Letters

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IN JULY this year, 20-something-year-old David(name changed), was walking along a street in Montego Bay when he was pounced upon and so badly pistol-whipped by the leader of a gang of thugs that his face quickly swelled to twice its normal size.

David's 'crime' and others like him? He 'looked' gay. David reported the matter to the police and was given a form to get a medical report done. As he lacked the financial resources to attend a private doctor, and did not want to face the scrutiny of a public hospital (due to his effeminate mannerisms), David stayed home until his face healed. In early September, David returned to the police station to give his statement, but was advised that he should have brought back the medical report. David was also asked to point out his assailant(s) and flatly refused to do so for fear of his and his family member's lives.

In light of Jamaica's notorious homophobia, David would change his sexual preference if he could and, in fact, has tried. However, now he doesn't think he can; and the American Psychology Association agrees with him. Its website states in no uncertain terms: "Human beings cannot choose to be either gay or straight. For most people, sexual orientation emerges in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience." No less than Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the (forcibly) retired Archbishop of Uganda also agree with David.

As a people with a past based on cruel repression, it is tragically ironic that we can't tolerate differences and respect the human rights of all Jamaicans. 'Equal Rights and Justice' is the motto of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party. I, therefore, ask the prime minister, how will he show leadership and address the (almost daily) human-rights violations perpetrated against David and countless other Jamaican gays?

I am, etc.,

Maurice Tomlinson

Montego Bay

St James