Love 101FM's Family Time on Homosexuality

Love 101 FM carried another edition of Family Time series this week they continued on the subject of homosexuality following up on last weeks edition with none other than Dr. Wayne West on the homosexual agenda. This week they took a more Christian view on it almost conflicting as also a psychological approach was used as the guest is both a pastor and psychologist and the two seems to have almost clashed as the discourse outlined below will bring to bear but of course as Love 101 is a religious station the Leviticusal line has to be carried with a so called sympathetic approach to gays with a view for change, obviously suggesting reparative therapy. The causality issue was prominent as well where early initiation, loss of bonding from same sexed parent (old belief that is still used by the religious opposition) and effeminate men with a supposed hormonal imbalance who are rejected by society but welcomed by gays hence going into same sex activity. In other words all these persons are forced into gaydom, no mention is made of the person who realises very early that they are same sex attracted which leads me to believe the agenda here was mainly reparative therapy. The guest is also linked to the Back to the Bible which is linked to Focus on the Family and we all know (Dr.) James Dobson though untrained in psychology has deemed homosexuality an abnormality and curable. 

Dr. Barry Davidson was the guest in this discussion, he is a family Psychologist, serves as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Family Life Ministries. He holds Master Degrees in Theology and Psychology as well as a Doctorate in Family Psychology, majoring in Marriage and Family Therapy, from The Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Pasadena, California.
Since 1981, Dr. Davidson has been counseling with couples, adults, adolescents, and families, and assisting them in resolving personal and relational problems. In May of 1989 and 1990 respectively, he received the Jeff Balswick Memorial Award, and the Faculty Award for academic performance in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Graduate School Awards Convocation, culminating his work with Project Family Outreach, an agency for ethnic minorities living with multiple or severe social, emotional, and spiritual problems in Pasadena, California.
His contributions to academia have been numerous, as a visiting lecturer at Azuza Pacific College in California, lecturer at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology and a part-time lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Dr. Davidson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Family Life Ministries, has served this Organization since 1983 in the capacities of Executive Director, Director of Counselling, and Chairman. He is a consultant to the Executive Team of the Jamaica Psychological Society and sits on the Board of the 'Back to the Bible Broadcast'. He authored the well-known pre-marital counselling manual Before They Say "I Do", and co-authored "Healthy Families A Caribbean Perspective," with Ms. Maureen Watson.

We will use the following keys for this post - DB - Dr. Barry Davidson and the Host as The Host.

The Hosts: Who is a homosexual?

DB: Broadly defined homosexuality is an erotic attraction to persons of one owns sex although homosexuality includes sexual thoughts feelings fantasies and overt sexual acts with same sex partners, the term usually is not applied to pre-adolescents, to individuals usually young people whose curiosity leads to brief experimentation of erotic involvement with persons of the same sex or to people in prisons or to isolated same sex environments who temporarily engage in homosexual behaviour because opposite sex partners are not available, it is important I believe to distinguish between homosexual behaviour that is engaging in at least periodically in sexually stimulating actions with another person of the same sex and homosexual orientation which are feelings, sexual attraction towards members of the same sex many people with a homosexual orientation never let others know of this same sex preference and never engage in homosexual behaviour with other human beings sometimes we don't make the distinction and as a result create difficulty for people.

So when we talk about homosexuals we need to realise that what we are saying is that these are people who engage in sexual activities and sexual behaviour with those of the same sex. Man with man woman with woman

The Hosts: So you mean it's intentional not necessarily something you fell into at one time or you were testing out at some point?

DB: It's not something you experiment with it's something you have grown to like and continue to do

The Hosts: Can you describe a homosexuality type(s)?

DB: There is no such thing as a homosexual personality type or types homosexuals are of all age they come from all occupational fields and socio economic levels, some of them walk effeminately or behave effeminately some don't some are very masculine and so it is always erroneous because you see somebody who seem effeminate to assume that person is a homosexual 

The Hosts: Is any person born a homosexual?

DB: The research does not support that, in at least, Masters & Johnsons did a major research some years ago and from the research that they did it suggests that homosexuality is neither inborn or nor genetic 

The Hosts: If its neither inborn or genetic then is it normal?

DB: It depends on what you mean by normal, when we think of normal quite often we think of majority so it is normal for us to drive on the left hand side of the road in Jamaica because that's the norm, so when you think of normal statistically the majority of people are heterosexual and not homosexual so in that sense it would be considered abnormal because it is not the true case for the majority of people ........


The Hosts: is it wrong to experience homosexual thoughts?


DB: There are many people who experience the thoughts, there are many of us who experience all kinds of thoughts, you might experience the thought of lusting but do you act on it? you might experience the thought of stealing but do you act on it? the thoughts are things we experience because we live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with all kinds of ideas, what we need to be able to do is to recognise, understand our thoughts but to focus on the appropriate behaviour, so for instance a man who is not homosexual and is completely heterosexual and he sees a beautiful woman and so the thought of sleeping with that woman might come through his mind, does he act on it? no he can't because she is not his wife so it would be inappropriate, so we need to recognise that people do experience thoughts of all kinds, for instance one of the things that challenges us today why I believe the whole homosexuality is such a big issue is that pornography is a big thing access to pornography is very easy these days, you just have to have a computer and you go online go on the Internet and you can access thousands of pornographic sites and alot of them are homosexual sites and so you have alot of our youngsters who spend a tremendous amount of time on the computer they access these sites, they see this and observe it again and again so it becomes something that is apart of  their thinking and because its a part of their thinking they now want to act on it, it is very easy for two guys to be in a room and nobody thinks anything so we don't know if any experimentation took place. Experimentation might lead to further experimentation then it might become habit and then it might form for them what is now their perspective, their preference in their own sexual expression.


The Hosts: How does someone really become a homosexual?


Get the rest here:

   Love 101 FM Family Time on Homosexuality 19.01.12 by glbtqja7                  

Certainly we have a long way to go in the discourse and understanding between parties what is striking to me is that pastors who are psychologists tend to ignore the DSM rules in as far as homosexuality is concerned when it has not been a disorder since 1973. Other questions asked were how does one counsel a homosexual? does the Bible allow any room for homosexual relationships? 
Then there were the callers who in large part opposed homosexuality as was expected. I tried calling in but the lines were busy as is usually the case whenever homosexuality is discussed on any station.


Peace and tolerance


H

Ooops! ..... Not so fast with compliments for Cuba just yet......

photo credit: 

In the previous post we saw news of the expected passing of gay marriage and possibly other LGBT rights for Cubans, a positive step by amidst this come awful news of a murder of a member of the community there and police harrassment of native bloggers to that island. I tend to agree with a fellow blogger who also had the post title captioned in his opinion on the new developments in Cuba.

Florida-based news website Cubanet is reporting that a young transgender woman has been beaten to death in police custody in Cuba.
¨Eighteen-year-old Leidel Luis, who was known as Jessica, originally from the province of Santiago de Cuba and who lived with her partner named Yariel in Las Tunas, died after receiving a brutal beating in Guáimaro in Camaguey, southern Cuba.

It is alledged that she was picked up at a traffic stop 4 January by police calling her "faggot, nigger and disgusting."

