Keneil

In the fifth episode of "Ring the Alarm," a special series in partnership with the Advocate Magazine, award-winning journalist Jasmyne Cannick continues with her exclusive look inside Jamaica, one of the world’s most homophobic and transphobic countries. 

18-year-old Keneil grew up in Jamaica, where he was sexually abused at home starting at the age of 8 years old. Because of the isolation and denial he faced from his mother, and narrowly escaping a murder attempt, Keneil tried to commit suicide several times. After being disowned by his mother, Keneil lived in abandoned buildings with no food. He recently found housing at the Unity Fellowship Church Jamaica safe house, where he is receiving support and is now awaiting relocation assistance to another county that is more accepting of LGBTQ people. Through it all, the teenager has managed to smile, remain hopeful, and look forward to living a life where he can be free, even if it means being away from his family and the country he is from.

Please note that this episode contains depictions of suicide and sexual violence that some people may find disturbing. Know your limits, and act accordingly.

Produced and hosted by: Jasmyne Cannick
Associate Producer: Nevin Powell

Featured Music:

• Ring the Alarm by Tenor Saw
• Welcome to Jamrock by Damian Marley

Sources:

'Dem deal wid dem wicked' - Two men found dead on Maxfield Ave 
The Gleaner
August 1, 2022 

Resources: 

• Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
• Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline  [phone]

Episode sponsored in part by The Advocate, your source for LGBTQ+ news, since 1967.

To support Unity Fellowship Church, Jamaica’s safe house, donate through Cash App to $UFJamaica or UFJamaica.com

Sign up for Jasmyne Cannick’s email newsletter here. 

The Advocate
Your source for LGBTQ+ news, since 1967.

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