Homophobia Is A Global Issue Not Just Specific To One Race

 

           Does homophobia exist in Jamaica?  Of course homophobia exists in Jamaica just like it does in Canada, United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the rest of the world. However, the current trend  is suddenly the western media have taken it upon themselves to “denounce” homophobia in Jamaican Dancehall music. Make no mistake the western media does not “care” about black gays and lesbians that are being attacked and murdered in Jamaica due to homophobia. The mainstream media  are only interested in pathologizing Jamaican culture trying to treat Jamaican people as though we are backwards and uncivilized. So once again we have this paternalistic approach of the “white gay saviours” GLAAD and EGALE that jump at the chance for some free press claiming to “save the day”.  In the process GLAAD and EGALE are only demonstrating their true racist colours. The truth is GLAAD and EGALE  ignores the cultural differences between Jamaica and the western world.

Where is the “urgency” in the  North America or European media when gay men are killed right here in Canada? In Toronto Canada last year Harley Walker a seventy two year old white gay man was brutally  murdered by another white man in his Toronto home.  Walker arranged for a sexual encounter with the accused after chatting online.

Next, after Walker was violently murdered according to news reports the accused removed Walker’s body from his residence and dumped it in Northern Ontario. Now did the Toronto media make a “racial link” between the fact that the accused was also a white male? Where are all the articles about “all white men” being homophobic killers?  Oops I forgot when gay white men are killed by other whites  the Canadian media don’t make “racial links” they just “report” the news. Where are the news reports,  radio broadcasts, and documentaries that the accused “whiteness” was a factor in Walker’s death? Shouldn’t white Canadian culture be stereotyped as well? 

 In Vancouver British Columbia Aaron Webster a white gay man was brutally murdered in Stanley Park in November 2001. Stanley Park is a well known cruising ground in Vancouver. Did the white gay media and the mainstream media make a “racial link” between the violence against Aaron Webster and Canada? Is Canada now branded as a haven for violent, savage, homophobes that can run freely and kill and murder gay people at free will? Of course not.

 The western media are only focused on selling papers,  boosting ratings, obtaining sound bites for radio,  and  finding new ways to “demonize” the black race. Since Beenie man and Elephant man are minor black celebrities this racism sells and captures the public’s attention. The public loves reading racist articles that frame the lens and  present the black community in an unfavorable light. And here you have the paternalistic white gay organizations “lecturing” black people on “tolerance” its like give me a  break. The black race doesn’t need white gays patronizing us that’s for sure.

Last year in October 2006 a young black gay man Michael Sandy  was brutally murdered by four white males in Brooklyn last year. The white mainstream and gay media reported the news but there was no urgency to the Michael Sandy tragedy.  Some media outlets even attempted to downplay the fact that Sandy was murdered by four young white men. Could you imagine a racial reverse? Its a fair question. The Michael Sandy tragedy shatters a lot of stereotypes. Homophobia is not specific to one race its a global issue and its a very serious issue. The mainstream media attempted to “ignore” the race factor here and just focused on the fact Sandy was gay. However, my perspective is this displaces the context of the Michael Sandy case. Michael Sandy was an innocent young black man and he was killed specifically because he was a black gay man. Being black and also gay are two social signifiers of being a minority in a very homophobic, racist, and misandrist world. When the mainstream and gay media ignore the truth they are attempting to erase and ignore reality.

 It is important to point out the fact Sandy’s killers were four young white men. So far three of the four white men have been convicted.  Its  a perfect example of white racism when the media ignores the death of a young black gay man. If there every going to be equality in this world then people should be treated fairly.  The media is sending the negative message that Michael Sandy’s life didn’t matter because he was a black gay man and not white.  Michael Sandy’s life does matter because he was somebody’s son, somebody’s friend he was a part of the black community. The blood of a white gay person is more important then the blood of a black gay person in the eyes of the mainstream.  Sandy’s death was not a concern to the white American media. 

The white American gay community was apathetic to Sandy’s death for a variety of reasons. First, Michael Sandy was a gay black man so why would they care? Second, Sandy’s killers were also white so there was no extra motivation for the white gay community to get involved.  The powerful white gay organizations such as GLAAD and HRC are only concerned with advancing a “white gay agenda”. In the eyes of GLAAD and HRC the only “victims” of violence and homophobia must be white this is their focus and mandate. Sure, GLAAD has a special people of colour “position” and a couple of token blacks on their payroll but the concerns of black gays are not the focus of GLAAD.

 Since Michael Sandy was a young black gay man and his killers were white he was of no interest to the white gay media. GLAAD and HRC chose to ignore Sandy’s death and act like it never  taken place. Aren’t GLAAD and HRC against all forms of homophobia? Or are GLAAD and HRC only concerned about homophobia that affects the white race?

No cover of Advocate or Out Magazine, and the mainstream American media was also  apathetic to Michael Sandy’s death. No ABC,  no CNN, no NBC, or CBS news. Why didn’t the North American media create articles and make a “racial link” between the death of Michael Sandy and the violence of young white men? After all Sandy was lured on the internet for a sexual encounter only to be tricked and brutally beaten and killed by four white guys. Are all young white men now violent?

  I am a Jamaican Canadian and I am also gay. I know homophobia exists in Jamaica.  However, we all have choices in life and since Canada is a democracy I have freedom to make my own decisions. I have made the choice not to listen to or purchase Beenie Man or Elephant man’s music. I also  also made the decision  not to attend their concerts. However, I  strong disagree with the so called “gay activists” that are attempting to destroy the careers of black entertainers.  Music is an artistic expression and every artist has a right to his or her’s own views on art. In this world  we are not going to agree with everything everyone else says or does. Last time I checked at Beenie man and Elephant man’s concerts people are not being gay bashed.