The report is sourced to a prison inmate, Rolando Castro Sanchez who names those he alleges beat Luis to death as police officers Galindo Yarian Larena, Juan Ramon Lorenzo, their commanding officer Heriberto, and the sector chief Boris Luis Caballero. It is alleged that her body was removed after she was found dead in her cell in the middle of the night to an unknown location.

Cuba's Communist Party Congress, which opens 28 January, will reportedly adopt pro-gay provisions. Mariela Castro Espín, the daughter of Cuban President Raúl Castro and the leading advocate for LGBT rights in Cuba, wrote on her blog this week that the revision of the Family Code in 2013 will include recognition of same-sex couples.

However, continuing police harassment in Cuba, including arrests, has been reported on a number gay Cuban blogs, such as that of the Reinaldo Arenas Memorial Foundation. Gay Cuban blogger Francisco Rodríguez Cruz has also condemned 'irregularities' committed by Cuban police, who, he says, have repeatedly fined visitors to a gay meeting spot in central Havana. In September a death in custody of a transgender man was reported in Havana...¨ read it all, ¨Muere Travesti Tras Golpiza Propinada Por Policias¨

ENDS

Sorry to hear of this tragedy. Like us in Jamaica our Cuban brothers and sisters alike have their share of drama with the authorities although same sex and transgender aesthetics are more publicly accepted than any other island in the belt here but apparently violence is still a feature as is even in more progressive or "free" states where displays of affection are normative in a sense and legislation provides protection and recourse for aggrieved persons. 


The adoption however of any pro LGBT legislation may push into over-drive the demand from the ground here in Jamaica to the promised review of the Buggery Law by the new government the People's National Party, PNP. Recently after the Prime Minister's first parliamentary address on her own mandate she said to journalists that talks are proceeding and that a timeline is not set as to when the review and subsequent conscience vote will take place, but bearing in mind the makeup of the cabinet and the all important Senate with individuals who have openly expressed anti gay views over many years one wonders if they will get pass their original positions.

Earlier in 2009 the former Prime Minister Bruce Golding had used Cuba as an example in the Charter of Rights Bill debate as one of the countries who supposedly stood up to the "avalanche" as he puts it to legalizing homosexuality bearing in mind it is not illegal in Jamaica but Buggery is (despite the gender of the recipient).


We are keeping our fingers crossed things work out and as for our blogging friends there, we have you in our prayers.


Peace and tolerance


H  

Cuba Makes Progress in Sex Reassignment Surgery ... expects communist party to accept LGBT rights

Havana, Jan 17 (Prensa Latina) Cuban surgeons have performed 15 sex reassignment surgeries, and other transsexual people, who are assisted by a committee in compliance with international standards, are applying to that kind of procedure, an expert said on Monday.

The director of the National Sex Education Center (CENESEX), Mariela Castro Espin, explained that the first such surgery in Cuba was performed in 1988. However, it was not until 2007 that the Ministry of Public Health decided to perform sex reassignment surgeries again. As we spread this service in the media, more people going through the conflict and who do not know that they can get help will come to us, said the expert in an interview with the website Cubasi.

So far, transgender people must go through a follow-up period of two years, during which they are assisted by specialists, along with a personalized hormone therapy for the duration of the transition to the gender with which they are identified.

At the end of the process, the committee endorses those eligible for sex reassignment surgery (commonly known as sex change) and for a legal identity change, said Castro Espin.

However, she explained that surgery is not an aesthetic whim, but a scientific procedure agreed upon internationally, which benefits transsexual people.

The surgical procedure helps them to relieve the distress they experience since early childhood, as a result of prejudices that lead to misunderstanding and discrimination, she assured.

On the other hand, she noted that since 2008, Cuba has been working on an educational strategy, supported by the media, state institutions, the Communist Party and civil society organizations, to respect free, responsible sexual orientation and gender identity.

This is a profound process of cultural transformation to provide elements of analysis to dismantle the prejudices that have historically dominate people, their sexuality and their bodies.

These and other important issues will be discussed extensively in the 4th Cuban Congress on Guidance, Education and Sex Therapy, scheduled for January 23-26, at Havana's Conference Center.

The event, which will be attended by experts from the United States, Spain, Canada, Venezuela and Argentina, among other countries, will be held under the theme "Sex Education in the Processes of Social Transformation".

rma/jg/abo/msl/vm
Modificado el ( martes, 17 de enero de 2012 )

ENDS

with regards to LGBT rights in Cuba reports state:
“I believe the party conference will define an explicit policy of non-descrimination in matters of sexual orientation and gender identity and that, in turn, it will help dismantle the prejudices standing in the way of its approval,” Mariela Castro, director of the National Sexual Education Center, said in an interview on the Web site CubaSi.

She made her comments when asked about the draft bill that seeks to modify the Cuban Family Code to legalize same-sex unions, among other rights it aims to secure.

For now, according to Mariela Castro, the bill is being studied by specialists of the Justice Ministry and experts of Cuba’s National Jurists Union with the idea of including it in the 2012 legislative schedule.

For several years Mariela Castro has promoted legal reforms on the island in favor of sexual minorities.

In 2008, the Cuban government approved sex-change operations by ministerial decree, but no progress has been made in Parliament to reform the Family Code.

At certain times the sexologist has also asked the Communist Party to rid itself of anti-gay discrimination.

Cuba’s Communist Party will gather on Jan. 28 for its first National Conference, a meeting that has sparked great expectations about the possible changes and guidelines it will come up with for a generational “changing of the guard,” as Raul Castro requested at the sixth party congress last April.

But the president put a damper on such expectations last week when he told reporters “we shouldn’t get our hopes up” about the conference since this is an “internal matter” of Cuba’s only legally recognized political party.

meanwhile - VI Cuban Congress on Education, Sexual Orientation and Therapy

The National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) and the Cuban Multidisciplinary Society for the Study of Sexuality (SOCUMES) announce the VI Cuban Congress on Education, Sexual Orientation and Therapy, to be held in Havana from 23 to 26 January 2012 in its usual venue of the Palace of Conventions in Havana. Session under the theme "Sex education in the processes of social transformation."

The purpose of this event is to contribute to interdisciplinary discussion of the notion of human sexuality, and complex process of transformation in various areas of social reality.

In parallel, develop the II Symposium Transidentidades, gender and culture , the Second Symposium of Clinical Sexology and I Consensus Chronic diseases and sexual dysfunctions .

These meetings are intended to facilitate dialogue and the system of best practices and theoretical experiences, as well as joint academic partnerships between institutions and civil society groups, regional and international organizations to contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and public policy around sexuality and sexual health, integrated into the processes of social transformation.

Sexuality education from emancipatory paradigms, compared to learned patterns of domination, presents us with a commitment to social transformation and weigh the humanist values ​​of solidarity, equality and social equity.

We count on your valuable participation.
Mariela Castro Espin
Chairwoman

ORGANIZE
National Center · Sex Education (CENESEX)
· Society for the Cuban Multidisciplinary Study of Sexuality (SOCUMES)
· Palace of Conventions in Havana, Cuba

SPONSORS
Ministry of Public Health
National Council of Scientific Societies of Health (CNSCS)
Academy of Sciences of Cuba
World Association for Sexual Health (WAS)
Latin American Federation of Sexology and Sexual Education (FLASSES)
Center for Psychological and Sociological Research (CIPS)
Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECI)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Unite to End Violence Against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
ONUMujeres
United Nations Program for Development
FOS Belgium
Oxfam Canada
Canadian Embassy
Nations Population Fund, United
Culture and International Cooperation

Watch out, Jamaica (Observer) letter writer on atheism

 

Dear Editor

The homosexual crusade has opened a new front in its assault on society's norms and traditional way of life. Its global centres in America, Canada and Europe have blown a gale-force wind in atheism, giving it much vitality and a new appeal.

