Public reaction has, however, been hostile … for the next few years, at least, gay rights in our society, as far as road marches or public appearances are concerned, is a very dim possibility.” A journalist in the Gleaner wrote at the time: “We are being prepared to accept seeing two men kissing, holding hands or sharing popcorn from the same bucket at the movies. When the organisation launched on 10 December 1998, it caused outrage. The change has come through the dedication of activists, including the work of Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-Flag), the country’s largest LGBT rights organisation, which this month celebrates its 20th anniversary. Non-violent discrimination is even more pervasive, with bullying and exclusion faced in education, healthcare and within local communities. In a 2013 survey of 71 LGBT people conducted by Human Rights Watch, more than half said they had been victims of homophobic violence. Yet that label has clung to Jamaica ever since, and with good reason. It was all a far cry from the country that Time magazine called “the most homophobic place on Earth” in 2006. A light rain eased the heat and the dancers went home to sleep. The park was strung with rainbow banners for the fourth annual Pride JA celebrations. A transgender woman strutted by in a flowing white dress adorned with a sash bearing the words: “Miss Supermodel Intl 2018”.