A group of young men who were described as homosexuals escaped a severe beating last month when some men began chasing them in downtown Kingston.

The young men had to run for their lives when their attackers told them to leave the area because they were encouraging schoolboys to be homosexuals. Women also joined in and began cursing the young men and described them as being very dangerous to the society.

One of the men commented that he overheard discussions on the radio that the British prime minister had threatened to cut off aid to countries that do not uphold human rights, including the oppression of gays and lesbisans.

"I am not saying that people should abuse them, but my fear is that they have no right to indoctrinate the young schoolboys or lure them into sexual activities," one of the men said.

He said he was aware that people had sexual preferences but warned that "homosexuals must keep their activities to themselves and be discreet about it".

"Yes, they have no right to come out here looking young schoolboys to spoil them," a woman said.

"I observe gay men forcing themselves on the schoolboys all the time and are even offering them money," the woman added.

"I will beat them if I see them bringing arguments to schoolboys," the man said.

"Although I am definitely against homosexuals, I am not going to break down a house and interfere with two consenting adults. Once they are in the privacy of their home, they should not be disturbed, but if I see them soliciting schoolboys on the street then they must be beaten," the man said.

The recent announcement by the British prime minister has led to groups in Jamaica calling for the government to repeal the buggery law. Some Jamaicans are opposed to the abolition and have pointed out that even if the Government is minded to repeal it, there should be no accommodation for same-sex marriages or unions.

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays ( J-FLAG) said recently that "It is clear that as a country we can no longer ignore the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. J-FLAG stands ready to support the Govern-ment in demonstrating its commitments to protect and promote the human rights of all Jamaicans, regardless of their socio-economic status, sexual orientation, health status, disability, work, and political and religious persuasions."

It is against the law for persons to attack or beat homosexuals and they can be arrested and charged. If homosexuals are caught breaking the law, then the matter should be reported to the police for them to investigate the matter and make arrests, if necessary.