Being atheist is now the most happening thing within the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community. New adherents and veterans alike are now flocking to this newly found mode of awareness, and are using it as a proxy to further their foothold in society.

The choice of atheism — and not some other spiritual belief system — is an excellent preference for them. For one, it helps fortify their fundamental claim of being born gay; and further, it grants them the force necessary to help challenge the main charge against them: that homosexuality is essentially an ungodly lifestyle choice. In other words, atheism provides the free-thinking platform where homosexuals can dismissively reject the absolute notion of a God and of a final arbiter over morality.

By virtue of this, homosexuals are able to bluntly reject all forms of religious condemnation against them. This, of course, is central to their purpose, as they relish the idea of being able to use atheism as a doctrinal counterweight against all religions, especially Christianity, which has been a constant rebuking thorn in their movement's path.

Prior to this, it was the their sagacious use of the American Civil Rights laws to legitimise a lifestyle, which many still consider morally repugnant and totally contrary to the natural order of life. The Civil Rights laws, one of the greatest legislative achievements of the 20th century, was enacted to give minority groups, but primarily African-Americans who have suffered years of colour prejudice, the right to function as full citizens.

However, proponents of the gay rights movement have hijacked the Civil Rights movement and its laws, and have also cunningly used the same model of activism and advocacy as that of African-Americans to gain constitutional protection as a group. 

This added protection guarantees homosexuals their civil rights and bans discrimination against them based on sexual orientation. By reason of this, homosexuals' fundamental rights are protected twice under most civil societies' constitutions; once as members of a free society and once more as members of a special group.

Like body-piercing and tattooing, the new buzz of atheism will find its way into impressionable cultures such as Jamaica that takes its cue from "foreign", so to speak.

The latest crusading effort by international organisations, under the guise of promoting human rights, has come in the form of the US State Department announcing that future foreign aid will only be doled out to countries which are deemed homosexual-friendly, thus delivering a crippling economic blow to countries like Jamaica and Uganda, which oppose homosexuality and which also rely heavily on foreign aid assistance to supplement their budgets.

Recently, an African-American parent in Washington, DC, upon learning of her lesbian daughter's recent conversion to atheism, became distraught and declared that she was more bothered by her becoming an atheist than by being gay. This has become a challenge for parents like her as the spread of Atheism rises with the support of social networking, the Internet, and social clubs.

The concept of a Black atheist or Black atheism was a misnomer in African-American culture. But now, the idea is becoming more ubiquitous and steadily making inroads in bastions such as Harlem, Brooklyn and Washington, DC. This should be cause for consternation in Jamaica, as whatever is flavourful in America, especially with African-Americans, becomes flavourful with Jamaicans.

Very soon, this exotic union of homosexuality and atheism will barrel its way onto our shores and will take with it all vestiges of sexual morality. Watch out, Jamaica, a transforming force of human secularism is heading our way

C Anderson
c.andrsn1@gmail.com

ENDS

This supposed fear and or paranoia is just unbelievable to me but then again the way how some sections of the Christian community lambaste homosexuality and dishonestly link male homosexuality in particular to predatory paedophilia without subscribing to or verifying the facts is a serious cause for concern, then it is no wonder persons turn away and become atheistic when God is for all intents and purposes is a loving God despite the sinner's sin as no supposed sin is greater than any other but homosexuality is marketed as such by some.

Sometimes I really do wonder if these over zealous persons or religious fanatics do not realise the very Antichrist which is so prophesied about is gaining more power by simply the vitriolic way theses persons condemn homosexuals without in some cases inviting dialogue or a movement towards Christ. This continued deceptive anti gay quest is becoming more of a turnoff to the average person if ever so slowly.

Personally I do believe in God but not the one that is being so presented to the world as so vengeful and hateful, how can hate and God be even in the same sentence when he came for the outcasts? only earlier today I posted on my sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch about whether Apostle Paul really condemned homosexuality per say but more so the non monogamous relationships that existed at the time in Rome where he was based.

See:  Did Apostle Paul actually accepted Christian homosexuals?

The widening divide between the religious and the LGBT communities which also include LGBT Christians is worrying to me and there has to be some common ground especially here in Jamaica with talk of a promised review of the Buggery Law, knowing how influential the church still is here in Jamaica the review maybe thwarted especially when it gets to the conscience vote where members of parliament are expected to reflect their constituents' views if and when it occurs (many still see the promised buggery review as an election ploy to get pink votes in the Dec 29th polls).

As for the so called homosexual agenda, whatever that is, what agenda is the writer referring to? LGBT people have always been here but with successive generations things change and judging from the text in the letter the writer lives overseas, hypocritical that he stomachs homosexuality albeit with the necessary state protections where passed in the US and are exporting the hate to us. If I may quote a set of questions posted elsewhere: Isn't it ironic how many of these "Ministers" and Anti-Gay alliance groups readily and hastily flock to Black nations to spread this hate?
When's the last time you've heard of these groups go over to Norway or Denmark?
Makes you think what's their REAL motive in behind the targeting of specific countries and continents?

What is also very interesting is the amount of money being devoted to anti gay campaigns and full paged ads in Caribbean newspapers here (below) was one such as done by a group calling itself the Isaachar Foundation on Dec 1, 2011 bearing in mind a full page ad locally can run you up to half a million dollars depending on the day it's run.

while more pressing matters visible to all are left to simply go on, issues such as homeless kids, children in the care of the state, abused children and the umpteen missing kids here in Jamaica via the Ananda alerts in the papers daily, the zeal at which bishops and others go after or bash homos is far less energetic that developing interventions to solve those aforementioned problems but who cares really? HYPOCRITS!!!!!

Here is a look back at an exposé of homophobic evangelicals in the U.S. who support anti-gay rhetoric and violence in Uganda, thus exporting hate in the name of Christ whilst getting substantial funding in the process. 

Peace and tolerance

H

Dealing with the gay rights issue (Observer Editorial) ........

People's National Party (PNP) strategists must still be sighing with relief that there was no obvious backlash to Mrs Portia Simpson Miller's affirmation in the pre-election debate that Jamaica's buggery law needs to be reviewed.

We say 'no obvious backlash' because as we all know the PNP won the election by a 2-1 seat majority.

Like ourselves, sociologists and others with an interest in such matters must be extremely curious as to whether the election result means there is a significant softening in attitudes towards homosexuality among the Jamaican population.

It's not as if elements in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) did not seek to profit from Mrs Simpson Miller's remarks. We recall the Observer story of Saturday, December 24 reporting on how the JLP candidate for West Central St James and former Cabinet Minister Clive Mullings "armed with a Bible" lashed Mrs Simpson Miller's comments from a political platform in Montego Bay.

As it turned out, Mr Mullings' action was of no profit to him since he lost his seat.

