One of the darkest moments on our nation as a people in general and as lgbt people specifically was in November 2002 where the photographed male was brutally attacked by a machete wielding, stick bearing, cursing mob outside of Falmouth in Trelawny.
He was chopped several places on his body but survived his ordeal, thankfully to tell the tale. Out of that came the most pronounced collection of data at that time regarding homophobic attacks in Jamaica and related stigma and acts of discrimination as compiled by Human Rights Watch.
It caused the gay community to pause and look at itself.
That reflective action is urgently needed again as we seem to have fallen into a false sense of security and complacency.
Hated to Death Report by Human Rights Watch
Hated to Death Report by Human Rights Watch
This report though dated is a must have for anyone seeking to understand some of the real attacks that have happened over the years. Click the report's cover image above the get the PDF version.
Many in the anti gay establishment refuse to believe that gay and bisexual men are attacked partly due to the lack of evidence they say to show that they have happened. There is no doubt that several other attacks have occurred that have gone under the radar (some listed here under recent homophobic attacks label) but the scourge continues unabated it seems as there is very little fair justice for GLBTQ people on the island there have however been slight improvements in police relations and the general discourse on the matter of homosexuality but not enough to make a serious paradigm shift in the national psyche.
Another dark chapter in the sad history of GLBTQ Jamaica.
Peace and tolerance.
H
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