THE EDITOR: Sir
IN YOUR editorial dated Tuesday June 13, you made this most profound statement: "A crucial test of the efficacy of a functioning democracy is how well it respects the rights of the minority in the context of rule by the majority. " This is indeed an excellent criterion that should always be used in assessing how democratic a society truly is.
If Jamaica truly respected the rights of its minority, then this country would grant homosexuals the same rights granted to heterosexuals. Despite the fact that the majority of Jamaicans dislike gays, and the Christian churches are opposed to homosexuality, nevertheless, gays do have the right to live their lives in accordance with their nature, so long as they respect the laws of the land and do not violate the human rights of others. Yet, we have an archaic law criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults; and it remains intact mainly because it is politically expedient to do so, despite the fact that it flagrantly violates the basic human rights of a minority!
The controversial charter of rights which is now being discussed in Parliament, is not a true charter if it fails to recognise that homosexuals have rights which need to be respected.
To amend the law on marriage, limiting it to a union between a man and a woman, is also a blatant defiance of the human right of any man or woman to marry whomever he or she chooses!
It is indeed time that Jamaica grow up and take note of how progressive democracies function in the 21st century such
as the U.K, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Israel, all of which respect the rights of homosexuals.
I am, etc
GEORGE McGRATH
Constant Spring P.O.
Kingston 8
