Why's Church mum on cross-dresser's murder?

By Sean Major-Campbell

It is beyond me why any Jamaican would cross-dress and then parade in public. However, the more frightening picture seems to be the fact that cross-dressers would be significantly outnumbered by the number of Jamaicans who would be willing to murder one of them!

Once again, we are reminded of how the audible voices in society remain silent in the face of such atrocities. Why bother anyway to speak on behalf of this youngster? Why make a big deal about the actions of the murderers when they represent a cultural dimension of our society? And why should the voice of the Church be heard in favour of a cross-dresser?

To begin with, any departure from our considered norm would not have political appeal. Instead, it would be a political liability. No politician, in power or out of power, would be so unwise as to speak out in the interest of such marginalised individuals.

The Church does not have this luxury. It preaches peace, love, reconciliation, and the respect for free will. You may, however, wonder if it preaches silence! Why are we so often silent when it comes to the protection of our brothers and sisters who are seemingly different from us?

out of sync

Transvestism is understandably out of sync with what the average Jamaican would want to see treated with any sense of accommodation. Never mind the view that in cultures where it is taboo for men to cry or be expressive or be 'soft', there may be some motivation to express the en femme in a quest for a sense of freedom and power to do the forbidden.

Unfortunately, many of the persons who would happily kill a cross-dresser will not be reading this letter; or do not have the facility to do so. Hopefully, the more influential in church and on political platforms will seize the opportunity to spread the word of tolerance for a more peaceful society.

Who do you, or your church, most resemble? Are you more like Christ who says, "In as much as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me?" Or, are you more like the mob killers? Hmmm, do give this a thought, because cross-dressers and homeless gays will not disappear any time soon.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

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