Navigating travel decisions as an LGBTQ individual or ally can be daunting, especially when destinations like Jamaica are calling. My goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision, not to persuade you one way or the other. I’ll lay out arguments for and against considering Jamaica as a travel destination for queer folks and allies so that you can make your own decision.
Understanding Jamaica’s Queer Landscape
Jamaica’s longstanding legal position, with its 1864 anti-sodomy law, positions it as one of the worst Caribbean nations when it comes to LGBTQ rights and protections. Despite claims by the Jamaican government that this law is unenforced, the mere existence of the law lends credence to homophobic sentiments. While female same-sex intimacy is technically legal, discrimination and violence persist. It’s worth noting that neighboring Caribbean islands like Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis have repealed similar laws. However, Jamaica is not alone; other nations, including Guyana and Grenada, retain them.
Public Perception: A 2010 study by the University of the West Indies showed that over 82% of Jamaicans believed male homosexuality was immoral. Contextualizing this, the U.S. too had almost 50% of its population with similar views that year. It’s fair to assume that these numbers have likely shifted toward more tolerance.
Violence: A report by the U.K. non-profit Rainbow Railroad found the LGBTQ community in Jamaica faces “horrific violence, discrimination and persecution and lack(s) the most basic protections under the law.” The Jamican police have often turned a bind eye or even participated in anti-gay violence. All that said, I am not aware of any recent violence against LGBTQ travelers.
The Argument Against Vacationing in Jamaica
Safety Concerns: For queer travelers, the perceived safety cocoon exists primarily within Jamaica’s resorts. Stepping out necessitates discretion to avoid potential hostility — a concealment of identity that you’d rightly argue shouldn’t be necessary.
Moral Grounds: There’s also a debate around economically supporting a nation with institutionalized discrimination. It’s totally justifiable to bypass Jamaica entirely on this ground.
The Argument For Vacationing in Jamaica
Global Context: Jamaica’s not alone when it comes to LGBTQ discrimination. The Anti-Defamation League recorded over 356 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the U.S. between June 2022 and April 2023. Globally, many nations grapple with similar challenges.
Travel as Inclusion: Should your sexual orientation or gender identity limit your travel experiences? Arguably, there’s value in fostering inclusivity, allowing individuals to experience diverse cultures without their identity being a barrier.
Changing Perceptions: While data on Jamaican attitudes toward homosexuality might be dated, societal views evolve. It’s plausible that many more Jamaicans today are accepting or even allies to the LGBTQ community than a decade ago.
Final Thoughts
The choice to travel to Jamaica as an LGBTQ individual or ally is deeply personal. I’m gay, and my month-long stay was marked by warmth from the locals, and no hostility… But I was alone most of the time, with my teenage daughter along for a part of the trip. I wonder how different my experience might have been with my husband along.
Just about every queer traveler I met in Jamaica found Jamaican resorts to be inclusive and welcoming, but remember that these resorts are a microcosm. While the beauty of Jamaica is undeniable, potential visitors have to weigh their comfort and safety against the shifting cultural backdrop, and hopefully make an informed decision.
