Board member of Dwayne's House Reverend Fowler who also spoke at JFLAG IDAHOT symposium on May 16 prior to the Bain furore was reported on today in the Jamaica Observer while her points are substantive I have to say that if the lobbyists she supports were not so conflicted and directionless in certain respects in the first place we would not be in this predicament we now find ourselves at this time of the struggle.

Actual service paraphernalia handled by Reverend Robert Griffin in 2010, church from a box if you will.

Case in point the now limp-wristed Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica, SCJ (a branch of Metropolitan Community of Churches, MCC Florida) which was formed to address the spiritual and basic welfare needs of LGBT people while also reaching out to the theological community via the Interfaith discussions yet JFLAG et al allowed a secularist ambit to dominate the conversation (whilst board members cross sit on groups missing the intersectional goals) hence the poisoning of the public perception with moral nihilistic objectives and the anti Christian push, the very homeless MSM issue to which she is now claiming to be directly involved in was sacrificed for same (the closure of the Safe House Pilot 2009) now the Bain issue, if on one hand the dialogue was going on with the Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches while on the other the loudest voices are saying down with Christian principles whilst pushing LGBT rights then what does one expect to happen?

Frankly such a tolerant position would be better sounding from a local individual than from a foreigner given the perception of imposed foreign values fuelling the push back from religious groups and individuals. The recent report of support growing for homeless teens in the Shoemaker Gully in New Kingston I wonder now with the ongoing furore when churches are riled up for the Bain issue but quiet on other societal ills.

flashback podcast on poor leadership in LGBT advocacy that has impaired the movement:

Now to the Observer article

MINISTER of the Hope United Church in Kingston, Rev Margaret Fowler has asked the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community not to give up on the church, which she said has been selective about those to whom they give pastoral care.

"I want to just encourage you not to give up on the church. Not to give up on us because some of us are there on the front-line with you," Fowler said

According to Rev Fowler, there is the idea within the church that everybody who has a different view is the enemy. "Sometimes ministers are very selective about those they see for counselling and if you don't like what you hear you just send them to someone else," Rev Fowler said.

Rev Fowler, who was speaking at the recent Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) hosted Larry Chang Human Rights Symposium in Kingston, said the church should not be caught up in some of the technical issues.

Unlike Jesus who urge persons to come as they are, Rev Fowler said the modern day church does not allow people to come as they are because of the limitations that they have placed on them.

"We have to educate our own church community that we must be open to people. It is not easy to create that kind of space when you have a set of people who only want forgiveness for church people, so anyone outside the realm of the faith you have to join the line, you have to change your ways before you can receive forgiveness. But Jesus didn't say that, He simply said that those who are without sin cast the first stone and all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."

According to Rev Fowler, the church is operating in a Jamaica which wants to focus on the great British empire of yesterday.

"The church is still ministering in a modern-day Jamaica of the new empire but we are still working with old empire values, hence we have a clash of cultures," she argued.

She claimed that the church has not always taken the right path and has created mayhem in many places.

"The church has tried on several occasions to work with vulnerable groups but some think we have not done a good job because all we want the vulnerable group to do is to change and to conform and to come and be like us, gentle Jesus meek and mild," she said.

However, there are those in the church, she said, who have taken the struggle and have gone on the edge and on the margin and have tried to look at things in a slightly different way, she said.

According to Rev Fowler, throughout history the church has not been good at discussing sexuality in any way, shape or form.

"You need to understand that and forgive us as a church, as it is something we like to hide and we don't want to put it out there to talk about it," she said.

The debate about sexual orientation, she said, can be looked at from two angles -- that of the theological biblical angle "where I would come and preach and speak on various Bible text sor we can simply exercise our pastoral duty as Christians and as ministers and there are brothers and sisters out there and the gay community and non-gay community and a variety of communities that need the pastoral approach and commitment of the church".

Father Sean Major-Campbell, priest in charge of Christ Church Vineyard Town, said he not only agrees with Rev Fowler but believes the church needs to stop limiting itself to the Old Testament stories.

According to Major-Campbell, it is the cultural narrative which often informs our views and not evidence-based position such as what new research is suggesting.

"I believe there are many persons who generally have limited themselves to the Old Testament stories and interpretations and narratives which really does not help, because much of what we read for example the Levitical tradition does not necessarily apply to our context. I believe that we also need to try more to operate from a position of compassion, a position of human rights, a position of respect for all," he told the Jamaica Observer.

The easier thing to do, according to Father Major-Campbell, is to quote some Bible verses and not do the hard work which is to think and use our brains.

"We were given our brains first before we were given the Bible and to engage more the reality of people's experiences on the ground. How do people understand themselves, recognising that the Bible is neither a medical book nor a science book and many of the things we need to do to understand more about human life and living and reality is to engage the various disciplines and hear what they have to say," he said.

And given that his views on homosexuality are different from those of several other church leaders, Father Major-Campbell said he remained patient with those who have not yet come to that position of deeper understanding and deeper appreciation of the broader human family.

"Certainly our human community is not made up of heterosexuals alone or one particular race or one particular colour or one particular nationality or one particular sexuality; the human family is much bigger than we often are prepared to deal with," he insisted.

Meanwhile, Pastor Donald Stewart of the Portmore Lane Covenant Community Church questioned where the church should draw the line if it is to be totally inclusive without any restrictions. He questioned if the church is supposed to have no limitation, should it consent to marrying blood siblings. "Where do you draw the line: are you to marry everyone that comes or is there to be some principle?" he questioned.

Pointing to Bible scripture quoted by Rev Fowler, Pastor Stewart said although Jesus said whosoever has no sin let him cast the first stone He also said in the same passage: Woman, go out and sin no more.

But Rev Fowler in dismissing that argument said Jamaica is a long way from having same sex marriages and so this is not something she is concerned about.

"I am more concerned about the young men in the gully in New Kingston at this time. There are a whole lot of people sinning within our church communities which we need to root out and so we have to take the stick out of our own eye before we go to somebody else," she said.

ENDS

Sorry but the gains made though incremental have been wiped out for the most part as daggers are drawn now and I wonder how can those be repaired or reforged?

additional listening May 27th 2014:

Peace and tolerance

H

Well Dr Abrahams took the words right out of my mouth as to the selectivity of the church, the seismic shift in the perception of victimization of the church by the supposed gay lobby and to think that in the very week the groups made a stink at UWI five children near the end of child's month were murdered yet no concern shown for that.

Have a read of the article, you may need to subscribe to the Gleaner to see it in full though:

Michael Abrahams, Online Gleaner Columnist

The firing of Prof Brendan Bain from the leadership of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Programme is one of the most polarising events I have ever witnessed in Jamaica, with venom being spewed left, right and centre. Many Christians have been very vocal with their opinions, often failing to recognise the conflict of interest involved and blaming his dismissal instead on the gay agenda.

Some of their comments have reinforced my impression that a disproportionate amount of fire and brimstone is directed by the Church at the LGBT community, while other transgressors of biblical laws receive lighter sentences.

For example, before the last general election when then leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller, stated that she would have no problems with gays in her Cabinet, the Reverend Al Miller, one of our most popular church leaders, made it clear that he was very much against it. He argued that having gays there "would be to declare homosexual behaviour as normal and right".

His comments perplexed me, as I strongly suspected that fornicators, adulterers, liars, thieves, woman beaters and, possibly, impregnators of underage girls have been in Cabinets and wondered why they were tolerated.

The Church is a powerful force, and comments made by members of the clergy can strongly influence their parishioners and other members of the public. I would love to see church folk unite and direct equal energy towards other issues that are negatively affecting our country.

So I humbly submit a shortlist of issues I would love to see the Church confront and make a big stink about:

1) The maltreatment of our children

As a society, we have failed our children. Children are being abandoned, abused and murdered at an alarming rate. They are abused and killed by adults, including their parents and caregivers, and also by other children. The majority of abuse cases go unreported or are covered up and the victims continue to suffer in silence. Our children's homes are being shut down. Glenhope and Windsor closed their doors some time ago and Alpha recently shuttered its dormitory facilities because of serious issues.

2) The murder rate

Jamaica’s murder rate is consistently in the top 10 globally. It is in the range of a country at civil war. As a matter of fact, at the height of the Iraq war, more people were being killed, per capita, in Jamaica than American soldiers. And the murders are becoming more barbaric, with beheadings no longer even raising eyebrows. We are all at risk. Men, women, pregnant women, children, the elderly, straight, gay; no one is spared the wrath of our vicious murderers.

3) Political corruption, 'bandoolooism' and 'a nuh nutten' mentality

Thank God for the Reverend Rennard White, who recently stated: "This is a country that has made a way of life out of dishonesty.” He is right. Our political leaders have been very weak on transparency and accountability, and political corruption is rife.

It is not uncommon for large contracts to be given to friends and associates of our politicians through questionable channels. Kickbacks and extortion are par for the course. Taxes are waived for cronies. Some of our leaders have enabled the institutionalisation of electricity theft in their communities, and in doing so have empowered their constituents with a sense of entitlement. All these actions have cost us billions of dollars.

And when a member of parliament can tell a female news anchor on live television to "go to hell" and a mayor can say that police must "shoot first and ask questions later" and no punitive measures are taken, we know that, as a nation, we have a serious problem.

The actions - and inaction - of some of our leaders have set the tone for the 'bandoolooism' and 'a nuh nutten' mentality that prevails in our country, as when other Jamaicans, especially children, observe this type of behaviour and the subsequent lack of consequences, they feel free to say and do whatever they want and expect no repercussions. No wonder we have become world leaders in visa and passport fraud and lotto scamming.

I would love to see the church galvanise its Christian soldiers to come out in droves publicly and wage war against these atrocities. I encourage our church leaders to utilise social media and traditional media to take their messages from behind the pulpit and into the streets, to lobby, to advocate and to make their voices heard loud and clear.

We really could use some divine intervention.

Michael Abrahams is a gynaecologist and obstetrician, comedian, and poet. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com andmichabe_1999@hotmail.com, or tweet mikeyabrahams.

ENDS

Also see and hear previous rants and entries from the doc on the bullying perception of the gay lobby HERE

also see

Don't give up on the church says pastor to gays

Local Gays Getting Comfortable ... But Church Stands Resolute Against Homosexuality (Gleaner)

What goes on in the minds of the overly religious?

Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica

Betty Ann Blaine & foreign religious zealots continue their paranoia & misrepresentations of male homosexuality

Letters & Opinions: Anti-gay Christians threaten free speech ............Christian Ethics And The UTech Beating

The shouting matches are not helping anybody right now and when this all settles as it must what is the damage done to the work done over the forty years of LGBT advocacy in total, will the cemented or revived homo-negative and homophobic views ever rescind?

JFLAG's late in the day call for a dialogue just a day after the Professor Bain firing story broke has been lost in the firestorm and to think the Interfaith discussions started in 2008 and were stopped between the United Theological College representatives, theologians and activists including myself but somehow the secular ambit was twinned with the public advocacy and now we have the aftermath as well. I had warned about this some months ago via a podcast as the clouding of the real goals which is the privacy,consent and decriminalization of buggery not whether or not God exists as those are false dichotomies added to the mix.

Peace and tolerance

The following is a detailed report from the APJ representative at the recently concluded World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka Mario Andre Dre Bennett was also a participant in the also concluded phase 1 of the APJ's Enterprise Training Workshops of which came the springboard for his attendance to the WYC 2014.

World Conference on Youth 2014 Sri Lanka - Architecture, people & sights: Aphrodite's PRIDE Jamaica's perspective pic.twitter.com/z5VOCec1Y9
— Aphrodite's PRIDE Ja (@aphroditepride) May 11, 2014

Report On the Word Conference On Youth 2014 – Sri Lanka

The country of Sri Lanka is known for many things, its sports, pristine, wild and blissful culture, Sri Lanka is now known as the host country for the World Conference on Youth 2014 (WCY). The conference was organized and spear headed by a steering committee co-chaired by Minister Dullas Alahapperuma Minister of Youth Affairs and Skill Development Mohan Lal Grero and MP Namal

Rajapaksa from Tharunyata Hetak organization and the International Youth task force inclusive of 10 Sri

Lankan nationals and 10 members representing different regions of the world.

The conference consisted of 900 youths, 105 high ranking officials, 24 youth Ministers and 35 U.N officers from different U.N agencies. With an amazing amount of 160 countries which represents 80% of the of the world youth where present for the conference making a total of 1500 Youths representing their respective countries.

With the Theme Mainstreaming Youth in the Post 2015 Development Agenda the conference had a colorful kick start as we were greeted with a beautiful arrangement of world flags with their heads held high and dancing in the wind on both sides of the path leading to the conference hall, the air was filled with the Sri Lankan culture as young Sri Lankans played the flutes and drums, walking on stilts, dressed in their cultural wear greeted us, It was a sight to see as the busses with delegates arrived from their respective hotels at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center (MRICC) in Hambantota.

With the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the U.N General Assembly Dr. John W. Ashe and U.N secretary General and Envoy on Youth Mr. Ahmad Alhendowl television crew where all over the conference.

As the Convention hall was filled as far as the eye could see with delegates, as we were seated the presenters took the fore front to make speeches requesting for youths to be more involved when it comes to making decision making that affected us. Dr. John W. Ashe pointed out that ‘there are sections of society that was clearly not included in the previous global development drive, making reference to the Millennium Development Goals, adding that this time around we had to made sure that they are involved’

The Sri Lankan President for his part called on world leaders to make youth the forefront of involving youth participation in world development and spearhead new attempts in youth integration.

"You would agree that the increasingly large youth population, who live in the global South, makes it impossible to discuss any follow-up to Rio+20 and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, without considering their needs and challenges," said the president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The ceremony was quite entertaining and interactive, the official theme song for the WCY 2014 was performed by Bathiya and Santhush, where scores of delegates rushed to the stage to join in the performance taking the opportunity to show case their county flags and cultural wears, we were also entertained by the Sri Lankan mask dance where we showed cultural respect by wear beautifully crafted masks that were presented to upon entering MRICC as well as other cultural performances. At the end of the conference we were treated to the sweet aroma, mouth water, and pallet pleasing of both local and international dishes, as the trays where emptied and the deserts where all gone in the blink of an eye they were refilled as chefs where ever present.

On our way back to our respective hotels half asleep the bus suddenly pulls over, there was a beach party in full swing in our honor, volunteers where handing out bottled water, drinks and snacks, delegates where running to the ocean while others stayed on the beach having a blast dancing to the live entertainment taking photos with an over friendly elephant, even our ever present security team seem to have had a wonderful time.

The day came to a close as we tried to get what as much rest as possible as the reason for the conference would start the following morning.

Heading to BMICH from our respective hotels with police escorts, the streets where once again lined with Sri Lankan greeting us with warm smiles and waves, the celebration did not stop when we arrived at BMICH, the grounds where decorated with the colors of the conference and our flags where yet again present as we disembarked our busses we were met by local governments and Sri Lankan youths.

With the themes and objectives provided:

To create an inclusive youth participation platform that enables young people to review the progress on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

To share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively contributing to the post-2015 development agenda and its implementation

To facilitate a process that increases awareness on and implementation of the World Programme for Action on Youth (WPAY)

To facilitate effective partnerships with youth, youth-led organizations and youth movements to further strengthen inclusive youth participation in the decision-making processes and implementation of the post-2015 development agenda

To contribute to the establishment of a permanent youth engagement mechanism that ensures consistent follow- up with young people and further boosts their participation and partnership in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda at national, regional and global levels.

Day One the days even where as followed:

The morning started with the Main Plenary, as it was covered we went into:

Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Agenda with the theme - looking Back

After which the roundtable discussions took place - Plenaries & breakout sessions. Foundations also on the theme looking back with delegates locating there selected foundations, In this case for me it was -

Empowering Marginalized Youth including Most at Risk young people, this was a heated topic for most as marginalized youths where present to represent their respective organizations and themselves, the major issues was that there was not complete list of marginalized youth in the previous declaration, day one we looked back on the issues that where affecting Marginalized Youth including Most at Risk young people. After lunch the roundtable Plenaries & Breakout Sessions, Themes were discussed mine been full Employment & Entrepreneurship.

With the recently completed the Entrepreneurship session with Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica this was well suited to lean the issues that are been faced across the globe and help to develop solutions.

After each session there were numerous side events/ parallel events, these where sitting rooms that could be arranged as workshop round table panel. Such as:

- Leadership in communitarian Education.

-The African woman’s development and communication network (FEMNET)

- Advocacy the Education we want.

- Youth Advocacy group of the global Education First initiative UNICEF and PLAN

- Responsible Investment in youth for sustainable development

- Access to stigma and discrimination free health services for vulnerable young people.

Just to name a few.

Meals where provided though out the course of the day with unlimited access to WCY 2014 bottled water, in the order of morning tea, lunch, evening tea; and dinner on slips that where provided at the start of each day. Roundtables where held in the primary thematic policy sessions of the conference and where feed directly into the conference's outcome document. Each session took 2hour 30 min. After the morning plenary deal with the foundations; after lunch deal with the themes this is where the round table discussions started different roundtable sessions happening during the scheduled roundtable times. Roundtables where led by an international facilitator and a Sri Lankan facilitator, each Round table where addressed by 3 speakers which includes a minister, a youth with experience of the topic, and an expert.

The speakers where changed every day as to allow a diverse set of voices to be heard throughout the daily thematic sessions. Side Events examine in more detail the policy discussions surrounding the foundations and themes each round table each session will be scheduled in 45 minute blocks Parallel events mainly focus on capacity building or showcasing of projects organizations and agency are carrying out in terms of youth development they will allow organizations to network with others as well as share best practices in terms of grassroots work.

Day 2

After looking back on the issues of the pass and what is currently happening in the world that was and is still affecting youths we began day two with:

Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Agenda –What we want for both Themes and Foundations where discussed. We continue the day with side events. After a long day of debating we were treated to a tour of Sri Lanka, and then we were taken back to our hotels.

Day three

May 9th

With the struggles and issue we all face in our respective countries shared amongst each other we were able to meet the main event for day thee which was:

Roundtable Plenaries & Breakout Sessions. Themes and foundations: Taking Action

There was a lot on tension as things did not go as planned for the issue facing Marginalized Youth, though we were able to have the issue resolved after going beyond the timeline for our session. I was not able to stay for the entire session as I was scheduled to have an interview in the media center along with four other delegates as we met with Deputy Education Minister and Supervisory MP, Youth and Skill Development Minister, Mohan Lal Grero, we discussed the level of Education in our countries and what or respective organizations where doing to reduced some of the issue we are facing, though a bit nervous to be discussing APJ as a LGBTQ organization on television and declaring that I was gay with that out of the way and having completed the SEISMIC program I was ready to tackle the questions that where asked.

Once again I was not able to stay for the entire process of the Interview as I was invited to have dinner with one of the financing banker of the conference and his family, it was wonderful, I learnt the steps that are taken to give thanks to Buddha, and that white rice is their national dish, and when they offer curry chicken and white rice with vegetable it’s not what you think, however though it’s their culture I found it quite interesting that they eat with their hands! Imagine my surprise, However the experience is on I will not soon forget.

At twelve in the morning been dropped off at my hotel wanting to sleep, no such luck with the conference coming to a close there was a party been held at a close by hotels club, I never knew that it was so much fun to be on a dance floor for the entire morning and with the bar open to International delegates I did indulge. With the closing ceremony a few hours away I got as much rest as possible and socked my bone in a nice bubble bath, met with the other delegates and had breakfast.

The official closing ceremony of the WCY 2014 was held at the Sri Lanka Youth Service council Auditorium in Marharagma where the Colombo declaration was adopted by the closing plenary of the WCY. With most International delegates having to miss the closing ceremony due to their flight arrangement to ensure they were able to get back home, emotions where high as we had to say good bye to those who we have gotten close to over the few days, numbers emails, business cards and invitations were exchanged in hopes of keeping in touch. Words are not enough to express what it was like to be a part of such a conference meeting like minded young people from across the world, experiencing a culture where straight men showing affection towards each other is not taboo, where warm smiles and inquires from curious natives are everywhere, staying in the penthouse of the country’s oldest and famous hotel that was est. in 1864 Galle Face Hotel, I had the pleasure of interacting with the staff and learning more about their culture, they too were eager to hear about the county the Great Usain Bolt was from and I was more than happy to share, been treated like a king was not a problem from me in the least, police escorts personal drivers, yea that the life, been the first time travelling off the Island over 30 Hrs of travelling after all I did have to make up for lost time, though I was a bid nervous about flying Maria was there with me every step of the way and after the first two flights I was a pro, I love to explore with food and the after all that I have heard about the meals provided on planes I did not wish to try, however this was not the case, can you say delicious! meals from France, Dubai, Panama and all over Europe was offered, the flights where very pleasant though leaving Amsterdam heading to Panama I was freezing thank god for blankets I was babied by the flight crew and the couple I was sitting with who were from Paris and are quite eager to visit Jamaica, the overall experience was amazingly breathe taking, no matter how far I travel nothing can compare to the

experience I had on my way and in Sri Lanka.

As the Bain train rolls on the cemented feelings of the lobby becoming bullies is also a concern for me as evidenced in the obviously organised talk show circuit raid of sorts where every show has some callers commenting on the issue occupying air time. Letter writers and commentators are on a roll but the essence of the matter which is the conflict of interest has turned into something else aided and abetted by some clever folks who present themselves as Christians but seem to operate as something else in actuality.

Rev Al Miller a UWI campus demonstration

also see: REVEREND AL MILLER’S OWN MORAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST & ANTI GAY CAMPAIGN

The Gleaner reported today

$Children\'s Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine (second right) and other protesters stand in front of the UWI Mona campus in support of Professor Brendan Bain who was fired from his post at the campus. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer$

Children's Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine (second right) and other protesters stand in front of the UWI Mona campus in support of Professor Brendan Bain who was fired from his post at the campus. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
There is a glimmer of hope of a breakthrough in the impasse between the administration of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and protesters who continue to stand their ground over the dismissal of Professor Brendan Bain as the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network.

A small group drawn from the persistent protesters is scheduled to meet today with Nigel Harris, the vice chancellor of the UWI.

Word also emerged that a group from the donor agencies had expressed a desire to address the protesters today.

Under bleak skies, the protesters, clad in customary black for the occasion and mouth taped as a symbol of the loss of free speech, continued to demonstrate
The team, who will be making a presentation to Harris, is to be led by chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for Healthy Society Dr Wayne West.

He warned that while they were prepared to meet with anyone who wishes to engage them, there would be no compromising of the position adopted by the protesters.

The signs that the tempo or energy of the protesters have not waned when Kimberley McKinson, came to the gate of the UWI with her two-month-old baby and marched to the beat of the other protesters.

It’s always been dubbed a silent protest and the lips of the participants have been symbolically taped to highlight the perceived loss of free speech.

But there are indications that the symbolic silence could be broken today.

Since the start of the protest three weeks ago, UWI administrators appeared to have retreated behind its walls as the protester continued what is considered to be one of the longest protest in Jamaica’s modern history.

The curious symphony of noise created by the variety of motor vehicle horns that were honked in solidarity with the protesters continued to interrupt the silence that prevailed at the entrance to the university in normal times.

They continued to be led by from the range of churches and other civic organisations, but individuals have been joining the efforts on the work days when Jamaicans are forced to make sacrifice.

ENDS

Here is my audio post on the matter:

Gay Marriage Smoke Screen, False Dichotomies and Religious Fanatics 05.06.14

Also see

Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer) posted today

When did anyone ask for gay marriage rights in Jamaica when we can't get basic tolerance ......... more smokescreen

More gay marriage paranoia & hijacking of the homosexual debate by fanatics

Opposition Leader sides with antigay groups on Referendum on The Buggery Law

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna's conflation of same gender sex & abuse responded to

Foreign Affairs Minister says Govt should be cautious on gay rights issues in Jamaica

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke, Sexual Offences Bill to be updated 2014 says justice minister

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says Prime Minister

PNP's Damion Crawford on Homosexuality's legality .

Bandooloo Logic From Pro-Gay Gleaner(Gleaner Letter) to which I responded (pending approval)

I support Bain's dismissal(Observer Letter)

Espeut: Endgame - Politico-Sexual Chess

Today's Observer cartoon makes an interesting observation

Politics again at work we should remember that under former PM PJ Patterson's watch, the subsequent removal of the sexual orientation discrimination from the charter of rights draft in 1999 (see above draft p 27/28), post the JFLAG parliamentary submission the removal was aided and abetted by anti gay voices namely Shirley Richards and Reverend Al Miller. Also see Parliamentary Committee struggles to define sexual intercourse which was the other deceptive shenanigans used by the anti gay groups and individuals to supposedly deny future gay marriage rights.

also see: Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s call for tolerance not genuine & sheer hypocrisy

Another Clovis toon from the Observer that hits the nail on the head in as far as the church (or sections of it) and the PNP on certain issues (I will ignore the gay stereotype character for now)

Peace and tolerance as we watch this go down.

UPDATE June 7 2014

Stop Gagging Truth - UWI Gets DVD On 'Sex, Lies And Rights

headline in June 7's Gleaner take note that even babies are being taken to these things, what a way to poison the minds of the young already with hate?

Read the rest HERE and also see Oh really! ............ Penile/anal penetration is NOT SEX Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society? and Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD 2013 take note that in the latter Queen Ifrica crossed over to the dark side post the furore over her Independence Day 2013 heterosexist rant at the Grand Gala.

Did we need another piece of research to tell us and the world something we already know all too well not to put down the work done; the evidence of the effects of this music type has been cemented in our national psyche, the fallouts clear for over some four decades of official LGBTQI agitation the homo-negative feelings that were very slowly being ebbed away via multiple strategies but since the last few weeks the re-awakening of those feelings is pronounced as the "Bain train" rolls on, I much prefer an older paper that delved into the actual timeline of this "murder music" development although some keys songs were left out and important changes, the same thing seems to have happened with this latest study by Dr Keon West as it seems to start the tracking of murder music post Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye track in 1988 when the trajectory had begun from as early as 1978. We were well set for the present entrenched homo-negative and homophobic feelings generations later.

recent developments: Murder Music act Capleton Performed despite LGBT Activist demonstration at NY club, Queen Ifrica "I'm Not Homopobic"

The Stop Murder Music has hit some snags over the years including a lull in its activity but the hard lined actions of recent times by removing acts from shows has led to some backlash and the perception of stifling of freedom of speech, see more from Gay Jamaica Watch

Preview Dr West's study HERE

the older paper aforementioned:

Casting the First Stone: Policing Homosexuality in Jamaica in Jamaican Popular Culture.

The Guardian yesterday carried this however:

Buju Banton performing in New York in 2005. He hit the scene with the homophobic Boom Bye Bye back in 1988 and is now serving a jail sentence in the US for drugs and firearms offences. Photograph: Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images

Jamaica has a bad reputation for anti-gay prejudice. This small island in the Caribbean has become notorious not only for its anti-gay laws, political rhetoric and murders, but also for its broad societal acceptance of severe sexual prejudice and openly hostile music.

Most people remember dancehall star Buju Banton, who hit the scene when he was 15 with the hugely popular Boom Bye Bye. The lyrics go: "It's like boom bye bye / Inna batty boy head / Rude boy nah promote no nasty man / Dem haffi dead." Hard to decipher for someone not familiar with Jamaican patois, but Buju is essentially describing shooting a gay man in the head – he doesn't want to "promote no nasty man".

In the decades after, hosts of other dancehall artists took up the banner, such as the group T.O.K. who proclaimed that "chi-chi [gay] man fi dead and that's a fact".

