Petrelis Files

NYT: Who Murdered Gay Jamaican AIDS Activist Steve Harvey?

What does it say about the U.S. gay groups and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission when the New York Times prints a lead editorial condemning the murder of Steve Harvey, a gay Jamaican AIDS activist, and the Gray Lady does not cite either the Human Rights (sic) Campaign or IGLHRC as among the groups deploring Harvey's murder?

For one thing, it abundantly shows how lame and silent these groups are on Harvey's death, and too many other gay bashings and murders in other countries.

If and when HRC and IGLHRC get around to issuing statements on Harvey's murder, they will be following in the footsteps of the New York Times. So much for gay leadership these days on global gay life and death.

Here's an excerpt from the Times editorial, and I ask you to read and share the full editorial.

-

December 13, 2005
The New York Times

Who Murdered Steve Harvey?

Jamaica has a well-earned reputation for homophobia and murderous violence against gay people, most recently the murder of an internationally known AIDS outreach worker, Steve Harvey, after he was abducted from his home at gunpoint. The killing of Mr. Harvey has drawn condemnation from international organizations like Unaids and Human Rights Watch, and it should prod the Jamaican government to pay attention to the gay rights issue. The country will never defeat its AIDS epidemic - and will continue to attract criticism from human rights organizations - unless it takes strong steps to combat homophobia, both among the police and in society as a whole.

As depicted in published accounts, the Harvey killing has the earmarks of a hate crime. One of the armed gunmen who forced his way into Mr. Harvey's house and demanded money is said to have asked Mr. Harvey and two other men who were with him if they were gay. The two other men are said to have denied being gay, and they were bound and left at the house. Mr. Harvey was driven away and shot. His death comes a year after the high-profile murder of Brian Williamson, a well-known gay activist who was found in his home with his throat cut. [...]