Music produced by budding Jamaican artistes is more tolerant towards gay people than that of their more seasoned, "rogue" counterparts the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) says.

In a release on Sunday the body said "Despite the occasionally homophobic rant by rogue deejays, we have seen a general decline in the level of homophobia coming from new Jamaican artistes and in new music from Jamaica. We have also seen corporate sponsors withdrawing their support from music that promotes violence or discrimination against any group."

Significant successes

JFLAG said these were significant successes in the progress they have made over the last decade, but expressed dissatisfaction with a San Francisco-based group's decision to boycott Jamaican products and by extension, the island. This move JFLAG said could possible side-track all the progress they have made.

JFLAG said while they were thankful for the support of international allies, "it is important that (those) allies understand the nature of our struggle and engage us in a respectful way about it (and) that they be guided by us."

To do otherwise, the local gay rights group said would be a setback.

The US based group, Boycott Jamaica, reportedly started their work earlier this month and has launched a website, www.boycottjamaica.org, encouraging others to support their cause. Among other things posted on that website is a link encouraging supporters to write-off Jamaica as a vacation destination, Prime Minister Bruce Golding's popular 'not in my cabinet' statement and clearly profiled photos of some three Jamaican products they are urging supporters to stop buying. Two of these are alcoholic beverages.

Respect their reasons

A posting on the website also responded to the release that JFLAG release. The San Francisco based group wrote: "Today, JFLAG came out against this boycott. We respect their reasons and understand that they are unable to stand up and be out. However, we believe that a boycott is what will be most effective in the long term."

The boycott group clearly defined the only two conditions under which they will end the boycott. Those conditions demanded that the Jamaican Government publicly commit to end gay bashing on the island and improve the human rights situation; and (issue) a statement from the Prime Minister clearly and unequivocally condemning violence against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people and expressing regret for past violence.