Yet more reason, perhaps, to suggest a softening towards the gay community? We really do not know for sure.

Perhaps the promised "conscience vote" in Parliament, whenever it occurs — following suggested consultations with constituents — will provide scope for a proper exploration of how people really feel regarding this issue.

What we do believe is that Mrs Simpson Miller deserves commendation for her courage. Not only did she speak to the need to review the centuries-old law bequeathed to us by British colonialists, but insisted that she would not "pry" into people's private lives and would appoint "anyone" to her Cabinet based on "ability" regardless of suspected sexual orientation.

In one stroke, she departed from the line taken by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had declared "...Not in my Cabinet" when asked by British television three years ago if he would consider accommodating homosexuals in the Jamaican executive.

We sensed at the time, that the cautious, middling response of the then Prime Minister Andrew Holness to the gay rights question reflected a recognition, perhaps unconscious, of the possibility of a 'softening' in Jamaican public attitudes over recent years.

Of course, any Jamaican Government must also take into consideration the realities in the outside world. For in Europe and North America and many other places, gay rights are routinely considered fundamental human rights. And as Mr Golding once pointed out, the gay lobby is "perhaps the most organised" in the world. Our anti-gay entertainers have discovered that fact at great cost.

More to the point, the rich and powerful are increasingly insisting that countries like Jamaica abide by their code.

The European Union has long used aid and diplomacy as a fulcrum in its quest to influence countries like Jamaica and its Caribbean neighbours, as well as nations across Africa and the Third World to liberalise laws relating to homosexuality.

Late last year, British Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that his Government will be linking aid to recognition of gay rights.

And since that time, the US Government publicly declared its intention to use foreign aid and diplomacy to encourage reform of gay laws.

Some among our church leaders who contend that homosexual behaviour is in breach of "God's Laws" have urged Mrs Simpson Miller and her Government to resist external pressures relating to homosexuality. But it seems to this newspaper that it would be naïve for anyone to expect that Jamaica can continue to ignore such pressures indefinitely.

ENDS

Meanwhile JFLAG tries to clear up the ultimatum versus request mess on the 100 day issue with the PM and the buggery review via yet another press release:

J-FLAG DID NOT GIVE ULTIMATUM

Kingston — January 12, 2012
The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) wishes to clarify that the organisation has NOTgiven the government an ultimatum.

On January 3, 2012, CVM TV contacted the organisation for a comment on its expectations of the new administration following the Peoples National Party’s (PNP) win in the General Elections. This was in the context of the bold pronouncements the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller had made during the leadership debate. NewsWatch reported, J-FLAG’s Executive Director, Dane Lewis as saying “To be realistic, I imagine within the first hundred days at least the issue could be raised, with a look at how to proceed.”

However, many have misinterpreted this statement of expectation as an ultimatum. Mr Lewis also highlighted that Jamaica is required by the end of 2012 to report to the UN Human Rights Committee reviewing Jamaica’s status under the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights “on what concrete steps it’s [Jamaica] making towards removal of discriminatory laws”. It is within this context that the comment was made. J-FLAG wishes to reiterate that it has not issued an ultimatum but offered a comment on what could be done by the Government within the first hundred (100) days to demonstrate its recognition of the broad human rights concerns that affect all Jamaicans. This is a common strategy which has been used by many other organisations in civil society and private sector.

Like all Jamaicans, J-FLAG remains committed to the human social and economic development of Jamaica. In so doing, J-FLAG will continue to defend the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jamaicans from discrimination, harassment and violence.

ENDS

As I hinted in a previous post on my sister blog GLBTQJA on Wordpress mistakes such as granting a telephone interview (sans any consultations with the community I might add) to the media in a "hot environment" when homosexuality or related matters are in the public domain is a no no, all the J should have done was waited and not mention anything at all to do with any time line in any way, shape or form now for it to be misrepresented as an ultimatum. We have had previous misconceptions before of JFLAG's position by media and one would have thought that as a former media participant himself the Executive Director of JFLAG Mr. Lewis would have known the ins and outs of local media with regards to hot button issues such as this. The San Francisco boycott some years ago and the suggested EGALE tourism boycott as well are prime examples of learning curves for the group and speaking just a little too much but when it's time to speak there is silence. How many mistakes are there to be made before it is perfected? one never knows/

Peace and tolerance

H

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

 

Dear Reader,

It is now very clear that the issue regarding the repeal of Jamaica's Buggery Law has found some space in the country's dialectic, so much so that interest groups have already begun to pounce.

The Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) youth arm, G2K, sensed that an opportunity presented itself, given the country's anti-homosexual environment, and attempted to use the buggery debate to benefit the outcome of the recent election. It failed, and that is because God doesn't like "ugly" even when the principle of the matter might be correct in His eyes.

Of course, there is vested interest in certain quarters, both inside and outside of Jamaica, and already certain constituencies have made it very clear what they would like the new administration to do. To my mind, the matter is not so simplistic, neither is it urgent.

First of all, the need to repeal the Buggery Law cannot be the most important item on the national agenda at this time and should be recognised as such. When one considers the deep and entrenched problems of poverty, dispossession, joblessness, the abominable atrocities against children, the plight of the elderly, among other day-to-day abuses, the revocation of Jamaica's Buggery Law could by no means be considered to be high on the list of priorities. If Jamaicans had to choose among the raft of pressing issues, including the 'bread and butter' ones, I suspect that the issue of buggery would be low on the list.

Secondly, and more importantly, there can be no discussion about buggery outside of a broader discourse concerning poverty and the vulnerability of the poor, especially poor children, to the risk of homosexual abuse. Let me hasten to say that I am aware that the risk of abuse by heterosexuals is equally as great.

Until the problem of poverty in general, and child poverty in particular, are adequately addressed and alleviated, the repeal of the Buggery Law cannot be considered, and anybody who is concerned about the most vulnerable groups in the society should agree.

As the founder of two major children's organisations and as a children's advocate for over 30 years, I have had to deal with many cases involving the sodomy of children. The tragedy is that they are almost exclusively children of the poor, and as a consequence, they have had little or no access to justice, let alone restitution.

It is impossible for my colleagues and I to forget the case of the nine-month-old baby boy who died after being buggered and otherwise physically abused. The tiny casket stood starkly in the front of the near-empty church on the day of the funeral. As far as I recall, no public statement was ever made by any of those groups now clamouring for the repeal of our Buggery Law.

It is common knowledge that one of the most accessible sources for those in the society who prefer to have sex with children, are the country's street boys. In my work I have come to know several of them who are now young adults who have been irreparably damaged as victims of child sodomy while living on the streets.

It is also common knowledge that there is a conspiracy of silence and secrecy surrounding a certain set of tapes involving a certain influential man in the society who was brutally murdered six years ago. It is rumoured that young boys are among those captured on the tapes. Of course, in a country dominated by class supremacy and the abuse of power by influential individuals, it is no surprise that to this day no information has been forthcoming regarding the allegations of sexual violence against the children who may have been victims of that particular circumstance.

Any discussion about repealing the Buggery Law must be preceded by a full and thorough study of buggery in the society and how those cases have, and are being been dealt with in the justice system. It is critical that the country should understand the nature and extent of the problem in order to arrive at any informed position.

