09.03.2006 - fonte: 365GAY.COM

FOUR ARRESTED IN GAY JAMAICAN AIDS WORKER MURDER

(Kingston, Jamaica). Four people have been charged with the killing of Lenford "Steve" Harvey who ran Jamaica AIDS Support for Life. Harvey was shot to death on the eve of World AIDS Day last December. (story) Support for Life provides support to gay men and sex workers. Harvey was openly gay and well known in Jamaica. Gunmen burst into Harvey's home confronting him and his two roommates.

The armed men demanded money. "We hear that you are gay," the gunmen yelled at the trio. The two housemates denied it but Harvey apparently remained silent. The housemates were gagged and bound. Harvey was ordered at gunpoint to help the gunmen carry valuables to his car. He was forced into the vehicle and kidnapped by his attackers.

Two hours later, he was found, shot dead. A 23-year old, two 19-year olds and a 16 year old girl are charged with murder, robbery and illegal possession of firearm.

Violence against gays is widespread in Jamaica and there was considerable international pressure on police to find Harvey's killers.

In 2004, Brian Williamson Jamaica's most vocal advocate of LGBT rights was murdered.(story)

support homophobic violence, fail to investigate complaints of abuse, and arrest and detain [men] based on their alleged homosexual conduct." Gay sex is illegal in Jamaica, punishable by ten years in jail, with the possibility of hard labor.

Reggae, or Jamaican dancehall music, is blamed for fueling homophobia. Reggae star BujuBanton's hit song Boom Boom Bye Bye which threatens gay men with a "gunshot in ah head".