Jamaica considers
legalizing homosexuality to help fight AIDS

On Wednesday the gay rights group Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals, and Gays welcomed the government's recent announcement that a parliamentary panel will study whether legalizing homosexuality and prostitution would encourage people to learn about HIV prevention and seek treatment for the disease. "Both of these matters need to be debated evenhandedly with discussion rooted in public health considerations and in improving Jamaica's record on human rights," the group said. A 2004 Human Rights Watch report said Jamaica's efforts to combat HIV are undermined by pervasive discrimination against gays. HIV is still considered a gay disease in Jamaica, despite data showing that most infections are heterosexually transmitted. (AP)