Young and Gay: Jamaica's Gully Queens

[snooper2]

VICE

In Jamaica, attacks, murder, and rape are common occurrences against LGBTI people, with little to no retribution or justice brought against those responsible.

After being forced from shacks, derelict buildings, and their own families, many homeless LGBTI Jamaicans have found refuge in the storm drainage systems of Kingston — known locally as the gully. For trans girls and gay men unable or unwilling to hide their sexuality, the sense of community and relative safety the gully provides acts as a welcome sanctuary, and for many, a hope of change to come.

VICE News travelled to the New Kingston area to see what LGBTI life is like in Jamaica — where just being who you are can mean living a life underground.

[closeupready]

1. Thanks, saving for later.

K&R

[Bluenorthwest]

2. What kind of people would treat their fellow human beings like that?

I have seen that question asked lately, and here I ask that question.

[Bonobo]

4. Yes, how could Jamaican people treat their fellow people like that?

It's like a genocide or something.

[malaise]

5. A people brainwashed with British colonialism mixed

with American fundamentalism.
That said LGBT youngsters also live in horrible conditions and are victimized in several parts of the USA.
In both countries people are fighting for change.

And this thread will not stop me from posting about genocide and land grabbing in Israel.

[el_bryanto]

3. There's an organization called LGBTI Aware Caribbean

recently started, as the Caribbean is one of the places where same sex intimacy is still criminalized. It was spotlighted at 76 Crimes, which did an interview with the founders.

Bryant