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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/29/jamaica-bans-anti-gay-arizona-pastor-from-visiting-country
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Jamaica bans anti-gay Arizona pastor from visiting country | Jamaica bans anti-gay Arizona pastor from visiting country |
| (about 21 hours later) | |
| Steven Anderson, pastor from the Faithful Word Baptist church who says gay people should be stoned to death, denied entry | |
| Kate Chappell in Kingston | Kate Chappell in Kingston |
| Mon 29 Jan 2018 22.27 GMT | Mon 29 Jan 2018 22.27 GMT |
| First published on Mon 29 Jan 2018 22.21 GMT | First published on Mon 29 Jan 2018 22.21 GMT |
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| Jamaica has banned a Holocaust-denying pastor from Arizona who has called for gay people to be stoned death, after outcry from activists on the island. | Jamaica has banned a Holocaust-denying pastor from Arizona who has called for gay people to be stoned death, after outcry from activists on the island. |
| Steven Anderson, from the Faithful Word Baptist church in Tempe, said he was about to board a flight to Kingston when he was informed he would not be allowed into Jamaica. | |
| Anderson, who once prayed for the death of Barack Obama, has previously been denied entry to South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom and Botswana. | Anderson, who once prayed for the death of Barack Obama, has previously been denied entry to South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom and Botswana. |
| “The decision was made by the chief immigration officer because the pastor’s statements are not conducive to the current climate,” said spokesperson for the Ministry of National Security on Monday. | “The decision was made by the chief immigration officer because the pastor’s statements are not conducive to the current climate,” said spokesperson for the Ministry of National Security on Monday. |
| The University of the West Indies, where Anderson was slated to speak, also rescinded its invitation. | The University of the West Indies, where Anderson was slated to speak, also rescinded its invitation. |
| Discrimination and the threat of violence against gay people in Jamaica remains pervasive, but activists hoped that the ban could represent a shift in attitudes in a country well-known for its homophobic attitudes. | Discrimination and the threat of violence against gay people in Jamaica remains pervasive, but activists hoped that the ban could represent a shift in attitudes in a country well-known for its homophobic attitudes. |
| “This is a positive outcome in which I am very pleased,” said Jay John, an activist who launched an online petition calling on the Jamaican government to bar Anderson. More than 39,000 people have signed the petition. | “This is a positive outcome in which I am very pleased,” said Jay John, an activist who launched an online petition calling on the Jamaican government to bar Anderson. More than 39,000 people have signed the petition. |
| “I am glad that leadership was shown in protecting LGBTQ Jamaicans, women and other minority groups which Steven Anderson has attacked over the past,” said John. | “I am glad that leadership was shown in protecting LGBTQ Jamaicans, women and other minority groups which Steven Anderson has attacked over the past,” said John. |
| Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican lawyer and gay rights activist who migrated to Canada after he received death threats, said that he was proud of Jamaica for banning Anderson. “This is a huge win for our Jamaican sovereignty, our constitutional protections and the safety and security of all Jamaicans.” | Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican lawyer and gay rights activist who migrated to Canada after he received death threats, said that he was proud of Jamaica for banning Anderson. “This is a huge win for our Jamaican sovereignty, our constitutional protections and the safety and security of all Jamaicans.” |
| Anderson suggested that the ban was the result of pressure from other countries. | Anderson suggested that the ban was the result of pressure from other countries. |
| “I think the US or UK must have a lot of influence over Jamaica and that’s probably where this is coming from,” he said. | “I think the US or UK must have a lot of influence over Jamaica and that’s probably where this is coming from,” he said. |
| After the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in June 2016, Anderson prompted revulsion with his comment that there were “50 less paedophiles in the world”. | After the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in June 2016, Anderson prompted revulsion with his comment that there were “50 less paedophiles in the world”. |
| He has also said that a women’s place is at home, raising children, not at work. | |
| This article was amended on 30 January 2018. An earlier version incorrectly identified Steven Anderson’s church as the Faithful World Baptist church. | |
| Jamaica | Jamaica |
| Arizona | Arizona |
| Holocaust | Holocaust |
| Canada | Canada |
| Americas | Americas |
| news | news |
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