Jamaican MP Ernest Smith used a slew of bizarre homophobic remarks earlier this week during a debate of new sex offenses in Jamaica. He claimed, among other accusations, that gay men and women had overrun the Jamaican Constabulary Force and were a threat to national security. LGBT activists in Jamaica have reacted with outrage at the wildly homophobic remarks.

Pink News UK reports:

“First, he has made a sweeping statement about thousands of Jamaicans about whom he knows very little,” the group said in a statement.

“This kind of stereotyping from a parliamentarian is inflammatory and highly irresponsible.

“We are concerned that in a climate characterised by extreme violence, Mr Smith’s statement could provide another justification for mindless mobs to attack gays and lesbians on suspicion that they contribute to the country’s high level of crime and violence.

“J-FLAG is indeed proud that despite the bigotry and opposition it faces in Jamaica, its existence and legal operation for the past decade are possible due to constitutional provisions that protect the rights to free association and to hold views different from those of the majority.

“J-FLAG denounces his statement as being not only an amazing display of backwardness and unmitigated bigotry but also as anti-democratic and sinister.

“We urge Mr Smith’s party as well as his fellow parliamentarians to examine his statement, acknowledge the danger it contains, and call him to account for what was populist but wanton and reckless behaviour in the nation’s parliament.”

International human rights organisations have described Jamaica as one of the most homophobic places in the world.