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    Support Javed Jaghai, Amend the Offences Against the Person Act!!

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    To: The Most hon. Portia Simpson-Miller

    We are Jamaicans who believe that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, social status, age, sex or sexual orientation. This is why we are in support of Javed Jaghai's Supreme Court case which is asking for the amendment of the current "Offence Against the Person's Act" (buggery...

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    We are Jamaicans who believe that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, social status, age, sex or sexual orientation. This is why we are in support of Javed Jaghai's Supreme Court case which is asking for the amendment of the current "Offence Against the Person's Act" (buggery law). 

    This law from 1864 outlaws intimacy between men and makes no distinction between consensual and non-nonsexual anal intercourse. In addition, the law makes the maximum penalty for anal rape less than the penalty for vaginal rape. 

    We are petitioning the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, to intercede by formally supporting Javed's right to challenge this law, which has no place in a modern democracy. While the legislature may reflect the will of the majority, the Supreme Court has an obligation to dispassionately consider the merits of Javed's case and to ensure that his constitutional rights are recognized and protected.  

    We are also calling upon the Prime Minister to champion a legislative effort to rectify the inadequacies of Jamaica's rape laws. Currently, rape is defined as vaginal penetration by a penis without consent and carries a sentence of fifteen years to life imprisonment, while anal penetration by a penis is under the purview of the buggery law and only merits 10 years imprisonment. Therefore, it is implied that men cannot be raped and that the trauma of anal rape is less consequential than vaginal rape
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    "Javed was evicted from his home because of his sexual orientation. The homeowner argued that, as a gay man, Javed would break the law by engaging in intimate acts with other men on the premises.

    Sadly, Javed's experience is not uncommon; gay Jamaicans endure almost daily intrusions into their privacy. In 2005, two middle-aged men were convicted under the anti-sodomy law when a passing policeman viewed them through their bedroom window. In even more extreme cases, armed mobs have invaded the homes of homosexuals in an attempt to evict them; in other cases, homophobic neighbors have stoned and torched premises because they belonged to homosexuals or their families. Even 11-year-old LGBT youth have been turned out on the street by family members, and the mere suspicion of homosexuality can earn someone an abrupt eviction, or worse.

    We are seeking equality for ALL Jamaicans. It is time to STOP the hate, the violence and the discrimination against gay Jamaicans. We are all brothers and sisters. 

    Let us work diligently to live up to the motto of Jamaica: Out of Many, One people. We cannot truly claim to be a free people until all Jamaicans are freed from the bondage of prejudice and discrimination. Our laws must recognize the inherent dignity of every Jamaican citizen and must align with constitutional principles of equality. 

    Please sign the petition as a demonstration of your duty to help create an inclusive Jamaica. 



    Issues: , , ,

    1. Update #5

      Posted by Jamaica Foralljamaicans (Campaign Leader) on May 6

      Less than a month left until Javed takes his case to the supreme court of Jamaica to fight for the rights to privacy (without fear of prosecution) for members of the gay community. If you are receiving this update, it means you have signed our petition to the prime minister of Jamaica in support of Javed's case. Thank you for helping us! Won't you help us garner more signatures by sharing our petition with those in your circles? Every signature makes a difference! Thank you for caring!

    2. Update #4

      Posted by Jamaica Foralljamaicans (Campaign Leader) on Apr 8

      WOW! 503 signatures to date, thanks to all of you! Let us keep this petition going so we can bring about awareness for the Jamaican LGBT community and help make a difference. Every signature counts!

    3. Update #3

      Posted by Jamaica Foralljamaicans (Campaign Leader) on Mar 26

      Hello and thank you immensely once again for supporting our cause by signing the petition to the prime minister of Jamaica. We are now at 431 signatures in our fourth week of the petition. Wont you continue to help us reach our goal of 5000 signatures by passing this petition along to all your contacts and by sending them reminders? Together we can strive for a better future where everyone is treated equally!

      thank you!

    4. Update #2

      Posted by Jamaica Foralljamaicans (Campaign Leader) on Mar 12

      Thank you once again for signing this petition, your support means a lot and your signatures will help tell the citizens of Jamaica that we are ready for change. Please keep passing the petition on to your friends, send them reminders and encourage everyone you know to sign! We are now at 364 signatures!  Thanks for caring about this cause! 

    5. Update #1

      Posted by Jamaica Foralljamaicans (Campaign Leader) on Mar 2

      Thank you for taking the time to sign our petition and for helping us to effect change in Jamaica. We have now reached 248 signatures! Please don't forget to pass the word along and encourage everyone you know to sign for our cause. Thank you!

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