FORT LAUDERDALE, March 10, 2008  –  Condemnation of Jamaica’s climate of fear, hatred and hostility towards all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people has come today from the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).

“We call immediately on Jamaica’s community leaders to cease their oppression,” said John Tanzella, executive director of IGLTA.

“We will continue to speak up and to spotlight these cruel and bigoted actions before tourism and business leaders everywhere.

“IGLTA is in complete solidarity with Jamaica’s own LGBT leadership, J-FLAG,” he said in a statement.

“Therefore, like J-flag, it is not our intention to provoke reprisals or political condemnation in Jamaica by supporting a global tourism boycott.  We understand this step could be counter-productive to making true progress in that Caribbean nation, and instead we will focus on education, publicity and market competition to highlight and help curb these terrible abuses.”

At the upcoming 25th Anniversary Convention in Las Vegas next May, IGLTA leaders also will be able to highlight the degrading situation in Jamaica, and call on all global hospitality industry leaders to unite in condemning this and any hostile and violent climate towards our community.

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Posted: 10 March 2008 at 14:00 (UK time)