Gay community split on Queen Ifrica’s Canada performance

There are diverging views this Thursday morning from the gay community about the attempt to deny a permit for Queen Ifrica to work in Canada, because of her comments at the recent Independence Day grand gala. The attempt is being made by the Canadian-based Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad (JAGLA). The group feels her comments were anti-gay and she should not be allowed to perform in Canada.

However, doctoral candidate in Sociology at Yale University, Javed Jaghai, who is also a claimant in the case challenging Jamaica's buggery laws, does not believe that differing views should prevent artistes from travelling.

“I don’t think anyone has a right to violate someone’s right to travel and share their art just because they share different world views. But at the end of the day, this is a very complex issue, and it really irks me every time we reduce it to the gays trying to force their lifestyle on us, because that is what it really turns into,” said Mr. Jaghai.

He said as a nation we often communicate by inflicting pain on each other and said it is time we start acting like the adults we are.

However, member of JAGLA, Ralston Chamberlain, insisted that the group should at least get an apology.

“Let me declare; our aim and our mission is not to have Queen Ifrica’s travel documents revoked. Our aim is for her to either apologise to the gay community about the anti-gay remarks, or not be allowed to perform at the event,” said Mr. Chamberlain. He was speaking on Wednesday on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines.

And, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters, along with Amnesty International and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, on Wednesday demonstrated in front of the Jamaican High Commissioner's office in Ontario. The demonstration was aimed at bringing attention to the July 22 murder of 16-year-old cross-dresser Dwayne Jones in Montego Bay. The teenager was beaten, shot, stabbed, run over and thrown into bushes after appearing at a party dressed as a woman. A peaceful protest will also take place in London on August 28 to demand justice for the death of the teenager.

Organized by African Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans-genders Out and Proud Diamond Group, the protest is to be held outside the Jamaican High Commission.