Gay Canada draws a line in Jamaican sand.

Outraged by the contiuning in-action by Jamaica to seriously address its human rights violations towards its LGBT citizens; gay Canadian organizations have issued an ultimatum to the Jamaican government:  Act now or we will take action against you!

In March, a letter was deliverd to the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto demanding that Jamaica take specific steps to redress its serious violations of human rights. The letter also demands a response by May 12th. 

Egale Canada, and the Metropolitan Chuch of Canada are calling on the international gay community to boycott Jamaica if that government fails to respond positively to their letter by the deadline date. (see letter in Full Story)

In a conversation between Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada and GBMNews; Helen stated that support for strenuous protest action against Jamaica has been forthcoming from both gay people within Jamaica as well as without... "We have to do for gay Jamaicans what they can not do for themselves". "Jamaican gays are risking their very lives every time they speak out or even walk the streets, surely we should do what ever we can to support them." "Now is the time to act".

Helen appeals to gay organizations in America and Great Britain to follow Canada's lead. GBMNews has called for a boycott and has allied with the Canadian gay organizations in this effort.

Letter to Jamaican Consul General

www.egale.ca

March 20, 2008

OPEN LETTER

Ms. Anne-Marie Bonner
Consul General
Consulate General of Jamaica
303 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario
M4P 1L3

Dear Ms. Bonner,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for meeting with us.

As a follow-up, we have listed our concerns and issues below for your reference and look forward to your response.

Issues

  • Government Public Service announcement denouncing
    homophobic/transphobic violence in Jamaica.
  • National homophobia/transphobia Education campaign.
  • Repealing the Buggery Laws and other legislation that further stigmatize, discriminate and criminalize consensual same sex acts.
  • Public education campaign to sensitize the Jamaican Constabulary around dealing with the victims of violence around lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Jamaica.
  • Government policy to protect human rights and the inclusion of sexual orientation as a ground for non-discrimination in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  • A focus at the Canada-CARICOM 2008 Summit to include human rights for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and trans-identified people.


Moving Forward

  • Canadian tourism boycott to Jamaica.
  • Boycott goods and services from Jamaica
  • International call for LGBT community to support boycotts
  • Suspension of Jamaica from the Commonwealth for human rights abuses.

Response

  • Official Response from Jamaican Government by May 12
  • Public Announcement for boycott on International Day Against Homophobia May 17


Sincerely Yours,

Helen Kennedy, Egale Canada

Rev. Brent Hawkes, MCC Toronto

Akim Adé Larcher, Egale Canada