Stop Celebrating Homophobia!

I have been quite perturbed by the vulgar attention and apparent celebration since the body of 16 year-old Dwayne Jones (also known as Gully Queen) was found on July 22 in St James, Jamaica.

According to reports, the teen was dressed in “women’s clothing” and was patron at a street dance (party) on the night of July 21. It was at the party that a female patron identified the teen as being “biologically” male—the gender assigned at the teen’s birth. The full account of what ensued is unknown but from what we know the teen was allegedly murdered for being non-gender conforming (transgender?)—for daring to be their true self.

I won’t lament on what happened and the issues relating to gender but I most certainly will ventilate about the repugnant celebration of homophobia and transphobia. If you are interested in my views relating the teen’s gender non-conformity, you can read my commentary in the Gleaner here.

The Purpose of Homophobia

Homophobia serves a particular purpose of keeping lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people invisible, silent and scared to death. It essentially and quite successfully reduces people to nobodies. In addition, it plays an important role in the human rights movement locally and internationally.

The second purpose is a bit unsettling. I am particularly concerned that the energy invested in promoting positive stories of progress and hope for LGBT people pales in comparison to reports of murder (even before the police have done the necessary investigation). I wish J-FLAG’s Top 10 in 2012 got as much attention as stories about homophobia in Jamaica. I crave activists (locally and internationally) attention to stories of this nature as well. I commend those who have helped in ensuring the We Are Jamaicans campaign is given the attention it deserves.

I am in no way suggesting that the pockets of tolerance and positive experiences of (a handful?) of LGBT people should overshadow the experiences of those who must bear the burden of abuse, harassment, violence, and threats because of their (real or perceived) sexual orientation or gender identity.

What I am suggesting is that activists invest some of their resources in ensuring we all contribute to change the narrative about Jamaica being a country of machete wielding mobs busily awaiting the next LGBT person for lynching. Homophobia is painful and it should be exposed and addressed in every way possible. But why is the internet littered with all sorts of accounts—even with incorrect information—about Dwayne Jones’ death and homophobia in Jamaica?

Be Responsible

As human rights defenders we field countless scathing remarks at the media for being insensitive and sensationalising LGBT issues yet we are just as guilty. Unless it is that we have some sort of immunity and should not be held accountable in this regard. This is the problem many people have with our work. 

May I remind us that the purpose of our work is to end homophobia and transphobia NOT “delight” in the fact that there is hard evidence to suggest that SOME Jamaicans are indeed homophobic and that LGBT people go about their daily lives at great risks.

I welcome the support of all who are committed to promoting the rights of people who are LGBT. I am thankful that so many, including the government, have expressed condemnation and encouraged the authorities to conduct the necessary investigations so Dwayne Jones’ friends (and family?) can get the justice they deserve. This is commendable. 

We do not need to rinse this incident. We do not need to pretend that all of a sudden things are out of control. Dwayne Jones was murdered and this is quite unfortunate. In ensuring that there are fewer (and in the long run no such) murders we should use the teen's death as a catalyst for change and nothing else. 

Let’s endeavour to be responsible as we seek to make Jamaica a better place.

Be mindful that the sensationalism does very little for LGBT people themselves but tell them to remain invisible, stay in fear, keep on being silent and continue being a nobody.