Understanding and reducing sexual prejudice in Jamaica: Theoretical and practical insights from a severely anti-gay society

Jamaica has earned an international reputation for severe sexual prejudice: perhaps disproportionately so compared to other severely anti-LGBT societies. Until recently, however, no quantitative empirical research had investigated Jamaica’s sexual prejudice, leaving the prejudice poorly understood and methods of reducing it unclear. This article reviews the past 15 years of empirical research on Jamaican anti-LGBT prejudice. It situates Jamaica within the global context, explains the current understanding of the severity and nature of the problem, evaluates solutions currently being explored and suggests promising strategies based on available evidence. Importantly, this article also reflects on lessons learned from Jamaica that are relevant for other severely anti-LGBT societies.