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No public displays of affection allowed for the gays
Cayman man
American tourist arrested for kissing boyfriend in Caymans
"The tourist was apprehended by a plain clothes policeman, being told that it was against the law for two members of the same sex to show affection for each other in public"
It was just a holiday smooch in the middle of the dancefloor, the kind millions of holidaymakers take for granted when they're getting away from it all. The difference with this smooch was that it happened in the Caymans, in the legendarily un-gay-friendly Caribbean; it took place between a man and his boyfriend; and it ended in arrest and ultimately an official apology.
Aaron Chandler, 23, was on holiday in the resort with a boyfriend. Having kissed while dancing, the couple were approached by a local woman, who asked them to stop. Taking no notice of her, the couple continued to show affection to each other, eventually being asked by the woman to come and meet a friend of hers. When they followed, Chandler was apprehended by a plain clothes policeman, being told that it was "against the law" for two members of the same sex to show affection for each other in public.
"The officer grabbed my wrist and told me he was placing me under arrest," said Chandler, describing how a group of tourists followed him and his arresting officer to George Town Police Station where he was given a telling off. But due to the attention the incident received, and the importance of foreign tourism to the region, an apology was later issued.
"On behalf of the entire Department of Tourism, I apologise for your upsetting experience," said Pilar Bush, Director of Tourism, in the letter, "and want to assure you that the Cayman Islands is a welcoming jurisdiction to all people. What happened to you was an isolated incident, and is not reprasentative of Cayman."
Chandler has accepted the apology. "I should say her prompt decision did ease the anger for me a bit." The apology is a key feature to this story as the region is known for its unapologetic condemnation of homosexuality and lack of tolerance for public displays.
