While expressing disapproval of the recent homophobic comments made by some members of the People’s National Party (PNP), the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) says anti-gay comments should no longer be tolerated on the campaign trail.
The view comes after the Opposition, PNP, issued an apology for homophobic comments made by its spokespersons at a constituency meeting last Sunday, February 16.
While expressing disappointment at the incident, J-FLAG said the PNP acted responsibly in retracting the statements made by its representatives.
J-FLAG said too, that other human rights groups must remain vigilant in the future if other homophobic statements are made in the political sphere, especially with a general election expected to be called this year.
While highlighting that the incident showed that anti-gay comments will no longer be tolerated on the campaign trail, J-FLAG said that the disapproval by many on social media should be considered by not only the PNP, but also the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The offensive comments were made at the official presentation of the PNP’s candidate for St. Catherine East Central, Dr Winston De La Haye, a prominent psychiatrist. Several of the party officials bashed the sitting MP Alando Terrelonge, and called on comrades to remove “the fake rasta” from the seat when the next general election is called.
PNP Deputy Chairman, Horace Dalley took a swipe at Terrelonge, when he told comrades to work with Dr. De La Hay, because members of the PNP are “straight” and not “bend up bend up.”
South St. Andrew MP, Mark Golding, also fired a salvo at the sitting East Central St. Catherine MP, arguing that when Terrelonge saw the “straightness” of his PNP opponent, he would “wobble.”
Almost two days later, the party’s statement, issued by General Secretary Julian Robinson, affirmed what it said was its “commitment to non discrimination based on colour, class, creed or sexual orientation.”
There was widespread disapproval on social media of the Sunday afternoon utterances at the PNP constituency meeting, resulting in the expression of regret by the 82 year old party.
JFLAG when a person thief it wrong, when them kill it wrong, however it is a fact dat them wrong but them still do it, nuh suh. uno lifestyle is very much wrong although we nuh care how one live his or her life, fact is uno lifestyle a nastiness and it is a damm sin. why uno have to fight so damm hard to tell people say uno normal. uno need help, uno stop force people fi accept uno rasss nastiness. tired a uno now. Uno is a set a nastiness and uno sick john crow stomach, uno gwan vex because who a talk goodly a the same thing anyways, pnp full a dem and uno a run off uno dirty mouth.
Batty boys wants to intimidate the world world but remember this no individual or group is above criticism so you cannot try to suppress freedom of speech when people burn out your dirty unnatural lifestyle.
THE FIRST COMMENT RIGHT, IS LIKE UNU A FORCE FI BE RIGHT, FI GO PLAY INA SHIT CANT RIGHT NATURES LAW IS MALE TO FEMALE. ANYTHING OUTSIDE A DAT IS AN ABOMINATION . DONE TALK!!