Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Facebook has become the ubiquitous social networking site with an estimated 200 million members. For the most part, Facebook maintains a hands-off approach to content management. While I usually agree with this approach, I am outraged by the Facebook group “Kill Out Dem Man” which advocates the murder of gays and lesbians. The term “Batty Man” is Caribbean slang for gay men and the group is located in the Beliefs section. I get it, many Jamaicans hate gays but if Facebook doesn’t remove this group, they should expect legal action.
Editors Note: This didn’t take long. Facebook took the page down sometime between 5:20AM and 5:45AM.
From the Left 
I don’t use Facebook. My kids do but I communicate the old fashioned way with friends and family. I write letters and make phone calls. How 20th century.
I was born and raise in Jamaica, and yes through many lyrics of “dancehall” songs homophobia is spewed. I and many others grew up around gays and were very tolerant. The problem arises with the extreme asshats (as it is here in the USA). They use religion as a weapon for hate and thus trickling down to the ignorant. What I do hope for Jamaica (and it’s slowly changing), is that they start having louder advocates for gay rights and not allowed the handful of bigots to set the social agenda
There is no more dangerous place in the Caribbean if you are gay or lesbian than Jamaica. According to the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, last June, one of Jamaica’s most prominent gay rights activists, Brian Williamson, was found stabbed to death in his home. Laws against homosexuality are actively enforced bringing the wrath of the conservative government on offenders. But worse is the riptide of homophobia that is rampant at the local police and civilian level. Beatings, murders, torture, slashings of gays or those suspected of being gay are as common as rum. My advice, boycott this shit hole until further notice.
This shows why the Jamaica boycott is so important.
Facebook .Thanks for nice post.I added to my twitter.
Thanks for your serious, important response to Facebook. Think you will enjoy my own funny, then thoughtful response from my blog:
HOW TO BE HAPPY IF…
THE BIG TWEET!
http://drsue3.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/the-big-tweet-twitter-facebook-oprah-women-food-and-god/
Dr. Sue