KINGSTON, JamaicaKINGSTON, Jamaica — Even now, about three years after a near-fatal gay bashing, Sherman gets jittery at dusk. On bad days, his blood quickens, his eyes dart, and he seeks refuge ...

This week Jamaica marks its independence day — but human rights groups say it's also a moment for Jamaicans to ponder the reality that their country is still one of the world's most homophobic.

Batty bwoy, like Chi Chi man, is a commonly used derogatory term that refers to a gay male; and the above lyric, by dancehall artist Buju Banton, prescribes a gunshot in the head for such a man. The ...

Jamaican-American author Max-Arthur Mantle with his debut novel "Batty Bwoy." When I recently met Jamaican-American author Max-Arthur Mantle at a South Beach café, we talked about his engaging debut ...