Caribbean Report 25-05-1998

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1. Special report on the gay rights issues in the Caribbean and what it all means for British Overseas Territories (00:00-00:25)
2. As a boatload of homosexual passengers cruised into Bahamas, their presence has drawn attention to the fact that most Caribbean islands have anti-sodomy laws on their statute books. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook lodged a request with leaders of the British Overseas Territories to consider repealing their anti-sodomy laws (00:26-01:45)
3. In Anguilla, one of the remaining British Caribbean Overseas Territories, Bernice Lake is totally opposed to any repealing of laws in her country (01:46-03:09)
4. Frank Savage, former Governor of Montserrat comments that the deeply religious peoples of the region will not accept any repealing of the laws relating to homosexuality and hopes for dialogue on the issue (03:10-05:23)
5. Britain's Liberal Democrat, Jenny Tonge is adamant that the laws in the Overseas Territories must be changed to bring them in line with those of the UK (05:24-06:41)
6. As the laws stand in the Overseas Territories, Britain is in breach of its obligations on a number of human rights conventions and is intent on getting its territories to reform their laws. Deputy Chief Minister Samuel Harvey of Turks and Caicos Islands states there will be no changes to the laws on the islands (06:42-09:01)
7. Rich Campbell, President of the company that organises gay and lesbian cruises from the US comments on whether gay couples should pay heed to the sensitivities of Caribbean people who are uncomfortable with public display of homosexual affections (09:02-09:38)
8. In March, the Village People, the 1970s band that promoted gay interests, abruptly pulled out of a music festival in Jamaica as there were strong protests. Yvette Rowe reports on the feelings of Jamaicans on this thorny issue (09:39-12:13)
9. In Trinidad and Tobago, some sections of society appear to be more liberal in their views of homosexuality. Emma Joseph reports on what is the possible explanation for this (12:14-13:42)
10. Many people in the Caribbean islands are stating that while they welcome tourist dollars they are not prepared to compromise their morals on homosexuality (13:43-14:20)

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