President Biden wants Jamaican diplomats expelled from the U.S. after their Visas expire because the Caribbean island doesn’t recognize gay marriage.
The news media in Jamaica are reporting that there is a growing conflict between the Jamaican government and the United States after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to recognize the same-sex spouse of the country’s incoming U.S. ambassador.
According to the Miami Herald, Biden wants Jamaican diplomats expelled from the United States when their Visas expire this year.
Biden reportedly expelled the diplomats after Jamaica refused to grant approval for the spouse of the US diplomat in Jamaica.
When Jamaica ignored the Biden administration’s letter requesting approval, the U.S. sent another letter for approval. But Jamaica rejected the approval outright because the U.S. diplomat and their partner are in a same-sex marriage.
The U.S. then rejected a request to extend the stay of three Jamaican diplomats in the U.S. after their Visas expire this year. Biden has said they must leave immediately when their Visas expire.
Gay sex is still outlawed in Jamaica which only recognizes traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
In a 58-page report published Thursday by the Human Rights Watch, LGBT+ advocates explained that LGBT+ individuals are subjected to bullying and various forms of violence and harassment in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.
Anal sex is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and “gross indecency with another person of the same sex” with up to 5 years under Jamaica’s criminal code.
Critics argue that the U.S. has not kicked out the diplomat to Saudi Arabia which also criminalizes same-sex marriage.
In addition to Jamaica and St. Vincent, gay sex is outlawed in Dominica, Grenada, Guyana and Saint Lucia.
Watch the news report below.
