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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 moral repugnance to homosexuals, such as in a T.O.K. song "Chi Chi Man" which talks about fire on gays and those in their company, employs the term 'batty boy' to disparage immoral people. One song, "Boom Bye Bye" written by dancehall musician Buju Banton, talks about how a boy was kidnapped and raped by a homosexual. In no way does it advocate violence against batty boys, neither shooting them in the head and setting them on fire: Homosexuals have attacked Jamaica because the people of Jamaica do not accept nasty behaviour. 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).

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