Currently there are 11 Caribbean countries with anti-sodomy laws still in place. These laws known as buggery laws were first put into place by European Colonists, specifically the British, when they began ruling the Caribbean as the laws mimicked laws they had in place in Europe. As a result, the laws and the influence of Christianity created the basis for negative societal perceptions of homosexuality and the LGBTQ community that still exist in parts of the Caribbean. Though the extent to which these types of laws are actually enforced vary by country, they still act as symbolic representations for ongoing homophobia in certain parts of the Caribbean. In Jamaica for example, Article 76 and 77 of the Offences Against the Person Act titled Unnatural Offences and the subsequent articles demonstrate how these laws use strong language to degrade homosexuals.
Article 76-79 Offences Against the Person Act
It refers to the act of sodomy as unnatural, abominable and a gross indecency. With such laws in place, it is unsurprising that people feel that their homophobia and transphobia is validated. However, these laws are not the only aspects of Caribbean society that promotes intolerance of the LGBTQ community.
Attitudes Towards Homosexuals
A study done by Mahalia Jackman sought to investigate support for buggery laws in Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago by heterosexuals. Using secondary data from the 2013 Attitudes Towards Homosexual Survey done by the Caribbean Development Research Services, it was found that 55-60% of people wish these laws to remain and to be enforced, around 20% felt that laws should be removed or modified and not be enforced and around 20% had no opinion or wished not to answer. The study did not find any significant difference in opinion due to education, gender or age. People surveyed with homosexual friends and or believed people are born homosexual were less likely to support the laws. Religious people across all denominations (Christians, Evangelicals, Muslims, Hindus) were more likely to support these laws and their enforcement with a slight boost if they also identified as actively participating in their religion. This is not surprising as religion plays an important role in Caribbean culture and society. Religions usually portray being gay or LGBTQ as unnatural or immoral due to, in the case of homosexuals having sex that is not for procreation, or in the case of transgender and queer people going against gender roles described in religious texts (Jackman 130-141).
Murder Music
When anti-LGBTQ attitudes are present in a country, they then seep into parts of that country’s culture, which then helps to promote the said anti-LGBTQ attitudes. This can be seen in music by certain Caribbean artists, whose songs have explicit lyrics that often promote and or glorify violence and hatred against LGBTQ people. These songs tend to use slang originating from their country, that further helps to separate and otherize LGBTQ people. A campaign called “Stop Murder Music” was carried out by several groups to help bring attention to and stop this music they dubbed Murder Music. The song below by dancehall star Buju Banton, “Boom Bye Bye” has drawn criticism for lyrics that promote killing gays. Specifically, the lyric: Boom bye bye / inna batty bwoy head / Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man / dem haffi dead. (“Boom [the sound of a gunshot], bye-bye, in a faggot’s head / the tough young guys don’t accept fags; they have to die.”) (Nelson).
In countries where buggery laws still remain, violence against LGBTQ people can occur without much repercussion. Due to the laws, LGBTQ people may fear coming forward to report the crimes, and if they do police will commonly show apathy towards the cases. As a result, openly LGBTQ people and activists have been killed in the past (Gaskins 429-434). The 2013 murder of Dwayne Jones, a cross-dressing teen attending a party by a mob of people in Jamaica drew national attention to the problem of violence against LGBTQ in this part of the world
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/25/dwayne-jones-cross-dressing-jamaican-stabbed_n_3652665.html
Gully Queens
I attended a panel titled Caribbean Queens that discussed the role of sexuality in the Caribbean. A part of the panel discussed Gully Queens, LGBTQ youth who live in the Jamaican city: Kingston’s gully (storm drains). Being rejected or expelled by their family and home, they are forced to take refuge in the gully. The Gully Queens demonstrate how bad the violence and intimidation LGBTQ people face can be. Their situation is juxtaposed with that of Rich Queens who are able to live in safety due to their wealth and status. This demonstrates how class also factors into the LGBTQ experience, as those with wealth can afford security and or leave the country (Priscilla). A panelist at the event described how their friends in Jamaica would tell them about wanting kill their queer friend. These types of situations confirm how being openly LGBTQ can be dangerous in certain parts of the Caribbean. The same panelist gave out a poem they wrote, that is presented as series of text.
Poem-“Gully Queen” by Zuri Marley
In the poem one person who is queer is trying to get fake eyelashes and a wig, with the other person telling them that the police killed a queer girl. The first person responds with this is why she needs the wig. From this the poem, it can be interpreted to signify the importance of passing as cis gendered in Jamaica or possibly face violence. Through this poem, it can be seen how discrimination is prevalent for non-gender conforming people causing them to try to hide and remain invisible. Violence committed against LGBTQ people causes many who identify as such to become marginalized and silenced, and along with anti-LGBTQ attitudes unfortunately are normalized in particular spheres of culture and society.
Immigrating to NYC
Despite this, for the LGBTQ diaspora, their reasons for leaving their home country can often be the same as the rest of the diaspora. Economic opportunities and education are typically cited as motives for immigrating. But their identity also plays a strong role. Phobia of the LGBTQ community that exists in the Caribbean cause many to leave in order to escape the ridicule, violence and or rejection they face for being who they are. In relation to this many come to New York to be able to discover and embrace their sexual or gender identity. Places like New York and San Francisco are envisioned as gay epi-centers that allow the freedom to express one’s self to Caribbean LGBTQ people. This draws many people to New York to live in a more tolerant area (Binachi et al. 2-14).