 I believe EGALE and other so called gay activist organizations aren’t really “concerned” about “fighting” homophobia in relation to the drama over homophobic lyrics in Reggae music. My perspective is these organizations are only concerned with fostering and promoting anti black racism. The western media also is selling this racism splashing various articles and creating hysteria over the homophobia in Jamaica. Its a pathetic attempt by the lazy western press once again to push the boring, dry, and tired racist stereotype that “all” black people are homophobic.

However, there is an  “invisible code” and an eerie  silence to white gay racism against black people. The catch here is that the anti black racism is  “hidden” under the false pretense of “fighting homophobia”. I cringe when I see white gay activists complaining about black entertainers because I question the motivation of these white gay activists. I question why the “sudden” interest in attacking black entertainers? When  EGALE and other white gay organizations block Enimem and Marilyn Manson and other white homophobes from having concerts in Canada then they are legitimate. Until this occurs I just have to call them on their bullshit about “fight against homophobia”.  I also do not believe in censorship.

In September 2007  a concert for Elephant man was cancelled in Toronto because some gay activists were complaining about homophobia.  I was quoted in the Toronto Star saying  there was a double standard taking place and I stand by my quote.  When black people see black entertainers being banned it only fuels anger and in this case black people and fans of Reggae music have a right to be angry.  Nothing is solved through censorship and miscommuication is the end result. It is a vicious cycle. Free speech exists for a reason and Canada is a democracy.  I have to write about this because I am going to be blunt. I think some black gay activists that side with white gay organizations such as EGALE are stupid. I cannot be more blunt them that. EGALE doesn’t give a damn about violence against Jamaican gays and lesbians. EGALE only cares about advancing their own agenda, acquiring free publicity, and fostering the “image” that they believe in gay rights for all gay people.  The black gay activists  that side with EGALE are foolish to believe EGALE is really “concerned” about the rights of black gays.

The black gay activists do indeed have valid concerns the violence against gays in Jamaica is real and it exists. However, there is also an “invisible code” taking place where white gay organizations are acquiring too much power they think they can speak for the black race. I am here to say today as a black gay man that white gays don’t speak for the black race. And as a black gay man white gay organizations such as EGALE definitely don’t speak for me that’s for sure. 

 Its clear to me the white gay organizations such as EGALE are specifically targeting black reggae artists due to the undercurrent of  racism.  It is well known there is  a racist perception in the western world that black people we are “more” homophobic then “whites.” I laugh at this bullshit because its simply not true.  Homophobia takes place across all racial and cultural sectors. Yet the western media frames homophobia as though its just occurs among blacks. Black straight activists don’t speak up because the white gays have the power of branding them as “homophobes” if they disagree with them.  Black straight activists needs to be cognizant of the fact racism in the gay community racism exists.  Gay black gay writers such as Audre Lorde, James Earl Hardy, Essex Hemphill, have all written about the hypocrisy of the white gay community in relation to dealing with racial discrimination.

The Conservative party of Canada leader Stephen Harper is a homophobic bigot he’s a white male and he’s the Prime Minister of Canada. In the United States George W. Bush is a homophobe, the Republican party is very anti gay and gay rights is not their concern. Senator Larry Craig has voted against gay rights yet he was caught earlier this year cruising for sex in an airport washroom he also is a white male. White males in North America have the political power the create discriminatory laws to discriminate against gays and lesbians. The negative atttiude the mainstream North American and European media have to reggae artists is also fuelled by their racist perceptions of young black men as violent and evil.

 Where are the white gays organizations denouncing Marilyn Manson or Enimem? Where is the urgency?  If you visit white gay websites they talk about how “cute” Enimem is and that Marilyn Manson is such a “artist”. Yes its so cute when Enimem talks about beating down women. Marilyn Manson gets a free pass for his homophobic lyrics in his songs because he’s also a white male.

Homophobia is a global phenomeon it takes place all over the world.  Violence against gays isn’t race specific yet the western media consistently frame homophobia as though it only occurs in the black community.  It is such a disservice because it obscures and ignore the awareness about homophobia in other parts of the world. It is  well known  homophobia still exists in the so called progressive North America, west and eastern Europe. 

 Reverend Phelps a white American male heterosexual minister is a homophobic bigot he travels with his congregation and protests funerals if the deceased is gay. Yet Phelps doesn’t receive much press from the mainstream white North American or European media. I wonder why? It is well known in great old Europe the virulent homophobia against gays in countries such as Russia, Serbia, and Russia is very strong and real. 

 Recently in May 2007 this year there were violent protests in Russia two European members of parliament were arrested  in Moscow as violence broke out. Peter Tatchell a white British gay activist was punched and an Italian MP was kicked. The mayor of Moscow Yury Luzhkov called homosexuality “satanic”.

      The European parliment this year accused Croatia of promoting homophobia in schools. Why does this not receive much attention in the west? Could it be because the homophobes in this case are white people that it won’t sell enough papers, it isn’t sensational enough or they just ignore white homophobia?

Link to information about Michael Sandy murder trial: 

 http://gothamist.com/2007/10/12/jurors_argue_bu.php

Link: Story about Aaron Webster’s death

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/11/15/gay_bashing_041115.html

Link: Story about homophobia in Croatia

 http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/may/07050801.html

Link: Homophobia in Russia

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6695913.stm

Link: Harley Walker news http://www.thestar.com/News/article/211221