The Editor, Sir:

A strange and most unfortunate sort of patriotism has emerged in the wake of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's "not in my Cabinet" political faux pas on the BBC. People seem to feel a sense of national pride that their premier has demonstrated his deep bias against sexual minorities in political office.

Most do not seem to grasp the gravity of these most regrettable utterances on an international stage. They praise the prime minister for being brave in the face of international opposition. Bold and seemingly unafraid of Jamaica's fast-growing pariah status.

They see intense homophobia as a symbol of national pride akin to ackee and saltfish, and a prime minister who is homophobic as a paragon of virtue and a role model that must surely be defended from criticism. Any dissent from this position is unpatriotic, and the dissenter must be a homosexual by extension.

While Prime Minister Golding is entitled to his opinions, however unfounded, prejudicial and unreasonable they may be, his responsibility as prime minister is to act impartially in the interest of ALL Jamaicans. His aversion to the inclusion of homosexuals (presumably male) from his Cabinet is a dangerous example to set, and this is recognised by the most unlikely of people. The condemnation for his irresponsible statements was fast and fierce in coming, and those defending him have no foot to stand on.

I am, etc.,

DAVID EVANS

dave@realjamaica.cjb.net

http://realjamaica.cjb.net