THE EDITOR, Sir:I WRITE in reference to the many articles concerning homosexuality. First of all, homosexuality is a highly complex topic. Homosexuality is an area that the sciences of psychology, biology, sociology, anthropology, and others have only started to examine in a serious and responsible manner. There is much that we don't know about the phenomenon of homosexuality especially in terms of its causes or origins.
We need to educate ourselves about homosexuality. We are ignorant; but unfortunately we act out of our ignorance and discriminate against people who are gay and lesbians. Ignorance in the past burnt innocent people at the stake for witchcraft. We are still doing the same things today. We have not learnt the lessons that history taught us. My brothers and sisters, too many of us still tell jokes about people who are gay and lesbian. Too many of us still call people who are gay and lesbian inappropriate names such as fags, queens, chi-chis, etc.
For all practical purposes far too many of us still consider homosexuality to be a disease and a perversion. And worse yet, there are some of us who think that AIDS is God's definitive judgment against this group of people as just punishment against sexual sins. An irrational fear of homosexuality does exist in all of us. Much of these fears are based on stereotypes, myths and half-truths. Homophobia, like racism and sexism, must be combated through education. What people do not understand they deal with through fear.
While many argue that human rights groups and gays should leave us alone in our Christian country, every Jamaican is entitled to basic human and civil rights. Many gays and lesbians simply do not want to live a closeted existence. This is who they are. They are still the minority of our population. Many are tired of fighting the battle for basic civil and human rights. Many simply want to be recognised for who they are. As heterosexuals we are to be careful how we approach the subject. Homosexuals are caring and created in the likeness of God, and should be treated with love and respect. It is our duty as Jamaicans to lead them into a standard of moral upbringing, rather than condemnation.
I am, etc.,
DAMIAN OMAR
bawnjamaican2001@yahoo.com
Epworth, Iowa
Via Go-Jamaica
