Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is not supporting the ultimatum issued on the Government by a Canadian group demanding that the state produce public service announcements denouncing homophobic violence.

However, Jason MacFarlane, programmes manager of J-FLAG, says his organisation wants to engage in talks with the Government on the issue of violence against homosexuals.

Last week, the gay rights group Egale Canada, in an open letter to Anne-Marie Bonner, Jamaica's consul general for Toronto, said it would make a public announcement if the Jamaican Government did not meet its demand by May 17.

The group also said it would make an international call for tourists from the gay community to stop visiting Jamaica.

Against move

However, MacFarlane is against such a move. "I know the call for the boycott is coming from people's frustration with the lack of response from the Government, but J-FLAG doesn't think that's the next best step. We should still be able to meet and discuss this diplomatically," he said.

He says J-FLAG has made various attempts to initiate dialogue with Prime Minister Golding. However, his office has not responded to the requests.

"We want him to meet with us to discuss the current state of affairs and violence against persons because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, as we've had reports of heterosexuals being abused."

MacFarlane also says J-FLAG wants the Government to outline how it will deal with issues relating to the human rights of lesbians and gays.

In the latest incident involving alleged homosexuals on Saturday, hundreds of persons converged on a shopping plaza in Half- Way Tree, St Andrew, some wishing to attack two men who were said to have been caught in a compromising position.

The men had to be rescued by the police.

Condemned homophobic in Jamaica

A 2007 Amnesty International document condemned homophobic violence in Jamaica and called for the Government to do more to prevent and prosecute those who incite violence on perceived homosexuals.

In the meantime, MacFarlane says he is pleased with the response of the police to the issue of violence against homosexuals.

"We've had some positive response from the police. We met with the new commissioner (Hardley Lewin) recently and we have his full support. He agreed with many of the things we have put forward, such as the police response among other things," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of human rights lobby group, Jamaicans For Justice says there is need for public education and leadership regarding the basic human rights of every Jamaican citizen.

"It is well documented, the horrors that the people accused of being homosexual have to go through," she said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com