Arlene Harrison Henry is the Jamaica’s first female public defender. She has been a long-time ally of the LGBTI community. This is refreshing, as the previous public defender seemed ready to deny the right to freedom of expression of LGBTI people and said that we should “tone down” our behaviour if we wanted to be safe.
After Arlene Harrison Henry was named, she said that “The LGBT group is a delicate matter in our country, but they, too, are entitled to equality, representation, and equal protection of laws.” And she added: “The bottom line is I won’t be partial, and if I encounter someone from that group whose rights have been breached, I will be defending them just the same, and every sector in society will be represented.”
In Jamaica, the role of the Office of the Public Defender is to be an advocate for persons who are without resources to do so for themselves. In fulfilling that role, she can investigate complaints against the government, “seek redress for Constitutional and Administrative injustice,” and pay people’s attorney’s fees, as needed.
The Henry’s advocacy for the human rights of LGBTI citizens is not surprising, as she has been a long-time ally of the LGBTI community and briefly served as counsel for J-FLAG [the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays] in the aborted domestic challenge to the anti-sodomy law. She has also participated in public stands on the streets of Kingston to support LGBTI people.
Image: Arlene Harrison Henry / Jamaica Gleaner
Source: 76 Crimes
Original article: Jamaica has a new gay-friendly public defender