That sentiment must be clearly articulated to any foreign government which thinks that it has a right to dictate the repeal of any of the laws of a sovereign state like ours, however dependent we may be. Instead of threatening sanctions, those countries concerned about our Buggery Law should instead help us to strengthen critical institutions and to eradicate poverty so that the rights of those Jamaicans who are vulnerable to the ravages of abuse from both homosexuals and heterosexuals will be protected and advanced.

At the moment, Jamaican children are at risk, both outside in the general society and behind closed doors, everywhere across the country. With an average of 200 children being reported missing each month, and with the increase in rape and other sexual offences, strengthening our laws and not weakening or repealing them must be the highest priority.

Until Jamaica begins to see a levelling of the social and economic playing field, I don't see that we can pursue any worthwhile debate about the repeal of any law that may involve the sexual abuse of the poor and of minors, whatever the sexual orientation.

With love,
bab2609@yahoo.com

Integrity Commission's Chairman hit at the buggery review proposal

In an article this morning in the Gleaner another clear wipe from the Reverend Dr Wellesley Blair at the recent push by the lobby group JFLAG on the promised buggery review and subsequent conscience vote by then opposition leader voted in Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. Clearly this is a swipe on the strength of the belief that the newly installed PNP administration received money from supposed gay groups who are using their influence and also on the perception that the recent debt cut turned debt redirection to or from commonwealth countries namely from the UK is placing or foisting the homosexual agenda on the nation, have a read and see what you make of it.


Also see: Of Commonwealth, Buggery Law And Ditching The Queen (Gleaner 02.11.11)

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer wrote:

Members of the new Portia Simpson Miller administration were yesterday urged not to give in to pressure from foreign countries and local groups, as they take over the reins of government following the People's National Party's (PNP) recent general-election victory.

"We are a sovereign nation. No one from outside must tell us what to do," urged the Reverend Dr Wellesley Blair.

"In executing your duties, please do not feel threatened by anyone, (neither in) foreign or inna the yard. No outside government or any local group, no matter what they wave in front of you. Let no man or any woman look at you and say, 'Do this or else','' the reverend warned.
Blair, who also serves as chairman of the PNP integrity commission, was addressing members of the Simpson Miller Cabinet during his sermon at the Portmore New Testament Church of God in St Catherine yesterday, where the new government ministers were in attendance.

(Photo: Garfield Robinson) 

Buggery law review

The prime minister, in the leadership debate ahead of the December 29 general election, had suggested it was time for a review of the country's buggery law and a conscience vote among parliamentarians. Simpson Miller's comment led to concerns among some elements across the island, including within the Church, that the PNP administration was considering amending the law to legalise the act.
Such a potential move has been seen as bowing to pressure from the United States and United Kingdom which have long called for tolerance of homosexuality.

Simpson Miller, during the leadership debate, also challenged a previous pronouncement by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in a BBC interview, where he said no gays would be allowed in his Cabinet.
Simpson Miller said she would take a more even-handed approach, adding that persons should be selected for Cabinet duties on the basis of their abilities to execute duties assigned.

In the meantime, while calling for the prime minister and her Cabinet to put God first in all decision-making, Blair said: "Loyalty to God over loyalty to foreign rulers may cause personal and even national persecution. There are some things that we are going to have to bear as a nation and we are depending on those that God has chosen (to lead)."

Blair when contacted yesterday to clarify whether his comments were in reference to the country's buggery law declined to say.
"Take it how you want to take it," he said.
The pastor also used yesterday's sermon to caution the Portia Simpson Miller administration to withhold nothing from the Jamaican people.

"I would encourage you, hide nothing from the populace. They want to know the facts ... . Tell us the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God," Blair said.

Great expectations

He said the people of Jamaica already have great expectations.

"People are looking to you to fill their pots, to fill their pockets, to send their children to school, to give better health, to do everything," he said. "Many of us don't realise it cannot work that way."

He added: "With the circumstances surrounding you, depend upon your God."

Blair also urged the prime minister to ensure that her ascendancy to office signalled a turning point in the operations of government in the country.
In the meantime, the prime minister in her greetings to members of the congregation called for them to pray for her team.
"At this time, our country Jamaica is at a crossroads, but the same way our Holy Master moved his son from the pit to the palace, and he was able to use his position to lift his brothers that plotted against him ... ; He raised up kings, and He put down kings," Simpson Miller said.

"This morning, my team ... we placed ourselves in the hands of God," she added following resounding applause from the congregation.

nedburn.thaffe@gleanerjm.com

ENDS

More...........

The Wrath of a Bishop 

Let us not forget this is the same Pastor some years ago was reported as: "A homosexual only has one of two rights. It is either he changes his life or accepts the just punishment of God, as He did in Sodom and Gomorra,"

Bishop Blair also made it clear that God did not make any homosexuals or “create any Sodomites,” as they (Sodomites) made themselves that way, at least according to his interpretation of the Book of Romans chapter one.
He added that those who are talking about the setting up of a gay church in Jamaica that time, must remember that there are a few God-fearing, Holy Ghost, holiness preachers who are still around and who are very adamant that they will do everything legally and spiritually in their power to bar that.

What he really was saying is that if you set up a church that accepts gays and lesbians, watch your back.

Bishop Blair said that “Sodomites who are caught should be beaten. I believe that when the court orders lashing, some of those Sodomites who are caught and some of the criminals, should be brought in the square of Half-Way Tree and be lashed and send them home.”

Blair said he will be monitoring what goes on inside Gordon House, Jamaica’s Legislature, to see who would dare to vote for the passing of gay-friendly legislation. He said he will try to influence the Christian community to target politicians in the next election.

"If the legislation to legalize sodomy and lesbianism passes in Jamaica and it is signed into law, and God does not do something about it, God would have to wake up Sodom and Gomorra and beg them pardon," said Blair.
Three gay men at that period were beaten in the streets of Jamaica by a mob for being gay. Last year two lesbians were found murdered in an apparent hate crime. In recent years, gay hate crimes in Jamaica have skyrocketed to all time high numbers proving that Jamaica could quite possibly be the most homophobic place on Earth.

ENDS

also see Dr Blair's other Reverend brother Bishop Herro Blair as well who also happens to be the political Ombudsman now here in 2007:

Blair warns politicians - Hits at campaigns, abortion, gay marriage - August 6, 2007

Jamaicans for Justice calls for Ombudsman Bishop Hero Blair's resignation

Buggery law backlash – Blair: The church has been sleeping – Blair warns review could lead to same-sex marriages

Attack of the Blair's on the gay lobby?

Why was the party at this church in the face of expected strong religious opposition against the proposed buggery law review?
Why does the present cabinet looks the way it does when clearly the core support expected for any review on buggery is clearly not present?

Will she shuffle this cabinet in the long run to get the needed positive votes if and when the review/conscience vote is held?


also see the Observer's take on the story: DON'T BOW! Pastor urges Portia to avoid foreign influence - God’s great eyes are upon you — Blair

here is TVJ's coverage of the service highlights:  PM PLUS EXECUTIVE MEMBERS WORSHIP IN PORTMORE

Interesting times lie ahead

Peace and tolerance

H

Mark Wignall ....... Gay Lobby will wait in vain

Jamaica Observer columnist Mark Wignall believes among other things the Gay Lobby will wait in vain in his regular contribution to the paper: Supporters will give PNP government a honeymoon but... he wrote

In the month of November 2010 Washington would have already firmly decided that the JLP Government as constituted then was more than a nagging fly-in-the-ointment.

