What do you base this on? Have you read any of his books? If so, what about it/them leads you to reach this opinion?

I think his most recent book A Brief History of Seven Killings is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is not an easy read, but worth it and gives an context to Jamaica, politics and culture from the 70-90's.

IMHO, his sexual orientation has little, if anything, to do with his critical acclaim, since until very recently he had not disclosed this fact about his personal life.