--- title: Jamaica: Is 'The Most Homophobic Place on Earth' Turning Around? description: International partnerships and pressure can help change the lives of LBGT Jamaicans canonical: https://time.com/3900934/most-homophobic-place-on-earth-turning-around/ author: Angeline Jackson article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-06-01T19:59:25.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:59:06.997Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Is 'The Most Homophobic Place on Earth' Turning Around? og:description: The fight for civil rights in Jamaica is changing — but more can be done og:url: https://time.com/3900934/most-homophobic-place-on-earth-turning-around/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Is 'The Most Homophobic Place on Earth' Turning Around? twitter:description: The fight for civil rights in Jamaica is changing — but more can be done twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # Is 'The Most Homophobic Place on Earth' Turning Around? > Sponsored content. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=aab1612d-f438-4f6b-a7f1-ba0a915c56b4&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: How 2 Gay Men Live in a Country Where Homosexuality Is Illegal [Watch (HLS stream): How 2 Gay Men Live in a Country Where Homosexuality Is Illegal](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/qq80V8ai.m3u8) (2:58)  _Published 2014-07-30. Brave, young homosexuals speak out in a country where their entire lives are illegal._ by [Angeline Jackson](https://time.com/author/angeline-jackson/) ## Angeline Jackson Jun 1, 2015 7:59 PM UTC by [Angeline Jackson](https://time.com/author/angeline-jackson/) ## Angeline Jackson Jun 1, 2015 7:59 PM UTC In 2006, Time magazine called Jamaica “[the most homophobic place on earth](http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html).” The country was experiencing excessive violence and hate crimes against gays and lesbians. Three years later, a friend and I were robbed and [sexually assaulted](http://qcjm.org/testimony-of-a-survivor/) in Jamaica. We are both lesbians. When I first reported the incident to the police, an officer told me I should “leave this lifestyle and go back to the church.” But I didn’t. I reported the incident and testified against my assaulter. I became an advocate for other women like me. In April, at a town hall meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, President Barack Obama [included](https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/09/remarks-president-obama-town-hall-young-leaders-americas) my story when he spoke about a generation that cares “less about the world as it has been, and more about the world as it should be and can be.” These two moments—when an official insulted me and when the U.S. president acknowledged me—show how far Jamaica has come in the last few years. Although the LBGT community in Jamaica still faces challenges on many fronts, attitudes are changing, as detailed in a [recent report](http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/Jamaica-LGBT-Fact-Sheet.pdf) from Human Rights First. Given this momentum, international partnerships and pressure on the government have the power to help change the lives of LBGT Jamaicans. Jamaica’s “anti-sodomy law,” a holdover from [British colonial rule](http://www.buzzfeed.com/miriamberger/british-colonial-era-anti-sodomy-laws-still-reign-around-the#.re5w6KJm9d), criminalizes “the abominable crime of buggery” and acts of “indecency” between men. Few have been convicted under the law, but many use it as pretext for unfairness and violence. Broadcasting companies have cited it when [refusing](http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/court-rules-jamaican-tv-channels-can-refuse-screen-gay-rights-psa171113) to air ads promoting tolerance and respect for LGBT people. Dancehall music artists have used it to justify [violent homophobic lyrics.](http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/harmonies-of-hate) Many LGBT youth are forced to [live on the streets](http://76crimes.com/2015/01/06/jamaica-lgbt-youths-cant-even-call-a-gully-their-home/) after being kicked out of their homes. People can [lose their jobs](https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2011/06/02/9872/gay-and-transgender-people-face-high-rates-of-workplace-discrimination-and-harassment/) because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many [avoid healthcare centers](http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/1762-overlooked-and-at-risk), even for HIV treatment, for fear of mistreatment. Mobs have [attacked and even killed](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/30/jamaica-anti-gay-violence%5Fn%5F3844356.html) LGBT people. [Few](http://www.care2.com/causes/5-shocking-anti-lgbt-violent-crime-stories-from-jamaica.html) are investigated for these crimes, and even fewer are convicted. Those with intersecting identities, such as lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender people seem to get a double dose of gendered violence and prejudice. Overturning the “anti-sodomy law” requires not just a legal case but a transformation of social attitudes. Last year, threats forced activist Javed Jaghai to [withdraw](http://76crimes.com/2014/08/29/jamaican-activist-ends-challenge-to-anti-sodomy-law/) his challenge to the law. A 2011 [poll](http://www.aidsfreeworld.org/RSS/~/media/Files/Homophobia/Jamaica%20National%20Survey%20on%20Homophobia.pdf) found that about 76% of Jamaicans oppose amending the law. Even larger majorities believe that homosexuality is immoral. But against this grim backdrop, there is hope. Officials including Public Defender [Arlene Harrison Henry](http://76crimes.com/2015/02/12/jamaica-has-a-new-gay-friendly-public-defender/), Minister of Justice [Mark Golding](http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/jamaica-hints-law-banning-gay-discrimination-maybe-passed060113), and chair of the Jamaican National Family Planning Board [Dr. Sandra Knight](http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/HRF-Jamaica-Report-final.pdf) have spoken boldly in favor of the human rights of LGBT people. Reverend Margaret Fowler of United Church [ministers](http://76crimes.com/2014/03/15/love-in-jamaica-christian-visitors-homeless-lgbt-youths/) to homeless LGBT youth and urges her congregation to do the same. Anglican priest Father Sean Major-Campbell has [welcomed](http://www.advocate.com/world/2014/12/15/jamaican-pastor-angers-congregation-washing-feet-lesbian-trans-visitors) LGBT people into his church. Just last month at a Human Rights First [reception](http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/event/reception-international-day-against-homophobia-and-transphobia) for International Day Against Homophobia, I stood next to reggae singer Etana, as she told a room full of people on Capitol Hill that we must work to make Jamaica a place that is safe for all people. Another prominent reggae singer Tanya Stephens has created constructive dialogue around the issue, and her song “[Do You Still Care?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcYR-1R23R8)” humanizes the experience of members of the LGBT community in Jamaica. A range of groups—including Quality of Citizenship Jamaica, J-FLAG, the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, Pride in Action, Aphrodite’s PRIDE, and the Colour Pink Group—also support the change. Together, these leaders are changing the narrative around LGBT human rights in Jamaica. Now is the perfect time for the United States to act. President Obama is very popular in Jamaica and could have a huge influence in promoting the rights of the country’s LGBT people. Newly appointed Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons Randy Berry [traveled](http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/05/242615.htm) to Jamaica last month. He should work to partner with Jamaica to combat homophobic violence and unfairness. The tourism industry and other U.S. businesses in Jamaica should also make changes to ensure that their LGBT customers and employees have access to a safe, supportive environment. There’s a Jamaican phrase, “Every mickle mek a muckle,” which means “Every little bit adds up.” I am looking forward to the day when LGBT Jamaicans can live freely thanks to the combined efforts of civil society and our partners to bring about “the world as it should be.” ## Transcript It's no one's intention, right, to be gay. People have, have, have brought something up that this is devilish. This is evil. This is an abomination. This, this, this is, this is that. It's very difficult being gay in Ghana. Most people, most MSMs in Ghana, the gays in Ghana want to come out. It hurts that, you know, you are doing something, you are in, doing something. And you want [ MUSIC ] You want people to hear you, you want people to see you, you want to come out. And it's like it's being difficult for you to do it. It's really hurting. If i'm in my family, and I'm gay. That's fine. You won't know what someone in your family is engaged to. Or en, engaging him or himself into. You may see me to be gay, I'm open, I'm out now. How could you tell? How will you see that maybe your junior brother, your elder brother, your father or your grandfather, is engaging himself [ FOREIGN ] When I go out, I limit myself. I don't dance. I don't talk too much, I don't walk too much, I sit. I do everything I want to do sitting, but when I am with him, he tells me you are yourself be yourself. So when I am with him I'm able to move a bit, but not the way I would really want to be when I'm with, when I'm alone with him. With him or when we are with other people who are just like us. I went out for a party. And then when I was coming back, I happened to meet a new friend. And he, he came from a very far place so I had to go home with. Came to stay with me. And then he came to spend the night with me. And then, unfortunately something happened. And then my parents- my mommy happened to bump in, onto it, so she saw everything. She started screaming, my daddy came in. And then they packed my things and then threw me out of the house. In the morning. In Ghana, everybody is culturally and religiously blinded. They think that it's uncultural, it's unreligious, it's demonic and everything. So I pray a time comes when we decide to change and be like the western countries. Being a human rights activist. I'm helping and defending my LGBT friends. Telling them and letting them know that there's hope for the future. No matter what it takes. No matter what it takes. There will be a time which things will get all right and things will get stable. My fellow MSMs or gays don't want. Nothing to be legalized. 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