Today, Aug. 6, is Jamaica's independence day — but human rights groups say it's also a moment for Jamaicans to ponder the reality that their country is still one of the world's most homophobic.

The Caribbean island continues to uphold a colonial-era sodomy law criminalizing homosexuality. In May, a government cabinet minister publicly endorsed a song celebrating anti-LGBTQ violence — which reports indicate is seeing a new uptick there in recent years after

Jamaican-born gay author and filmmaker Max-Arthur Mantle is not surprised.

“There’s been some progress," Mantle said. "There’s an LGBTQ community active in Jamaica now.

"But the society is still locked into that horrific homophobic stance where queer people in Jamaica, they’re seen as ‘other.’ It’s an issue that’s still urgen

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