Jamaica is not alone; sexual prejudice is all over the news at the moment – from the Sultan of Brunei's introduction of Sharia law, to the anti-gay bill in Uganda. And it's worth remembering that in the UK gay people only acquired equal marriage rights earlier this year. But Jamaica has the double problem of being described as "the most homophobic place on earth", but also being one of those places where little or no research is done to explain these anti-gay sentiments.

This is why, in collaboration with Dr Noel Cowell from the University of the West Indies, I decided to conduct the largest piece of research of its kind to date, using data collected by Professor Ian Boxhill.

By interviewing about 2,000 people across 40 communities in Jamaica, we looked at the predictors of anti-gay bias and measured them.

Our results confirm the suspicion that Jamaicans, in general, hold very strong prejudices against gays and lesbians. This was true whether we referred to attitudes, perceptions of gay rights, or prejudiced behaviour. But why? This question isn't easily answered. However, thanks to this research, we can now point to some important variables.

As in other countries, wealth, education and (younger) age were associated with less anti-gay prejudice. Religiosity, which is often the reason offered by anti-gay lobbyists, also predicted more anti-gay bias. However, it was neither the strongest nor the most reliable predictor. When all the factors were taken into account simultaneously, the two that were most reliable were a preference for dancehall music, and gender.

There has been much debate about dancehall in Jamaica. Internationally, many people view artists like Banton, Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man as inciting sexuality-based violence, while others defend these "calls to action" as being much more metaphorical – a litmus test of what is and isn't acceptable in Jamaican society.

This research provides the first empirical evidence that these songs may be harmful, leading to more negative attitudes and anti-social behaviour. We need more research looking at the consequences of anti-gay dancehall, and policy on what we should do about it.

We also found that male gender was an important predictor, trumping education, age and even religion. This raises important questions about what it means to be a man in Jamaica. What it is about those perceptions of masculinity that finds the existence of gays so unbearable? Is it that Jamaican masculinity has become overly focused on toughness and anti-femininity, at the expense of socially beneficial constructs such as responsibility? Interventions aimed at reshaping gender norms in Jamaica may be useful in reducing negativity towards those seen as "deviant".

Research like this is essential to understanding why that is, and how to change it. We Jamaicans are, for the most part, open and accepting people. Although in Jamaica sexual boundaries are rigidly and violently monitored, we integrate readily and easily with different ethnicities, political views and national boundaries. More than our European and American counterparts, we tend to see a boundary as permeable, which encourages a general atmosphere of inclusivity.

The good news is that work is finally being done in Jamaica, by Jamaicans, to tackle this aggressive policing of heterosexuality. And this is integral for change to happen; more than we need western intervention, we need Jamaicans who are ready to take the initiative.

This is a long road, and many would say that we are moving too slowly; but at least it is now an inescapable fact that we are moving. Perhaps we will soon be saying boom bye bye to anti-gay prejudice in Jamaica. I hope so.

ENDS

Previous audio entry on Queen Ifrica and the SMM:

also see from the Observer:

Music & violence - Ninjaman rubbishes correlation

Dear @JamaicaObserver : You have sunk to a new low. @equality_JA @HRC @destroy_time @KateChappell @PanosCaribbean pic.twitter.com/oCf8J3n9Gd
— Emma Lewis (@Petchary) June 8, 2014

One of the many reactions thus since the headline was splashed across the Observer's frontpage and online. The timing of this could not be more opportune for the paper as the religious opposition continues on the Bain conflict of interest matter, the bizarre incident of yet another cell phone found in the rectum of an male incarcerated inmate with some weird public discourse and effemophobia stemming from the former matter with homeless cross dressed youth in New Kingston.

The Observer clearly was trying to get some mileage from this as I discussed with my colleague from Aphrodite's PRIDE Jamaica earlier similar to the Star News and defunct tabloids XNews, EXcess and Enquirer who had a a uninterrupted run thriving on stereotyping male homosexuals (with present generational consequences) but amidst the sensationalist writing and poor continuity (not that my writing is the best either) is are the allegations true and why the stress on the perceived orientation of these "thugs?"

The writer also seems to want to discount the truthfulness of homophobia and related violence in Jamaica.

also see: Phone Found in Prisoner’s Rectum for a Second Time in Lockup now to the matter at hand.

"DESPITE claims from local and international gay rights activists that Jamaica is a fiercely homophobic country, recent evidence is suggesting that homosexuals are living openly in some of the country's notoriously tough garrisons without hassle or intimidation. Police have confirmed that gay men are left alone, either because they have heartless thugs as their lovers or their relatives.

The Jamaica Observer came face-to-face with the situation recently while gathering information at a crime scene in the Gem Road/Texton Road area of South St Andrew.
As a group of residents stood behind the police yellow tape watching intensely while scene-of-crime detectives processed the area where Tashoy Lawrence and another man identified only as 'Roland' where shot dead and two others injured, an effeminate man came on the scene.

He was dressed in a tight pair of knickers and an equally tight sleeveless T-shirt. When he started speaking it was hard to believe that he was male as he displayed all the attributes of a woman, down to the gesticulations.

A member of the news team noticed him and wondered aloud if he was gay. A woman who was in earshot answered his question without flinching.

"A b...man dat. Nuh look pan him too hard," the woman said, "a pure bad man him tek."

As the man engaged in conversation with some of the women present, no one even flinched or displayed any sign of antagonism toward him.One of the women even joked that he was boasting a 'hickey' on his neck.

"But you have hickey, man?" the woman said.

"How you mean? You no see rain a fall an' me haffi get me hickey," the man said.

The Sunday Observer was on the scene for about an hour and for the entire time the man traipsed freely through the crowd.

"Nobody nuh business wid him," the woman said.

Assistant Superintendent Omar Morris is a career cop and has spent years beating back criminality. Now in charge of operations at the St Andrew South division, Morris has seen it all. In that police division there are more than two dozen troubled communities and according to Morris, the police have knowledge of persons who are said to be homosexual who live openly and are not mobbed, beaten or heckled.

"I know of at least one person who is rumoured to be diverse and he is living in one of those communities and nobody has ever attempted to use violence against him. That is because he has relatives who have fearsome reputations," Morris said.

One homosexual man who is wanted by the St Andrew Central Police for a string of robberies in the New Kingston area is known to hang out in a tough downtown Kingston community.

"We have information that he lives there and is always there in the days. We know he has relatives there and that no one in that community would dare to bring violence to him. As a matter of fact, we have been hearing that he may very well be a gunslinger, but in time we will bring him to book," a policeman told the Sunday Observer.

One resident of the community spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity.

"The people get used to him. Nobody don't trouble him and, worse, the woman dem love the almshouse. The boy dem might run him but nobody nuh beat him and, worse, dem look up to him father when him was alive," the woman said.

Weeks ago, the police reported that they received information that a man, who appeared to be homosexual, was brandishing a gun inside a car park in New Kingston. The police said that they chased him but he eluded them until he was nearly caught at an area close to a gully on Trafalgar Road that has been a known hangout for gays.

The man, the police said, then opened fire at them before escaping in the gully. A reliable police source said that it is common knowledge in the constabulary that some of the top names in the criminal underworld were homosexual and had relations with multiple gay partners. However, because of their fearsome reputations, many persons who know of their lifestyle keep their mouths tightly shut in fear for their lives.

"You would be surprised at some of the names. This is not new. However, in law enforcement, sometimes it is not what you know but what you can prove. A lot of them pose as thugs but behind closed doors they are different characters," one senior cop said.

"On the other hand, those who act feminine are living in some bad communities and living freely. We know this for a long time," he added.

In September 2006, the Jamaica Observer visited a crime scene in St Andrew where a man was killed. The victim was stabbed 17 times and his penis was severed and shoved in his mouth.

On that scene was a young man who was behaving 'ladylike' and after being chastised by a cop began to tell of his experiences.

The man admitted to being a prostitute and said that his "best" client was a leading member of a popular gang.

"When him come him rent big hotel room and him just take out him gun put it pan the dresser and deal with me. If yu see him the next day and call him b... man yu dead," said the man who gave his name as 'Emily'.

Murdered People's National Party (PNP) activist in Montego Bay, Kenley 'Bebe' Stephens, was a known member of the homosexual community and one of the western city's prominent cross-dressers, who was also connected with the criminal underworld, police said.

Stephens was fingered in the illegal lotto scam, the stealing of electricity, among other illegal activities. He had strong connections in the ruling PNP, as he was one of the main fund-raisers in that part of Jamaica, and was recently elected vice-chairman of the party's West Central St James constituency, headed by state minister for industry, commerce and investment, Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, who is also MP for the constituency."

ENDS

To add insult to injury yet again on the part of JFLAG's recently released media guide on appropriate words for media houses on LGBTQI matters the Observer's resident cartoonist Clovis (photos above) has ridiculed the action and sought to further stereotype leading transgender spokesperson Tiana Miller again obviously to sell papers, I wonder if the recently concluded pension scheme court matter with the boss of the paper has anything to do with the stance so as to rank up sales? after all accusations by the attorneys for the three accused are that the reporting on the case was riddled with innuendo and half truths.

very suggestive old Clovis cartoon showing romantic embrace of male prisoners implying substitutional sexual activities

this photo had worldwide reaction some years ago

The bigger issue though for me that might get lost in the reinforcing of effeminate stereotypes in gay men is that the hypermasculine ideal is playing out well here in Jamaica and seeks to reinforce the homo-negative perceptions that some persons feel justified in continuing. Even gay or bisexual men also have this ideal of a man's man, strong, masculine individual on the strength of sexual prowess hence the porn industry thrives using the perception or aspirational desires linked to the ideals.

also see:

Is Freedom Of Expression At Risk? asks JFLAG advocate

More so called homo-thug materials:

Thugs caught lovemaking forced to flee for their lives

Should we care about dancehall acts & rumours of gaydom?

Gunmen force oral sex on male victim? 2014

Outdoor sex and the issues to being caught

So thugs do love too ...... After being caught in bed...Naked thugs pull guns on residents 2011

Cross Dressing Dildos & Thugs 2010

USED DILDOS IN TIVOLI THUG’S HOUSE?

The drip dry boyfriend vs. the ever increasing Jamaican Metro sexual

Doing 'business' in New Kingston ... Jamaica Observer on MSM Homelessness ..... JFLAG should be ashamed 2011

Some concerns from Western Jamaica on homelessness and homo-negativity

Fame FM's "Uncensored" on Piercings, Men fighting for mirror time & dancehall's changing aesthetics

Busy Signal's "We Nah Dweet" hits out at Down Low life & a certain Kartellic act

Down low gone mad, Biphobia, or Sexual Abuse?

Cross dressing or forced feminization to commit a crime: 'Sexy Dumb Robber' tricks man

Bad men seem to love women's wigs (Observer opinion piece)

Stigmatization on Effeminacy in Gay Jamaican Culture (REPOST)

Dr Heather Little-White on Down Low Men

The curious case of these "Curious Heaviots" Part 1

The curious case of these "Curious Heaviots" Part 2

Peace and tolerance

H

As sections of the LGBTQI community express some weariness on the Bain train matter as since May 18th when the story came to light from behind the scenes exchanges from as early as September 2013 the public debate continues. The real issue nearly got lost at one point in the noise since especially from religious voices albeit ignoring other societal atrocities smacking on a kind of selective hypocrisy. Now comes some reasoned pointers from someone in the know of it all.

Professor Antoine wrote:

"THE issue of the University of the West Indies' (UWI's) termination of the short-term contract of Professor Brendan Bain is not at all about academic freedom. Those who say that it is are misinformed, with perhaps a few who are simply being opportunistic.

It is not even about whether or not the statement in Bain's court testimony was true or untrue. At the core, it is about a programme leader publicly undermining the very programme and principles he was mandated to support. By his words and action, he voluntarily aligned himself with, and gave endorsement to, a diametrically opposed, unacceptable message on

an issue of grave import for the UWI.

The essence of the harm, therefore, more so than the content of the words that Professor Bain spoke, is the fact that an authoritative leader of the UWI spoke with one voice with a litigant party whose purpose and objectives are in direct conflict with

the policies of Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network and the UWI.

This litigant clearly advocates the retention of a discriminatory regime that excludes persons from enjoying rights of equality on the basis of their sexual orientation. Consequently, the testimony instantly became associated with the UWI in deeply negative and enduring ways, placing deep question marks on the UWI's integrity and on its public commitment, not only to progressive notions of

public health and HIV programming, but more fundamentally, to non-discrimination, equal opportunity, justice, and human rights.

It is a fact that the elimination of discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is a key ingredient of the UWI's HIV programming, which Professor Bain had the honour to lead for many years and about which he testified. Anti-discrimination training is a vital part of CHART's own programme, as conceded in the expert testimony.

Significantly, too, the mandate of PEPFAR and the Global Fund for AIDS, which funds CHART, is "to develop programmes aimed at reducing HIV-related stigma". The mission of UWI's HIV programming, HARP, as well as CHART, from the very beginning, has co-existed with a human rights agenda, a central plank of which is the need to abolish discriminatory laws on sexual orientation.

This is incontestable and no one associated with it can ever claim to have been unaware of this. I can speak authoritatively to this as one who has been intimately involved with the work of the programme from its inception. Further, as an HIV and Law consultant who has been actively engaged for over 20 years in policy development across the region for governments, international organisations and NGOs, including on important issues of human rights and justice, I understand why this must be so.

Having participated in several seminars, workshops and sessions on HIV with Professor Bain, I have witnessed first-hand that in each and every one, an important aspect of the discussions and recommendations has been the need to eliminate discrimination and stigma as a result of sexual identity, which co-exist with HIV concerns, making treatment more difficult.

This enlightened position has certainly become part of the UWI's core values. It is demonstrable, therefore, that UWI's HIV programming itself is closely aligned to and even dependent on, an egalitarian world view which rejects discrimination on grounds of sexual difference.

Professor Bain's long-standing and excellent work on HIV and public health is without question. Ironically, it is precisely because of his high profile that his remarks and chosen association are so damaging to UWI's reputation and credibility.

