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LGBT Jamaicans Hold 1st Gay Pride Celebrations on Island

Jamaica\'s LGBT community is holding its first gay pride celebrations on the Caribbean island, typically described as the region\'s most hostile to homosexuality.

Published: 04th August 2015 11:27 PM  |   Last Updated: 04th August 2015 11:27 PM   |  A+A A-

By AP

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's LGBT community is holding its first gay pride celebrations on the Caribbean island, which is typically described as the region's most hostile to homosexuality.

Events in Kingston so far have included a flash mob gathering in a park and an art exhibit. A symposium on coming out as gay also is scheduled Tuesday.

Jamaican gay rights activists say the events are a clear sign that tolerance is expanding in Jamaica even though longstanding laws criminalizing gay sex between men remain on the books.

Kingston's mayor and the island's justice minister have publicly supported the weeklong "PrideJa" activities, which have been peaceful.

Still, many Jamaicans consider homosexuality to be a perversion from abroad and there is widespread resistance to repealing anti-sodomy laws.

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