According to the Jamaican Gleanernewspaper, a recent
public opinion poll it conducted found that 70% of
Jamaicans don't believe gays should have
any civil rights. Although the Gleanerpoll reported that
Jamaican women are more receptive than men when it
comes to LGBT rights, the chances of overturning the
country's antigay laws are very low.
The country has
seen increasing displays of violence toward gays in
recent months. The Gleanerblamed Jamaican
musicians for what they call "the
less-than-accommodating treatment of
homosexuals." According to the newspaper, locals
who were involved in acts of violence toward gays
were said to be "acting out the violence
portrayed in the lyrics" of dancehall and reggae music.
Despite criticism from around the world
regarding Jamaica's antigay atmosphere, Prime Minister
Bruce Golding insisted, "Jamaica is not going
to allow values to be imposed on it from outside"
last month in an interview broadcast on BBC. He has
also refused to allow gays to be a part of his
cabinet. (The Advocate)