The retention of Professor Bain in such circumstances threatened to destroy much of the hard-fought gains and trust that UWI has won in the fight against the scourge of HIV and discrimination in general and seriously undermined its own institutional interests. In this context, such testimony cannot be viewed as a mere personal viewpoint, isolated and insulated from CHART and the UWI's policy position.

Indeed, typically, the very reason authorities like Professor Bain are called upon to speak is because of their professional capacity, which is inextricably linked with the institution, the UWI. Thus, Professor Bain cannot separate his personal views from these comments that have come to represent the institution that is the UWI, which is why they are viewed as harmful and irresponsible.

There is indeed room within an academic institution for individual intellectuals to pontificate about what they view as acceptable inequalities in our societies based on sexual identity, or even race, or religion, or any such thing and supposed scientific bases that support those views. However, the academic institution must draw the line when that individual opinion, intentionally or not, becomes associated with the view of the institution itself.

While intellectual freedom is to be protected and encouraged, the UWI has a duty to ensure that on issues where it holds itself up as perpetuating a particular policy for the benefit of the community, the persons who are chosen to take the lead on the matter are demonstrably in accord with that policy.

I cannot think, for example, that UWI could ever appoint an academic known to be a racist, or supporting racist ideology, to head departments devoted to race studies or even history departments, or a person demonstrating that he or she believes or asserts that women are unequal and their place is in the home, to head the Gender Department!

There have been several 'scientific' studies that claim that blacks are lazy and intellectually inferior, or that women are the 'weaker sex'. Does this mean that in the name of academic freedom, the UWI should compromise its core principles of equality and allow its very integrity to be hijacked? I think not.

Professor Bain, as head of CHART, was in a fiduciary relationship, where one is placed in a position of great trust, which in turn, induces greater responsibility and duties of care. Professor Bain, and by extension, the UWI, with this testimony, violated these fiduciary duties owed to persons living with HIV, the LGBT community, and to the many who look to it for protection and guiding principle.

The bottom line is this: Having given this testimony, it would be impossible for this community, the very constituency that he is supposed to serve, ever to trust Professor Bain again. Thus, the UWI had no choice, after careful review, but to change the leadership of CHART.

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine is dean of the Faculty of Law at the UWI St Augustine campus in Trinidad.

ENDS

also see from the Observer:

Jamaicans protesting at the University of the West Indies main gate against the sacking of Professor Brendan Bain on May 26.

Head hunters, Professor Bain and the gay agenda

(L-R) BAIN… treated harshly by UWI says some. QUEEN IFRICA… expressed her non-violent opinion supporting heterosexual only unions and has now been blacklisted

The LGBT community needs to be tolerant too

The latter article reflects the growing view of some that the lobby collectively has an intolerant view of intolerance and hence may not deserve any comfort or tolerance at all for that matter.

Meanwhile the PANCAP Statement released on May 28 2014 spoke to the matter:

STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION DRIVING THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN THE CARIBBEAN

PANCAP STATEMENT

The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) affirms that Professor Brendan Bain's testimony in the Orozco v. A.G. Belize (2012) case is not consistent with the stated goals of PANCAP to reduce stigma and eliminate discrimination and is in dissonance with PANCAP’s ongoing work to remove discriminatory laws and affirm human rights.

PANCAP is of the view that on principle, Prof Bain’s action was not compatible with a leadership position in PANCAP, although the Partnership is inclusive and members are free to have their individual views and beliefs. In adopting an active position of opposing the decriminalization of anal sex between two consenting male adults in private, Prof. Bain has undermined the public health and human rights goals of PANCAP. This view was communicated to Professor Bain during the Fifteenth Meeting of the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (PACC), a technical committee of the PANCAP Executive Board, which was held via teleconference on 15 January 2014. Professor Bain subsequently resigned as a member of the PACC on 14 March 2014. PANCAP recognizes Prof. Bain’s significant contribution to the HIV response in the Caribbean including treatment and training and to the work of the Partnership and its governance bodies.

Our region is at a critical point where further progress towards an AIDS-free Caribbean is premised on mobilizing a strong and coordinated multi-sectoral effort to remove the legal, social and cultural obstacles that prevent universal access to a wide range of comprehensive and high quality health services. Currently, 11 CARICOM states have laws which criminalize consensual same-sex between adults in private. The Global Commission on HIV and the Law has found that countries that criminalize same-sex sexual activity have higher HIV prevalence rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) than countries that do not; that criminalizing HIV transmission harms HIV prevention and treatment; and that guaranteeing access to reproductive health services can help reduce HIV risk.[1] Specific to the Caribbean, stigma is named as the main reason for the lack of attention to marginalised groups in the prevention efforts, and their general lack of access to HIV-related services, and stigmatising and discriminatory legal and policy measures are common in the regional legal systems.[2] A 2012 Lancet study estimates MSM prevalence in the Caribbean to be the highest in the world at 25.4%.[3] This is in comparison to 1.0% in the general population. The UNAIDS Modes of Transmission (MOT) modeling tool estimates that 32% of new cases in Jamaica and 33% in Dominican Republic occur among MSM.

Recognizing these challenges, the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018 is premised on the understanding that ending HIV is not possible until the human rights of all people, and particularly those most vulnerable to HIV, are fully realized.

In response to the compelling epidemiological evidence that key populations continue to be vulnerable to HIV, PANCAP in collaboration with UNAIDS, is mounting a programme of activities under the theme,Justice for All. The aim of the programme is to promote activities consistent with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which all countries are committed. More specifically, it is intended to achieve one of the goals of the United Nations High Level Meeting Political Declaration (2011) to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV by 2015 and to uphold the human rights and dignity of all. Phase 1 of the programme involved a series of national consultations in Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname and St Kitts & Nevis and a Caribbean Consultation on Justice for All and Human Rights Agenda involving Parliamentarians, Faith, Youth, Private Sector and Civil Society Leaders. Outcomes of the Caribbean consultation are a PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap 2014-2018 and a PANCAP Declaration: Getting to Zero Discrimination through Justice for All. The Declaration will be presented to the Heads of Government for endorsement at their Conference in July 2014. PANCAP will adopt both a bottom up and top down approach to implementing the Roadmap in collaboration with its national, regional and donor partners.

PANCAP is convinced that HIV-related stigma and discrimination which contribute to the persistence of AIDS in our Region can be reduced and eliminated through collaborative programmes, partnerships and policies supported by governments, private sectors, faith-based organisations, non-governmental orgainsations, youth and our other social, regional and international partners. In this regard PANCAP views this current situation as an opportunity for the region to engage in a dispassionate, thoughtful and holistic discussion that accommodates differing views and promotes understanding and inclusion.

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organizations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximize efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

ENDS

There seems no end in sight yet and I am concerned about the cementing views of intolerance and bullies in the push for rights hence the pushback from the public or sections of the religious right movement.

Gay Marriage Smoke Screen, False Dichotomies and Religious Fanatics 05.06.14

Beyond The Headlines Steven Golding, Dr Wayne West & Prof Rosemarie-Bell Antoine on Bain Issue

today's cartoon by Clovis ......... oh dear

Peace and tolerance

H

I guess the Observer could not wait to slap us again with gore-rified incident or sensationalism? ...... you choose but it seems they have now taken on a Star News, XNews or now defunct inprint Observer Chat posture in recent days as only on Sunday June 8th we got a dose of homo-thuggery as it were when that headline drew much attention, according to the count on their website of that story it way surpassed usual amounts to 50,000 hits in one day. Is this trend a recovery effort for the paper post the trial of its owner and a pension scheme fiasco with allegations from their attorneys of the accused accusing the paper of deceptive reporting on the case thus jabbing at their reputation and credibility.

see: Homo Thugs, Observer claims Gun-toting gays creating fear in Kingston ........ endgame here?

Now comes this

PEOPLE who flock Queen Hill in St Andrew to jog or walk in the mornings are now apprehensive following the brutal gang-rape of a male jogger in that community early Monday.

The man, the Jamaica Observer was told, is now suffering from serious injuries and mental trauma after the harrowing experience.

A group of joggers reportedly found the victim naked, with his hands and feet bound, sitting on the sidewalk at the foot of the hill close to Perkins Boulevard.

"He was found by some females who were shocked and even more surprised to see that he was bleeding heavily from his rectum," one man, who said he assisted in untying the victim, told the Observer.

The man reportedly parked his car at a nearby apartment complex and was about to jog when a white car drove up with two armed men who held him at gunpoint. The men, our source said, were also carrying knives.

The hoodlums proceeded to tear off the jogger's clothes and took turns at buggering him.

"The man was so torn up and ashamed. He had to retrieve his torn clothes in order to get his car keys and someone lent him clothes so he could avoid further embarrassment," a jogger said.

The incident has driven fear into the people who exercise on that section of the hill daily.

"Several persons have told me that they were in fear and are apprehensive to go back because of what happened. It was not a pretty sight," the jogger said.

"We used to protect the females and tell them to walk in groups, but it now seems we, the males, are the target. This cannot be allowed to continue," the man said.

The man said the joggers tried to contact the police but were unsuccessful.

"We called the Duhaney Park and Constant Spring police, but we got no response. I am not sure if he reported the incident," the man said.

Yesterday, police from the St Andrew South Division said they received no report of the incident. However, it was confirmed by a member of the Queen Hill community, who said the men drove a white car and were armed with a gun and a knife.

"There is a suspicious-looking white car that is parked in the community in the mornings and evenings. Nobody knows the men, but a lot of people come up here so we can't be sure who is who," the resident said.

ENDS

I am indeed sorry for the person involved here and hope he gets the recovery assistance as quickly as possible with little or no embarrassment added to this as persons in the community obviously know him. There was a similar incident in Mona also of a jogger by the water reservoir some years ago that is also used by runners and another one that came to mind was a sodomatical attack of sorts nearing Hope Gardens near a wooded area, the man was robbed of his chain and he was fondled allegedly, the area used to be also used by cruisers. These recent attacks though seem more than just some ordinary homosexual agenda of course, the attacks are obviously done to intimidate the victims but are there links to the homo-thug report and recent occurrences, is it the same persons on a sexualised aspersionary treck?

A tabloid reported that a man was forced to perform oral sex on his male robbers earlier this year:

see More HERE and a 2011 matter: A gang bang busted .... a backlash to silence

This is not good news for advocacy as it may very well add more fuel to the fire in terms of opposition even as the Sexual Offences Bill is to be examined soon and buggery is to take up a greater part of the review.

see: Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer)

meanwhile:

Jamaica labour party councillor for the Chancery Hall division of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) is reiterating calls for the erection of street lights on Perkins Boulevard.

Councillor Duane Smith says he is again seeking the urgent intervention of local government minister, Noel Arscott.

No official report had been made to the police about the alleged sexual assault.

According to Councillor Smith, he was told that a male was jogging in the area yesterday morning, when a white car pulled up and four men alighted with guns, and sexually assaulted him.

He says while the incident is unfortunate, other persons have been subjected to rape and robberies in the area, which is greatly in need of street lights. Councillor Smith says he has tried without success to get over $568, 000 from the local government ministry to install the street lights in the area.

also see:
(Non-Existent) Male Jogger Raped by (Non-Existent) Homo Thugs could the whole thing be a gay baiting effort by the paper? I hope not. See also HERE

Peace and tolerance

H

So the Professor Bain conflict of interest HIV CHART matter continues to cause debate and voices from all angles have been sharing their opinions including ones who we do not regularly hear on about homosexuality as it were or the stifling of freedom of speech perception that has been deceptively manipulated by the anti gay groups and voices involved in recent days, protests and church meetings are still being planned and hosted to further push their fear-mongering agenda that somehow some hidden hand are out to get the church and foist homosexuality on the nation. Newsflash homosexuality has always been here.

We have been slowly loosing public tolerant support (private opinions may differ from that support as evidenced as of late) as more persons seem to have been turning or changing their minds in as far as tolerance or was it a show all along? News coming to hand as well that the Child Development Agency, CDA alongside the Ministry of Youth & Culture raising concerns that a Jamaicans for Justice, JFJ sexuality program (Dr Carolyn Gomes is past ED and a current board member) funded by foreign grant makers in places of safety and children’s homes was not approved by both as is required has only sought to strengthen the perception of deceptively by groups with some hidden agenda and hints of conflict of interest as well in some sense.

Reverend Devon Dick who has written on the subject of homosexuality before has been making a turn towards some understanding to even surprisingly include intersexuality issues as evidenced in the last appearance I saw him in person as he made a presentation at the Dr Ena Thomas Symposium Sexual Awareness November last year at the Pegasus Hotel, he among other things spoke on Sexual Healing and his opening remarks sought to be as inclusive as possible: “Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen and persons of intersex gender” with some laughter coming from the audience and a short applause although a crack it shows some learning is happening but intersex does not suggest the umbrella description is another gender per say.

However his misuse of the mythological and now stigmatising term ‘hermaphrodite” later in his twenty minute presentation to further describe intersex issues did not sit with me and obviously some other medical experts and sexologists in the room, he however referred to the Caster Semenya timeline where she was treated as an outcast, he then said “.... we must never allow things like that to happen to any other human being based on how their sexuality is viewed, she was prevented from being part of the female running community she should have experienced integration, the faith community becomes defaced for values and decisions that exclude and marginalise and define people as superior and inferior are destroyed, we ought to affirm the humanity of persons rather than defining them based on their sexual practices; it should be gay but persons who are in a homosexual relationship or persons who practice homosexuality; a person is more than what he or she does sexually ..... everybody is somebody first and foremost.”