Ironically, as strained as the relationship has been between Washington and Caracas, it is more than likely that President Hugo Chavez, the most eager regionalist of our time, would have found reason to share a common objective with the US diplomats in Jamaica at just about the same time.

A Jamaican leader(Golding) had pledged to place his political future at risk by loudly standing out on a limb for a man wanted in the USA for drug and gun running and being a dangerous underworld boss - 'Dudus'.

At that stage the Americans would have singled out Dr Peter Phillips, the security minister in the PNP Government of 2004 and the point man in Jamaica whose actions led to the ultimate extradition as a man they could do business with in the near future.

On the Friday after the December 29 election there would be more than an element of 'mission accomplished' in the objectives of the Americans and President Chavez.

Golding had been slamming Chavez, an ally of the PNP, while in Opposition. The JLP Government formed after September 2007 was without ideology and a philosophy guiding its governance and grudgingly accepted the benefits of the PetroCaribe Fund only because it had no other choice.

It would indeed surprise me if the interventionist side of the regionalist President Chavez did not tangibly assist its ally, the PNP, in the last few weeks during the election. There exists no evidence that I am aware of that supports the view that a foreign government pumped significant cash into the coffers of the PNP. What is without doubt, however, is that contrary to conventional wisdom, the PNP was a cash-rich party in the last week of campaigning.

It is a slight reversal of 2007 when the JLP was overloaded with cash and the PNP was relatively broke. I use the word 'slight' because the JLP was not broke in 2011, only that the PNP became much richer than the JLP at the politically perfect time.

Many PNP supporters who I spoke with recently indicated a willingness to give the PNP a somewhat extended honeymoon to get the social and economic picture right. It is not, however, a mood that can be plotted on a straight-line graph.

The closeness of the election of 2007 had never indicated a rejection of the PNP, its policies or the style and mechanics of its governance. PNP supporters have accepted the JLP's four-year run as a minor blip on the political radar and firmly believe that a new PNP Government will 'get it right'.

"Even if di JEEP nuh run right away, wi know sey it a go work fi poor people," said a young woman to me recently.

Her young male friend, unemployed as she was said, "Money dey yah and as soon as Portia settle off, di JEEP a go start up."

Gay Lobby will wait in vain

I have yet to meet one PNP supporter who earnestly believes that the Buggery Law will be changed.

During the leadership debate, then Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller had indicated that a PNP Government led by her would review the law. The JLP had then pounced on it in an effort to gain political mileage - standard politics - by making it seem as if Simpson Miller had promised a change in the law.

"Do you believe that the PNP will review the Buggery Law?" I asked a group of young men, all unemployed and who admitted that they had voted for the PNP.

"Yeah," one said. "Review it yes, but a nuh nutten dat."

A youngster nearby took off on his friend's mood and said, "As long as she tek up di paper an put it back dung. Dat caan pass a Jamaica. It wi bun dung."

Another less vocal young man said, "A political talk dat. Maybe di man dem donate some money to di PNP party and it jus gi a talk. A politics and it nah guh no wey."

What is very obvious to me is that only Portia Simpson Miller could have made such a promise in so sensitive an area without the political backlash. Additionally, many voters accept that "a so di ting set", meaning that they accept that politicians will spout nonsense. In the case of Simpson Miller, voters were prepared to slot it in the 'not of importance' segment in the days leading up to the vote.

JLP waiting to roll over and die

A few days after the election I was in the company of a young woman and an official of G2K.

The young woman was a recent graduate of. UTech and was planning on going off to the US to study computer and film animation. Her father was a degreed teacher and her mother operated a small business.

She was discussing the G2K ads. "Those ads - they would have appealed to me, to mommy, to daddy, but, we don't vote." The G2K official seemed to sink deeper in the chair.

He just sat there, forced a smile and said nothing. The young woman was right. Assuming that a political party knows the landscape it is operating in, one would expect that the entity would have arrived at its a campaign after considerable research. If knowledge is presumed before research and the ads are made, the only conclusion that could be drawn is that those involved have been very close to our people at all levels. Or that they are stupid.

Now, fully recognising that constituency canvases (which have proven fairly accurate over the years) were either concocted because money paid for them did not reach down to those who were closest to the community or, poorly done because of the weakness of the JLP secretariat, many in the JLP have concluded that the wrong 'election ready' message was given to Andrew Holness.

Demoralised, angry with each other and already reaching for the long knives of 'intra blame' the JLP must face the fact that it is on the verge of a total wipeout at the local government elections.

In the red by anywhere between $40 million and $70 million, the party is lying in the middle of the road waiting on a truck to run it over.

observemark@gmail.com

Portia's Profound Comments (Gleaner Letter)

 

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The president of the People's National Party (PNP) recently said she would not exclude persons from her Cabinet on the basis of sexual orientation. Few seem to appreciate how profound the comment is. One newspaper sprang into attack mode with its bold headline, 'A idiot thing that'.

At first glance, the leader's comments seem to imply or assume that in appointing ministers, she has knowledge that the person being appointed is gay. This has inherent legal implications based on Jamaican law (The Offences Against The Person Act). Although buggery is not defined in the law, it is listed as unnatural offences, where it is described as "the abominable crime of buggery committed either with mankind or with any animal".

Additionally, the law specifically speaks to male-to-male acts of gross indecency, but is totally silent on female-to-female acts. So being a bugger and being gay or homosexual are not legally the same in Jamaican law. Being gay or homosexual is a much broader term, covering same-sex relationships. It does not appear to include "any animal".

The Jamaican law regarding unnatural offences and acts of gross indecency is, therefore, gender specific and includes animals. It does not consider or treat female same-sex relationships as unnatural offences or acts of gross indecency. So, based on the present law, appointing a female gay minister should not be an issue legally.

This, however, would not be the case if she were to appoint a male gay minister, especially if she knows that male is gay.

The reason for this is that it is a crime to know of a crime and not report it to the police. This may and ought to be considered concealment, cover-up, you name it. Although she may not have personally witnessed the act or crime, it's no different from the acts of bishops who concealed reports of priests sexually molesting youths and covered it up.

Therein rests a part of the dilemma, ie, the buggery law, as it stands, and whether or not she knows the appointee has breached the law.

Indeed, the law is gender-specific in its treatment of same-sex relationships. This ought to be deemed unconstitutional and ought to be corrected. How else does Parliament legislate a law that retains the wishes of the majority on the issue, and comply with the gender (sex) requirements of the Constitution (Section 13)? In democratic societies, it's done by review of the law.

For those males who have already concluded that "a idiot thing that", note that for a male caught committing (a) an unnatural offence, or (b), an act of gross indecency with another male, there is no fine. In the case of (a), it's prison at hard labour, for a term not exceeding 10 years.

In the case of (b), it's prison with or without hard labour, for a term not exceeding seven years. However, it's no offence for females to be caught doing similar acts. Easy nuh.

WARREN SIBBLIES

warrensibbs@hotmail.com

Houston, Texas

ENDS

Some comments followed:

Mr./Ms. Moderator, could you please post?

