This boycott is ill advised. It is opposed by JFLAG, Jamaica's primary gay rights association.

Red Stripe Beer has cooperated with JFLAG and does not support venues that promote homophobia. A boycott against Red Stripe Beer will only send them the message that opposing homophobia costs them both their domestic and international markets.

The annual number of victims of gay hate crimes in Jamaica numbers in the single digits. The annual number of victims of gay hate crimes in the USA number in the thousands. Where is the boycott against the USA for their homophobia?

I am a proud, gay, Jamaican writing from Kingston, Jamaica.

Jamaican only you say? How weird. I think it's safe to say many more nations in this world are far worse than Jamaica so why pick on little Jamaica? Even Jamaican gays and lesbians disagree with it!

Moreover, much of the USA is still heavily anti-gay so what's up with having your eyes set on a small island nation far from our seas?

odd!

i'm supporting this boycott. we gays can and should influence the economy down in jamaica. hate fags and kill us on the streets and murderers not brought to justice? still got that repressive buggery law on the books? there are lots of reasons to spend gay tourist dollars elsewhere.

homo lips that touch jamaican swill shall not touch mine.

How often must it be repeated, Homos 4 me? Red Stripe Beer does not support homophobic venues. They are one of the good guys that cooperate with JFLAG, Jamaica's primary gay rights organization. Why is the boycott targeting Red Stripe?

We Jamaican GLBTs do not want a boycott against our country or our country's products. If you really want to help Jamaican GLBTs, please contact JFLAG at http://www.jflag.org/. They will be happy to direct your efforts in a constructive fashion that WILL have a positive impact on our society.

Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the solidarity and your willingness to help. But the boycott is ill advised and ill informed and is bound to hurt our cause more than it will help -- especially if you insist on boycotting those companies that are already committed to our cause.

This boycott campaign is ironic. Red Stripe was one of first commercial entities to withdraw sponsorship from events which had singers who were promoting violence against gays and others in their lyrics. Now they are being targeted? Such actions only reinforce the intolerance that many people have for militant gay activists.

The crime reports based on Police provided data are horrifically understated. While with a US public health effort in Jamaica the non-stop crimes against gay men and women were horrific.

One gentleman I worked with was staring out into the water, and while he was staright with three children back in the US someone called him a batty-man, a group pushed him into a car, and two days later he was found.

Jamaica wants our money, but not our community, I agree with the boycott and believe the money is better spent within a country that has the capacity to change.

There is no evidence to suggest that Jamaicans are killing homosexuals. It is true that Jamaicans abhor their lifestyle but to say we have been killing homosexuals because of their lifestyle is ludicrous. Jamaicans are killing Jamaicans fullstop. Where is the evidence to suggest that Jamaicans are targeting homosexuals?
I think Jamaica is being pressured because the homosexual advocates would like our buggery law to be changed. We will not bow! We shall overcome!

this is the duncest damned boycott EVER. I'm Jamaican an let me explain something. This is doing no good but hurting a developing economy, in a manner that not even JFLAG supports. You don't introduce meaningful social change by force, you fucking idiots. It's done through time. You can't and WONT change any Jamaican minds through this boycott. If you want to try and make a difference, donate to a group IN JAMAICA, or try and lift the country out of the poverty and ignorance that perpetuates this prejudice and bigotry. Money would be much better spent on a educational campaign about LGBT people. But please feel free to BUY OUR RUM and BUY OUR BEER and then pour down your drains...idiots. We could care less what you do and nomatter what you do our beaches will be full of fat tourists wanting sun. We are an independent democracy, and will do what we wish till further notice F*ck you.

Ha! Jamaica calls itself a developing economy and the matter concerning human rights his so unjust and ancient.

Human literacy in Jamaica is one of its worst and lowest in the Caribbean (check the world agencies and supportive relevant bodies to reveal the facts). That is why you Jamaicans can come on here and say what you like.

The people in Jamaica are no longer nice anyway, especially when it comes on to there customer service. They treat people the worst (it never used to be like this in the past, Jamaicans were alot nicer).

The society overall has become VERY harsh and negative towards good will, not to mention its deteriorating economy over the years and falling infrastructure.

To Juj: You say Jamaica is an independent democracy, and yet it continues to consume more than it produces. Silly head!

