Caribbean discrimination and dangers still prevalent?

[grrl2grrl]

Hello GLBT cruisers.

My question is, is there still blatant discrimination against the LBGT community?

I booked this cruise to Nassau because of convenience and price (we could afford to take the whole extended family). Now that I'm doing research I am coming across some downright scary information relating to the bahamas. The first thing I picked up was a book on the bahamas from Frommers (at a thrift store, book from 1996). It mentioned Sandals, and the decision to allow gays to stay at the couples only resort was only made because of advertisement pressures, and does not change they way the company feels towards our group.

 

The 2nd thing I did was search the forums here for Sandals & Bahamas, and I found several threads relating to politics on funding bigoted countries, and establishments such as Sandals, and Jamaica and to my surprise Grand Cayman. All of the threads were 2007 or earlier with the most being '05 & '06 the height of the issue it seems.

 

So I'd like to know what thoughts there are these days?

My partner and I are celebrating our 9th year together, and displays of affection are a part of our normal interaction. (Holding hands, loving glances, flirting ect...) We are not about making out in public, or doing things that make others uncomfortable, but we are also not shy about being a couple.

Do we need to change our behavior walking the streets of Nassau in the daytime? Our ship will be there from noon to 6am the next morning, and I have also read that it is not safe after dark. Is it taking to much of a risk being gay and female after dark?

(Since all the beaches close at dusk <5pm>) I assume we will be in the Casino for night time activities. That leaves us getting back to the ship after dark via cab or water taxi.

 

I live out loud, I may be treated differently or get odd looks, but I never make assumptions that it's because I'm gay. However, violence against our community is still alive, and not to be addressed lightly.

So all the info I have is from 3-4 years ago, how is the climate now particularly in Nassau?

[MiamiSpartan]

We've been to the Caribbean dozens of time and have had no problems...

That being said, we don't hold hands in public, or have PDA either unless we are in PTown, etc, or on an Atlantis or RSVP ship, etc....

I'm not telling you to not be who you are, but that might not be the way to go if you are travelling there....

[ikelmay]

Dana, I would suggest from personal experience that you won't find any overt prejudice or anti-gay sentiment, but then, you can find bigots everywhere. The only island that I wouldn't visit, is Jamaica. My niece is getting married there next year, and we sadly won't be attending.

 

Sandals has always been on my hit list because I was also aware of their intolerance towards same sex couples, and how they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to a position of accepting gay couples. They don't deserve my hard earned dollars and they will never get them.

 

We had absolutely no issues with Cayman, I sense their tourism industry received a black eye with the Rosie O'Donnell publicity and they seem to have made some honest efforts to be more welcoming.

 

I tend to find the caribbean islands with a european rather than british heritage to be more welcoming and comfortable, but overall I can't say I've experienced anything homophobic or negative in any of my caribbean visits.

 

I would expect your concerns about being out and about after dark to apply to all tourists in an unfamiliar country, and general caution and common sense would apply. Have a great trip.

[grrl2grrl]

Thank you both for the quick responses!

I was in Grand Cayman 18 months ago and did not notice anything out of the ordinary.

I feel a bit naive now, not thinking about this before we went on our Western cruise.

[Chicago Boy]

We've been to the Caribbean dozens of time and have had no problems...

That being said, we don't hold hands in public, or have PDA either unless we are in PTown, etc, or on an Atlantis or RSVP ship, etc....

I'm not telling you to not be who you are, but that might not be the way to go if you are travelling there....

 

My Partner and I (30 years) do not show affection in public unless we are in a toally gay envoronment. It's a personal thing. I think it is poor form for anyone to do it. Gay or straight. It's just one persons opinion. Let your better judgement be your guide. It may save you a lot of trouble. :)

[colocop004]

There is a very interesting article on the Meet Me On Board website that refers to this question. Check out the article http://******************/blog/2010/07/homophobic-countries-would-you-cruise-or-travel-there/

 

Hope this helps.

[humglum]

This is timely. My partner and I are getting married (in 2 weeks!) and cruising on an eastern caribbean itinerary to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau. We act in public much like you describe -- we certainly don't hang all over each other or make out but we do hold hands and there is the occasional kiss or neck nuzzle.

I've never been to Nassau. I'm interested to see what our experience is like there. We are only there for the front half of the day (I think we leave by 7 pm) and I was initially a little disappointed about that because we'll be missing the nightlife.

I will certainly come back and let you know what our experiences were.

[grrl2grrl]

This is timely. My partner and I are getting married (in 2 weeks!) and cruising on an eastern caribbean itinerary to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau. We act in public much like you describe -- we certainly don't hang all over each other or make out but we do hold hands and there is the occasional kiss or neck nuzzle.

I've never been to Nassau. I'm interested to see what our experience is like there. We are only there for the front half of the day (I think we leave by 7 pm) and I was initially a little disappointed about that because we'll be missing the nightlife.

I will certainly come back and let you know what our experiences were.

 

I would love to hear your thoughts when you get back - and Congratulations!

[bbenson]

I think some homophobia still persists on these islands. Many of these islands have a very religious culture that is not gay friendly.

 

That being said many of these islands also have stiff incredibly tough laws against people who injure, harrass, or otherwise harm tourists because an enormous part of their economy is tourism based.

 

So really you should be safe enough anywhere, EXCEPT Jamaica. I would not step foot in Jamaica period.....and really Jamaica is not all that safe regardless of your sexual orientation.

[bbenson]

I found this link for "official" laws on being gay/lesbian around the world.... enforcement of course varies.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory