Repeal It! : Jamaica’s Sodomy Law Under Attack
For not the first time in less than three years, questions are being raised about the validity of Jamaica’s anti-buggery laws. Under the Offences Against The Person Act, it is unlawful for citizens to engage in the act of buggery (anal sex). However, for the first time, the 147 year old law faces two serious challenges; one legal and the other of a socio-economic nature.
A group of Jamaicans including Jamaicans for Justice, Jamaican Forum for Lesbians All Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), AIDS-Free World, Families Against State Terrorism (FAST), with the assistance of famed attorney Lord Anthony Gifford; have decided to challenge the law before The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The second challenge came recently at the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Australia. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has indicated that his country is no longer willing to budget aid for countries that continue to legislate against homosexuals. Jamaica is one such member of the commonwealth.
Mr. Editor
