Ep 5. The Abominable Crime

Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is a documentary series that sheds light on the diversity and culture of Africa and its diaspora. The show’s seventh season, episode 5 titled “The Abominable Crime” explores the lives of LGBTQ individuals in Jamaica, where the culture is notoriously homophobic, hostile, and dangerous for those who identify as gay.

The episode provides a poignant and soul-stirring look into the fear and stigma faced by individuals whose sexual orientation is not the norm. It provides a backdrop of discriminatory Jamaican laws and cultural attitudes that maintain the oppression of the vulnerable LGBTQ community. The documentary focuses on the lives of three Jamaicans: Simone Edwards, a mother who lost her son in a homophobic attack, Maurice Tomlinson, an advocate for LGBTQ rights who, because of death threats, became exiled from his home, and Simone Clarke, a lesbian musician forced to flee after her sexual orientation was revealed.

The Abominable Crime takes the audience on a journey to understand the struggles and heart-wrenching losses that the Jamaican LGBTQ community faces daily. The documentary highlights the effects of stigma, discrimination, and harassment within society, which invariably leads to an increase in homelessness, violence, and suicide against people who identify as LGBTQ.

The first part of the documentary, through the testimony of Simone Edwards, brings to light the baleful story of her son's death, who was brutally murdered for allegedly being gay. The docuseries highlights the tragic stories of many other Jamaicans who have suffered violence, harsh treatment, and even death as a punishment for coming out.

The second part of the documentary focuses on Maurice Tomlinson and the challenges of being an LGBTQ rights activist in Jamaica. He faces challenges and persecution from the government and his community as he fights for a more open and accepting society. The documentary follows his path, showing firsthand what it means to fight for your beliefs and witness a change in a society that does not view your existence as valid or equal.

The final part of the documentary highlights the life of Simone Clarke, a young musician who lived in Jamaica until her sexual preference was outed, a moment that marked the end of her life as she knew it. The documentary features the aftermath of Simone's abrupt exile as she flees for her life to escape relentless persecution.

The Abominable Crime brings attention to the harsh and inhumane environment that the LGBT+ community faces in Jamaica. Through the stories of Simone, Maurice, and Simone Clarke, the audience sees how LGBTQ Jamaicans are fighting for acceptance, dignity, and the right to life. The documentary captures how transgender people, in particular, experience extreme violence, abuse, and discrimination, and shows the effects that living with the constant threat of violence can have on people's mental health and wellbeing.

Overall, this episode portrays the effects of homophobic sentiments and the societal pressures of cultural norms on the lives of LGBTQ individuals in Jamaica. It highlights the grave violation of human rights in a country where sexuality is a punishable offense and where LGBTQ identification is viewed as an abomination. The Abominable Crime is a moving, powerful, and inspiring documentary that exposes the inhumanity of the human race towards those who identify differently than societal norms.