The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is calling on the government to address the social security needs of all citizens, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) people.
The call follows a survey, which J-FLAG said it did, that disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected LGBT people in several areas, including through unemployment and inability to access health services.
Amid those challenges, J-FLAG, in a statement on Monday celebrating this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), stated that “LGBT people remain positive as we continue to successfully navigate these and other challenges”.
IDAHOT is being celebrated under the theme, ‘Coming Out Resilient: LGBT Jamaicans and COVID-19’, as J-FLAG focuses on the challenges that are faced by the LGBT community and their efforts to boost the resilience of the community.
“Our survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the community shows that close to 90 per cent of LGBT people have been negatively affected, experiencing displacement, unemployment and inability to access health services,” J-FLAG stated.
“As many as 45 per cent of LGBT people have indicated that they are unable to access social services, while 24 per cent indicated that they became jobless as a result of the pandemic,” the organisation added.
However, “these issues are not new and, in fact, have been exacerbated by the unique challenges posed by COVID-19”, J-FLAG said, adding, “The pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to address these and other issues, particularly around social society.
“J-FLAG welcomes plans by the government to establish a new social pension programme targeting persons aged 75 years and older who are not currently benefiting from a pension programme.
“While this is a commendable move, there ought to be a more comprehensive effort to address the social security needs of all citizens, including LGBT people.”
Against that background, the human rights and social justice organisation representing LGBT people locally, called “upon policymakers to actively take steps to address this gap, especially as we undertake a path to recovery from the still raging pandemic”.
J-FLAG added: “As we celebrate IDAHOT, let’s work together to make Jamaica the place to live, work, raise families and do business in a Jamaican society that respects and protects the rights of everyone.”