Coincidentally Mrs Gomes also made the same "H" word error earlier at the IACHR hearing: Jamaican human rights advocate uses the "H" word in submissions on intersex/lgbt issues at IACHR hearing

Now comes this piece in the Gleaner today with the Reverend calling for the present Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition who has been given the task of carrying on the agitation of challenging the conflict of interest of Bain imperative in that Belizean testimony/affidavit, this of course was started under Ian McKnight as ED but Miss Gomes is “damaged goods” in my view has a public persona problem as her image as an anti-police, anti government, upscale professional woman (of light complexion) with some flawed agenda that has followed her from her stint at Jamaicans for Justice is not helping this at all. She has tried to present the issues as they are but the public rebuff is clear and there seems to be an adage of pushing some “homosexual agenda” so much so that anti gay voice Betty Ann Blaine has asked what is the role of the CVCC bearing in mind the entity has been around for some ten years plus. Whether it has its own conflict of interest is another matter in and of itself as persons who sit on its board also cross sit on JFLAG, JASL and other agencies which makes one conclude that very delay and dithering on certain frontline work needed to meet urgent crisis cannot and have not happened.
Rev Devon Dick wrote:

On April 4, 2014, Carolyn Gomes, of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, wrote a threatening letter to E. Nigel Harris, vice-chancellor of UWI, calling for the removal of Brendan Bain as leader of CHART.

Gomes stated: "Professor Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society in the integrity of his word and work means that we do not believe he can or should remain in a leadership position in the UWI programmes of response to HIV."

This is an exaggeration to claim that Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society. She does not speak for civil society but for some groups in civil society. The membership of 33 groups would not be a significant membership when compared to the membership of the Church, and the Church is a part of civil society. Her comment about civil society could be regarded as misleading.
Gomes' letter continues, "We wrote asking that you demonstrate unequivocal commitment to promoting human rights for populations made vulnerable to HIV through structural factors by: removing Professor Bain from any leadership position in the CHART programme and all positions of representation of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on issues of HIV and AIDS". Where is the data to support this premise for his dismissal? In addition, there was a news report where she stated that the protest against Bain's dismissal would be futile.

CRUDE THREAT

Gomes appeared crude in threatening Harris: "Your lack of leadership in the exercise of your discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme, and who represents UWI in decision-making spaces, leaves us with few options but to make our concerns known to the widest possible audience, including regional and international supporters, funders and leaders". Apparently, financial pressure was applied to Harris.

Gomes' action has setback tolerance toward men having consensual adult sex with other men. There is a backlash in Jamaica against the homosexual agenda.

Nowhere in Bain's expert witness statement did he state that he was for or against the retention of criminalisation of men who have consensual sex with men.

Professor Bain has resigned from the PACC of PANCAP. Why was that not enough? Why hound him out of a job? Why not wait until his contract ends next year and not renew it? What harm can Bain do by training health workers and caring for persons with HIV?

Good work undone

Gomes' behaviour is similar to that of Butch Stewart and his treatment of three former senior employees. Stewart took them to court and the senior magistrate upheld a no-case submission. Stewart has undone the good work of the past by the treatment meted out to these former employees. Even if letters were backdated, it does not necessarily mean a criminal offence. Why treat loyal, competent persons like that? Similarly, why treat Bain, a loyal and competent worker like that? How kind will history be to Gomes and Stewart because of the way they have treated employees?

There is an allegation that French economist Thomas Piketty appears to have got his data wrong in his best-selling book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, which argues that inequality is rising and calls for a global wealth tax. Scholars will differ. Unless Bain had deliberately falsified data in his expert witness testimony then he should not be dismissed. Based on Gomes' letter it appears that a grave injustice has been done to Bain and she should resign.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.

ENDS

I do not like where all of this is going as we seem to be haemorrhaging allies or possible allies in the struggle and HIV prevention work as well as more persons conclude that the Bain issue was a bullying exercise more so than a principled stance and just when it matters most it all crumbles to shreds setting back years of work and sweat to get to where we got prior to May 18 2014 when the story broke.

Peace and tolerance

also see:

Homo-negative & homophobic feedback on the male jogger rape case continues

Professor's Bain's Testimony Threatened Foreign Funding (Gleaner letter)

Queen Ifrica calls on gay community to out paedophiles from amongst its midst

'UWI had no choice but to dismiss Prof Bain' says Professor Rosemarie Bell Antoine (OAS Rapporteur)

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

Ian Boyne: Bain exercised terribly poor strategic judgement

Lessons to learn from The Professor Bain Matter

Yesterday, the Danish Parliament voted a new regulation which will make it easier for transgender persons to see their preferred gender officially recognised.

By adopting this law, Denmark has become the first European country to delete the ‘Gender Identity Disorder’ diagnosis as a necessary requirement in the gender recognition process.

Other advances include the repeal of preconditions as compulsory sterilisation or any other surgical intervention. 13 EU Member States require transgender people to undergo sterilisation before their gender identity can be recognised.

Danish law already guaranteed that transgender persons can remain in an existing marriage following a recognised change of gender. 13 EU Member States require a divorce before recognising a trans person’s gender identity.

A six month waiting period is still foreseen. Furthermore, gender recognition procedures are only available to persons aged 18 or older.

Dennis de Jong MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, reacted: “The Danish Parliament did something revolutionary, yet very sensible: It has made the persons concerned the sole decision makers on their gender and body, without any conditions imposed by the state.”

“Finally a European country recognises the right to self-determination for transgender people and I encourage all other countries to follow Denmark’s example.”

Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added: “Denmark took the Council of Europe Recommendations, which read that gender recognition procedures should be “quick, transparent and accessible”, and free from abusive requirements, very seriously.”

“I am very pleased that transgender people in Denmark will no longer be stigmatised as mentally ill, before seeing their felt gender recognised. In this regard, I encourage the Commission and Member States to continue their work towards full depathologization of transgender people in the World Health Organisation.”

Trans Rights Europe Map 2014 by TGEU

Gay couples also won the right to marry IN CHURCH but some fear-mongerers elsewhere a reporting this as the churches being forced to do so when no such stipulation exists in the law presently.

See the Telegraph story HERE

Today a letter came to hand via the Gleaner on respect for LGBT people from a lesbian who is said to be in a relationship, I would hope that the letter writer is actually a lesbian and not some person in the male dominated advocacy structure writing under a pseudonym.

For too long our same gender loving sisters have been left out of the main discourse on homosexuality despite the obvious tolerance on their part by males in particular who find the their sexual orientation a fetish of sorts disturbingly so, there was a rise of sorts in the highlighting of their issues but it seems to have waned, male fetishists with all kinds of weird fantasies openly sometimes speak of their dreams with multiple female partners and endorsed by the adult club industry as more live lesbian type entertainment is offered openly these days by mostly non lesbian women but there is money involved folks!

a recent discussion on Nationwide's "Di Fusion" was one such disturbing one of commoditizing lesbians and to think the guests on the show were persons linked to JFLAG and are in LGBT entertainment and the sex toy industry so it came across that it was about the toys and sex more so than identity and respect on the original premise of sexuality. The podcast of the program has since been removed by the radio station.

The letter read as follows:

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am a lesbian living with my partner who I have adored for over five years. I love my partner, and that is enough for both of us.

I am amazed and dumbfounded when I hear, watch or read news about bashing same-sex marriage. Yes, it would be nice to have the same right as any other Jamaican, but marriage will not solve the problem we are having as LGBT people.

Our main concerns are how we are being treated by people in our community, and if I will always have to hide who I am from my friends and family.

I am not asking anybody to accept my lifestyle, but, of course, I am asking to be treated with respect. I cannot walk through the country of my birth without hearing whispers - and uproar as well - "sodomite gyal fi dead" or even brutal threats of corrective rape.

I can recall an incident in which my partner and I were out having ice cream when we were verbally attacked by a group of men, demanding we leave the area.

Why should it be a big issue about who I love? Love has no gender, race or status; love is just love. I am happy, and that is all that should matter. We are not demanding anything but respect and tolerance.

CONCERNED LESBIAN
Montego Bay, St James

ENDS

Sadly the national psyche has not changed on homosexuality in general and public displays of affection, indeed nationally even heterosexual romantic play is considered taboo in a sense so I do not expect anytime soon as yet for the cultural change to take effect even if buggery is decriminalized. The real battle is a cultural one as fear still drives alot of the homo-negativity and phobia. The hysteria surrounding the Professor Bain conflict of interest matter almost a month now has only sought to set us back by years as gains made though incremental have died and old or dormant feelings re-emerge.

Butch identified lesbians however especially in recent times have been having a rough time as new cases have brought to bear, forced evictions and displacement numbers that normally are higher in MSM and Transmen are now rising. Sadly more of these cases go unreported or un-responded to as resources is given as an excuse and the few entities claiming to set themselves up as lesbian ones have become imperialistic as the male dominated ones and are more interested in touring the world that addressing frontline issues, a point made by some lesbians on social media recently in response to an article of a local activists abroad.

Respect has to also come from within the GBT communities as well and advocacies, the overlooking and invisibility in some respects needs to finally end.

In the distance you can make out the usually contracted undertakers for crime scenes preparing the bodies for removal from the site as a crowd had gathered curiously to see the men apparently.

Today is the second anniversary of the awful murder of 19-year-old Winston Ramsey also known as ‘Blacks’ and 20-year-old Jermaine Thompson aka 'Avatar' in New Kingston by that open lot at the intersection of Lady Musgrave Avenue and Trafalgar Road which made international news, also the day prior to that the demise of community socialite 'Ronica who was also one of my fans as she liked dancemusic that I often spin at parties when wearing my DJ hat and an intersex individual sadly labelled as a hermaphrodite by the media at the time.

'Ronica in the fab days in NY

On the anniversary a member of parliament from the ruling PNP (buggery review pending) claims he wants to assist the men in the nearby Shoemaker Gully just some chains from where the murder took place, recent issues just show the gravity of the situation: Displaced gay man arrested for sleeping in the Shoemaker Gully in New Kingston

or see: Murder, Homelessness and fallouts ........ and a post I made today on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch:
MP Julian Robinson claims he wants help for New Kingston homeless gays

We were told of a Dwayne's House idea (link) which was to address the issue post the awful murder or transgender youth aka "Gully Queen" but that has only been relegated to remote feeding assistance and yet no serious rehabilitatory response as evidenced in an awful fight on Saturday night last after the memorial party for murdered socialite Bebe in Kingston. See: Community Influentials raise concerns about displaced & homeless post Bebe’s murder as concerns rise for persons re-displaced due to his passing. We were also told via a grand announcement as our politicians are good at: Youth Ministry to develop programmes to address LGBT youth, homeless, destitute and vulnerable children when she conflated same gender sex with abuse: Youth Minister Lisa Hanna's conflation of same gender sex & abuse responded to part 2 then lest we not overlook the identified places for sheltering that remain abandoned;

proposed site for homeless shelter under the previous JLP administration

Dwayne's House Easter treat 2014 the slowness of the project I am still guarded about, see Some good news on the homeless MSM front ..... guarded & waiting part 2: Dwayne's House Project site opened

A weedwhacking project in St Catherine continues though it needs much equipment boosts so the men can earn more money, see more HERE and Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season 2013

also see:
JFLAG has no moral authority to speak on homeless gay men in New Kingston says members of the public.

Kingston’s Homeless MSM challenges scream for proper attention 2013
JFLAG’S NEEDS TO ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TRAFALGAR MURDERS ….. HOMELESSNESS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED 2012

At the time of the awful double murder it was speculated at first that it was a lover's quarrel by some media houses as usual then homophobic related by some advocates but the truth finally came to the fore on both tragedies as exploitive same gender issues gone bad and one persons was held for the matter, in Ronica's case a suspect was also held but not much has come of it as witnesses are hard to find allegedly for the case to proceed.

The crisis communication element of public advocacy has been poor and hardly strengthened hence our credibility deficiency and continues disbelief by sections of the population that real homophobic cases exist then to add to that is the flat out refusal by LGBT NGOs to adequately deal with homelessness and displacements with permanent rehabilitation psycho social responses instead the me are paraded as victims for the most part to enhance our reputation as the "most homophobic place on earth" when we know that is NOT true.

Displacements continue as more young persons face backlash from siblings and family or communities who perceive their sexual orientation and feel justified in doing so and with the present hysterical mess related to the Professor Bain conflict of interest matter and anti gay groups that is not helping much to alleviate the challenges. Avenues for community assistance are becoming rare as persons clam up or do not have the resources to extend such help readily.

Some two days after an intersex individual also was murdered as reported on TVJ and elsewhere:

The St Catherine South police are searching for the killer(s) of a hermaphrodite, whose body was found in bushes in Old Harbour Bay yesterday.
Dead is Shannel Campbell, a 20-year-old labourer of Old Harbour Bay. Reports from the Old Harbour Bay police are that about 10 a.m., the decomposing body of Campbell was found in bushes near an area known as Terminal. Campbell was last seen in the company of a male.

An on-the-spot post-mortem revealed that Campbell had male and female sex organs and that death was caused by a blow with a blunt object. "It basically means that he got a blow to the head and died as a result," an investigator said Police had not identified any suspects or established a motive for the killing.

Meanwhile Mark Sangumetti of a Waltham Park address in Kingston has been charged with the double killing of the homeless men. He was charged yesterday June 24 for two counts of murder. The bodies of 19-year-old Winston Ramsey also known as ‘Blacks’ and 20-year-old Jermaine Thompson also called ‘Avatar’ were found in bushes at the stoplight at the corner of Lady Musgrave and Trafalgar roads on June 13.

The police had reported that several bloodied stones were found close to the bodies which also had chop wounds.

ENDS

Finally I am still of the opinion that

As there has to be an affirming environment and LGBTQI specific interventions to address persons growth and development

So may we remember them and all those who have perished for whatever motive. Loss of life in this tragic sense is frightening and so young at that. Check out more archives on homeless on Gay Jamaica Watch

Peace and tolerance.

H

The tear gas moment outside the pharmacy

actual shots from the scene with a popular community "diva" in view as she made her way out the establishment

A seven year old mobbing matter that in a sense has been put to rest in the minds of some has been reawakened via an article in the Observer claiming the police who were involved in the Tropic Pharmacy mobbing incident in Half Way Tree with the former Programs Manager of JLFAG Gareth Henry (now in Canada), a popular diva socialite and her two of her friends denying the alleged homophobic actions of the police themselves has all of a sudden been brought back to life and conveniently so in the middle of a public backlash led by religious fanatics. These fanatics seek to gather momentum to promote hate and hysteria towards supposed foisting of homosexuality on the nation and the perception of the lobby collectively becoming bullies incite fear suggesting ulterior motives behind anything involving gays as yesterday’s Gleaner headline hinted, clear deception is at work here by the Observer as the article brought to bear based on how it is written and dateless as to when the police’s denial of the veracity of Henry’s statements. Was this a recent interview with the alleged police officer involved in the matter and if so why now some seven years later?

