An Isle of Beauty -- Unless You're Gay

Look, I already know dozens of you are going to try to tear me a new one for this post, so I'm ready for the negative backlash, the accusations, the curses and the declarations that I'm going to hell.

That's cool. Not the first time, won't be the last.

Anyway, this wire story about gays in Jamaica coming under attack freaks me out. I mean, it is 2008, right? Not that I'm dissing Jamaica, but since when does a modern republic turn a blind eye to an egregious hate crime, like the murder of a human being for being a homosexual.

In fact, since when does a modern republic keep a law on its books that says it is illegal to be gay?

But we're looking at a culture where some of the most popular dancehall artists, like Buju Banton and Elephant Man write vehemently anti-gay lyrics, where gay activists are murdered for speaking their minds, and where even police will join a gay hate crime.

So the call has gone out for Jamaican authorities to protect gays and lesbians from such violence, but activists and the gay community itself on the island fear that their call will not be heard because of an overwhelming homophobic sentiment. In fact, despite 68 percent of all HIV/AIDS transmissions occurring between straight sex partners in Jamaica, a majority still blame the disease on homosexuals.

The activist group Human Rights Watch in late January released a report called "Jamaica: Hated to Death" which categorizes the violence and discrimination that has traditionally victimized gay people there. It's really unimaginable to think that you live in a country where at the whim of a a self-righteous mob you can be killed, like the victims in the report, just on suspicion. It's not really that far a throw from the Salem Witch Trials.

In fact, to tell you the truth, violent homophobia is more extreme in some places than others depending on where you go, but throughout the black world, it's pretty safe to say it is a norm, and a pointless one at that. People use the Bible to justify hatred for gays and lesbians, calling it an "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22).

However, at the same time, so is eating any seafood that doesn't have scales (Leviticus 11:10); and apparently God also doesn't dig getting tattoed (Leviticus. 19:28); shaving (Leviticus. 19:27); or vegetable gardens (Leviticus 19:19). The Holy Scriptures even tell you to kill yourself for overeating (Proverbs 23:2).

And if you want to be really literal about it, the verse from the Bible says: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." So technically speaking, lesbians should be off the hook.

Okay, listen ... I know about half of you reading this are pissed off, and the other half are praying that lightning struck me the second I finished writing this. But this isn't about offending the religious. It's just that personally I'm big on another Biblical passage which I think is far more important:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34).

No I'm not a Bible thumper by any stretch, but if I would ever cite the Bible as philosophy, then a commandment of love for my fellow human beings would trump anything referring to gay sex, getting tatted up, or eating at Red Lobster.

So Jamaica, where we Bob Marley taught us "One Love," where Peter Tosh called for "Equal Rights" and where we understand we must utilize "all de herbs of de herth," show the rest of the world that you practice what you preach.

Our Lens Sept. 1

Hector Jackson (C), who impersonates the late US pop star Michael Jackson, gestures while he takes part in the "I do dance Thriller" event which attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest mass "Thriller" dance, in Mexico City, on August 29. Up to 15,000 people are expected to take part in a potentially record breaking mass performance of Michael Jackson's famed "Thriller" dance on the day he would have turned 51.

Omar Torres, AFP/ Getty Images

A long line of fire marches west towards the communities of Acton and Sunland-Tujanga on August 31 in Los Angeles, California. At least 18 homes were destroyed and 12,000 more homes and 500 commercial buildings are being threatened in the fire which already took two lives. The wildfire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon near a ranger station and the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge, has forced thousands of evacuations.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Venus Williams of the United States reaches for a shot against Vera Dushevina of Russia during day one of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, in Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

A Kenyan Muslim child reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa (Religion School), in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, where observants fast from dawn till dusk.

Sayyid Azim, AP

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center on August 28, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Discovery is scheduled for a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Host Vanessa Williams performs with dancer Gilles Marini onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, in Los Angeles, California.

Jesse Grant, WireImage

A girl plays with tomato pulp during the annual "Tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year.

Alberto Saiz, AP

Tom Wainaina recounts the events that lead to his being burned over most of his upper body August 26 in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Wainaina was burned by a group of men during post-election violence in Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential election. Ethnic-tribal violence left over 1,000 people dead. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern, in cooperation with local Kenyan groups, has launched a campaign to provide the urban poor with cash grants to start a business or get back on their feet after suffering disproportionately from post-election violence in 2007. The money is transferred to the recipients via a mobile phone which insures a safe and simple financial transaction to customers who don?t have bank accounts. Wainaina is one of dozens of Kibera residents to receive the assistance of a cash grant. Hairdressers, grocery stores and food vendors are just some of the businesses that have been financed through the program.

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

People standing near the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) look at the grave of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) at Arlington National Cemetery August 30, in Arlington, Virginia. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was buried yesterday next to his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) after he died of brain cancer on August 25.

Brendan Smialowski, Getty Images

US President Barack Obama takes out his daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) and niece Suhaila Ng (L) to shop in the Alleys general store on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on August 30, 2009.

Jewel Samad, AFP/ Getty Images

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