Jamaica not ready for same-sex marriage, says advocate

Nickoy Wilson, policy and advocacy manager for Equality for All Foundation (EFAF), a rebrand of JFLAG, says Jamaica is not at a place where same-sex marriage is even being considered by the public.

But he said that EFAF is more focused on advocacy against discrimination having the buggery law repealed.

"As it relates to our organisation and the work that we do, we are not at a place where we are doing for direct advocacy for same-sex marriage or any sort of recognition for same sex relationship. What we are focused on is getting comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in place, because violent attacks and discrimination are two things that continue to plague the community," he said.

In his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representative on Tuesday, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck made it clear that the Government has not given the green light for same-sex marriage. He stated that members of the gay community have been requesting marriage licences but their entreat will not be accommodated. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) advocates have been arguing for changes to various laws in Jamaica to allow for things such as same-sex marriage and the decriminalisation of buggery.

According to Wilson, Chuck was merely reiterating the Government's policy on same sex-marriage that already exists. He added that JFLAG has received queries from gay couples who were interested in tying the knot locally but their answer remains the same.

"This has happened in the past but I can't speak to how often it does. However, we have had a few calls where persons have reached out and asked about how they could get married in Jamaica or get a marriage licence, to which we would respond that currently under our law it is not recognised," Wilson said.

Anglican priest, the Reverend Father Sean Major-Campbell, agreed that Jamaica is not ready for a conversation on same-sex marriage.

"Jamaica is not ready for this conversation when it is not even engaging the broader necessary reality of human sexuality. In truth, we should be respectfully educating our people on gender and sexual diversity," he said.