More questions than answers

Why now why at this time does the Observer choose to do this, is it because their failed gay baiting attempt via a suspected fictitious story about a male jogger raped that although raised the temperature on the ground in terms of homo-negative responses did not reach far enough or sell enough papers so they are going for more blood and whose agenda are they fulfilling here?

Why a previous story about homo-thugs as well supposedly robbing or living openly?

Did the Observer misquote the Guardian newspaper on Henry’s statement or did the Guardian itself embellish the story?

Did Gareth actually lie or embellish the story? (I hope not, I have worked with the man prior to his departure)

Coupled with the Tropical Plaza Monarch Pharmacy mobbing incident is the Brian Williamson murder in 2004 as well where Mr Henry is also portrayed as lying about the real motive for that tragedy, even if the motive was not a homophobic one the reactions from the public that morning outside the building when the undertakers arrived to process the scene with the police and retrieving the body was clear enough that homo-negativity and indeed homophobia in Jamaica is real.

Timely Coincidence with a 2014 mobbing yesterday in May Pen Clarendon with such glaring similarities:

Yesterday’s mobbing incident carried on TVJ news last evening is a perfect example of active homophobia where the evidence is clear as crystal but also hints to a rise in mood of locals intolerance levels to the slightest perception of effeminacy in men as the person targeted was said to be in makeup.

Gareth and partner in Canada

The damaging article sans a timeline for the suddenly appearing statements from the police who have denied Henry’s claim Published June 15 2014 read in part:

THE police have hit out against a claim by former head of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), Gareth Henry, that he and other men were beaten with guns during an incident at Monarch Pharmacy in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew on Valentine's Day, 2007. Henry told The Guardian newspaper in England that he was one of three men who were chased inside the pharmacy at a shopping mall in Kingston by an angry mob intent on mauling them to death.

"According to his statement to the commission, the police were called but were abusive when they arrived. One officer asked if he was a 'batty man' and then all four policemen began beating him with their guns," The Guardian report read.

However, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area Four George Quallo said that the claim was untrue. At the time of the incident Quallo was the commanding officer for the St Andrew Central police division where the pharmacy is located.

"The men were holed up in the pharmacy and the first set of police who went there had to call for back-up. The police came with reinforcements and due to the large crowd had to use tear gas to repel them before taking the men away under a heavy police detail. They had no time to beat the men with guns," Quallo told the Jamaica Observer.

A few persons in the crowd threw objects as the men were being placed inside a police car, one of which hit one of the men in the head.

The Jamaica Observer was on the scene at the time and had to beat a hasty retreat due to the stinging effect of the tear gas which had the mob, made up mostly of schoolchildren, scampering in all directions. Quallo said that even after the men were rescued, a large crowd converged on the Half-Way-Tree Police Station and the police kept them inside until the crowd dispersed.

A customer who was in the pharmacy at the time of the incident also rubbished Henry's claim that he and two other men, who were dressed in drag, were chased into the pharmacy.

"The mob converged on the pharmacy because the gay men had doused a woman with water who spoke to them about their rowdy behaviour. The woman ran out of the pharmacy and told passers-by what had happened. Word spread and in no time a crowd converged at the front of the pharmacy and started shouting, 'let them out, let them out'. Nobody never chase them into nowhere. They walked inside the pharmacy," the shopper said at the time.

Henry also told The Guardian that he took over the reins of JFLAG after the murder of its founding executive director Brian Williamson in June 2004. He claimed that Williamson was stabbed to death in a homophobic attack.
However, police records indicate that Williamson was the victim of a gay-on-gay attack. Williamson's body was found lying face down in a pool of blood on his bedroom floor. He had multiple stab wounds to his neck.

There were no signs of forced entry to his room.

Desmond Chambers, one of two men with whom Williamson shared the three-bedroom house, told the media at the time that he did maintenance work around the property and accused two men who had visited the premises earlier of the murder.

According to Chambers, one of the men was a regular guest of the deceased.

"I have seen him here about six times (and) anything him want, Brian give him. Brian give him money, Brian give him food and help him to purchase (newspaper) to sell on the road," he said.

Dwight Hayden, the man accused of murdering Williamson and who eventually pleaded guilty and was slapped with a life sentence for the crime, had confessed in court that he and Williamson were lovers.

During an interview with the Jamaica Observer in July 2012, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green also scoffed at claims by the local and international gay lobby that gays in Jamaica were the victims of wanton murder and marginalisation. The former Scotland Yard detective said at the time that his statistics showed that the vast majority of murders of gay men were the results of lovers' disputes and in his experience, only one was not perpetrated by a gay person and that was a case of robbery.

"All of those murders that I have investigated have been in relationships and are victims of gayattacks, domestic situations," Green said.

ENDS

In as far as Mr Les Green’s position immediately above is concerned his short tenure as deputy commissioner here in Jamaica is not enough for him to arrive at a definitive conclusion that All of those murders that I have investigated have been in relationships and are victims of gayattacks, domestic situations," what does he know, has he seen the older files with similar matters and in fact have such files even been doctored by local investigators as we well know the police have been adept at twisting stories to suit their investigations or even refuse to look at cases where it may involve some homosexual motive or involvement. We hear and see the cries for justice by other Jamaicans almost weekly on our television screens as cops are accused of extra-judicial killings or planting guns on persons to label them as criminals.

As I indicated above something is amiss here and the Observer seems to be on a gay baiting run here to further destroy whatever little credibility is left in parts of the advocacies that seek to operate on a more ethical plain than others and while doing so securing hefty sales/profits. I will concur that the actual causation of Brian Williamson’s murder and as was brought out in court “Wingee” Dwight Hayden was known to Brian yes and Brian did assist him in starting his newspaper business, I have been warning about this as one of the lone voices in the wilderness for years about the all important crisis communication and truth and this case is one such that poses a challenge. There are several other cases that involve less prominent persons of the MSM community in particular who have been murdered with a clear homophobic motive but somehow those cases have not been used I guess due to their non-notoriety so they are shelved and considered less important. The cases used consistently over the years simply cannot stand up to scrutiny.

Overseas protests by some other overzealous persons claiming to be advocates with tainted integrities and all while calling for boycotts of Jamaica is only seeking to slowly hurt the cause than aid it in as far as perceptions of dishonesty on our part is concerned, I have tried not to use the Williamson case as a beacon for homophobia as there are several other good strong cases that can be used in that department and strengthen the credibility of the crisis communication element of public advocacy.

The John Terry matter is another such case that cannot be relied upon as a good reference as the investigations and arrest has not netted much or unearthed good evidence of homophobia as a causation. The Dean Moriah matter also is another shaky case that cannot be used as he named his attacker before his death suggesting he had knowledge of the person and he was not a stranger, in other words some familiarity. Such cases with established “familiarity” cannot be used as strong evidence but our advocacies over the years have failed to properly delineate genuine homophobic cases versus non homophobic ones, stress ethics and so here we are in this tangled mess as more credibility rots away leaving the crisis communication tool weakened.

Let us watch the Observer’s trend and see. In answer to the post title I think they are on a trend to do just that.

also see:

Outstanding Document Stalls Dean Moriah Murder Case

So Dean Moriah's murder was NOT a homophobic killing ....... ethical issues in advocacy arise yet again

John Terry in Situational homosexuality?

2 more suspects for Terry's murder .

Security Guard arrested for John Terry's Killing

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s call for tolerance not genuine & sheer hypocrisy

Foreign Affairs Minister says Govt should be cautious on gay rights issues in Jamaica

J-FLAG now advocating for decriminalisation of same-sex acts

Jamaica Observer deliberately aiding the further discrediting of the remaining LGBTQ credibility in public advocacy & gay baiting?

Is the Observer's Male Jogger Sodomatical Attack Story a Lie? ..... A Jogger/Blogger Poses Questions

Peace and tolerance

H

Right in the middle of another major uproar about teenage sex, inappropriate materials for youngsters, supposed sexual grooming and such comes this horrifying allegation which just seeks to fuel the anti gay venom and misconceptions of paedophilia as a desire of gay men coupled with a lack of understanding of sexuality while conflating same gender sex with abuse. With recent male rape cases swirling in the public domain albeit without proper placing of the incident of report from the victim ones wonders if the reporting newspaper is only gay baiting whilst selling loads of paper to increase profits in the silly season.

see: Carolyn Gomes resigns as JFJ Board Member, JFJ Apologises For controversial Sex Education Course

and

Back-Door Deal - Gay Lobby Funds JFJ Sex Education Course, Slipped Into Children's Homes says Gleaner

Is the Observer's Male Jogger Sodomatical Attack Story a Lie? ..... A Jogger/Blogger Poses Questions

The Star News carried this today:

A 16-year-old mentally ill boy had to recently seek medical attention after he was allegedly buggered by a man in Waugh Hill, St Catherine.

The harrowing incident took place on June 2, some time before 5:30 p.m.

The teen's father, a farmer, said he was in his hut when his oldest son came to him with his brother and recounted the horrific ordeal.

"I saw the older one running with the younger one. The younger one was raped in an abandoned building," the father explained.

frightened

He said his oldest son told the teenager to take off his pants so that he could see if he had been molested. He said that what he saw was damage done to his son's anus. "I was so frightened," the father said.

The father said that his son had to be rescued by another relative, who claimed to have heard moaning and groaning and who used a piece of board to hit the man off the teenager.

The perpetrator of the heinous act, was known to the community as a troublemaker and at the time of the incident, was set upon and beaten by an angry mob before fleeing the area.

The father claimed that the man was also responsible for robberies and the molestation of animals in that community. Days after the incident it is said that the 16-year-old was taken in for medical attention at a clinic along Slipe Pen Road in Kingston.

Meanwhile, head of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, Deputy Superintendent Veronica Gilzene, said she was unable to comment on the matter due to its sensitive nature.

ENDS

Indeed the cases of child abuse are disturbing but some folks cannot seem to separate the issues around homosexuality versus abuse and the call or struggle for the decriminalization of buggery as if that may become a flood gate for such abuse of young persons. Changing the law as the Minister of Justice said a few days ago will make anal rape an offence and deal with issues of consent, duress and abuse while adults (with consent) can practice in private.

What is driving the levels of child abuse though is concerning me these days as hysterical religious folks want to use such abuse to deceptively oppose adult consensual sex in private and by extension gay marriage rights (though not demanded yet) but will come as a means for validating same gender loving folks and their personhood.

see: Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy,

I hope the investigations for the aforementioned case leads to the truth and the perpetrator(s) is dealt with if found guilty. Obviously this case seems to be more of a person also with a mental challenge as the allegations of animal interference are disturbing as well.

Want more proof of the hysteria out there? ....... check out this Love March Movement latest madness that LGBT activists supposedly targeting children, hope you can stomach it all:

Sigh, they really need prayer for real.

Peace and tolerance

A series of incidents within the last few months have raised concerns about a man or men supposedly from Kingston who is posing on popular international gay hookup site adamforadam as a gay man seeking a one night stand or hookup where three robberies all describing the same person in height and skin complexion while also brandishing a machete or chopper in robbing his victims has resulted, his latest attempt was in the Kingston 3 area last week where the hookup was made at the home of the unfortunate person after which the weapon was brandished and he proceeded to relieve the frightened young man of a laptop, several thousand dollars in cash intended for rent payment, a smart phone and other smaller items. A report was made via phone by the latest victim to me and permission granted in sharing this matter; a previous Facebook posting from another victim also had a warning of what seemingly is the same individual who changes or block his number after each robbery; goes uncover or invisible then resurfaces, he also his usually closes his Adam profile only to resurface and repeat the attack all over again with fresh victims.

The link was made on adamforadam.com sometime in last week after a few days extended messaging albeit the party had no facial photos of himself but that of a torso the final meeting was arranged for a one night stand, I asked the reportee why didn’t he allow the initial meeting to happen at a more neutral or central location in a crowded space while switching his declared identity so he could scrutinise his intended party? he said that he allowed the person to get the best of him and his judgement and decision making was poor at the time to have allowed himself to make such a mistake. He said the man wasted no time in making his intent known upon arriving at his home and so he said he could take what he wanted but not to harm him.

also see:

Warning!: Fake Facebook pics and hookup dangers 2011

Inviting an unverified third party for a hook-up can be dangerous 2013

Facebook & unintentional outings to family members

History has taught us this that unscrupulous persons sometimes seize the opportunity in times of high visibility in LBGT public discourse to disguise themselves or even pretend to be looking for a hookup on the face of it when really their intentions are to rob persons, since the start of this year there have been some four such known cases of Facebook hook-ups gone bad with persons being robbed and one person actually suffering what turned out to be a homophobic raid disguised as a hookup. The man who had arrived at the meeting point at a popular guest house in St Andrew had hiding and waiting in a car three other cronies who alighted from the vehicle when they were signalled by the mastermind pretender. The intended victim however had realised that something was amiss and had made arrangements to leave the building in time before the worse could have occurred, he reported that he was alerted to the suspicious behaviour of the mastermind decoy as he kept going to the bathroom and closing the door, the escapee said he noticed at every entrance to the bathroom by the would be culprit muffled conversations could be heard coming from behind the closed doors which made him suspicious so he left a couple thousand dollar notes and made good his separation. It was upon leaving in another car driven by a friend who was alerted and asked to come that the plot was uncovered as they sat in the parking lot windows wound up and noticed the three men now together engaged in what appeared to be very animated conversation with each other as they seemed upset at the disappearance of their intended victim. Several phone calls to the intended victim by the man from his regular number and from private numbers also raised the suspicion of thuggery at play.

