GRAND CAYMAN SAYS NO TO HOMOPHOBIC SINGERS

Dramatic change can happen quickly, especially in the bright light of the Caribbean sun.  Up until five years ago homosexuality was a crime on the Cayman Islands, the anti-gay laws openly supported and promoted by religious leaders, the Cayman Ministers Association.  In fact, the Cayman islands were at one time governed by Jamaica which is just slightly safer than Iran for gay men and women.

So it is nothing short of remarkable to discover that the Cayman Immigration Department has officially declared their islands off limits to anti-gay performers, particularly from their next door neighbor and former master, Jamaica.

Cayman immigration officials are now denying work permits to Jamaican singers who are attempting to book gigs on affluent Grand Cayman, stating that they will now allow the importation of anti-gay violence and language.

Ironically, the latest Jamaican singers to be banned, both international "stars," Sizzla and Bounty Killer both of whom promote death to gays in their lyrics and shows continue to perform in England, Canada and the United States.

Comments

[Alec]

Richard, the Cayman Islands are a British Dependent Overseas Territory. Their former homophobic laws were changed, a few years ago, at the behest of the current British government.

[Julian Miller]

Joyce Cannick (http://jasmynecannick.typepad.com, Keith Boykin (http://www.keithboykin.com/) and other LGT African Americans lead a righteous and successful charge to get the murderously homophobic Beanie Man and TOK axed from a LifeBeat Benefit in NYC (yes, that's right a LifeBeat benefit!). All respect to all those fighting the good fight. In the Caymans it must be that much more intense to stand up against such hateful malignancy.

[Julian Miller]

Jasmynne Cannick (http://jasmynecannick.typepad.com, Keith Boykin (http://www.keithboykin.com/) and other LGT African Americans lead a righteous and successful charge to get the murderously homophobic Beanie Man and TOK axed from a LifeBeat Benefit in NYC (yes, that's right a LifeBeat benefit!). All respect to all those fighting the good fight. In the Caymans it must be that much more intense to stand up against such hateful malignancy.

[Julian Miller]

Jasmynne Cannick (http://jasmynecannick.typepad.com, Keith Boykin (http://www.keithboykin.com/) and other LGT African Americans lead a righteous and successful charge to get the murderously homophobic Beanie Man and TOK axed from a LifeBeat Benefit in NYC (yes, that's right a LifeBeat benefit!). All respect to all those fighting the good fight. In the Caymans it must be that much more intense to stand up against such hateful malignancy.