Jamaica doesn't have the best same-sex track record.
Who could forget when Prime Minister Bruce Golding insisted there's no place for gays in his government? And, of course, there's the sick history of homophobic attacks, like when a mob attacked a transvestite last year.
Though many Jamaicans hope to keep their island clear of queers, scholar Dr Donna Chambers insists the nation needs to clean up its act, particularly in terms of tourism:
Tourism stakeholders, the lecturer declared, must determine if they could continue to ignore this market estimated at US$65 billion, or five per cent of the annual US$1.3 trillion global tourism market.
"Can Jamaica afford not to market itself to lucrative gay travel in an increasingly competitive global tourism market?" Chambers [asked].
Obviously that's rhetorical.
Chambers went on to say that Jamaica can only foster gay tourism if it creates a queer-inclusive space. She then begged the question, "Can the economic imperative precipitate cultural change?" Considering that the colonial economy helped engender Jamaica and others' anti-gay attitudes, we'd say "yes." Can they in today's cultural environment - and without subjugation? Probably not as easily.
Who could forget when Prime Minister Bruce Golding insisted there's no place for gays in his government? And, of course, there's the sick history of homophobic attacks, like when a mob attacked a transvestite last year.
Though many Jamaicans hope to keep their island clear of queers, scholar Dr Donna Chambers insists the nation needs to clean up its act, particularly in terms of tourism:
Tourism stakeholders, the lecturer declared, must determine if they could continue to ignore this market estimated at US$65 billion, or five per cent of the annual US$1.3 trillion global tourism market.
"Can Jamaica afford not to market itself to lucrative gay travel in an increasingly competitive global tourism market?" Chambers [asked].
Obviously that's rhetorical.
Chambers went on to say that Jamaica can only foster gay tourism if it creates a queer-inclusive space. She then begged the question, "Can the economic imperative precipitate cultural change?" Considering that the colonial economy helped engender Jamaica and others' anti-gay attitudes, we'd say "yes." Can they in today's cultural environment - and without subjugation? Probably not as easily.
International Gay Travel Leaders Condemn Jamaica’s Anti-Gay Climate
In light of published news reports and first-hand accounts of growing anti-gay crimes and threats in Jamaica, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) strongly condemns Jamaica's climate of fear, hatred and hostility towards all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. We call immediately on Jamaica’s community leaders to cease their oppression, and we will continue to speak up and to spotlight these cruel and bigoted actions before tourism and business leaders everywhere.
IGLTA is in complete solidarity with Jamaica's own LGBT leadership, J-FLAG. Therefore, like J-flag, it is not our intention to provoke reprisals or political condemnation in Jamaica by supporting a global tourism boycott. We understand this step could be counter-productive to making true progress in that Caribbean nation, and instead we will focus on education, publicity and market competition to highlight and help curb these terrible abuses.
At our upcoming 25th Anniversary Convention, IGLTA leaders also will be able to highlight the degrading situation in Jamaica, and call on all global hospitality industry leaders to unite in condemning this and any hostile and violent climate towards our community.
TOP FIVE CARRIBEAN GAY AND LESBIAN DESTINATIONS
Puerto Rico
St. Barts
St. Martine/St. Maarteen
U.S Virgin Islands
Curacao
So the next time you decide to talk a trip, you can have these destinations in mind.
In light of published news reports and first-hand accounts of growing anti-gay crimes and threats in Jamaica, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) strongly condemns Jamaica's climate of fear, hatred and hostility towards all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. We call immediately on Jamaica’s community leaders to cease their oppression, and we will continue to speak up and to spotlight these cruel and bigoted actions before tourism and business leaders everywhere.
IGLTA is in complete solidarity with Jamaica's own LGBT leadership, J-FLAG. Therefore, like J-flag, it is not our intention to provoke reprisals or political condemnation in Jamaica by supporting a global tourism boycott. We understand this step could be counter-productive to making true progress in that Caribbean nation, and instead we will focus on education, publicity and market competition to highlight and help curb these terrible abuses.
At our upcoming 25th Anniversary Convention, IGLTA leaders also will be able to highlight the degrading situation in Jamaica, and call on all global hospitality industry leaders to unite in condemning this and any hostile and violent climate towards our community.
TOP FIVE CARRIBEAN GAY AND LESBIAN DESTINATIONS
Puerto Rico
St. Barts
St. Martine/St. Maarteen
U.S Virgin Islands
Curacao
So the next time you decide to talk a trip, you can have these destinations in mind.
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