Jamaican Bwoi Nextdoor

Pride in Jamaica!

Pride Jamaica is the first week of August and appears to be bigger, better, bolder! It's high time to support the LGBT community in Jamaica as they struggle to break out. Hey, the influence of tourist dollars has brought many changes in other destinations.
Read about PrideJa HERE.

Makeover in Martinique

With its first hotel in 15 years, new non-stop flights, and a surge in excellent restaurants, Martinique's capital, Fort-de-France, is about to become a thing.

From an approaching boat Fort-de-France is clearly framed between history and modernity. On one end is the 17th century Fort St-Louis, the oldest building in town and one of the Caribbean's best preserved forts. An active military base, it houses 200 members of the French navy. On the other is Pointe Simon, a gleaming business district. It's a visible sign of the changes that have come to the island, which also include a modernized sea-front, restaurants from young entrepreneurs, and electric cabs you can hail for exploring the city.

There's news on the hotel front, too: surrounded by multi-colored houses, the renovated Fort Savane is a minimalist boutique property with black and white touches. The first hotel to be built in the city in 15 years, the 94-room Simon Hotel recently opened.

Yann Chalono has re-created the Brazilian atmosphere and tastes of his youth at Favela (7 Rue de la Liberation; 596-596-79-41-72; entrees $14-$28) There's ambitious mixology going on as well and sorbets made with local fruits at Le Cloud (Rue Ernest Hemingway; 596-696-27-56-73) an industrial-looking rooftop bar. And the best gelato in the area is at Coco Bello (Village Creole).

There is no real gay nightlife to speak of, but there is a gay scene for those with insider info. If you get friendly with someone on grindr or if you happen to meet someone discreetly at any number of the mainstream bars, you may get invited to a private garden party or rave. If you don't, no worries. We are talking about Martinique, a French governed destination, which means homosexuality has been legal for generations, even though many attitudes can still be conservative. Gay marriage has been legal on the island since 2013, so if you're considering a fabulous destination wedding...

Martinique does have gay-owned and friendly accommodations. Check out Purpleroofs.com. There is a beach frequented by gay residents and travelers in Les Salines. You can also get information about gay culture on the island through their only LGBT agency JM Concept

Resources for this post are Travel & Leisure magazine as well as globalgayz.com. This Youtube clip is quite informative about Martinique, its culture and emergence as an upcoming Caribbean hotspot!

Images of Martinique

Coming Soon: post on Martinque as a destination

We Be Jammin'

The West Indian island of Jamaica has some of the sexiest men

Jamaican Fantasy

Toughie

KiMan

Ask me and I'll say, "he's Ki Man"
See much more HERE.

Jamaica My Day

You will not find any better bamboo than HERE.

Island Fantasy

There is nothing like a steamy shower with a hot man from the Caribbean. See much more HERE.

Bamboo Is Better

JamDown Production has many hot Jamaican models with good bamboo!

Delightful Damian

Damian is just one of the sexy Jamaicans you can see more of HERE.

Seconds For Scorpion

Here's another video clip of one of my favorite Jamaican models. See the unedited version of Scorpion HERE.

Cruising Jamaica?

Perhaps the social climate in Jamaica is changing a bit. It appears one of my favorite sites has taken to the streets to recruit new talent. See more of Tybone at Jamdown Production!

Is Everything Irie?

I could not believe this video clip when I first saw it. The guys dancing here are awesome. Oh, to be young and energetic! What really struck me is that they are dancing TOGETHER...in JAMAICA. It all appears to be innocent fun, but given the social dynamics of the country and the awareness that the smallest indication of same-sex attraction may lead to torture, these two had better be careful. They are cute though!

Trinidadian Treat

Jamaica Celebrates!

I first visted Jamaica when they were celebrating 25 years of independence. It was my initial venture out of the U.S. and it is where I first fell in love with all things caribbean. I was just getting out of school and had traveled there to tour the country with a community theater group. We performed in Ocho Rios, where we visited the great open-air market and Dunns River Falls. We then spent several days in Kingston visiting the Bustamante Children's Hospital, the University of The West Indies and being received by local sponsors and the Governor General.

The Jamaica I remember was welcoming and kind, unlike the homophobic terror it is portrayed as today. We were instructed then not to venture into parts of the city of Kingston due to high levels of crime in general, as opposed to today where having a perceived lack of a certain swagger might cause suspicion of homosexuailty, therefore bringing threats of beatings or death.

I haven't fully jumped on the bandwagon of the Boycott Jamaica movement, though I realize the human rights violations are severe and numerous. I can't seem to ignore the many anonymous gay faces who work in the tourist industry, who study at the universities to make a better life and a better Jamaica, who toil in the bauxite mines alongside unsuspecting coworkers while dreaming of a different way of life.

Each time I wrap my leftovers in aluminum foil I count my blessings that I have more than enough and I remember that I am providing work for that anonymous face in the bauxite mines and I pray that his Jamaica becomes the one that is welcoming and kind for ALL people.

The Allure Of Antigua

This feature is from the July 2011 issue of Ebony Magazine
The water that surrounds Antigua-and makes up the 365 beaches that it's famous for-calls to you before the plane touches the ground. And that's what a place like Antigua is all about.

It's not about just lying on those glorious beaches and taking in lazy sun-filled days, although if that's the Antigua that you want to see there's plenty for you. But there also are a few options to test yourself, try something new and step outside of your comfort zone while taking in some of the most panaramic views your eyes have ever feasted on.

The Antiguan rain forest is tiny compared to, say, what you might find in Costa Rica, but a zip-lining excursion still delivered a jaw-dropping, adrenaline-pumping challenge.

There are familiar Caribbean vacation staples to savor, such as a six-hour lobster and champagne catamaran tour. You'll find excursions such as these down in St. John's, which is near where the cruise liners dock. But you'll want to venture beyond the conventional to soak up what makes the island unique, like paying a visit to Shirley Heights in the evening for a gorgeous view of the English Harbour.

Most resorts implore you to leave hustle and bustle behind as far as technology is concerned, but they do have free wireless though.

Like every other hotel guest, I had a private beach (or what felt like one; I didn't have to share it with anyone else.) And if you chselect one of these leave-it-all-behind resorts you'll be entertained by what became my favorite Antiguan show: watching the tides roll in.