Jamaican Gays Finally Get Some Good News

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

July 15 2011 4:15 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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After Fitz Bailey (pictured), a senior police commander in Jamaica, accused gays of being the main perpetrators of lottery scams, the nation's top police officer said that was not true.

Commissioner Owen Ellington was not happy with Bailey's statement and expressed regret "for any concern, anxiety, and any appearance of unfair labeling which may have been construed." Ellington also said the Jamaican Constabulary Force does not single out individual groups in their policing procedures.

A public disavowal of homophobia is incredibly rare in Jamaica, which is believed to be the most antigay nation in the Caribbean, if not the world. Meanwhile, Bailey has refused to apologize or take back his accusation that gays scam Jamaica's lottery system.

Read more here.