Dear Editor,
I was moved immensely with the symbolic gestures of solidarity shown recently by the US Embassy, Canadian High Commission, and French Embassy in Kingston as the LGBT community in Jamaica celebrated Pride Week for the second successive year on The Rock.
The US Embassy lit up their building with Pride rainbow colours one night, while the Canadian High Commission hosted an opening reception for Pride, which I understood was attended by few politicians and other established academics. The French Embassy hoisted the rainbow flag as a sign of solidarity, which must’ve made those like Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte very nervous.
The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica’s foremost academic institution, and a shaper of some of the greatest minds in the Caribbean also showed support. Well done, we have come a long way!
It is time for our people to learn and understand that we can live our lives while allowing others to live theirs. It is called tolerance and respect. Those offended by these recent gestures of support do have a choice. They can stop lining up at the embassy and high commission for long hours waiting for visas to visit and to migrate to these countries. Those already holding valid visas and feel offended can opt to cancel these visas and boycott future visits to countries, where tolerance is reinforced culturally and by law.
I wish those celebrating Pride in Jamaica, however they chose, all the very best. It has always been said, “One pride fits all,” meaning we can all have pride in who we are as individuals or as a people, regardless of race, gender, sexuality. One pride, one love!
Pete Delisser
pdelisser1988@yahoo.com
I was moved immensely with the symbolic gestures of solidarity shown recently by the US Embassy, Canadian High Commission, and French Embassy in Kingston as the LGBT community in Jamaica celebrated Pride Week for the second successive year on The Rock.
The US Embassy lit up their building with Pride rainbow colours one night, while the Canadian High Commission hosted an opening reception for Pride, which I understood was attended by few politicians and other established academics. The French Embassy hoisted the rainbow flag as a sign of solidarity, which must’ve made those like Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte very nervous.
The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica’s foremost academic institution, and a shaper of some of the greatest minds in the Caribbean also showed support. Well done, we have come a long way!
It is time for our people to learn and understand that we can live our lives while allowing others to live theirs. It is called tolerance and respect. Those offended by these recent gestures of support do have a choice. They can stop lining up at the embassy and high commission for long hours waiting for visas to visit and to migrate to these countries. Those already holding valid visas and feel offended can opt to cancel these visas and boycott future visits to countries, where tolerance is reinforced culturally and by law.
I wish those celebrating Pride in Jamaica, however they chose, all the very best. It has always been said, “One pride fits all,” meaning we can all have pride in who we are as individuals or as a people, regardless of race, gender, sexuality. One pride, one love!
Pete Delisser
pdelisser1988@yahoo.com