KINGSTON, Jamaica – As Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) gets ready for its week of activities to mark growing tolerance for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community starting Emancipation Day, speculations abound on social media about a possible gay pride parade in Jamaica.
If this is the case, Minister of Justice Mark Golding told OBSERVER ONLINE that certain steps have to be followed.
“Any kind of public march would require the approval of the police.”
He said anyone can march for any cause in Jamaica.
“As long as they don’t breach the peace, commit any offences and they get commission from the police to have the march, they are able to march,” Golding said.
“Jamaica is a free country and we have freedom of expression,” he added.
When quizzed about the legality of a same-sex marriage in Jamaica, the minister said: “No, they can’t have that.”
“A same-sex marriage is not recognised under our constitution,” he said.
Golding explained that the Jamaican Constitution is clear and explicitly states that marriage is between one man and one woman.
“So under our law, same-sex marriage is not recognised,” the minister reiterated.
Moya Hinds
