THE South Florida Gay News has dubbed Jamaica the Commonwealth of Hate in an article published today.

Citing various international reports, the article said that pervasive homophobia both drives and permeates the former British crown colony including the countrys popular culture, law enforcement apparatus, and much of its health care system.

That bias has for generations put at further risk some of the nations most vulnerable citizens; setting up barriers both external and internal to seeking medical care, and in the process making it extremely difficult to acquire condoms and other items that would help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons combat the spread of STDs, the report said.

The report says not much has changed over the years in Jamaica regarding the countrys treatment of gays.