Last edited: January 31, 2005


Jamaican Gays and Lesbians to Visit NYC to Discuss Efforts to Combat Homophobia on Their Island-Nation

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, January 28, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Inga Sarda-Sorensen, 212-620-7310, ext. 230

WASHINGTON—Activists From Jamaica to Come to New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center on Feb. 1, to Address Volatile Struggle Against Homophobia in Their Country

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and Amnesty International present a panel discussion with representatives of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), the lead organization in Jamaica campaigning against homophobic violence, on Tuesday, February 1, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community, 208 West 13th Street, New York City.

“Homophobic violence knows no boundaries,” says Miriam Yeung, director of Public Policy & Government Relations at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, the largest LGBT community center on the East Coast. “It is a scourge that is found around the globe, and one that we must work together across cultures to combat.”

A comprehensive report released in November 2004 by Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, detailed what it deemed as extensive, state-sanctioned abuse in Jamaica of people living with HIV/AIDS and sexual minorities. In addition, Jamaican recording artist Beenie Man has been slammed by critics due to his song lyrics calling for the killing of gays and lesbians.

This free event is one stop in a U.S. tour of J-FLAG representatives organized by Amnesty International’s OUTfront program, which has been campaigning in collaboration with J-FLAG to hold Jamaican authorities accountable for protecting the human rights of its LGBT citizens.

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