Diplomatic Tensions Between the United States and Jamaica Are Reportedly Growing Over Gay American Diplomat
MIAMI – Diplomatic relations between the United States and Jamaica may soon be in jeopardy.
There are reports that Jamaica is refusing to accredit the wife of a gay American diplomat.
“Our culture doesn’t really accept that,” said Renee Stevens, who was visiting the Jamaican consulate in Miami.
Lawyer Wayne Golding is an adviser to the Jamaican government.
“The whole idea of a law to legalize same-sex marriage, I think they still have a long way to go,” he said. “They use the proper channels to resolve any issue.”
Jamaica’s foreign minister has officially denied reports of the fallout from her country by refusing to grant the usual diplomatic immunity to the same-sex wife of the new US ambassador.
The current US Ambassador, Nicholas Perry, has served in Jamaica for only a year.
Back at the consulate in Miami, there were few details as to why Consul General Oliver Mair was now heading home.
Jamaican journalists report that Mair is among several Jamaican diplomats who have been asked to end their stay in the US in response to their government’s decision.
“They have their families in tow, some of the kids are studying here, so that has some impact,” Golding said.
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