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In Jamaican culture, a batty boy (also spelled batty bwoy; other terms include batty man and chi chi bwoy/man) is a man considered to be gay, bisexual, or effeminate. The term is considered pejorative, as homosexuality is often condemned in contemporary Caribbean cultures, partially as a result of mainly conservative Christian and Rastafarian beliefs. Jamaican culture is seen as one of the most morally correct. In 2006 A-glimpse-inside-the-lifestyle-of-a-male-prostitute |title=A glimpse inside the lifestyle of a male prostitute |author=Janice Johnson |date=December 25, 2006 |website=Jamaica Observer |publisher=www.jamaicaobserver.com |accessdate=December 1, 2009}}</ref> Sex between men is punishable with up to ten years in jail.

Certain Jamaican music, which features hostility to homosexuals, such as in a T.O.K. song "Chi Chi Man" which threatens to burn fire on gays and those in their company, employs the term 'batty boy' to disparage LGBT people. One notorious song, "Boom Bye Bye" written by dancehall musician Buju Banton, advocates violence against batty boys, including shooting them in the head and setting them on fire: "Boom bye bye, in a batty bwoy head/Rude boy nah promote no nasty man, dem hafi dead."

Post-World War II Jamaican immigrants brought the term 'batty boy' to the United Kingdom. Contemporary usage has been boosted partly by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, and his portrayal of the character Ali G. The term is also used in North America.

See also

• Stop Murder Music
• LGBT rights in Jamaica
• Homophobia in Jamaica

References

1. Diane Abbott (August 2, 2009). "Homophobia in Jamaica". Jamaica Observer. www.jamaicaobserver.com. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
2. Cite error: The named reference time was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
3. Cite error: The named reference jamaicaobserver was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
4. "Boom Bye Bye - song lyrics ♪". www.lyricskeeper.com. Retrieved January 24, 2013.

• Jamaican culture
• LGBT slang
• LGBT terms
• Male homosexuality
• Pejorative terms for people