10/11/07

By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter

krystel@nasguard.com

Ebony Pyramid Entertainment is demanding a public, published apology from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and assurances from the Ministry of Tourism that their annual event will not be targeted again to "intimidate" homosexuals.

The demands came after a party, sponsored by the American group and attended by about 250 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender tourists, was "raided" and shut down by police last weekend. Executive Director of Ebony Pyramid Entertainment DaJuan Xavier said he reported the incident to the US embassy, which is expected to make some inquires. In addition a government official advised him to file a formal complaint.

"But in the meantime, I want nothing less than an apology from the police force," he said during a telephone interview with The Guardian.

Yesterday he was putting together a complaint which he intends to forward to the Ministry of Tourism and the Commissioner of Police Paul Farqharson, outlining his demands.

Xavier called into question the legality of the "raid". According to him, the group of U.S. tourists, which has been traveling to Nassau for eight years, has never been dealt with so harshly before, leading him to believe that the attack was a "well planned and well organized raid."

"For it to happen now, that's questionable, for it to happen the way it did, that's questionable, and with the force that it did occur, that's questionable," he said.

He added that police and immigration officials raiding the club told him that he had violated the laws of The Bahamas by allowing a foreigner to a work without a permit. Police barged into the private party shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, fully armed with video cameras, cell phone cameras, and guns.

When asked what reason the police provided for shutting down the party, Xavier said, "The officer in charge said, this kind of party is not allowed. They gave no other explanations. If it was a violation -- at what level do you make a determination to detain individuals? Do you shut an entire party down? Do you hold cameras up in people's faces? Do you have a video camera at the exit as people are walking out for a mere violation? Do you shut the party down?" He asked again. "I don't think so. This was a well planned and well organized raid. This was not a mere routine patrol. They came fully geared with video cameras."

Meanwhile, it was claimed that the "employee" of Hard Rock Cafe who reportedly called the police claiming that naked men were running around the party, is a disgruntled former employee of the establishment looking to cause trouble.

But according to Xavier, there were no naked men at the party. However, he did admit that there were exotic male and female dancers performing.

"They do not ever go nude in the Bahamas. They will dance down to a G-string or for the females a bikini. So we're very straight on that. That was the requirements of the Hard Rock Cafe which incidentally was harassed just as much as we were and they had all of the proper licenses that were required," he said.

But even if an employee or former employee did call the police, Xavier said, it still would not warrant the police coming in as they did. "When they came in they didn't see anyone running around naked," he said. "They should have called for me, or pulled the entertainer aside."

Meanwhile, Xavier said he will not let this isolated incident affect his relationship with The Bahamas nor stop him from returning to the country.

"That is not The Bahamas that I know. This was our eighth annual trip to the Bahamas. We continue to come there because we love the people, the culture and because we are always treated in a kind manner. So with that said this is not a reflection of The Bahamas but it is a reflection of some individuals. If that was not the case we wouldn't have been there for the last eight years. We've had some great experiences in The Bahamas," he said.

"We came to Nassau to have a good time. We're not coming to protest this or trying to dictate what a country does. We're not trying to change anything. We just want our guests to enjoy the country. And we are not trying to condemn anyone for their beliefs, we just want to come in a have a good time," he continued.

He said the incident opened up his eyes to what homosexual Bahamians go through every day. While homosexuals in the United States still deal with issues, the U.S. far ahead of The Bahamians on gay issue, he said.

"My heart drops to know that what we just experienced that one night is something that they (gay Bahamians) have to deal with everyday. There is too much love in The Bahamas for that hate to be there."

He continued, "I just want the people who are responsible for what happened to apologize and I want the reassurance that when we come back for 2008, which we will, we will not have to go through this."

He added that if his demands are not met, there may be less economic income for The Bahamas as the numbers of homosexual visitors coming to Nassau will not be as high.