Originally Posted by JesseQuinn

thanks for posting this, it makes clear a point I was trying to make earlier that failed. kinda buried the plot

in post-colonial periphery nations homosexuality (esp male) is perceived as an import from the exploitative west. here that's called babylon

one of the biggest challenges for J-FLAG here is pushing the message that LGBT folk are Jamaicans. that for some being gay is innate to the personal experience of being Jamaican in Jamaica


same in so many post-colonial African nations, virulent homophobia is a legacy of the systems that denied peeps their cultures and local men any real power. gender roles got really rigid and stratified, with the xian influence on top of that.

indigenous peeps generally did not have a problem with boys kissing boys until the Europeans came along. lots of exceptions of course, but even when homosexuality was not recognized or even spoken about it existed. for example amongst the many groups working in the diamond mines as migrant workers in Southern Africa one male in the couple would be female in private dress and mannerisms. but both big man a yard in public

the rainbow flag is seen as a product of babylon and serves only to position being gay as an evil outside influence. that's why the flag is not right for this place, right now. Jamaican people need to design the fight on their own terms and they are doing that. and this society is quickly coming around to joining them

haha Cruc, thanks for inspiring me. still waiting for improperly cooked military beans to turn me totally gay