Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding Says New Constitution Should Ban Same-Sex Marriage and Same-Sex Unions

It isn't often that I focus on Jamaican politics, but I found it rather interesting that Prime Minister Bruce Golding would wade head first into the same-sex marriage issue on the island. Personally, I think marriage should be between a man and a woman, but I wouldn't make it my mission to stop two people of the same sex who loved each other from spending a life together. That's not my role nor is it my right to do so. I do admire Prime Minister Golding for taking a stand, whether it is widely accepted or criticized. At least you know what his convictions are but it doesn't make them right. The reality is, having lived in Jamaica, that homosexuality, much less same sex marriage is taboo and it will take a long time, if ever, for that to be widely accepted on the island. Golding said the country's parliament would not recognize same-sex marriage or same sex unions while he was in power.

"I make no apology in saying decisively and emphatically that the government of Jamaica remains irrevocably opposed to the recognition, legitimization or acceptance of same-sex marriages or same-sex unions," Golding said on Tuesday.

The prime minister was opening parliamentary debate on a major proposed amendment to the constitution which would lay out the scope of rights and freedoms for Jamaicans. The provision, known as the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, has been under consideration for several years in the island nation. "There is the possibility that sometime in the future parliament could pass a law that says same-sex unions are legal but it won't be done in this parliament. Not as long as I sit here." Source: Caribbean Net News

Golding has made controversial statements about gays and lesbians in the past. In 2007, during a BBC interview, he said he would not allow gays to sit in his cabinet, but also added that he does not believe it is the business of government to "interfere in what two consenting adults chose to do within their own protected privacy. Here's my question to Mr. Golding, then why would you care if you had a homosexual in your cabinet? Sorry, but that's a form of discrimination and Jamaica prides itself on its motto: "Out of many, one people." There seems to be a terrible disconnect. On one hand, unemployment, crime and sexual assaults against children seem to be on the rise, but the prime minister has concerned himself with an issue that really does not affect the economic growth of the country.

What is equally disturbing is the fact that Jamaica's constitution affirms the right to freedom of association and his hard line position against same sex unions is hypocritical, to say the least. He further stated that "I will not accept it that homosexuality must be accepted as a legitimate form of behavior or the equivalent of marriage." Well, since Jamaica is so heavily dependent on tourism and aid from foreign governments, then there will be repercussions on such fronts. There comes a time when you have to accept that people have the right to do certain things within the confines of the law. It should not be a criminal offense for two people of the same sex have a civil union. He also said that "we remain steadfast in our determination that the values and culture must be protected and preserved." Really?


I hope the same steadfast and bold determination will spill over to tackling the other economic issues -- high unemployment, high murder rates, teenage pregnancy, fixing the roads, upgrading schools, preserving national history, combating illiteracy rates, fragile economy, two industry country (tourism & bauxite) and corruption within the police ranks. Jamaica has been described by the U.S. State Department as a source, transit and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labor. It further states that the government of Jamaica does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, though it has made some efforts to do so. Prime Minister Bruce Golding has far more pressing issues to confront than to fight same sex unions. No matter what your sexual orientation is, you deserve the same protective rights as a heterosexual and should not be targeted for acts of violence just because one is gay.