinson

Maurice Tomlinson is a lawyer and activist for gay rights who now lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2015, he challenged Jamaica's laws in court, saying they were unfair and caused danger for many people.

Dr. J. Carolyn Gomes

Main article: Carolyn Gomes

Carolyn Gomes leads an organization that helps people affected by HIV/AIDS. She also speaks about the rights of all people, including the LGBTQ community, because her sister is a member of that community.

Nicolette Bryan

Nicolette Bryan is a co-founder of Women's Empowerment for Change (WE-Change) Archived and has been its leader since 2017. She works for the rights of women and young people in Jamaica.

International opinion

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights noted in 2012 that many people in Jamaica face unfair treatment because of who they love or how they express their gender. Human Rights Watch also pointed out that those who stand up for these rights can be in danger.

United Nations

A review by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011 found that Jamaica’s laws made it hard for some people to live freely. Several countries asked Jamaica to change these laws and treat everyone fairly, but Jamaica said the issue was very sensitive and needed more attention and resources.

Living conditions

Human rights groups have reported that people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer often face violence and unfair treatment in Jamaica. Many people have been hurt or treated badly because of their identity. Police have sometimes not helped or investigated these cases properly.

In 2012, a group called J-FLAG reported many serious problems, including attacks, arrests without reason, and being hurt in hospitals and prisons. Some people have been forced to leave Jamaica because they felt unsafe. In 2018, a pastor who spoke against LGBTQ people was not allowed to enter Jamaica. In 2019, some leaders stopped an event for LGBTQ people, making it hard for them to meet together safely.

In 2004, a leader in the LGBTQ community was hurt badly in his home. Some people celebrated, thinking it was because of his identity. In 2006, students at a university became angry when police tried to protect someone they thought was LGBTQ. In 2013, a young person who did not follow typical gender roles was hurt badly by a group of people. No one has been charged for this crime.

Main article: corrective rape

Main article: seek asylum

Main article: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

Main article: Steven Anderson

Main article: Faithful Word Baptist Church

Main article: Tempe

Main article: Arizona

Main article: Kingston

Main article: Montego Bay

Main article: Television Jamaica

Main article: CVM Television

Main article: Brian Williamson

Main article: hate crime

Main article: Human Rights Watch

Main article: Battyman

Main article: Lenford "Steve" Harvey

Main article: World AIDS Day

Main article: University of the West Indies

Main article: St. James

Main article: a gender-nonconforming 16-year-old, Dwayne Jones

Main article: gay panic defense

Gender

Jamaica has a society where men are often seen as very strong and powerful. Because of this, many people there do not accept men who love other men. Some popular songs even say very hurtful things about them. These attitudes come from old ideas about what it means to be a man.

Women who love other women also face problems. Some have been treated badly or hurt because of how they look or act. Jamaica does not allow women to have legal marriages with each other, even if they are married somewhere else.

People who do not feel like they match the gender they were born with, called transgender people, also struggle in Jamaica. Many people there do not accept them, especially those who were born male but live as females. This makes it hard for them to get the help they need.

Religion

Many people in Jamaica practice Christianity and believe that their negative views about LGBTQ+ individuals come from their religion.

In 2013, church leaders in Kingston gathered many people to support laws that make certain relationships between same-sex partners illegal. Some leaders worry that if these laws change, people might try to stop others from speaking about these topics.

Some Rastafari also share these views, though not everyone does. A few Rastafari have spoken out in support of fairness for LGBTQ+ people, calling for an end to unfair treatment.

Pop culture

Portrayal of LGBT people in popular Jamaican music

See also: Stop Murder Music

Jamaican music, such as reggae and dancehall, has an important role in shaping opinions. Some musicians have used their songs to spread negative messages about people in same-sex relationships. International groups have asked Jamaica to address these issues.

Several well-known Jamaican artists have created songs with harmful lyrics about people in same-sex relationships. Some have defended their words by saying they are using metaphors, but these lyrics have caused concern.

In recent years, a few artists have started to challenge these negative views. For example, in 2019, singer Shenseea showed a scene with two women in her music video, which some saw as a stand against unfair treatment. In 2022, Mark Clennon, a Jamaican Canadian singer, released a music video featuring a romantic scene between two men, making it a first for Jamaica.

Portrayal of LGBT people in literature

LGBT individuals appear in the works of Jamaican writers like Claude McKay. McKay, who moved to the United States in 1912, wrote about relationships between men in his books Home to Harlem and Banjo. Though he was an important voice in literature, he did not openly discuss his own life in this way.

LGBT Pride events in Jamaica

In 2015, Jamaica held its first LGBTQ Pride celebrations, called PRIDEJA. It was a week-long event to show support for fairness and respect for everyone, no matter who they love. There was no parade because it might not have been safe for people to march.

Important leaders showed their support. The Mayor of Kingston, Angela Brown-Burke, spoke at the event and said it was important to provide safe spaces for everyone. The Minister of Justice also shared his support, urging everyone to respect others’ rights. Hollywood actor Elliot Page also joined the celebration. Each year after that, the event continued to grow.

Another pride event started in Montego Bay in October 2015 and has been held every year since. It grew from about 150 people in 2015 to over 900 by 2018. In 2017, there was even a film festival showing movies about fairness and rights for everyone in different countries. Because of safety concerns, where the events would happen was kept secret.

Health and wellness

Mental health

A study in 2007 found that some people in Jamaica who are part of the LGBTQ+ community reported feeling sad or using substances to cope. Many also shared experiences of being treated badly, including some who faced physical harm. There are groups in Jamaica that aim to help, but some say they need more support and professional help.

HIV/AIDS

See also: HIV/AIDS in Jamaica

Established and underlying determinants

A study in 2015 showed that difficult life situations and limited education can affect how often HIV spreads among some men in Jamaica. These factors, along with feeling less confident, can make it harder to follow safety measures. Being part of certain groups also played a role in how often HIV appeared.

Prevention efforts

Jamaica has many programs to help stop the spread of HIV and support those affected. These include teaching about safe practices, testing, and offering support. Efforts have grown since the late 1980s to address HIV across the country.

Homophobia and HIV/AIDS in Jamaica

HIV is sometimes linked to misunderstandings in Jamaica, which can make it hard for people to get help. Fear of being judged or treated unfairly stops many from seeking care. This fear can lead to misunderstandings and blame, making it even harder to control the spread of HIV.

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