Do you think the Buggery Law should be?

The Safe House Homeless LGBTQ Project 2009 a detailed look & more


In response to numerous requests for more information on the defunct Safe House Pilot Project that was to address the growing numbers of displaced and homeless LGBTQ youth in Kingston in 2007/8/9, a review of the relevance of the project as a solution, the possible avoidance of present issues with some of its previous residents if it were kept open.
Recorded June 12, 2013; also see from the former Executive Director named in the podcast more background on the project: HERE also see the beginning of the issues from the closure of the project: The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes and The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Parliamentary Submission (Flashback)

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Take a look at the text from the original submission to Parliament. Click the link:
Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals & Gays (JFLAG): Parliamentary Submission
also visit their site: http://www.jflag.org/
H

Beenieman Show Cancelled in Germany

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According to our contact in Germany, Dancehall DJ Beenieman was scheduled to perform in Germany at a German club named http://www.knusthamburg.de/ Knust, due to massive protests against the homophobic lyrics in Beenieman's older (or even current?) songs the concert has been canceled 3 hrs before the show.

The protest included the official organisation of fan clubs of the football-club FC St. Pauli, who represent approx. 200 fan clubs with ~3000 supporters,

Hamburg-town magazines who said, they would not promote any further events of the club if the concert takes place and the employees of the club who impended not to work on that evening + many neighbors of the club and many inhabitants of the district St. Pauli.

Read these "Tell Me Pastor" lettes and form your own opinion......

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Pray and pray but still gay

Dear Pastor,
I am a 41-year-old man living in the USA. My parents are Jam-aican. I am gay. I pray to God about taking the feelings of loving a man away from me but it is not working.

I am going to hell

I went to church and I told the pastor there what I was going through. Instead of him trying to help me by praying with me or giving me some advice, he told me that I am going to hell. As far as I can see, the first step is admitting the problem that one has and try to get help, but I got turned away. As far as I know, all sins are spelt S-I-N and the Lord says that he who is without sin should cast the first stone. I don't know, why me?

Killing myself

Why do I have to be going through this? To tell you the truth, I feel like killing myself, but I know that one cannot get forgiveness for killing one's self. Sometimes I feel like I am the worst person in the world.

I told my mom and she told me that God still loves me and all I have to do is pray and trust God, but, pastor, I do pray and pray and pray. It has been 20 years, now and I am still gay and I still have feelings for men. I know that I am grown, but I do not know where to turn for help anymore.

This is slowly killing me. I have known that I like guys from I was in high school at the age of 15. I had to keep it to myself for a long time. I know that you don't have an idea how hard it is to do something like that.

Why me, pastor? Why is it that I have to be gay? What can I do to stop these feelings. I don't have a boyfriend, but I look at them and lust at them. Please give me some advice.

R.W., New York, USA

Pastor's response

Dear R.W.,

I suggest that you take a different approach. Try to find a Christian psychologist and ask him to help you work out this problem. You have struggled with this problem for years but I still believe that God can deliver you.

Pastor

Man-and-man problems

Dear Pastor,
I'm with a man who is selfish and don't want me to do what I want to. I am in love with him although he is a man and I am a man. He has problems with me having my girlfriend and he doesn't want me to be with anyone except him. I'm confused
.

I want to reach out to him, but I am afraid because he is too arrogant and that's the reason why I am afraid to share things with him. He is crazy and I can't do anything about it. Pastor, I am wild and I want to be with him and my girlfriend.

Please, tell me what to do. We have been through a lot, but I think that things can turn around and work for us. Tell me what to do. Pastor, tell me what to do.

P.A., St James, Jamaica

Pastor's response

Dear P.A,

The Bible says that a man should not have sexual relations with another man. The Bible condemns that type of lifestyle. If you have never seen that in the Bible, you may read Romans chapter one.

You seem to be proud of having a man as your lover but, I repeat, the Bible teaches that it is wrong. I believe the Bible.

Pastor



Admin - of note are the responses

On The Police Commissioner

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I have no doubt that the Citizen's Charter launched yesterday under his watch will work as long as we the public carry out our end as responsible citizens in ensuring proper conduct and service by our law men and women.

I find Rear Admiral Lewin to be a no nonsense man who is intent on cleaning up the police force in as far as corruption and dereliction of duties are concerned. His corresponndences to JFLAG and that of his team recently during our deliberations and subsequent actions by lawmen has assured us shown a marked improvement in relations with LGBT persons in certain cases, however there is still room for improvement, especially at the community relations level but there is a start and that is commendable.

Let us all now begin to work together to develop an active civil movement with our public bodies, that of the police especially to deal with some of our problems of crime, discrimination and abuse.

Howie seh so

Peace.

Police launch Citizens' Charter

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Lewin urges public to hold cops to new standards
Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin speaking at yesterday's launch of the Citizens' Charter at the Police Officers Club on Hope Road in Kingston. Also pictured is Assistant Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant who is in charge of the constabulary's Professional Standards Branch.

