Public Defender, Earl Witter (left), commenting on the smoke nuisance emanating from the Riverton landfill while speaking to journalists at his Harbour Street offices downtown, Kingston yesterday. At left is Calvin Campbell, Special Projects Manager at the Office of the Public Defender. - Junior Dowie / Staff Photographer

Angelo Laurence and Edmond Campbell, Gleaner Writers

Public Defender Earl Witter resorted to the vernacular yesterday as he advised members of the gay community to "hold your corners", and avoid flaunting their sexual preferences in the face of those who are repulsed by their behaviour.

Condemning violence in all forms, particularly against homosexuals, the public defender, however, warned members of the gay community that if they continued to shove their tendencies on others who found it repugnant, it might incite violence.

"It may provoke a violent breach of the peace," Mr. Witter told The Gleaner yesterday evening.

Earlier in the day, he had addressed the hot-button topic during a Rotary Club luncheon at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.

During the luncheon, Mr. Witter said that, as with most things, "tolerance has its limits" and gays and lesbians should be sensitive to the "repulsion that others feel" and should not be so "brazen".

"What takes place behind closed doors between consenting males is ordinarily beyond the reach of the law so they (gays) should confine their activities to their bed chambers and not, by their conduct, provoke disapproving reactions. In other words 'hold yu corner,'" Mr. Witter said.

Recent incidents

The public defender's remarks come against the background of recent incidents involving homosexuals which have triggered national debate.

On Monday, it was reported that homosexuals converged on the offices of the Western Mirror newspaper in Montego Bay, St. James, and threatened staff over a story which alleged that gays were responsible for the shortage of women's underwear in the second city. Earlier this month, men who crossed-dressed and reportedly cavorted on stage at a carnival event in Montego Bay were also attacked by members of the public.

The incident at the carnival event, as well as attacks on homosexuals at a recent funeral in Mandeville and in Half-Way Tree earlier this year, led groups including the Jamaican Council for Human Rights and the church community to publicly condemn violent acts against homosexuals.

However, Mr. Witter told The Gleaner that, if homosexuals wished to continue their lifestyle, they should do so in private, "out of sight and beyond the reach of persons who are repulsed by that kind of orientation".

He also reminded members of the public that buggery remained an offence punishable by imprisonment at hard labour.

Mr. Witter said that, as Public Defender, he felt it was necessary to state the position of his office.

Turning to the Constitution, the he said that, since the fundamental rights and freedoms were guaranteed by the State, the Government should take the lead in "re-acculturating" Jamaicans to an attitude of tolerance towards gays.

He noted, however, that popular resistance should be expected in attempts at getting the message across to the country.

"I accept that it would be a brave politician, particularly in this (election) season, that would opt for that position," he said.

Mr. Witter however argued that th was that persons of that sexual orientation "may yet flaunt their wares, so to speak, and excite violence and mayhem, and what good can possibly come of that?"

According to the Public Defender, the recent behaviour of homosexuals at the funeral in Mandeville, as well as the attack on the Western Mirror offices "tends to provoke a violent reaction".

However, he also warned that those who claimed to be straight should be careful how they cast stones and condemn the gay community, as their own actions were irresponsible and unacceptable.