Thursday, 14 February 2008 Prominent member of gay rights group Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, J-FLAG, Gareth Henry, 22, is trying to claim refugee status in Canada. 

Mr. Henry, who spoke at Pride London last year about the plight of lesbian and gay people in Jamaica, told CBC News that 13 of his friends have been killed in the last four years. 

He claimed he was one of three gay men stoned by a huge mob in a homophobic attack on Valentine's Day last year.

Police eventually escorted the men from a pharmacy in St. Andrew, where they had been hiding for almost an hour. 

An angry crowd had gathered outside the pharmacy, hurling insults and threatening to kill the men.

Officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

Mr. Henry told CBC that police officers are leading mob attacks, turning up at people's homes.

He also claimed he had police turn up at his home in the company of civilians and point guns through his window, stating he had to leave the premises or he was going to be killed.

International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world. 

Sex between men in Jamaica is illegal and punishable with up to ten years in jail, usually with hard labour.