The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexual and Gays (J-Flag) is asking for donations after their office building was destroyed in a fire.

Dubbed the Rainbow House, a fire caused extensive damage to the building and its content on 30 December 2018. It is unknown what started the fire in the building, located in St Andrew.

The cost of the fire is estimated to be around $50,000 to $60,000 (43909.25EUR – 52691.10EUR). Now J-Flag are asking for help as they seek to rebuild the Rainbow House. Anyone wishing to contribute should send an email to [email protected].

J-Flag said in a statement: ‘We have received an outpouring of support from the LGBT community, our allies, partners and donors, offering condolences and seeking information on how they can help us in our rebuilding efforts.

‘Thanks to our government and civil society partners who have opened their doors to us, we are slowly resuming operations on a limited basis.

‘We are heartened that the important work we do means so much to everyone and we are grateful for any support we can get.

‘Based on our capacity at this time, crowdfunding is the most effective way to reach our recovery goals.’

Among the things lost in the fire are files, equipment, furniture and computers.

J-Flag is one of the most prominent LGBTI rights groups in what many consider to be one of the most homophobic countries in the world.

Homosexuality itself isn’t illegal. However, male homosexual sex is illegal according to the Sexual Offences Act (2009).

A 2014 report by Human Rights Watch found ‘LGBT people in Jamaica face intolerable levels of violence and cannot rely on the police’.