West Indians Don’t Have A Problem With Homosexuality Only Homosexual Men

Category: Island Talk Created on Friday, 25 May 2012 07:37

Of the 195 countries in the world, homosexuality is illegal in 70 countries. Now that President Obama has placed his stamp of approval on same sex marriages, I’m sure more countries will be inclined to do the same. There are same sex male couples and there are same sex female couples. Yet, West Indians seem to attack gay men more than gay women.

I’m by no means suggesting that same sex couples, male or female, should be confronted physically or verbally. People’s sexual orientation is their own affair. In addition, the purpose of this article is not to address whether homosexuality is right or wrong, only to address what appears to be hypocrisy in addressing the issue. Why do we seem to speak against one side of the issue more than the other?

Christian roots run deep in the Caribbean islands. Because of this, it’s easy for one to understand the unwavering stance against homosexuality in the West Indies. However, this stance is a one sided affair, as most of the criticism and ostracism is geared towards gay men. Are we condemning homosexuality in general, or do we just have a problem with homosexual men?

In Christian circles, we sometimes tend to place sins on a hierarchy. I’m sure this stance against homosexuality is grounded in the many biblical verses condemning the act, and the more fearful example of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, as Christians, is female on female sex not as bad as male on male sex? Are we saying that lesbianism is a bit more tolerable?

I’m just curious. I often hear of the evils of male-male couples, but almost nothing on female-female couples. Women playing in lady ponds seem to be less affected by the islands’ harsh stance on homosexuality. We might whisper, “She’s a lesbian,” but it seems as though we’re almost afraid to shout it from the rooftop. You know, like we do in describing gay men. If we’re condemning an act as sin, then we should condemn all forms of such an act. Otherwise, what’s the point in condemning it at all?

Many of us are convinced that gay men are a threat to humanity. What about lesbian women? Others are convinced that homosexual men are a threat to the family structure. They say it’s a plot of the devil to destroy the family unit. Apparently, when it comes to lesbians, the family structure isn’t threatened that much. I mean, what straight man doesn’t want to hook up with a closet lesbian and possibly impregnate her? Right? At least gene pools have a fighting chance with lesbian couples.

Well, whether we prefer or tolerate one over the other or just stand completely in opposition, I’m convinced that Caribbean islands will be called to take a stance supporting homosexuality in the very near future. Islands don’t have to budge now, but they will budge later. Since we are already sitting on the fence, favouring lesbian women over gay men, it will be interesting to observe what side we will fall on, despite our seemingly unwavering, one-sided stance.

In a few islands, though not enforced, laws against homosexuality are on the books and offenders may be imprisoned. For example, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and Guyana impose sentences if one is caught in the act of boggery, as it is called. I assume boggery is in reference to men. Again, I’ve found nothing on the books addressing what lesbians do in bed. Do we even have a name for what lesbians do in bed? I’m just asking.

Photo Credit To Get Set NYC

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Ebonie Jones is a freelance contributor with MNI Alive