CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Two gay Jamaican men have been granted asylum in the United Kingdom on the grounds that their lives are in danger because of "severe homophobia" in their home country, according to The [London] Sunday Telegraph. At least seven other men from the Caribbean island are claiming asylum because of their sexual orientation, while a 10th man has obtained exceptional leave to stay. The cases are among the first successful asylum claims since a House of Lords ruling in 1999 that stated that "particular social groups," including gay people, can qualify for refugee status. The applications were supported by evidence of machete attacks, murders, and threats against gay people in Jamaica and reinforced by concern about the lyrics of some of the country's leading reggae music stars. One recent hit record in Jamaica advocated "burning queers," while others have called for the shooting and battering to death of lesbians and gay men. Barry O'Leary, a solicitor with a law firm representing 26 gay asylum seekers, said gay Jamaican men often face severe persecution because of their sexuality. "We have Jamaican people seeking asylum whose gay compatriots have been chopped to death with machetes, and the applicants themselves have been the victims of repeated homophobic attacks," he said. "I am representing one client who has lost his last two partners to fatal homophobic attacks, one of which took place in church." A spokesman for the Jamaican High Commission denied that homophobic assaults are a serious problem. "I'm not aware that this is a widespread problem or a major issue in Jamaica, and I'm not aware of any upsurge in attacks on people of a different sexual orientation," he said.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: The Daily
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Latest Stories
Trans woman Andrea Doria Dos Passos beaten to death in Miami Beach; arrest made
April 24 2024 4:36 PM
TikTok may be banned in the U.S. after Biden signs new law — Why?
April 24 2024 3:43 PM
Serial killer of gay men in New Orleans released after 46 years in prison
April 24 2024 2:16 PM
The 'largest bi+ event in the world' is happening this year. Here's when and where
April 24 2024 12:42 PM
What happens if Donald Trump is jailed for criminal contempt?
April 24 2024 12:22 PM
Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and more urge NCAA to stand up for trans inclusion
April 24 2024 8:00 AM
Over 90% of trans youth live in states pushing anti-trans legislation: report
April 23 2024 10:08 PM