Pro-Gay Prime Minister Signals Change in Homophobic Jamaica

Although Jamaica has a strong homophobic culture, Portia Simpson-Miller was recently elected and sworn in as the country's prime minster for a second time. Simpson-Miller says that she welcomes gay people to serve in her cabinet and that she believes in protecting human rights in Jamaica, the Washington Blade reported in a Jan. 4 article.

"Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans," Simpson-Miller said. "No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide the protection."

"I certainly do not pry or do I have any intention of prying in the private business of anyone," she also said. "I would appoint anyone with the ability, the capacity, and the capability to manage, in my cabinet."

Simpson-Miller represents Jamaica's People's National Party and has served a previous term in office from March 30, 2006, to Sept. 11, 2007. She is also the country's first female prime minister.

Unfortunately, the LGBT community in Jamaica does not have many rights protecting them. In fact, sexual acts between men are illegal, however, sexual acts between women are allowed. In addition, if two men are caught in a sexual act they can face up to 10 years in jail.

Several human-rights groups have called the country one of the most homophobic places on earth, as political figures have delivered anti-gay hate speeches and several LGBT individuals are victims of hate crimes. With no anti-discrimination laws, many gay Jamaicans face harsh circumstances in their daily lives.

In July 2011, a gay Jamaican man, who goes by Sherman, was a victim of a vicious gay bashing, reported David McFadden in the Associated Press. "A group of men kicked him and slashed him with knives for being a 'batty boy' - a slang term for gay men - after he left a party before dawn in October 2006," McFadden writes. "They sliced his throat, torso, and back, hissed anti-gay epithets, and left him for dead on a Kingston corner."

EDGE reported in an April 8, 2010, article that despite the country's negative views towards homosexuality, religious and LGBT equality leaders tried to change Jamaica's impressions with the country's first march for tolerance.

The march promoted the tolerance of gays as well as individuals suffering with HIV and AIDS. The event was led by International Movement of Metropolitan Community Churches bishop Nancy L. Wilson, who is openly lesbian.

Watch Portia Simpson-Miller supporting gay rights in a 2011 election debate below: