Dominica ranked third with worse gay rights after Russia

gay men holding handsIt appears that Dominica’s first participation in a winter Olympic event is the not the only thing that is grabbing the attention of the international press and by extension, the world.

The island’s record on gay rights has been brought into focus with website ‘policymic.com’ ranking it third among six countries taking part in the games with worse gay rights record than Russia.

According to the site, which features a photo of prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, the punishment for gays in Dominica is ten years in prison.

“This tiny Caribbean island made headlines a few years ago when two American men were arrested for having sex on a gay cruise in view of the port, but the focus has since turned to schools,” the website said. “The education minister created a task force in 2012 with the purpose of “investigating and identifying the root causes of deviance and the increasing incidents of homosexuality among [the] student population.” The country’s prime minister, meanwhile, has said that decriminalizing same-sex relations is out of the question for the “foreseeable future.””

The site stated that there is a ‘silver lining,’ in which a “gay rights group has managed to convince Dominica’s highest Catholic official to renounce anti-sodomy laws as a promoter of violence. The statement successfully caught the attention of the fervently religious society.”

In March 2012 two gay men from Southern California, who pleaded guilty to the charge of “Indecent Exposure,” were fined EC$2,400.00 each.

A local court heard that the men were seen on the balcony of the cruise ship, Celebrity X Cruises, naked and fondling each other.

The matter was widely publicized in the international press.

In May 2013, PM Skerrit told state-owned DBS Radio that buggery laws on the island’s books will remain.

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games are being held in Sochi, Russia.

Dominica is represented by Gary di Silvestri and his wife, Angelica Morrone di Silvestri. They are competing in cross country skiing.

Policymic.com describes itself as a “platform to make our voices heard.”

“We reach millions of people with our high-quality, personal analysis on the news, policy, and pop culture that’s changing our world,” the site said.

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250 Comments

  1. August 15, 2015

    To advocate for homosexuality you must close your eyes and ears to the truth and say by your actions the facts mean nothing to you.

    God gave us only one model – or one blue print – for marriage. That is the union of one man and one woman until they are parted by death. Matthew 19:4-6. Later people devised other types of relationships such as polygamy but God never approved of these.

    However, religion is not the only reason we oppose homosexuality.

    Homosexuality is an unhealthy lifestyle. Gay people have more mental health issues than straight people.
    They tend to suffer more from depression. They have a higher rate of alcoholism. With no flesh and blood family of their own they experience greater loneliness in their senior years. They have a higher suicide rate.
    Statistics show they have a shorter life span.

    Homosexuals are more prone to violence. A number of studies have shown that 66% – 67% of serial killers have been homosexuals.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…

  2. July 6, 2014

    Its a shame and disgrace to the human race. I am not a racist but when some people have Social and Economical power they can push their will down in other poor people mouth. Homosexual is wroung.

  3. Anonymous
    February 14, 2014

    As a married, Christian heterosexual, I still continue to struggle with intermittent lustful thoughts and behavior. I have always acknowledged my sins and continue to ask God to continue to help me with my self control and fleshly transgressions. Others, including homosexuals face similar and other kinds of sin struggles for sure. However, some folks just blatantly discount and disregard the irrefutable word of God. Remember some thoughts and actions may “feel” good but are still out of line with God’s word. If you don’t believe me, read it for yourself. Believing is totally up to you. Living it requires God’s grace.

  4. February 14, 2014

    ANONYMOUS ….Bestiality was voted in 1969 by a majority vote in Germany ,,,,the gov’t decides to stop it due to people prostituting their animals and not paying taxes,prostitution is legal because it is a normal job in Germany where people pay taxes,it is a shame that they never thought that such an act is sub-human,,,there will be an election on the 4th of December to make bestiality illegal ,,,,I think it is a bit late because a police officer cannot be under every body’s roof at the same time.

  5. Bod
    February 14, 2014

    Dominica AD 1402

  6. zman
    February 13, 2014

    during the biblical days de stone them to death :twisted:

    • posse
      February 13, 2014

      All sin is sin. Let’s stone the adulterers, fornicators, thieves, murderers, liars, the preachers who sleep with the congregation,the children who don’t take care of their parents, the parents who do not take care of children. You Zman will be the only righteous one left in beautiful DA.

  7. Seriously?
    February 13, 2014

    Stop focusing so much on homosexuality, when theft, murder, sexual abuse, incest, domestic violence and so many other CRIMES are being committed daily and with our tacit acceptance. As long as the adults are consenting, leave them be, love them as God commanded you to and leave judgement to him. Place your energies in defending all the helpless children being used as sexual objects to all the heterosexual men out there.

    • Sylvanna
      June 15, 2017

      We cannot leave homosexuality alone. Sin is sin including the CRIMES you mentioned. The bible speaks of homosexuality as an ‘abomination’ to God. It is totally against creation and the purpose of God for us His creation. God’s plan for mankind from the beginning of time was to procreate. Two males cannot procreate neither can two women. Egg and sperm is needed hence God created MALE (with sperm) and FEMALE (with eggs) I think that simple illustration speaks for it self. As for marriage. It is an institution from God between a man and a woman and not to be tampered with to please lustful deceived people
      We are not judging. We are simply stating a biblical fact.
      We should not go round hating homosexuals but we can hate the sin that homosexuality creates.
      As for child abuse that is another abomination that needs dealing with. Yes I agree we need to face these crimes against children head on but it is not an excuse to accept homosexuality as being right. It is not right.

  8. Seriously?
    February 13, 2014

    Relax people. Homosexuality has been going on for ages, it just wasn’t done out in the open. People are who they are, whether we understand WHY they are that way or not. And they can either attempt to live full sinful semi-happy lives like the rest of us or live hidden, in shame and unhappiness. Laws cannot and will not stop homosexuality, so whats the point in having them? Why not encourage all consenting adults to live their lives healthily and respectfully and let God judge them like God will judge all of us.

    • sodom
      February 13, 2014

      There is no judgement for homosexual .God destroyed a entire city because of that same nastiness

      • bonjaiii
        February 13, 2014

        i cannot understand that

    • Sylvanna
      June 15, 2017

      We cannot do this as some adults think it is okay to have sex with children. It makes them “happy”. We need laws and guidances otherwise this world would be lawless and people will do what ever they wanted. God set up laws/ rules etc for a very good reason.

  9. confused
    February 13, 2014

    What the heck does this have to do with Sochi olympics??!!

    • from foreign
      February 14, 2014

      The gay lobby has hi-jacked the games to push their agenda. We all would abide by a live and let live attitude if the powerful gay lobby did not ram their agenda down our throats at every turn. It is particularly bad in the UK and US where the powerful and noisy minority homosexual section of the population continues to force their lives and ideology on the majority. Just look at the moral decline of both these countries.
      Cameron is going to rue the day he pushed through gay marriage, at the polling booth next election.

      • :^)
        July 3, 2017

        Yeah, and chemicals in the water turned the frogs gay.

  10. Kwamie
    February 13, 2014

    Wow, these gay rights fighters have used the winter olympics as an opportunity to push their agenda. Too many children and people are starving around the world for the rest of us to be so bogged down with propaganda from men who want to sleep with each other.

    • delciespassieinus
      February 13, 2014

      Amen to that!! That tells you what is going on. You either accept it or you are looked at as someone who is homophobe. Sadly, I’m not one of those but will never accept that men can sleep with men and woman with woman. Regardless of where I live that will not change.

      • Elle C
        February 13, 2014

        You objecting to men sleeping with men and women sleeping with women is the definition of being a homophobe lol

  11. Michael
    February 13, 2014

    It is 2014; we do not wear the same clothing that we wore 10 or more years ago. The World is changing, we are much more educated. The reality is these practices (homosexuality, lesbianism) now exist. And they have existed since time immemorial. While we might say we don’t support same-sex marriages, we must acknowledge there are a large number of people whose way of life is changing at a rapid pace. Whatever changes are made, we must be considerate with the change that is taking place. With all the advances that we have made, what does that do for us and our respect for others? Why should a gay person [man or women] be treated any differently? Why is our society, a society of double standards? What is there a difference between someone choosing, to smoke, to do drugs, to over eat, to older man impregnating a 12 years old or to commit adultery? Some according to the law of God [which we often refer to] is sinful. Some according to the Political Affiliate to, we will find persons, who does these things wearing our colours. Are some people becoming a people, “Ignorant of the fact”? Is being ignorant of the fact leading to some persons showing a lack of respect for others? One of the reasons why our crime rate is also very high is that some do not know how to respect ourselves and others. Sadly, some do not know how to love themselves; hence do not know how to love others.
    Whatever a person’s choice, we cannot punish that person for their choice. That choice should only be punishable when it goes against the wishes of someone else. Have Our Laws deterred persons/consenting adults?
    Punishing have encouraged the spread of HIV and ADIS and Prostitution, resulting in Sex Without a Condom – SWC. Punishing have only help with closeted gay men and women and underground prostitution.
    For those quick a quoting scriptures, What would Jesus do? To the woman caught in the act of adultery “John 8 1 -11: Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” How many of us have gone a sinned no more?
    Therefore lets us consider our actions:
    “1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
    “1 John 4:11: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
    “John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
    “1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.”
    Faith without deeds cannot work: faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
    Whatever your judgment, I am only a gay man who love the Lord and he have no forsaken me. Deal with him on that. My e mail address is: [email protected]

    • delciespassieinus
      February 13, 2014

      No he has not forsaken you and never will however, if you die without accepting him and repenting from your sins he will not regard you as his own. You love the Lord show it by your fruits. One of the fruits is self control. Being gay is the opposite of that fruit as much as fornication and adultery.You know the scripture why don’t you leave by it? The bible also says that his sheep knows his voice.

    • Sylvanna
      June 15, 2017

      God loves all sinners. He made a plan to save all sinners by sending His only son to die on the cross for all sins we can imaging. God does not love homosexuality, murder, lies, adultery and all the other names for sins. He love you Michael and I am 100% sure he wants you delivered from homosexuality. This is not His plan for your life. You have made a choice.
      GOD is LOVE. He is also a God of judgement.
      I do not judge you but God’s word is as clear as crystal. We need to stop interpreting scripture to suit our lifestyle, it is a dangerous place to be in.
      I know He loves you. He says he does yet he will not tolerate sin. He cannot look at sin without punishment.
      That’s just who He is. Thank God for His attoiment through the Blood of His Son our Messiah

  12. Merl
    February 13, 2014

    Great Job! Thumbs up! Now, let’s aim for that number one spot! Enough problems plaguing this country already we don’t need more. Save that for the bigger countries that are religiously flawed

  13. NRT
    February 13, 2014

    Lies, .. they just want to soften you Dominica.

  14. February 13, 2014

    The discussions on homosexuality continue and it’s like beating a dead horse. Change will occur only by the renewing of one’s mind which will eventually change the heart’s desire.

    An individual who continues to justify his / her lifestyle or actions will never see the need for transformation toward The Most High God. However, prayer is a powerful tool to induce transformation. Most may believe that God created them that way but that’s an obvious deception.

    Therefore, to the gay, my prayer is that God will give you a heart to know Him and to understand the plan that He has for you. It is not a plan to destroy you, but to give you an expected end. In order to experience that, you must DECIDE to humble before the Most High God – Possessor of heaven and earth. He is well able to transform you into the person He intended for you to be.

    You are beautifully and wonderfully made for His purpose and in the process, you get blessed. May you get to know the Lord Jesus Christ before it is too late.

    This also goes to all those who are not gay and do not know Jesus Christ as Lord. May you make Him your Lord, before it is too late.

  15. NicE n NaughtY
    February 13, 2014

    Man & Man, Woman & Woman DO NOT HAVE SEX they have abomination lets get that straight, it’s not of God and should NEVER be condoned,good for Dominica we should be first on that list.

  16. February 13, 2014

    mr.prime minister,i disagree with u on many issues before,but HATS OF TO U ON THIS ONE,I’M WITH U ALL THE WAY ON THIS ONE,NOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUGARAH IN DOMINICA.

  17. ATKINSON
    February 13, 2014

    with all the comment about gays/homosexuals, what about the Bisexuals,crossdress,transgenger, and transexuals lol :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  18. sheena
    February 13, 2014

    DOMINICANS=HYPOCRITES…

  19. MN
    February 13, 2014

    Consenting adults can do whatever they want in privacy whether gay or straight. I wish Dominicans felt this strongly about all the rape and abuse that occurs against women in Dominica, that is a real problem that needs more attention!

  20. Simply the Truth
    February 13, 2014

    The problem with some people of the world as those so-called non-profit organizations, they want to push their intrinsic lifestyle on other islands. It is something to be proud of that D/ca is not involved with this evil behavior.
    It is nothing to be proud of to be a homosexual or a lesbian and want to be recognized as such and to get married. God did not create this type of relationship and lifestyle for marriage.
    Hats off to the PM for standing his ground on this matter and refusing to succumb to them. Hats off to all the Dominicans who do likewise and who stand up and denounce this abomination.
    Such an intrinsic lifestyle will bring down the wrath of God upon the world, on Dominica. Consider if all countries give in to this abomination. It will be straight down the path of perdition. Do you think those other countries are blest by God? By no means! When more of them succumb to this evil lifestyle, watch out! Fire and brimstones will soon follow. Do you think the world can continue in that state and everyone will live happily ever after? Think again!
    I cannot believe that some politicians have introduced this abomination in the legislature and parliaments of the world as those so-called progressive countries. Now they want the smaller countries to follow suit. No such thing I state!
    Keep in mind all those who introduce it, legislate it, applaud, condone and are complacent about it know where their souls will end up. As it is stated in James, “Some people’s sins precede them to eternity. Others are followed by their sins.
    Think God! When they legislate this evil, do you not think that God will hold them accountable for the many souls that will also be condemned to Hell?
    They should know the difference of right from wrong, what is right to do and what is wrong that they should not do. It is upsetting when I think that two men and two women are allowed to get married.
    Do not sell your souls to the devil for the price to be paid before God will be great for all eternity.
    Think also of the children and how much it will contaminate their minds. A worst punishment awaits those who lead the little ones astray. It is in the Holy Bible!
    God bless Dominica and nationals.
    May God inspire those who live this abnormal lifestyle to know that it is wrong and to change before it is too late for them.

    • :^)
      July 3, 2017

      Wow. For someone who calls themselves “Simply The Truth”, this is far from it, buddy.

  21. J.J.John-Charles
    February 13, 2014

    The man or woman who confessed to be a Christian must accept the BIBLE as the final authority.If not, he cannot be a Christian. The BIBLE is the manual given to us by GOD ALMIGHTY.It is the Christian’s manifesto and his or her ROAD MAP.

    Even though the whole world say, we should change the laws to accommodate homosexuals.I will still believe God.For He have said through the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans 1:26-27. That lesbianism and homosexuality is vile passion,women who turned against God’s natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other.Men instead of having a normal sex relationship with women,burned with lust for each other.Men doing shameful things with other men.

    Go will have the final say…Who laugh last laugh the best.

  22. Anonymous
    February 12, 2014

    Is there a size on sin XS-XXXL…please let me know…cause to me all sin is sin…and remember in BIG America….Obama break like a wild horse….and all those calling people Gay, they too are even more Gay than the Gays….this world is growing….and we should grow with it…What is worse cutting a poor mans electricity allowing them to sleep in the dark, or being Gay..

  23. J.J.John-Charles
    February 12, 2014

    Is it because we are an under developed, or developing country that we have to accept anything.?
    In the U.S.if a couple (man and women) is caught “making it” in their car on the roadside or in public parks,even at night time.You can be charged,and will be told, if you want to.? find a hotel room.
    America is a country of laws and the laws must be obeyed.So are the laws of Dominica.

  24. ridiculouus
    February 12, 2014

    stand strong Dominica the new world order is taking over illuminati wants to control the world. never give up. no gay no lesbians. they are try to convince those island that are standing firm. they are funding all sorts of association to convince the leader and legal durisdiction. they coming in sorts of ways church, torurism, sport, culture, all aspect of life. we should be number 1 and no threat to our nation.

  25. delicespassieinus
    February 12, 2014

    I respect all mankind gay or not.I do understand that all sin is sin. However, there is an alarming rate of people coming out stating that they are gay and expect everyone to accept it. People are entitled to do as they please however, you cannot force anyone to accept homosexuality including Dominica and Africa. Christians can no longer hear a prayer said at school, Christmas has been changed to happy holidays so why can’t Christians hold on to their faith by saying what the know is moral or not. People have a right to their beliefs and the homosexual movement is trying to change that. I have never seen two male dogs or any animal for that nature. Man was created to be with a woman ( as a help) not for man to be with man and woman with woman. If this should continue humanity would be cut short. We were meant to procreate and replenish the earth homosexuality does the opposite. To all those who prophesy homosexuality I have a couple things to say. What would it benefit you to satisfy your flesh, die in your sins and get to judgement day and face hell on that again? This question is not about the Christian that may not be leaving their life right it’s about you and everyone else that want to satisfy flesh. Homosexuality is a sin and acceptance is not going to change that.

    • February 13, 2014

      First of all their is nothing such as a gay movement. What it is is that homosexuality has been such a taboo for generations now and where u have gays being burnt, hung, imprisoned, discriminated against, hated, misjudged, outcasted, denied the right to live like any other human and at worst many of them commit suicide. Now this is the why u now have gays standing and saying u know what? Am gay and am proud. Hate me or love me I’m gay and I want to shout it out loud…am tired of being looked at differently because of my sexual preference! That’s what the movement is about. And if god had really made man for one woman then how the hell could we possible defy nature? We could not! So then homosexuality is completely natural. NEXT. What makes you believe that hell really exists? Oops I forgot! An iron age book told u so. Besides u had the pope came out saying that the idea of a place called hell is simply incompatible with gods infinite love. NEXT….replenish the earth my foot! If u really believe we the bible we all came from two people and today there is 7 billion people on the earth do really see mankind being extinct with only a few people on this earth who happens to be gay? GET REAL. And what about couples who cannot have kids. Should we pass a law banning a man from being with a woman who is barren? Or u want to tell me now if I choose not to have kids there’s something wrong with me? What are u going to do force me to have kids because your ancient book says be fruitful and multiply? U don’t see milk and honey falling from the sky in places like rural Africa where millions of babies die of hunger everyday do u.WHO EVER U ARE I MUST SAY FIRST U KEEP YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEF TO YOUR SELF AND 2 LIVE THE GAYS ALONE…U DON’T LIKE GAY THEN DON’T BE GAY

      • Toure
        February 14, 2014

        BRAVO!! thunderous applause for you.Your answers are true to you Mr WORM and not nobody else,make peace with your lifestyle and come out big and bold,air it for everyone to hear and see.

        Theyb won’t hang you,they already know so why are you hiding? Come out bro.There s a season for everything under the heavens,You,the Pope andn the whole lot have your right and reason to believe in whomever and whatever you please but be grounded,firm and unmoveable in your stance because JAH gave free will.

        On the flip side ,I hope all will be bold and come out also.Taik to your spirit man and since all is well there,do your do but always know there’s another take on things.

    • Simply the Truth
      February 13, 2014

      …And the UN committee wants the Catholic Church to change its teachings to accommodate homosexuals, abortions, etc. These people are morally (mortally) and spiritually sick. They want everyone to go down with them to Hell. They are well on their way for wanting every country to be secular rather than godly. Woe to them!

    • Seriously?
      February 13, 2014

      Imagine if you woke up tomorrow and the whole world was homo and you weren’t. Would you just do like the rest of them, even though you have no attraction to the same sex? If you were not religious would you follow someone else’s religious doctrine?

      We all have one life to live. So long as you aren’t attacking other people, you should be able to do your own thing without being harassed or thrown into jail. God will do all the judging.

      In the meantime, lets focus on all the ultra heteros out there impregnating young girls, leaving kids all over the place, forcing women to stay with them, beating them, and all the other abuse we all know and speak about daily, but don’t hold up the bible and cry it down as sin and disgrace to God and humanity!

    • Elle C
      February 13, 2014

      Animals also don’t get married nor do they believe in god.

  26. Look iT
    February 12, 2014

    Great we should be number one and hello they were not having sex it is bo;;;

  27. February 12, 2014

    God bless my Dominica,God love everyone but he hate the sins.

  28. ?????????
    February 12, 2014

    Well i see that article as good news… that way gay ppl will not be attracted to come and vacation here!!!

    • Simply the Truth
      February 13, 2014

      We hope! Dominica does not need them and their money. Keep it up Dominica! God loves you! :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • :^)
        July 3, 2017

        Just don’t come crying to us for economic aid if your tourism industry sinks. :-D

    • Positive vibes
      February 13, 2014

      Yah keep their money cause we not about to bow to this down here

  29. A Voice
    February 12, 2014

    Finally we make it on a list that we can be truly proud of.

    C’mon people let us not settle for third place but strive to be number one.

    Down with this nasty people man and their un-natural act that they want the rest of us to accept. No way man!

    Good going Dominica, GOD bless you guys!

    • February 13, 2014

      Everything in observable reality among us is natural. If god really created man then you could not posilble defy it. Hence homosexuality is completely natural because we could not possible defy nature….Impossible. So grow some sense my friend

  30. AD
    February 12, 2014

    Again with this cruise ship thing? Where in any part of the world is it ok to have sex in full view of the public????? (And oh my, what a view it was!)

    That task force thing was just an excuse to give the person in charge of it something to do. Nothing ever came of it and nothing ever will.

    On a lighter note, one point the website failed to cover was the number of calypsos this year that targeted this issue.

    Please remember people! “The PM says your boom-boom is yours and you can do what you want with it”.

    Bon.