It was a voicemail message by the mastermind that finally confirmed the deception where he issued veiled threats that if he met him again he would do him harm while in the background the other male voices could be heard expressing their disgust at not being able to exact their intended crime.

I have warned about fake profiles and disingenuous intent before by persons on this and the sister blogs and also about e-lationships and the risks involved with parties one may not be familiar with. Sadly there is a lingering perception even by downlow thugs as it were that other gay men are ripe for the picking and easy targets for robbery as they have more material wealth or financial where it all. So they target more effeminate or single gay men living in certain residential areas. One has to be very careful as the latter incident explained above is more likely to happen as the national temperature of homosexuality, perceptions of bullying by the lobby collectively and the hysteria surrounding the JFJ Sex education manual in children’s home supposedly sneaking in homosexuality through the back door may cause some idiot out there to launch a deceptive attack on perceived homosexuals or lesbians for that matter.

see: The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria

Another fake Facebook hookup incident took place in February of this year and was reported through the Aphrodite’s PRIDE Jamaica intake mechanism as the male victim in his late twenties was also lured into meeting someone who had posted a fake photograph of their genitalia and lower torso. The hookup also as the Kingston 3 incident took place at the home of the intended target of the deception and upon arrival he was pounced upon by two other men who arrived via bicycle, several electronic items were stolen including a phone, a tablet and a laptop as well. The similarities in the cases suggest it maybe the same set of persons who are carrying out these attacks via social media as similar items are taken when they occur.

Thankfully some gay and bisexual hookup Facebook groups administrators and other micro-blogging avenues have been heeding the warnings and vetting or monitoring their membership with far more vigilance than before. One lesbian group has been requiring persons declare their sexual orientation in order to remain in the group it has been reported. An older case of corrective rape and grievous sexual assault comes to mind from 2010 when a popular LGBT network page was targeted by a group of men aided by a female in St Catherine to lure women into the trap and then rape them as the victims were led to believe they were conversing online with another woman.

That matter was dealt with as the ring leader was subsequently nabbed, computers seized and other parties arrested, the case however stalled somewhat as the other victims did not come forward to make the case stronger but eventually the main henchman was sentenced to 29 years while the others were pursued by a cooperative Center for Investigations of Sexual Offences & Child Abuse, CISOCA team in the parish, an alleged corrective rape case also came up for mention this year in Western Jamaica but no serious follow up seems to have been done in terms of arrests and charges laid on any suspects.

A word to the wise is sufficient although we cannot stress the importance of being careful on these things as one just can never tell who is who or what are persons’ motives out there.

a previous podcast on tips for hookups, hope they help

Please be safe, please be vigilant

Peace and tolerance

H

also see from Gay Jamaica Watch: The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria and Reverend Al Miller continues his antigay advocacy while his integrity is severely damaged

We already have subtly supported condoning of violence towards LGBT persons committed by non Christians for the most part when such acts occur, the outrage that rightly ought to come from real Christians who are concerned about balance, fairness and respect while espousing God’s over-arching principles despite who are involved does not; as if there is a serve them right psychological snicker in the deafening silence from the now loud church fanatics on the Bain/JFJ Sex Education matter. So much blood has been spilt on that account with dozens of near misses in years the most recent one in Clarendon as shown on TVJ News last week on Fathers' Day yet no word from the hysteria making crew on concern or their so called love the sinner hate the sin posture or their pretentious non support of violence when they really do not mean it.

After seeing last night’s news on CVM TV (video immediately above) and the hysterical fever that is being propped up as a public education campaign by Jamaica CAUSE to include the old anti gay group the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship for some upcoming mass meeting in Half Way Tree to supposedly oppose some anti-Christian pro-gay agenda that has swept the rest of world, where I do not know when it is more Islamic and other sects that have used intimidation, Sharia law and even murder via torture, church bombings as in Nigeria and some Arab states and such to do so yet I do not hear those concerns coming from groups such as this fly by night Jamaica CAUSE a hurry-come-up coalition of zealots. This group consist of older and newer mostly uninformed Christian lawyers and their young protégés of the Love March Movement who often confuse same gender sex with abuse and since atheism has been added to the Jamaican leg of LGBT public advocacy the misnomer is that the move is now to stop or silence Christians albeit from the confusion coming out of the Professor Bain University of the West Indies conflict of interest matter.

The real essence of that Bain matter has been lost after its hijacking by hysterical Christian mostly led groups and has been for all intents and purposes reinterpreted and misrepresented as punishment for his testimony in Belize two years ago in actual support of the retention of the buggery law in principle when he is head of a program in CHART which is also a part of a greater initiative of PANCAP to actually repeal or decriminalize problematic laws that criminalizes some sexual activity linked to male homosexuals. It is not the content of the testimony/affidavit that is the problem it is the reason for the action taken by Professor Bain via the affidavit that is the bigger issue although some other professors across the region have said that Professor Bain did not go further by using Caribbean statistics and addressing HIV infections, anal sex overall while not limiting his thesis to just gay men.

In offering such testimony even allegedly at the intervention of others linked to the CHART and other HIV prevention initiatives not to do so is indeed problematic as it goes against the greater imperative of the Caribbean HIV prevention thrust, problem is over these many years is it in essence the LGBT groups wearing another hat that also run these programs and agitations so the mistrust is bound to happen and cause more problems than they solve. The tangled web that has been woven seems to have enmeshed the very groups struggling for LGBT recognition and legal coverage with deceptions or perceptions of it the glue that binds the hysterical response, a thinking response from concerned religious folk would be to actually talk to the people who they have a problem with especially owing to the fact that the latter Jamaicans for Justice Sex Education manual/course allegedly snuck in through the back door as it were and not made known to the Child Development Agency although reporting mechanisms from the very privately run children’s homes would have brought it to their attention plus unannounced visits by the monitoring officers and investigators also must have made known the project activities through the monitoring system, I fail to see with that kind of monitoring and find it hard to believe that the CDA was not aware of this activity for so long.

I had described the fears expressed by religious anti gay groups and churches of some kind of persecution of faith because of opposition to “the homosexual lifestyle” as a false dichotomy some years ago but after the events of the last four weeks since the story went public and the hardened positions taken by some via hysteria I might add with no sight of dialogue then there is bound to be action of some sort taken in retaliation as squared off factions take turns in inflicting bigger blows until the knockout I imagine; and to think churches who are supposed to espouse respect, togetherness and such are the actual agents of divisiveness in this matter and the JFJ sex ed matter as well. There is bound to be a causality as in any “war” since the churches or some more worked up groups who are at this and anther added element to the divisive nature of this snide remarks towards more traditional and older churches who have not joined this newly constituted wave of opposition to supposed homosexual imposition but religious history has taught us this when lesser denominations want power they simply demonise the more established ones to gain traction; case in point the very matter of buggery & traditional churches (Catholics in this case) which is the centrepiece of all this as in 1533 under King Henry VIII the buggery act was reconstituted from the French version some two hundred years before under Philip IV and in both instances the law was used to wipe out religious and theological opposition to the dominant order of the day. In Philip’s case it was used to target the Knights Templar allegedly as they were seen as a threat to his reign and to the Catholic Church’s power as well so it was used alongside “spiritual” weapons as well to target them.

Under Henry’s reign of course it was used to assist in the dissolution of the monasteries transferring the enormous wealth from a corrupt church while propping up his own monarchic power and the church of England of which he made himself head on earth after the pope then in Rome who all other monarchs were beholden to did not grant him the divorce of his first wife Catherine of Aragon as she did not bear a male heir. The Catholic Church was declared a den of homosexuals by the chief henchman for King Henry VIII Thomas Cromwell and a law based on an opinion was put into effect with several Bishops going to the gallows for alleged sodomy when many of them were not even homosexuals to begin with.

It seems every time the sodomy laws when enacted since around 390 BC in Rome they were not used for the intended purpose instead it is used as a legal device to belittle or wipe out political and religious opponents, fast forward to now we see the twinning of the Bain matter and the JFJ matter alongside cancellations of shows of Queen Ifrica described freedom of speech so the retention of the buggery laws here in the minds of some is to:

Keep the HIV spreaders at bay as part of the HIV is a gay disease ploy

Protect children from predators and paedophiles when there is a clear conflation between same gender sex and abuse whilst devoid of education on sex and sexuality

Limit the power of LGBT groups to persecute supposed Christians who oppose homosexuality

And not to actually stop homosexuality or in essence homosexual sex for the public good as it were as if we are to follow their logic they would be standing at all our doors to peek through our keyholes to see who is putting what into where.

There was an actual case in England in the 1800s involving James Pratt, John Smith and another male who had left to purchase ale and whose house the keyhole peeking took place as the landlord of the latter person who suspected strange activity and just by his word and that of his wife all three men were humiliated and charged, the ale buyer who returned was charged for being an accessory to the act; the two men who were seen allegedly making love were tried and eventually hung despite the change of opinion and appeal by the very judge who sentenced them and despite the commuting of other harsh criminal charges commuted to life as the death penalty debate raged “sodomites” did not benefit from such commutation. The trial judge in hindsight found the matter or privacy an over-arching principle as others were not exposed save and except for prying eyes by inquisitive persons violating their rights within a threshold. These two men were the last persons to be hung for the crime before the relaxing of aspects of the act in 1861 and then conditional consent and privacy in 1967 although starting at age 21 and not the 16 for everyone else. The equal age of consent came some years later then full removal hence gay marriage rights in 2005 to now.

Our former colonial masters did the right thing in removing this persecution of persons just because of who they are and their private personal choices yet our governments claim they want to leave the privy council as our final court of appeal under the guise of the Lords expression of wanting to be relieved of taking overseas cases (using the country of origin’s laws) and use the Caribbean Court of Justice, the CCJ instead but hysterical groups want to hold on to old visages of colonial rule long removed from their own books.

What is even more disturbing is that this hysteria non thinking response from these groups the very abusers that they are concerned about as we all should be are in the very churches who are involved in this mess and they like other abusers find this public furore as cloud cover to continue their actions undetected with very little vigilance as attentions are diverted to the smoke screen. If one should look even further into the very church itself that’s where the more egregious sexual abuse takes place be it same sexed, opposite sexed or paedophile in nature so this convenient distraction from none thinking or proactive child rights advocates often devoid of any real qualifications for same (including a lack of understanding of sex and sexuality) yet they want to control and sanitise what goes out there to society and as the JFJ sex education matter shows even to our young without any proper proof of where the actual offense lies, some questions come to mind.

Why was the CDA bypassed by JFJ/CVCC?

Why are these groups so quiet on other societal ills, namely corruption or murders of youths? ..... but have so much strength for homosexuals(ity).

What actually was presented to the intended 13 to 18 year olds from the 147 paged instructor’s manual?

Would the CDA have approved this course especially in public run homes if they were approached given the sensitivities involved?

Why hasn’t the CVCC with persons on its board linked to JFLAG and such divert some needed attention to homeless LGBT youth especially instead of landing the rights struggle demonised by mistrust?

Did the privately run homes use their privileged of autonomy to edit or remove some the elements in the multi-module course to suit their comfort level and concerns? (One home’s administrator on radio said they asked some sections to be removed)

What other psycho social measuring or monitoring device were employed either in house by the homes or otherwise prior to or after the delivery of the materials?

Has any of the noise makers actually read the materials involved in this course to actually see what else dominated the course’s outline?

What has been learnt from this pilot project despite the furore emanating from it albeit from uninformed fear-mongering fanatics?

If the dubious anti Christian, pro gay factions as it were are really about persecuting Christians hiding in the LGBT rights lobby then I am sure they are planning their next move as hysterics rule the day but may loose the war in the long run, it seems these groups have not learned the strategy if there is one as the atheists seem more calculated and measured in their thesis or rhetoric and not paranoid or hysterical. These groups are only making the church ripe for the plucking if and when the anti faith opposition chooses to strike as they can use this latest episode to belittle and insult them into a cowering position in terms of public perception even as more persons find the church fast becoming irrelevant and even belief systems on Christian faith are ridiculed and where are LGBT Christians in all of this?

I guess there is blood on already the floor in terms of the Bain issue in the eyes of some although that to me seems more an act of professional suicide on his part and his advisors when he may very well look like a fool in the end if and when the funders decides to pull the plug on funding the CHART initiative in its current dispensation; we must remember the word of the so called groups defending this is that they have no confidence in working with him and if they do not want to be led by him then all the court action and injunctions and even an full contract once reinstated can all be made to fizzle if the CHART project is ended or changed and a new person placed as its head with reconstituted funding. Bain may very well be left holding useless contract papers in his hands with dead injunctions and isolation from the rest of the academic community and the international HIV response core and do not forget a bitter LGBT grouping Caribbean-wide.

Meanwhile my latest podcast:

a previous podcast where I warned of this fallout twinning LGBT rights with secularism:

Think on these things

Peace and tolerance

H

Does Blaine really hear the children's cry? the title of a piece in the Gleaner today taking on convenor of "Hear The Children's Cry" Betty Ann Blaine even as the hysteria continues about Professor Bain's UWI conflict of interest dismissal/court injunction continues and the JFJ sex ed course is being manipulated by some "civil society" groups to put pressure on other groups claiming they are promoting homosexuality.

also see:The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria

Sadly the veracity of the some child rigths advocates should have been questioned long ago or at most put up for scrutiny as so many welfare issues especially are screaming for attention everyday yet these loud voices more so in opposition to homosexuality do not see them and are selective about the issues they take on while using all kinds of gimmickry as it were to achieve some attention without the desired effect intended.

remember this?

Now comes the article in question by JFLAG's Jaevion Nelson, kinda late but relevant at this time.

"Many children in Jamaica are bombarded with a plethora of social ills, including abandonment and neglect, abuse, violence, poverty and hunger, and illiteracy, among others. They are suffering and desperately need all our support to erase the status quo so they can all be respected and have equal opportunities to a brighter future in the Jamaica that is to be cohesive and just by 2030.

