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Murder

Jamaican Gay Activist Murdered in Homophobic Attack, High Rates of HIV Prevalent in Island Nation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A leading gay Jamaican Aids activist, Steve Harvey, was abducted and murdered by gunmen on the eve of World Aids Day, in what appears to have been a homophobic attack. Harvey's work focused on combating the high rates of HIV in Jamaica, where the number of those infected doubles every few years and now stands at 1.5% of the population, making it a critical issue in the island nation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Harvey, a prominent gay Jamaican Aids activist, was abducted and murdered by gunmen in a suspected homophobic attack.
  • Harvey's work primarily involved working with sex workers and gay people to combat the high rates of HIV in Jamaica.
  • The island nation has seen a significant number of murders this year, with almost 1,400 reported, giving it a per-capita murder rate close to Colombia's.
  • Gay people in Jamaica have been singled out for attack, with a Human Rights Watch report highlighting pervasive violence against men who have sex with men.
  • Homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica, and homophobia is fueled by popular dance hall tunes that call for the murder of gay men.
  • The murder of Stephen Harvey and the lack of protection from the government and police have led to outrage from human rights campaigners, including Peter Tatchell of OutRage.
  • Harvey's work helped save hundreds of lives by promoting safe practices among men and women, both gay and straight, in Jamaica.

Statistics:

  • 1.5% of Jamaica's population is infected with HIV.
  • Almost 1,400 murders have occurred in Jamaica this year alone.
  • Jamaica's per-capita murder rate is close to Colombia's.
  • 2.7 million people live in Jamaica.
  • Homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica.
  • Harvey's work helped prevent hundreds of HIV infections in Jamaica.

Sources:

  • Human Rights Watch's report "Hated to Death" released last November.
  • Eyewitness accounts of Steve Harvey's murder.
  • Peter Tatchell's statements to the press.
  • Statistics provided by Jamaican authorities.
  • New York Times reporting on Steve Harvey's case.

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