Jamaica to hold its first gay pride celebration in the island’s capital

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Jamaica to hold its first gay pride celebration in the island’s capital

Associated Press in Kingston, Jamaica
Tuesday 4 August 2015 21.22 BST

Jamaica’s LGBT community is holding its first gay pride celebration in the island’s capital, a weeklong event that was previously almost unthinkable in a Caribbean country long described as the one of the globe’s most hostile places to homosexuality.

Events in Kingston have included a flash mob gathering in a park, an art exhibit and performances featuring songs and poems by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jamaicans.

Jamaican gay rights activists said Tuesday the peaceful events are a clear sign that tolerance for LGBT people is expanding on the island even though stigma is common and longstanding laws criminalizing sex between men remain on the books.

“I think we will look back on this and see it as a turning point because many persons thought that it would never actually happen,” said Latoya Nugent of the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, or J-FLAG, the rights group that organized the event.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/jamaica-first-gay-pride-celebration

[shenmue]

1. I am hoping

it is safe.

[pinto]

2. I wish them all the best. And the opportunity to stay safe and sound and out.

We've all heard of anti-gay conditions in Jamaica. I hope this marks a change as Ms. Nugent mentions.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. May it be safe and joyous.

Welcome to the 21st century! At least this is a step in the correct direction.