There is no doubt that Madame Prime Minister Elect; Portia Simpson-Miller is a very savvy and seasoned politician. She knows how to appeal to all voting blocks of the electorates, not just the majority, but also to
crucial minority voting blocks such as the disenfranchised gay/lesbians/bisexual. Hereto her recent statement of forming an all-inclusive/representative cabinet of all Jamaicans, there has never been a Jamaican politician to take such a bold and courageous stand. It is in light of her all inclusive statement that has embolden the gay voting block to turn out in support of the only national leader to acknowledge their existence on the island without religious damnations.

Silently and without any fanfare under the radar, they showed up at their respective polling stations and cast their individual votesof freedom and then exhaled as they walked away with a sense of relief. For you see, they had no reason to vote before, as they were never considered citizens in the country to which they were born; Prime Minister Elect; Madame Portia Simpson-Miller has given them hope, a reason and purpose for being, but above all, she has acknowledged their human existence.

Madame Prime Minister Elect, I respectfully implore, and beseech you to make good on you statement on creating a more equitable,humanistic, and representative cabinet of all Jamaican.

Kudos! And congratulations!

and

Thank you Mr. Sibbles for explaining the arguments so lucidly. The tendency for rabid homophobia to cloud rational and logical judgments on the issue of buggery in Jamaica is amazing. The constant reduction of homosexuality to buggery (anal intercourse) is so distorting that I find whenever I explain to people that the two (homosexuality) and (anal intercourse) do not necessarily coincide, better assessments can be made.

This is the dilemma that Sister P faces. If a male member of her cabinet personally declares to her that he is a homosexual, she can assume that he engages in the sexual conduct of buggery (which is law breaking). I say assumption since not everyone who thinks the label homosexual applies to him actually engages in the practice of anal sex.

Trinidadian gay advocates hail victory of supportive PM-designate

By Keino Swamber 

keino.swamber@trinidadexpress.com 

 

PRESIDENT of the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO), Colin Robinson (immediate photo), says Jamaican Prime Minister-designate Portia Simpson-Miller did the right thing by stating quite clearly that she opposed the discrimination against homosexuals.

Simpson-Miller led the People's National Party (PNP) into victory in Thursday's general elections in Jamaica.

The country with a population of 2.8 million people has developed a worldwide reputation for its strong anti-homosexual views and acts of violence against homosexuals.

During a televised leadership debate on December 20 between herself and Prime Minister Andrew Holness, whose Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was voted out of office, Simpson-Miller said her administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans.

"No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation," Simpson-Miller said.

"Government should provide the protection and I think we should have a look at the buggery law and that members of parliament should be given an opportunity to vote with their conscience on consultation with their constituents.

"But for me, I do not support the position of the former prime minister (Bruce Golding who said he would not appoint a gay person in his Cabinet) because people should be appointed to positions based on their ability and to lead."

Simpson-Miller said she has no intention of prying in the private business of anyone and will appoint anyone with the ability and capacity to manage in her Cabinet.

Robinson said Simpson-Miller's victory, in spite of her statements, is a lesson for all "Caribbean cowardly politicians".

"What the win says is that you do not lose an election by being supportive of the rights and the humanity of gay people," Robinson said.

"Similarly the JLP candidate, who was most outrageous (by) using homophobia as a campaign tool, lost his seat. So the other message is 'bun batty man' and beating the Bible on the backs of gay people will not win you elections."

Robinson said it is a signal to politicians that the issue of nondiscrimination against homosexuals does not carry the political liability they think it carries.

"The only reason that the politician has now to oppose full equality concerning gay people is their own prejudice."

The view was shared by the president of another local lobbyist group, Friends for Life, Luke Sinette. He said he fully endorses Simpson-Miller's statements.

"Gay people are full citizens just like anyone else," Sinette said.

"Gay persons should not only be allowed the same protections as anybody else under the law, but they should also be allowed the opportunity to serve their country just like anybody else. People should be allowed to be full citizens irrespective of race, class, gender, ethnicity and, of course, sexual orientation."

Lynette Vassell, a member of the Women Resource and Outreach Centre in Jamaica, told the Express the strategy used by the JLP in their attempt to discredit Simpson-Miller, backfired on the ruling party.

"It backfired because the issues on people's minds were more concrete and practical," Vassell said.

"I and a lot of right-thinking Jamaicans support the stance she took during the debate because what she is saying is that we need to open up a conversation around a matter that is very touchy in our context.

"What she has said is that she is going to open the debate around the repeal of the buggery Act and she is going to encourage parliamentarians to deal with it on an individual basis after consulting with their constituents.

"Of course we recognise that if a man had said it, it would have been a damaging and dangerous thing (politically) and I am glad that she is the one who very sincerely made the response."

ENDS

for extra reference, cartoonist Clovis depicted this in a recent edition of the Jamaica Observer

PNP: No election money from gay groups .............

THE Opposition People's National Party (PNP) yesterday declared that it had not received any funding from any gay rights organisation locally or overseas, and dismissed such claims as propaganda generated by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

At the same time, PNP campaign director, Dr Peter Phillips, said the party had no discussion with or made any promise to anyone about reviewing the buggery law prior to the party's president Portia Simpson Miller's pledge during the national leadership debate to review the law if the PNP forms the next government

Asked by the Observer yesterday if the PNP had financial backing from gay rights groups, Dr Phillips responded: "Absolutely no truth to that whatever. It is a figment of somebody's imagination if not a total invention for cynical and nefarious purposes. I have been very much involved with the fund-raising of the People's National Party and the funds have come universally from the private sector in Jamaica and from individuals supportive of the party, all of whom are reputable, high-standing businesspeople."

Simpson Miller stated that she would support a review of the Buggery Act in responding to a question posed during the leadership debate between herself and Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Her response has set off a firestorm of public debate, with JLP candidate Daryl Vaz questioning if the PNP has received money from the gay community.

Dr Phillips, in dismissing the claim yesterday, said the JLP was trying to twist Simpson Miller's words to their political advantage.

"It is the kind of propaganda I have heard from Mr Vaz who I suspect in his overactive imagination he conjures up things from time to time. Let me repudiate it absolutely, completely, comprehensively and throw it out of the stadium," he stated.

At a press conference, Dr Phillips defended Simpson Miller's comments, reiterating that she indicated that the law would be reviewed, with the possibility of each member of Parliament taking a conscience vote on the matter after consultation with their constituents.

"She answered the question that she does not believe people should go about beating up people in Jamaica because of presumed sexual orientation and that we should be a more tolerant country in that regard", Dr Phillips told the Observer.

"We have had no discussion with anybody representing any gay community, not from Jamaica, not from anywhere in the world. It is some people who have contrived upon an honest, sincere answer to go into the gutter because of their own political predilections."

PREVIOUSLY 

Has PNP received financing from gay community?

Vaz says JLP confident of securing 34-38 seats in Dec 29 poll

DARYL Vaz is challenging the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) to state whether it has received funding from the international gay community, and what, if any, commitments were given in exchange for that funding.

Vaz, the treasurer for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said it was obvious that both parties had managed to get funding for their election campaigns based on their activities.

