For years, Jamaica has been regarded as one of the most homophobic nations in the world and on Friday, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was heckled by anti-homophobia protestors in New York City as she left the offices of the Ford Foundation.
According to the Jamaican Gleaner, the protest happened a day before Simpson-Miller’s address at the 68th United Nations General Assembly. A group of seven protestors called Jamaica Anti-Homophobia Stand held up signs and yelled “Gay rights are human rights!” and “Portia, shame on you!” at Simpson-Miller as she exited the building.
However, Simpson-Miller seemed unfazed by the protestors and was taped on camera smiling and blowing kisses at them before leaving the scene.
The group protested Simpson-Miller in an effort to bring international awareness to the mistreatment and discrimination against the LGBT community that has plagued Jamaica for years.
Back in 2011, Simpson-Miller promised Jamaica’s LGBT community that she would bring an end to the nation’s anti-gay laws, which deems sex between two men illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Public or private displays of affection between men are also punishable by Jamaica’s strict anti-gay laws as well. However, Simpson-Miller has yet to make good on her promise.
However, although Simpson-Miller may not have fulfilled her promise, other world leaders are speaking out against homophobia on an international level. Check them out below. – nicholas robinson
