I feel so amazingly good right now. Can’t quite place the feeling. I have been thinking long and hard about how I can advance the LGBT human rights movement in Jamaica, and I feel hopeful. I just need some people to work with. I’ve emailed J-Flag a few times, but it seems the organization is busy, because it is not very responsive (or there are just a few people running the operation and they are overwhelmed). Either way, I am here to help, and I need someone to bounce some ideas off.
Last year, a young man walking closely behind me asked, “a how come yu wan a hot up the place so,” and I was dumfounded. I turned to him and said, “excuse me?” haha
Memories. At the time I thought, but this boy wants to get me into trouble man. And also, what if he had guessed wrongly? Well he didn’t. But still, that is not something I have the guts to do in Jamaica just yet. I love my life too much.
Two years ago I dreaded returning to Jamaica. I’m proud of myself for growing so comfortable with the place. It’s still scary… but I am finding it progressively easier to live with it. It's exactly two months before I return to school- I better make every day count!
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Somebody hit on you in Jamaica? In public?
ReplyDeleteDid I hear that right?
Good to hear that you've been having a positive time at home and revelling in a place that was once a dreaded reality!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a discussion I had with my girlfriend who is Jamaican about the culture and homosexuals. hmm, something i should blog about.
This is something. You need to elaborate on that one!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think he guessed right?
Was it a deserted street at 2 a.m.?
:D
ReplyDelete@ A. Friend: This was the middle of the day in Ocho Rios, Jamaica! I was understandably caught off-guard. I never imagined that anyone would have the guts to approach me in such a manner. Just minutes before, while walking, I said to myself, "It'll be alright. Just get to your destination and then head back home. 1 week to go, and you will escape all drama." And then what do you know :) He asked me my name, and I told him. Then I asked him his, and said it was nice to meet him. After, I deliberately went in the opposite direction to avoid further conversation. This was Jamaica in broad daylight after all. Ocho Rios is small. I am sure i'll bump into him again. I have been approached late at night already. That was a less than memorable experience. I'll blog about it next.
As to how he guessed correctly, I couldn't say. He was very cautious however, as he spoke in a very soft voice and was careful to avoid my gaze when we were face to face. I'm glad he took the chance :D
@seekdiansa: Definitely. One thing i have realized is that people are better aware of our presence. They no longer speak as if homosexuals are on the fringes of Jamaican society. They're starting to get it.
@frometomi: Thank you. My best friend here assured me last night that though he espouses homophobic views publicly (the Jamaican way), he is actually very accepting of homosexuals. He wanted me to tell him then, but he'll have to wait some more. The assurance, though, was comforting :)
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