Montserrat island "Santa María de Montserrate", after the Virgin of Montserrat in the Monastery of Montserrat, on Montserrat mountain, near Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. "Montserrat" means "serrated mountain" in Catalan. Archaeological field work in 2012, in Montserrat's Centre Hills indicated there was an Archaic (pre-Arawak) occupation between 4000 and 2500 BP. Later coastal sites show the presence of the Saladoid culture. In November 1493, Christopher Columbus passed Montserrat in his second voyage, after being told that the island was unoccupied due to raids by the Caribs. A number of Irishmen settled in Montserrat in 1632. The preponderance of Irish in the
LGBT rights in Montserrat Article 79 of the Labour Code ban discrimination based on sexual orientation: The gay scene is very limited. There are no gay bars, nightclubs or venues in Montserrat, though several hotels welcome gay tourists and have non-discrimination policies. While Montserrat society tends to be tolerant of same-sex relationships, open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend. LGBT rights in Montserrat Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Montserrat face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Montserrat since 2001. Before 2001, anal sex and oral sex for both heterosexuals and male