The leader of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) has expressed outrage over reports of attacks on gays in Jamaica, and is encouraging action by concerned people worldwide. Last week, police rescued three men branded as homosexuals from an angry mob outside a pharmacy in Kingston, Jamaica. “Since the Valentines Day attack, the tragedy and violence have continued to grow,” Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson now says on behalf of the MCC in a Press Statement from New York. “Over the last few days, other gay people reportedly have been attacked in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, and at least one gay person in Montego Bay has been murdered. And on Sunday, there was an unconfirmed report that one of the three men attacked on Valentines Day had attempted suicide in the aftermath of the attack,” the statement continues. “Today I am calling upon people of conscience around the world to speak up and to support those who are struggling for human and civil rights in Jamaica.” The Metropolitan Community Church has hundreds of branches worldwide, and churches situated locally in Auckland and Christchurch. The MCC recently opened a worshipping community in Jamaica and offered to relocate gay men who have been affected by the violence to a safer place. “The men have also been encouraged by their friends to go into hiding until their safety can be assured. We are deeply concerned for the safety of these men, and for the well-being of thousands of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons in Jamaica, designated by Time magazine as ‘the most homophobic country in the Western Hemisphere'. “One of the young men, whom we will only identify by his first name of Gareth, said, "They may kill me, but I am dead already if I do nothing." He said he will stay and continue to fight for the human rights of all Jamaicans, including its lesbian and gay citizens.” The lethal combination of homophobia and AIDS-phobia must stop, the statement continues. “We cannot stand by and watch as our sisters and brothers are tormented, beaten, raped and killed solely for being who they are. There are leaders in Jamaica, including political and religious leaders, who have failed to speak up. Such silence is not acceptable. Now is the time for all people of goodwill to speak out for justice and against intolerance. No person of conscience should remain silent in the face of the continuing horrific attacks on gays in Jamaica.” Those concerned by the events in Jamaica are encouraged to write directly to Jamaica's Prime Minister, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller, by e-mail at HPM@opm.gov.jm. “Ask her to speak out publicly against the violence, to establish a tone of respect and tolerance for all life, and to guarantee the human rights and safety of Jamaica's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens,” says the MCC. Ref: Metropolitian Community Church (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 21st February 2007 - 12:00pm