A Jamaican gay rights group has issued an open letter critical of the effort launched last month that calls on people to boycott liquor imported from the country because of its record of deadly violence and other acts of violence perpetrated against LGBT people.

The boycott, which also asks tourists not to travel to the island nation, was organized in San Francisco and other cities by several gay bloggers, including Michael Petrelis of San Francisco, and Wayne Besen and Jim Burroway. The activists specifically called on LGBTs to boycott Myers's rum and Red Stripe beer, and called on gay bars to pull the brands from their establishments.