In Defense of Our Homophobia

Jamaicans often purport in defense of their homophobia, that once gays and lesbians keep “it” to themselves they have no problem with homosexuality. Seemingly, if a homosexual person affirms and accepts his/her gay or lesbian sexual orientation they are forcing “it” on others. Forcing is quite subjective and barely anything is deemed as such.

As a consequence, the vast majority of gays and lesbians in Jamaica live their lives in secret for several reasons, which include fear of discrimination, violence, harassment, unemployment, eviction from home or to simply not “offend” anyone with their homosexuality. The ironic thing is that these gays and lesbains (many of whom decide being open about their sexuality is not necessarily important) are routinely scrutinized and policed as they go about their daily lives by the very same people who asked them to keep “it” to themselves.

The whispers among neighbours, co-workers and church brethren are deafening as they chit chat in the most disparaging ways about you. But it doesn’t stop there, they can’t keep it to themselves so they marvel and make use of every opportunity to question you. They often ask: Why do you dress/walk like that? Why are you so soft spoken and/or eloquent? Why are so many girls (or boys in the case of a male) visiting you? Do you have a girlfriend (or boyfriend in the case of a female)? Why don’t you have a child? Seemingly these are important because the hallmark of human existence is to be confined to your prescribed gender stereotype, procreate and have coitous with the opposite sex! At least so it seems.

Why are people so preoccupied with policing gays and lesbians? Of what relevance is the private lives of others to you? People are trying to go about their business privately out of respect for your privileges and prejudice yet you make it your duty to be informed about their daily lives.

It is important to note that “it” is hardly ever substituted for homosexuality. One would think that using the word homosexuality would serve as an acknowledgement and indirect endorsement of “it” as a natural feature of human existence. Strange the way people who insist on subjugating the humanity of others think, right?

A homosexual person has very little rights to privacy it would seem. No respect for his/her space and personhood. Their privacy is often invaded with a laundry list of questions yet political and religious leaders fail to recognise how rampant prejudice is and the desperate need to address this. Many gays and lesbians also think that once you are able to afford an apartment in an affluent community you will not be subjected to such invasion but this is far from the truth. Perhaps what is most palpable is the reasonability around not perpetrating violence against others (with whom you disagree). Wherever you are as long as you are gay or lesbian there will be eyes piercing and chatter tip toeing behind you to find out your next move.

One can only hope that at some point along the trajectory of our next fifty years of independence, we will before it is too late, recognise the importance of respecting our neighbours, coworkers, family, friends, et al who are non-heterosexual. Lawmakers must recognise the important role they have in facilitating this.