But suggesting that PNP president Portia Simpson Miller had injected a new dimension — homosexuality — into the campaign, Vaz said his team was trying to ascertain whether there was any truth to claims that the PNP had received money from the international gay community.

"We would like to know if this is true; and more importantly, what commitments the PNP has made in exchange for that funding, because we know that is how it works" he said.

Simpson Miller, answering a question in last Tuesday's political debate with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said a PNP Government would review the buggery law and allow members of parliament to vote their conscience on the matter.

"We are not happy about the opposition leader introducing the issue of homosexuality into the campaign and we are wondering how deep it goes and how much involved the international gay community is with the PNP. We have been hearing of the interest that that community has taken in our elections since her pronouncement," said Vaz. "It is the first time that we have seen such strong interest from the gay community in any Jamaican election," he added, reiterating that his West Portland constituents had already made it clear that "God had made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve".

Meantime, Vaz conceded that the election appears to be a close race, but said he was now "extremely confident" that the JLP would win between 34 and 38 seats, based on all the indicators and a conservative analysis of the constituencies that were regarded as battleground seats.

He said the public opinion polls were very confusing because they were giving contradictory results. However, they were showing that the undecided voters were in favour of the JLP, raising the strong possibility that the party could get more than 38 seats.

"Both parties have energised their base, resulting in a close contest. So it is the undecided who will decide the outcome of this election," said Vaz. "They are in favour of the JLP because they have faith in our new, young leader. He will get the votes of the young as well, based on the successes of the Government in stabilising the country and setting it on a path to growth."

Vaz said that a clear indication of the tight race was the fact that PNP campaign director, Dr Peter Phillips, was leading a motorcade on Christmas Eve through East Portland, long regarded as a safe PNP seat, and despite the fact that the party leader and former leader, PJ Patterson had been there the week before.

Gleaner Editorial - Vulgar 'Fire Bun' Rhetoric & Morality cannot be policed

 

EDITORIAL - Vulgar 'fire bun' rhetoric

Mr Clive Mullings will probably declare us to be unfamiliar with the stress of the hustings, especially in a tight election race. So, he might be forgiven for the slightly ridiculous figure he cut last Thursday, clutching Bible and preaching fire and brimstone on gays and those who would argue in favour of a review, or repeal, of the buggery law.

The energy minister remains an intelligent and capable man with much to offer in politics and government, should his side win this week's general election.

Nonetheless, much of what has transpired in recent days on Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) campaign platforms with regard to gay rights is not only sad, but dangerous. Some might add cynical and vulgar.

The worst of it has come from Mr Daryl Vaz, the efficiency minister, and Mr Desmond McKenzie, the mayor of Kingston, at the party's rally in Portland last Wednesday night.

To the backdrop of songs widely considered to be anti-gay, Mr McKenzie called "fire bun", in this context an epithet that is hurled at gays.

And Mr Vaz declared that people in his West Portland constituency didn't buy "number two inna Cash Pot", which references a popular lottery game, but whose metaphoric meaning is clear to anyone who potty-trained a child.

Portia's courageous declaration

The trigger for this new onslaught of anti-gay diatribe from the JLP was the courageous declaration by the president of the People's National Party (PNP), Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, that sexual orientation would not be a determinant in who was selected for membership of a Cabinet she led. She wouldn't ask.

She also pledged that should the PNP form the Government, she would allow a conscience vote, where MPs, after consultation with constituents, would not be subject to the parliamentary whip, on a vote regarding the fate of the buggery law.

That Prime Minister Andrew Holness waffled on the matter, preferring to dodge behind popular Jamaican sentiment, is one thing. The tone of his party's subsequent campaign is another.

It has gone beyond making a coherent philosophical or even religious fundamentalist argument against a gay lifestyle to a kind of mindless homophobia that belittles the quality of the discourse in which the parties had hitherto engaged. Indeed, the JLP runs the risk, if not direct incitement, of creating an environment in which misguided persons may feel it to be open season on gays.

While Mr Holness may not declare a willingness to have gays in his Cabinet, we are surprised that he would tolerate what has spewed from his party's platforms. It is, to say the least, not the image of tolerance, inclusiveness and intellectual rigour he has sought to fashion for himself.

and

Tackle homosexuality through moral suasion, says Rev Oliver Daley

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

At least one prominent member of the clergy has parted ways with what has emerged as the firm anti-gay position of many church leaders in the controversial debate raging on the issue of homosexuality in Jamaica.

Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Caribbean, Oliver Daley, insists that tackling this explosive issue through moral suasion should be the way forward, rather than seeking to legislate morality. "Moral suasion is preferred to a court of law," Daley declared in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner.

"I believe that we should not deny people the privilege to participate in the life of society based on race, gender or sexuality," Daley said as he weighed in on Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller's pronouncements in last week's National Political Debate that qualified and capable persons with homosexual propensities would not be turned away from a Cabinet that she heads.

Simpson Miller also strongly rejected the "not in my Cabinet" declaration of former Prime Minister Bruce Golding during a BBC interview.

"I believe that not everything in this world that is wrong is necessarily illegal," argued Daley. "Adultery is wrong, but it should not be made illegal as it would be difficult to prosecute ... . It is a matter to persuade people about their conduct. It just can't be policed," Daley contended.

Sunday Gleaner checks revealed that other church leaders agree with Daley, but are hesitant to speak.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been more cautious in response to the question of homosexuality having a place in his Cabinet. He said he would accede to the sentiment of the people.

Jamaica is regarded internationally as a strong homophobic society, but this claim is being challenged by some social workers and sociologists.

No need for different treatment

Daley stressed that he holds a strong moral position on the matter, but contended that homosexuals should not be treated any differently from other persons who breach moral norm.

"I have a strong moral position on the matter as I cannot find anything in scripture that supports the behaviour. We have a moral problem, it is how we manage the problems," Daley stressed.

He suggested that there are differing points of view within the church that are not being thoroughly explored by the media.

"I have found that sometimes in the media, we don't speak across the church, we don't get a wide perspective on the issue," he said. "On this matter, we have the same people expressing their views, but there are others of us with a different perspective."

Daley argued that society needs to come to the place where people are accepted as human beings even if their behaviour is abhorred.

"Although we don't accept their behaviour, I don't believe that decriminalising it is saying that it is good and right," contended Daley. "It is saying that society is managing this issue in a different way."

Daley alluded to Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron's veiled threat that his country would withhold some financial grants to countries that are intolerant of homosexuals.

"It has become a political issue all over the world. As such, reason tends to take the back seat over emotion," he argued. "It (the issue) needs to get to the place where we apply some reason to treat people who are in a minority in a way that is humane and responsible."

The church leader said he was well aware that people who hold similar views to his run the risk of others assuming that they harbour sympathy with wrongdoers. "In the end, it is the need to uphold the dignity of all human beings who are made in the image of God," he declared. "They are to be valued and treated with respect."

Daley said in debating whether the issue should stay on the law books, minors must be treated in the same way as other sex-related offences. "We need to ensure that in decriminalising, we do not expose minors to any form of abuse," he stressed. "The laws that apply to minors being abused by heterosexuals should apply. No exceptions should be made in relation to people abusing children sexually."

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com

also see the video of Mrs. Simpson Miller defending her position on the Review of the Buggery Law

go HERE

and

Portia's Opinion On Buggery Review Mature