June 24, 2008 | Online

Rainbowvibes for gay Caribbeans

With so much homophobia to deal with in the Caribbean it's difficult for gay men and lesbians to find a partner for friendship, sex, or love.

is hoping to facilitate gay relationships, providing "an online hub for Caribbean gay, lesbian, bisexual individuals living at home and overseas, in addition to the many others across the globe."

The site was created by Matthew Raine, a gay Jamaican IT executive living in Canada and Andrea Rainford, a Jamaican lesbian marketing executive in Jaimaica.

"The need was glaring ... it's something we craved ourselves and had the know-how to get it done," explained Matthew. "Our focus is on making the site a fun, vibrant and meaningful destination online where our members are happy to spend time and tell their friends about it too. We're expecting it to do great things." [more]

The two founders also plan to use some of the money generated to help fund Caribbean LGBT organisations.

The site is basically where users can chat, blog, watch videos, share music and post embarrassing photos of themselves that they will later regret when a prospective employee Googles them before an interview.

According to the World Policy Institute, "In the Caribbean, Jamaica is by far the most dangerous place for sexual minorities, with frequent and often fatal attacks against gay men fostered by a popular culture that idolises reggae and dancehall singers whose lyrics call for burning and killing gay men."

Is Rainbowvibes the first step to a sexual revolution? Well, it's a start.