Political Activism

Lenford Harvey

There have been many organizations that spawned as a result of the increasing population in the gay community.  Larry Chang, a publisher and editor, became the first man to publicly come out in jamaica and be interviewed by radio stations and JBC-TV.  Due to overwhelming death treats on his life and family he was forced to leave jamaica.  Before he went to the US he founded the Jamaican Forum For Lesbians All Sexuals and Gays or simply J Flag.  J Flag was founded in 1998 and specializes in the protection of gay and lesbian individuals in Jamaica.  The organization hosts social events, rallies, and advocates social reform.  The most popular campaign is "Stop The Murder Music" which calls for the stop to using anti-gay profanities in song lyrics.  Many activists have died as a result in trying to stop the violence. Lenford Harvey ,the leader in the Jamaican HIV/and AIDS communtiy, was robbed and kidnapped.  Before the Gunmen killed him they said "We hear that you are gay", and proceeded to shoot Harvey in the back of the head multiple times.  Harvey stood as a symbol of courage for hundreds of Jamaican that are too afraid to stand for themselves.