Out of many one people : telling the stories of Jamaican gay men and their move to Canada

Abstract

In Jamaica, sexual acts between men are still punishable by law. Numerous incidents of violence against gay men and lesbians have prompted human rights groups to distinguish it as one of the most homophobic places on earth. There are many cases of gay Jamaican men seeking resettlement and refuge in Canada. While any transition to a new country and culture can be challenging for immigrants, there is limited research that speaks to the experiences of the gay Jamaican men. This paper is based on stories gathered from four gay Jamaican men who came to Canada as refugees and highlights issues of acculturation related to connection with Canadian culture, letting go of the home culture, challenges in support systems and the inability to feel comfortable, confident and settled in the new Canadian environment. The project resulted in a compilation of visual stories and audio clips that were placed on a website (http://queeryingjamaica.tumblr.com/). Using the tools available through social media, the stories provide a source of representation.