GayGirlsGuide.Net:Culture*Fashion*Lifestyle*Travel

A Hidden Island Community

Posted on 28. Dec, 2009 by admin in Lifestyle

By: Simone McGill

I stood on line for the club, for only the second time. I was more excited than nervous this time. While I’m checking out the females on the line, my friend leans over and whispers, “Don’t get lost, I know how you just disappear on the dance floor.” I just had to giggle to myself, ’cause we both know she’s right. We showed our ID’s and was about to head inside. The reggae was blasting and the women were completely engulfed in the music. This time, if I spotted her, I knew I’d have the courage to ask for that dance…

My Reality

I have been attracted to females for as long as I can remember. But, as a young Jamaican woman, I wasn’t quite sure how to express those feelings. My friends invited me to all-girl events, and I found it encouraging: a safe place to be myself without judgment. It’s my reality that Caribbean, or more specifically, traditional West Indians, have a hard time accepting homosexuality. They fight against what they do not understand, and their ignorance sometimes lead to horrific crimes against openly GLBT people. But, the truth is, despite the discrimination, the Caribbean GLBT community exists.

Some of that discrimination comes from deeply cultural religious values. I understand why religion is a factor, but that could never be justification for the known violence that corrupts islands like Jamaica. It takes over the music and lifestyle. It instills fear, especially towards those who ‘appear’, in the context of the distorted Caribbean interpretation, as gay. This mindset is just as evident in the U.S., where the younger Caribbean generations often reside.

Organizations such as the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) and the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) offer immense support and knowledge around homosexual discrimination. Many Caribbean countries still have laws that criminalize same-sex couples, which make it even more difficult to speak out against hate crimes. These organizations are the voice behind the laws that attempt to silence our growing GLBT Caribbean population.

Despite the known resistance, some Caribbean islands pride their destination on being gay-friendly. Some of the top locations include: St. Bart’s, St. Martin, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Curacao (http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/gayandlesbiantravel/tp/GayCaribbean.htm). They strongly advertise their unique accommodations and carefree attitude. They’re known for private villas, a long reputation of gay/lesbian travel, antidiscrimination laws, and openly gay/lesbian night life.

People look at my Jamaican heritage, and wonder how I could possibly be Jamaican and a lesbian. Organizations like JFLAG wouldn’t exist, if there wasn’t a real concern. But you have to fight ignorance with knowledge and a little common sense. If you’re visiting the Caribbean, you can still make the best of it, but also be conscientious. I live my life out loud, whether I’m in Jamaica or on the dance floor with a beautiful woman in NYC.

Rosamund Elwin, the author  of Tongues on Fire: Caribbean/Lesbian Lives, stated in her introduction, “Though it can be argued that lesbian experiences have similarities across the globe, the circumstances of our lives, the ways of telling, the language used to tell, the words chosen and the rhythm of those words, make our individual stories different and interesting.” In my opinion, she said it best.

Tags: Simone McGill