‘Girl-on-girl’ action in music videos doesn’t excite J-FLAG

Dancehall artiste Masicka, in the visuals for his newly released single, Blessings, has depicted what seems to be a new trend of 'girl-on-girl' action in music videos, sparking backlash from fans across social media.

The Grateful and Gifted deejay, in the music video, begins showing 'girl-on-girl' action as early as the first 38 seconds.

In May, dancehall artiste Shenseea sent tongues wagging after she was captured in bed with a female in the music video for her single Blessed (featuring Tyga).

Gay-rights advocate Jaevion Nelson said that 'girl-on-girl' action is a practice used in pop culture across the world.

"It's the status quo across the world, but I guess over time, it will change. I don't think there will be a time soon where we will see two men together in a Jamaican music video due to the huge level of homophobia in the country," Nelson said.

Asked if the gay community views 'girl-on-girl' action in dancehall music as a win, Nelson said no.

"This is just another thing artistes do to make their videos attractive and sexy, and it's not like the females in the videos are necessarily lesbians," Nelson said.

Failing to accept

Similarly, Glenroy Murray, associate director of programmes and advocacy at Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), believes that Jamaicans have not become more accepting of female sexual relationships, but are simply just failing to accept it for what it really is.

"Oftentimes, society, more specifically, heterosexual men in particular, do not see lesbian relationships as valid," he said.

He is of the impression that the lack of validity given to female sexual relationships comes as a result of the lack of respect and understanding that the Jamaican society has for female sexual desire, and dancehall is merely reflecting this.

"When people see two women being intimate, they do not see it as two women in control of their sexuality, enjoying themselves in the way they like. Rather, heterosexual men often only see an opportunity for a threesome, completely ignoring the woman's agency," Murray told THE STAR.

The J-FLAG representative also said that Jamaicans tend to present sex as something only males desire, and women are solely the objects of the desire.