FOR ONE LESBIAN, life has been an arduous battle. Sandra Espeut is now facing deportation from the United Kingdom after her sexuality was questioned on the basis that she has children. Espeut, who lived in the tough Kingston 13 area before going to Britain, bears scars she said she received during several beatings she suffered in her community.
She said Brian Williamson's murder was another shocking example of the violence gay men and lesbians face in the Caribbean island. "It is just horrible out there," she said. "It's just awful to hear of this, because I have even been told by the authorities here that I could get in touch with J-FLAG if they were to send me back."
INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
A British Home Office spokesman said that under the 1951 Geneva Convention, where one demonstrates a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, asylum may be granted. "We look at individual circumstances in determining all cases," he said. Sandra cannot prove her claim of lesbianism.
Paul (not his real name) was one of several gay men granted asylum several years ago. He too believes that Williams' death was a hate crime.
"I have been chased through the streets of Kingston on more than one occasion. I have been beaten and abused. It is easy for me to accept that Brian was murdered because of his sexuality. When I applied for asylum the authorities were told that there was nobody beating and killing gays in Jamaica. But the Government is in denial. You can never dare openly display your sexuality."
