Rights group calls for Vaz to apologise for use of homophobic song at political meeting
Published:Monday | May 26, 2025 | 9:40 AM
Equality for All Foundation, formerly J-FLAG, is calling for West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz to issue a public apology for comments he made during a political meeting where he requested the playing of TOK's controversial 2001 hit song, 'Chi Chi Man', which the group says is widely known to advocate for violence against the LGBTQ+ persons in Jamaica.
It also wants the Office of the Political Ombudsman, alongside the leaders of both political parties to issue a clear statement that the use of homophobic or any other discriminatory language targeting a person or community is no longer an acceptable feature of Jamaica's politics.
Equality for All Foundation's Executive Director, Glenroy Murray, says he has noted a concerning trend whereby politicians, regardless of party affiliation, are regressing into using homophobic "dog whistles" on the campaign trail.
He says: “In the previous elections, both political parties very publicly declared that homophobia was inappropriate on the campaign trail following some unfortunate comments made in East Central St. Catherine. Fast forward five years, and we are we’re seeing a homophobic song being teased at another rally. There is a clear need for stronger guidelines on what is to be expected on the campaign trail. And the question we must ask ourselves, why is this kind of rhetoric needed at all?”
He notes that a 2023 public perception survey showed that there was an increase in the number of Jamaicans who are willing to support an MP who would protect LGBTQ+ persons from violence and discrimination.
"As such, this kind of rhetoric is not only harmful, it is wholly unnecessary," he argues.
“Our political leaders are expected to conduct themselves at a higher standard, and they should not, in the excitement of politics, seek to undo the slow progress we as a society have worked hard to achieve," he adds.
Vaz comments came during the Jamaica Labour Party's Clarendon South Eastern constituency conference on Sunday where he declared, "Labourites... whether them inna Portland, St Thomas, St Andrew, Clarendon, anyweh dem deh, yuh know wah fi duh".
The song, Chi Chi Man, while a staple of dancehall in the early 2000s, has faced backlash for its perceived promotion of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The term ‘chi chi man’ is a derogatory Jamaican slang used to describe gay or effeminate men.
In 2023 dancehall group TOK announced that the song would be expunged from its performances moving forward.
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