Justice Minister Delroy Chuck - file photo
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Delroy Chuck
Following criticism from several quarters, including on social media for his recent public remarks on the buggery law, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has stated clearly his position and that of the Government on the issue.
The Government's position remains that the law will only be changed through a referendum, he said.
However, Mr. Chuck caused raised eyebrows as well as some applause in his comments on Thursday while addressing the latest in a series of training sessions for Justices of the Peace at Beadles Hall in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.
"Let me make it very clear, I do not believe that the anus is a sexual organ. I am against homosexuality. Quite frankly, I believe it's wrong. But at the same time, I believe it is equally wrong for anyone to promote homophobia," the minister asserted.
The issue has again come up for discussion due to criticism leveled against Mr. Chuck by advocacy group, the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society.
The group took him to task for suggesting to more than 30 parliamentarians from CARICOM countries that they should lead by removing the buggery law in their countries.
He said the Church was the main hindrance in achieving the objective.
However, Mr. Chuck cautioned that people had a right to have differing opinions on the issue of homosexuality. He said in a democracy, all views must be respected.
"Let us never force or attack those who have a differing view. Let us debate it and treat it as an intellectual argument," he urged.
With regards to the church, the minister said he "agreed totally" with its position to promote biblical principles. However, he noted that while pre-marital sex and adultery are still frowned upon in Christianity, they are not criminalised under law.
"So the debate is: Buggery, I say, is wrong, but where do we draw the line in private morality?" he questioned.
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