The PNP (People's National Party) lead by Portia Simpson-Miller which is the liberal party in Jamaica is poised to win today's election in Jamaica, defeating the conservative administration of the JLP (the Jamaican Labor Party) and Prime Minister Holness.*
In what many are finding a remarkable stance Mrs. Simpson-Miller has advocated not only the overturning of Jamaica statutes banning homosexuality (buggery laws) but that she would be open to having gays serve in her administration.
Jamaica is still a country with a long way to go in improving the human rights situation of it's GLBT citizens but tonight at least all those believe in human rights for all can celebrate this victory.
The soon to be prime minister starts at 1:05
Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, and government should provide the protection.
President of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller is promising to review the country’s buggery law if she is returned as prime minister of Jamaica.
It also comes amidst the intensification of discussions on the matter. “We should have a look at the buggery law,” said Simpson Miller in response to a question on gay rights "we should give members a chance to vote their conscience."
She also challenged a previous pronouncement by former prime minister Bruce Golding who told a BBC TV interviewer some years ago that no gays could serve in his Cabinet.
I do not support the position of the former Prime Minister, people should be appointed on their ability.
No homosexuals will serve in my government -Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding-
To be fair current Prime Minister Holness trying to represent a "younger generation of leadership" had promised to include a stronger bill of rights in parliament. But to many observers this was more aimed at "appeasing" the tourist industry, and if the conservatives remained in power it wasn't expected to pass. But more than anyone else the individual in the video below has done more to change the attitudes of Jamaican on this issue. Police officer Michael Hayden, the honor and bravery he has shown has won over a country. The discrimination depicted in this video from January of this year ened up backfiring on the forces of homophobia.
Her winning tonight is only the first step, a bill overturning the laws will still have to make it's way through parliament. But never before has Jamaica had an outspoken champion of human rights in a position to advocate for the over turning of it archaic laws on this issue, and Mrs. Simpson-Miller just lead her party to a resounding 41 - 22 seat majority. The presidents of such companies as Red Stripe and Digicel (the Jamaican cell phone company) also deserve a lot of credit, for pulling their advertisements from Jamaican Dancehall shows that had lyrics that advocated violence against gays.
As we would say in Jamaica "Tonight we big up Jamaica"
* It's a little confusing but in Jamaica the National party is on the left, and the Labor Party is on the right.