I am a firm believer in the Italian proverb that “A beautiful woman is the strongest argument in favour of the existence of God”, and find the idea of a man being sexually attracted to another man incomprehensible. And like most persons raised in Jamaica, I find the very concept of homosexuality extremely distasteful.

But Jamaica is a democracy. And democracy is not just about majority rule. It is also about freedom of choice, the openness to the position of the other, and the tolerance of minority views. No liberal democrat can support criminal sanctions against homosexual conduct between two consenting adults. What grown men and women do in their bedrooms is no business of the state.

Many condemn homosexuality on biblical grounds, often quoting Leviticus 20:13 - “If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a women, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death.” But what about Leviticus 20:10? “And the man that commiteth adultery with another man’s wife… the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” As a friend jokes, if every adulterer in Jamaica was executed this island would be uninhabited!

Yet I cannot see homosexuality as merely an alternative lifestyle choice. The ultimate end of normal sexual relations is reproduction, the bringing of new life into being. Sex organs are by definition reproductive organs. So how can any form of sexual relationship in which reproduction is theoretically impossible – and homosexuality is but one of these – be called natural? Books like Joseph Robinson’s “Preparing for The Vibes in the World of Sexuality” - which defines intercourse as “putting an erect penis in the vagina or anus” - are in my opinion thinly disguised homosexual proselytizing.

Most experts believe there is both a genetic and environmental component to homosexuality. Those strongly inclined that way will probably become homosexual in any circumstance. But others have innate tendencies that only manifest themselves in certain contexts.

So if homosexual relationships between consenting adults are legalized, there must be strict laws to prevent those so inclined from trying to induce minors under 18 into such behaviour. Human sexuality is a delicate thing and many young persons to go through periods of sexual confusion. Uncertain youngsters can be influenced by homosexual adults into making fleeting mixed up emotions into a permanent lifestyle. The law should unequivocally make it as difficult as possible for this to happen.

Let the politically correct say what they will, no parent likes the idea of their own child growing up to be homosexual. They might be prepared to accept it if it happened, but they would certainly try to prevent it if they could. And the most tolerant balk at the thought of their young sons being taught by openly “gay” men. Even liberal Britain has a section 28 law forbidding the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

It is interesting to see how the homosexual legalization debate in Jamaica has changed. Once anyone bringing it up would be instantly damned as a “homo” - and Jamaican men still have no greater fear than even being rumoured to be a “b-man”. Not even outspoken talk shows would debate the topic for fear of losing sponsors. And those who publicly admitted homosexuality risked physical abuse and even death. But cable television and media globalization have changed many views. Now there is even now an organization called JFLAG – the Jamaican Federation of Lesbians and Gays.

(Curiously lesbianism doesn’t bother people as much as male homosexuality. Indeed judging from porno movies many men find the idea of two women together arousing. Yet most women find the thought of two men together disgusting. I wonder what social scientists make of this gender divide?)

However one can understand our politicians’ timidity on the issue, for the vast majority of Jamaicans remain militantly anti-homosexual. A 1996 poll indicated 96% of Jamaicans against legalizing same sex relationships, and another showed a majority in favour of jailing homosexuals.

Who can forget the 1993 uproar caused by media reports that the government might legalize same sex relationships? Overwhelming public disapproval forced the prime minister to quickly disavow any such plan. For weeks radio talk show lines were jammed with callers denouncing the government for even considering such a proposal. A bored Mutty Perkins stopped taking calls on the issue. And rumours of a planned “Gay Pride” march drew a large crowd of stick wielding protesters, though no gays actually turned up.

Dancehall deejays who are not connecting with the crowd often resort to anti-homosexuality taunts, knowing that ‘BOOM BYE BYE’ arguments are always guaranteed to send the massives into ecstasy. But though they might elicit brief cheers, entertainers who resort to such measures are admitting an inability to stir the crowd musically. Similarly a government which takes a grandstanding stance against legalizing homosexuality is in effect saying it has run out of real ideas on how to deal with our crumbling economy and out of control crime.

Homosexuality exists in every country on earth, even if it is not so prevalent as gay rights organizations like to claim - research shows that only 1% or so of men are exclusively and permanently homosexual. Most places accept this, and adopt a leave alone and let live attitude. Even South Africa has legalized homosexual rights. 

But in Jamaica homosexuality arouses stronger emotions than virtually any other topic. Why is this so? Why are Jamaicans so passionately concerned with what adult strangers do in the privacy of their homes?

Some psychologists, accurately or not, attribute this virulent homophobia to a lack of real male confidence in a matriarchal society where 85% of children are born out of wedlock. The vast majority of boys grow up without full time male role models, resulting perhaps in an immature sense of masculinity and hence sexual insecurity. Maybe also this is why deejays boast so inordinately about their sexual prowess and their number of sexual partners, as in “Tan Pon I Long" and "Nuff Gal" for example. The truly confident don’t brag.

One thing is certain, the whole topic would provide extremely interesting material for a very brave doctoral student. changkob@hotmail.com