| JFLAG's response to call for tourist ban |
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| Caribbean - Jamaica | ||||||||||
| Thursday, 20 March 2008 20:14 | ||||||||||
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In light of the challenges being faced by the LGBT community in Jamaica, a number of you have called for a tourist boycott of the island. Like you, J-FLAG has been deeply frustrated at the slow progress towards transforming the social climate that makes it difficult for gays and lesbians in Jamaica to lead lives free from homophobic violence. Yet, because of the possible repercussions of increased homophobic violence against our already besieged community, we feel that a tourist boycott is not the most appropriate response at this time. In our battle to win hearts and minds, we do not wish to be perceived as taking food off the plate of those who are already impoverished. In fact, members of our own community could be disproportionately affected by a worsened economic situation brought about by a tourist ban. J-FLAG believes that there are a number of avenues which can be explored to bring pressure on our government to respect, protect and ensure the human rights of LGBT people in Jamaica. We have called on the Prime Minister and influential leaders of industry to both renounce homophobic violence and commit to a course of action that will stem this scourge that plagues our island. The concern and support of the international community has been critical in focusing attention to our situation. We are open to further engaging with you in pursuing constructive interventions that both make our case for human rights protection and minimize risk to our physical and material well being. Thanks for your continued support!
P.O. Box 1152, Kingston 8, Jamaica
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