Hmmmm....did no one do the research? who owns these brands? LOL

To bad. Myer's rum is probably the best available although, I've never seen an ad for it in a gay publication. But today, instead of reaching for another overpriced Myer's I reached for an overpriced one from Canada!
I know the word is to avoid Jamaica on gay cruises.

I have nothing against gays, I do however have a huge problem with these militant gay rights gays.

Jamaica is a very poor country. Not every person in this country feels this way and not every person in this country should be punihsed for the views of a vocal minority of people.

Also, they are boycotting redstripe even thoghh they have been supportive of the Jamaican gay rights group, why is that?

These militant groups turn more people off to their cause than any good they do. I'm heading down to Jamaica in a week and will enjoy my trip even more knowing I'm snubbing this radical group.

Also, their number one alternative destination is Massachusets....LOLOLOLOL. Nice alternative to beautiful Jamaica.

Some reasons for a boycott:

Death penalty
Hate crimes
Racism
Same-sex couples cannot get married and cannot benefit from equal civil rights
Sodomy laws
Elitist society (Private Health Systems, Private Retirement Systems, the cost of higher education, etc)

So, let's change this article a bit:

"We ask all people of all walks of life to send a clear message to the American people and their government, that as long as they continue to allow and condone violence and hatred toward the gay community, we will neither buy their products or support their economy."

Boycotts against companies that are friends of the community are insane. Red Stripe has been a friend to the G&L community. J-FLAG has come out against their boycott, and they know their nation and community rather than a poser like Michael Petrelis or his lock-step followers.

If you want to make a difference, act locally. Jamaican gays aren't asking for this boycott; and all American punters are doing by encouraging it is damaging one of the few companies in Jamaica that has stood up for gays and lesbians.

Seriously, do you guys not have anything more important to do?

So if I do as JFLAG wishes, and don't take part in the boycott, do I then HAVE to buy Myers rum in order not to be participating? I keep thinking of the same machetes used to cut the cane being the machetes of those who invaded a gay funeral and assaulted the mourners. Sort of lessons my appetite for a rum and Coke.

So if I do as JFLAG wishes, and don't take part in the boycott, do I then HAVE to buy Myers rum in order not to be participating? I keep thinking of the same machetes used to cut the cane being the machetes of those who invaded a gay funeral and assaulted the mourners. Sort of lessons my appetite for a rum and Coke.

i support this boycott because it is wrong and i don't agree or think that a prime minister would have the nerve or sense enough to say such a statement this is wrong and homophobic and if i didn't have family in Jamaica i would not go and I'm not even gay and i am Jamaican this is disgusting to even think of.... shame shame shame on Jamaica and the people who think and condone this it is ridiculous.

Read my blog on this topic....http://mizteriousworld.blogspot.com/

@ van
Jamaica is filled with brilliant minds....many people will try to do researches but they wont get acurate results because Jamaica is not a country based on Technology like America is...so there is no way you or anyone should make such a broad statement...for that to be true this so call world supportive agency would have had to survey 20% of the island's population and i highly doubt they did...

u people get a life i support jamaica 100%
so wat they dont want their country to become corrupt with gays an homo ppl on there streets that life style is so wrong an disgustin
so wat ....Jamaica stand up for wat u believe in dont allow gays to corrupt the minds of our children how would it look if ur walkin on the road and see 2 men kissin and ur child is there thats the point jamaicans are making .if ur gay fine but not in publice for children to see ...........dont get mi wrong killin them is wrong but they puttin out a msg DONT BE GAYS ON OUR STREETS WERE LITTLE CHILDREN PLAY
so wat if u ppl boycott jamaica ,they strongly believe God will take them through ......... nuff love to Jamaica going there in august to drink some jamaican beer and eat Jerk chicken .respect jamaica ..yeah mon....lol

You people must remember that Jamaica represents African unity which is the strength of a black foundation. Progressivity and productivity is a part of our African heritage.

A united Africa is the key to human security.

So what we need to do is to stop focusing on "fewman" rights and start focus on "fewman" wrongs which the Africans at home and abroad have been the victim for a purpose.

ORAL SEX IS CANNIBALISIM.

LIVE AND LETS LIVE.

GOD BLESS JAMAICA

/Prolife

Cannibals boycotting Jamaica is obvious to force black people into needs and wants which is a convinient way to sodomize them.

Remember not one of Gods loyal children shall sit on your sidewalk and beg your bread!

Seek God ye filthy men and women.

Repent!

/Prolife

Oral sex is cannibalism? LOL!