Brokeback Mountain causes stir in Jamaica

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Jamaica’s religious leaders have voiced disapproval at the government’s decision not to ban gay cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain.

The romance has sparked controversy in the country since the Jamaican Cinematograph Authority released the film yesterday. Homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica.

Major Neil Lewis of the Family Life Ministries told Jamaican paper The Gleaner: “”I’m very distressed about it, we are allowing Hollywood to swamp us with the wrong things. It is dragging us down into the maelstrom of immorality.”

Elder Allan Russell of the Emmanuel Apostolic Church said the film, directed by Ang Lee, is an attempt to “indoctrinate the world to a most sinful act.” He called for it to be banned “before any further damage can be done to the minds of our young people.”

Palace Amusement, the cinema that is showing the film defended its decision, Melanie Graham, marketing manager for the group said: “I think that we are living in an open society, no one is being forced to see it.”