This isn't very difficult if we all commit to make noise and protest every day, every hour about their situation. But I don't feel the efforts of many persons advocating for the welfare of our children are particularly voracious. Take, for example, the deafening silence among (many of) those persons who boast being the most prolific advocates for the rights and protection of our vulnerable and marginalised children. You don't see them protesting (anymore) about the untenable circumstances of far too many of our children.

The situation needs desperate attention. Over 16,000 children in Jamaica are child labourers - 7,000 of whom are engaged in child slavery, prostitution, and the production of pornography (Child Labour Unit, Ministry of Labour and Social Security). Sixty-eight per cent of children in conflict with the law appear in court without any legal representation (Office of the Children's Advocate). The Office of Children's Registry (OCR) reported last year that 482 of the 2,205 children who went missing were still not returned to their homes. In the same year, the OCR received 10,000 reports of child abuse, more than 5,000 of which related to child neglect.

MORE STARTLING DATA

A Baseline Survey on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Child Maltreatment in Jamaica, commissioned by the OCR and UNICEF and conducted by Hope Enterprise in 2013, found that 71 per cent of our children between 10 and 17 years have either experienced or witnessed emotional abuse in the past three months (at the time of the survey). Twenty-nine per cent of children in the same age group witnessed or experienced neglect. Only 11 per cent of adult Jamaicans reported child abuse, and less than 50 per cent of children 10-17 years and adults know about the OCR. In 2012, there were 396,660 potential cases of HIV infection among sexually active young people 15-24 years because 42 per cent of them do not use condoms, or choose only to use it sometimes.

The statistics are frightening, to say the least. One wonders, does Betty Ann Blaine still hear the children's cry? What is she committed to so-called 'exposing'? Is she aware that there are, perhaps, more pressing issues confronting our children that urgently need the agency of persons like herself and colleagues protesting outside the University of the West Indies? I guess not, since she is zealously working to convince the nation that our (male) children are under attack … from gay men.

TRUTH ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE

If we should go by the data, which I am very sure Blaine is privy to, then we'd realise that is not the case. The truth is there are far more heterosexual-related child sexual-abuse cases. Less than five per cent of cases reported to the OCR in 2012 relate to buggery and they included both boys and girls (i.e., 2,756 cases of child sexual abuse; including 101 cases of buggery). I am very aware many persons - perhaps the majority - do not report these incidents for one or more reasons and that there was an increase from 58 buggery cases in 2011 to 101 in 2012. We can't say for sure, though, that these incidents are increasing. This may be due, in part, to the improved efficiency of the OCR and increased awareness among Jamaicans about the entity.

Blaine and her friends who are chanting down Babylon should focus on child sexual abuse (if it is that they want to concern themselves with one social ill). I've always admired Blaine's passion for advocacy whether she is occupying Half-Way Tree, castigating the government or presenting her grandiose plans for when she becomes the second female prime minister. However, I strongly believe she must be more responsible in her pronouncements and advocacy. She must do more than fuel/perpetuate the bigotry and absurdness that seemingly characterise what it means to be truly Jamaican these days.

Please, Ms Blaine, listen a little to hear the children's cry."

ENDS

Sadly Mr Nelson left out the most important group relevant to his work especially in this context LGBT homeless youths but since JFLAG has been accused of turning their backs on them maybe the omission has been done and no practical response has been forthcoming. If Christian organizations really want to espouse God's values of love then it must be all inclusive but the way Betty Blaine and others have acted one wonders.

Also see:

Betty Ann Blaine & foreign religious zealots continue their paranoia & misrepresentations of male homosexuality

Betty Ann Blaine on the big gay lie ...

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

Betty Ann Blaine on Poverty, children and the Buggery Law .... and that awful confusion of homosexuality with paedophilia

Blaine will be her own victim (Observer Letter 11.08.10)

Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society continues its “HIV is a gay disease” campaign with more deception added

What goes on in the minds of the overly religious?

BETTY ANN BLAINE’S ARRANT NONSENSE REQUEST OF PETER KING TAPES

THAT WON’T STOP AIDS, BETTY ANN SAYS GAY LAWYER

BUY NO RINGS, YOU WON’T WED; RELIGIOUS FEAR-MONGERING ON GAY MARRIAGE & THE BUGGERY LAW CONTINUES

More Overreaction to the Jamaicans for Justice Sex Education Course & Media Senationalism

Sadly the backwardness in terms of sex education to include homosexuality and anal sex is frightening as this unscientific poll from the Jamaica Observer points out though:

CVM TV also did a vox pop on the present impasse with JFJ and some of the responses left me dumbfounded:

Peace and tolerance

additional commentary on the Bain Issues:

What is 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

5-alpha reductase deficiency is a condition that affects male sexual development before birth and during puberty. People with this condition are genetically male, with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, and they have male gonads (testes). Their bodies, however, do not produce enough of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has a critical role in male sexual development, and a shortage of this hormone disrupts the formation of the external sex organs before birth.

Many people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are born with external genitalia that appear female. In other cases, the external genitalia do not look clearly male or clearly female (sometimes called ambiguous genitalia). Still other affected infants have genitalia that appear predominantly male, often with an unusually small penis (micropenis) and the urethra opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias).

During puberty, people with this condition develop some secondary sex characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, deepening of the voice, development of pubic hair, and a growth spurt. The penis and scrotum (the sac of skin that holds the testes) grow larger. Unlike many men, people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency do not develop much facial or body hair. Most affected males are unable to father a child (infertile).

Children with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are often raised as girls. About half of these individuals adopt a male gender role in adolescence or early adulthood.

How common is 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

5-alpha reductase deficiency is a rare condition; the exact incidence is unknown. Large families with affected members have been found in several countries, including the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Turkey, and Egypt.

What genes are related to 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

Mutations in the SRD5A2 gene cause 5-alpha reductase deficiency. The SRD5A2 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called steroid 5-alpha reductase 2. This enzyme is involved in processing androgens, which are hormones that direct male sexual development. Specifically, the enzyme is responsible for a chemical reaction that converts the hormone testosterone to DHT. DHT is essential for the normal development of male sex characteristics before birth, particularly the formation of the external genitalia.

Mutations in the SRD5A2 gene prevent steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 from effectively converting testosterone to DHT in the developing reproductive tissues. These hormonal factors underlie the changes in male sexual development seen in infants with 5-alpha reductase deficiency.

During puberty, the testes produce more testosterone. Researchers believe that people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency develop secondary male sex characteristics in response to higher levels of this hormone. Some affected people also retain a small amount of 5-alpha reductase 2 activity, which may produce DHT and contribute to the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty.

How do people inherit 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the SRD5A2 gene in each cell have mutations. Most often, the parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Although people who are genetically female (with two X chromosomes in each cell) may inherit mutations in both copies of the SRD5A2 gene, their sexual development is not affected. The development of female sex characteristics does not require DHT, so a lack of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 activity does not cause physical changes in these individuals. Only people who have mutations in both copies of the SRD5A2 gene and are genetically male (with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell) have the characteristic signs of 5-alpha reductase deficiency.

Where can I find information about diagnosis or management of 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

These resources address the diagnosis or management of 5-alpha reductase deficiency and may include treatment providers.

You might also find information on the diagnosis or management of 5-alpha reductase deficiency inEducational resources and Patient support.

General information about the diagnosis and management of genetic conditions is available in the Handbook. Read more about genetic testing, particularly the difference between clinical tests and research tests.

To locate a healthcare provider, see How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

You may find the following resources about 5-alpha reductase deficiency helpful. These materials are written for the general public.

MedlinePlus - Health information (3 links)
Educational resources - Information pages (4 links)
Patient support - For patients and families (3 links)

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.

Genetic Testing Registry - Repository of genetic test information (1 link)
PubMed - Recent literature
OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog

What other names do people use for 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

Familial incomplete male pseudohermaphroditism, type 2
male pseudohermaphroditism due to 5-alpha-reductase deficiency
PPSH
Pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias
Steroid 5-alpha-reductase deficiency

For more information about naming genetic conditions, see the Genetics Home Reference Condition Naming Guidelines and How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook.

What if I still have specific questions about 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

Ask the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center This link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference.

Where can I find general information about genetic conditions?

The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.

These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.

What glossary definitions help with understanding 5-alpha reductase deficiency?

androgens ; autosomal ; autosomal recessive ; cell ; chromosome ; deficiency ; DHT ;dihydrotestosterone ; enzyme ; familial ; gene ; genitalia ; hormone ; hypospadias ; incidence ; infertile ;micropenis ; puberty ; recessive ; scrotum ; testes ; testosterone

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary.

The last time we saw this matter was in May of this year where at the time on May 27 whether they were granted bail in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. This one does not fall in the category of a homophobic case just yet as it will be interesting to hear what are the circumstances surrounding this obvious hit but was sexual orientation a motive for the act?

also see: British Consul John Terry's Murder Case Fails to Get Started Yet Again!

Defence attorney Glen Cruickshank made a bail application on behalf of Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts, who have been accused of conspiring with an alleged homosexual to rob and kill the businessman last December.

The brothers are charged along with 20-year-old Tivon Wallace of Barbican, St Andrew, for the stabbing death of 42-year-old businessman Orell Henry of Pleasant Valley in St Andrew.

Henry's body was found with multiple stab wounds on December 14 at his home. Several items, including his Chevrolet Avalanche and a licensed firearm, were reportedly missing from his house. However, the truck was later found abandoned in Stony Hill, St Andrew.

The police alleged that Henry was last seen in the company of Wallace, who was a frequent visitor at the home.

It is further alleged that Wallace and another man, later identified as Voldon, were seen speeding away from the premises in Henry's Chevrolet Avalanche shortly before Henry's body was found.

It is also alleged that on December 14 at about 8:05 pm, Wallace used Henry's phone to call Henry's brother, who was also living at the premises, and told him, "Mr Orell seh yuh must not come home early 'cause we a go out."

Henry's brother reportedly got suspicious and, after attempts to call his brother and to get back in touch with Wallace failed, went to the house and stumbled on the gruesome scene.

Following the murder, Wallace reportedly fled to Big Bridge District in Westmoreland, where he was arrested on January 17, while the brothers were held after the police analysed phone evidence.

On Monday when the accused men appeared in court, Cruickshank asked that the matter be rescheduled for a bail application.

Wallace, however, told the court that he did not have a lawyer and Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey asked that he be assigned a legal aid lawyer.

The accused men, who are all facing charges of murder and conspiracy to murder, were remanded.

Update

A mention date was set in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday June 25 in the matter involving the three men, one of whom, it is alleged, had a relationship with a murdered male businessman.

Charged with murder and conspiracy to murder are brothers Roshawn and Voldono Ricketts and Tivon Wallace.

The Crown alleges that, on December 15, 2013, the body of 42-year-old businessman Orell Johnson was found dead inside his apartment with multiple stab wounds to the upper body and back.

Following investigations, it is alleged that Johnson was last seen the day before at 11:30 a.m. by his brother, in the company of 20-year-old Tivon Wallace, with whom it is alleged he shared an intimate relationship.

It is reported that, later that evening, Wallace was seen with another man, Voldono Ricketts, driving away the deceased man's 2007 Chevrolet avalanche motor truck.

The deceased's brother returned home the following morning to discover his brother's body lying face down in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. His Glock 17 pistol, motor truck, and other paraphernalia were missing.

Eventually, the motor truck was found abandoned in the Golden Spring area.

A search conducted found Wallace in a district in Westmoreland. Following analysis of his cell phone records, another suspect was identified named Roshawn Ricketts, who, together with Wallace, allegedly conspired to kill Johnson.

The post-mortem is still outstanding in the matter. Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey ordered the three men remanded until July 18, when the matter will be mentioned.

Strangely one Orell Johnson (the deceased named) also appears on the Supreme Curt trial list for Buggery persons are speculating if it is the same person and if that matter has any connection to the hit. There are two other murders that are not fully solved as yet involving gay men where the motives are not fully unearthed to be homophobic but investigations continue. As usual such cases sometimes take years before the truth is unearthed.

Peace and tolerance

Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner Writer

University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice-chancellor E. Nigel Harris said the decision to terminate the services of Professor Brendan Bain as the head of Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Centre Network (CHART) was not a response to pressure from the homosexual or any other community but made after careful consideration and wide discussions with a variety of stakeholders.

"The decision was not made as a result of the gay groups forcing us to make a decision," Harris told The Gleaner last week.

Bain has filed a suit in the Supreme Court challenging the termination of his contract as director of the Regional Coordinating Unit of CHART. The professor is contending that the action of the UWI breached his constitutional rights of freedom of expression and thought.

Church and other groups have been protesting against the dismissal of Bain for four weeks, which yesterday culminated in a mass rally in Half-Way Tree following a motorcade from the UWI's main gate on Mona Road, St Andrew.

But Harris has insisted that the decision to terminate Bain's contract was "a very thoughtful one".

Carefully considered

"I think one of the difficulties with the perception with how UWI acted was that we were responding merely to the gay community. That is not true. This was a carefully considered decision and based on the discussion with public health officials dealing with HIV/AIDS, we also spoke with people in the clergy, people who were gay; we spoke a lot of straight people, and several conversations with Professor Bain himself," Harris added.

Bain, who is a retired professor but who wrote the model and was contracted to run CHART has sued the university for his removal as head of the organisation following his expert testimony in a case involving a Belizean homosexual who is challenging the constitutionality of the buggery law in that country.

Following his testimony, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, headed by former Jamaicans for Justice executive director, Dr Carolyn Gomes, wrote Harris calling for the removal of Bain, arguing that Bain had lost the confidence of a significant sector the community he served.

In the meantime, Harris has offered the university's corridors to the various churches, civil society and other individuals as well as organisations to dialogue on the controversy and the wider debate of rights and responsibilities of all citizens, including homosexuals.

"What one would have wanted, and we still want, is that we would be a platform for peaceful discussion for some of the very contentious issues that seemed to be dividing us at this point," he said.

"I believe that the irony of all of this is that the university should be a place where there should be an opportunity for free speech, free debate and discussion of peoples with differing points of view."

ENDS

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