Gay Rights Activists Applaud Jamaican Government for Opening Debate on Legalizing Homosexuality

On Wednesday, the gay rights group Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals, and Gays welcomed the government's recent announcement that a parliamentary panel will study whether legalizing homosexuality and prostitution would encourage people to learn about HIV/AIDS prevention and seek treatment for the disease. "Both of these matters need to be debated even-handedly with discussion rooted in public health considerations and in improving Jamaica's record on human rights," the group said. A 2004 Human Rights Watch report said Jamaica's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS are undermined by pervasive discrimination against homosexuals. HIV is still considered a gay disease in Jamaica, despite data showing most infections are heterosexually transmitted.

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