"Policing is not a task for the police alone and we must make this partnership work," he said.

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Lecture on Gay and Lesbian Relationships

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Jamaica Hot on International Stage but remember the realities

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Commendable the performances of our athletes at the Olympics and they have certainly done us proud, make no mistake, it seems that some however, especially in media have become drunk with celebrating our victories and successes.

Lest we forget that we are still the murder capital of the world and we still haven't changed our stand against gays in Jamaica and ALL the other ills that exist in our reality. I guess when we float down from cloud 10 well will realise it was just a moment in history to be looked on later as one of our few positives these days. Not to be a neh sayer but we need to get real people. Suddenly the news casts just brush aside realities that do exists to cover the Olympics in full, absolutely amazing, I am not saying we must dwell on negatives but sheeesh news radio and TV have become overnight sports channels.

As for holidays for the athletes for celebration as being suggested in certain quarters, the drunkenness continues, we already have too many holidays in my book and valuable productive hours are lost because of our need to party all the time and laziness. I am quite certain we can have appropriate celebrations and ceremonies for our sportsmen and women without stopping our productive activities as we badly need the income nationally speaking.

Kudos to our athletes, make no mistake I am proud of them but what of the rest of us here?, well that's something for us to seriously think about, for someone like me involved in LGBT work and other human and social rights and interventions - I have to be real. People are dying, crime is rampant, gays are abused and hurt daily, our young are victimized, politicians jostle for power while exploiting the poor and not to mention the cost of living.

When is the dust gonna settle and we can get back to reality and realise that the Olympics end soon and its back to square one folks?

Howie seh so

Peace!!!

Conscience vote on death penalty in September

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The proposed Parliamentary resolution calling for a conscience vote on the retention of the death penalty will not make it into Gordon House before September. Prime Minister Bruce Golding who instructed the Attorney General's Department to pen the motion said he now has a draft of it in hand. However, Mr. Golding said he is proposing the matter be given some time to breathe in parliament before it is debated."I now have the draft resolution and it is a matter that I hope to have before Cabinet in the (next two weeks) and once we get the approval of Cabinet we're going to bring that to Parliament.
I'm going to suggest that the resolution sit on the table of the House until after the summer recess," he said.Prime Minister Golding said although he did not want to prejudice the impending conscience vote, he expects the judiciary to move accordingly once Parliamentarians vote.The Golding administration has insisted that it will resume hanging.The previous People's National Party administration had argued that its efforts to carry out the death penalty were frustrated by rulings issued by the London based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Jacqui has left this comment on our post Homosexuality 101

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Members of the so called "ex-gay" movement like NARTH (from which this article was taken),and EXODUS are thinly veiled religious organizations. (Though NARTH plays down its "religious" affiliations under the pretext of being a psychiatric organization it still demands that members regard the Bible as interpreted by the organization as the final authority).

It should be noted that the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association regard these "reparative therapies" (i.e. the attempt to convert individuals to heterosexuality ) as not being effective and in fact being potentially harmful to those they attempt to treat. The attempt to cure non- heterosexual orientation, in my opinion, has it's genesis in homophobia.

see label below for original link to the post
Thanks Jacqui

Dr. Robert Carr's HIV presentation emphasised success

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Dear Editor,

I am writing in reference to an article by Lloyd B Smith published on August 12. The article discussed a panel held during the International AIDS Society Conference, August 3 - 8 in Mexico City.
I was quite surprised by the reference to "nonsense spewed" by Dr Robert Carr at the conference, since I attended the session to which the editorial refers. In my observation, Dr Carr related the story of the police response to an incident in Half-Way-Tree when gay men were mobbed in quite the opposite way that Mr Smith represents: Dr Carr noted that the police response was extraordinary in its effort to protect the victims at the scene from abuse, and the police's efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. While Mr Smith contends that Dr Carr is over-critical, I found Carr's presentation stressed the reverse.
Indeed, in agreement with Mr Smith's position ("allow Jamaicans to adapt to changing perceptions of people's lifestyles and the fact that individuals of all kinds can coexist"), Dr Carr's presentation was one that clearly emphasised success - that is, that there is a growing tolerance in Jamaica from all sectors of society. In other words, Dr Carr's presentation stressed that strategic, thoughtful and inclusive action to address discrimination can yield results, as, he contends, is the case in Jamaica. It is a shame that Dr Carr's position has been so thoroughly misconstrued.

Dr Susana T Fried
Gender Adviser
HIV/AIDS GroupUnited Nations Development Programme
Bureau for Development Policy
susana.fried@undp.org

See Original Article Below Named "Gay Lobby Scam"

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Hypocrisy and homophobia

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Hypocrisy is an essential element in diplomacy.As Oscar Wilde or somebody once said, hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue. And, to continue the quotation game, diplomats are, according to Lord Palmerston, people sent abroad to lie for their country.

Condoleezza Rice is the US top diplomat, so one should normally expect her to titrate the truth. No one expects anything vaguely resembling the truth to issue from the lips of George Bush, even when he's making what seems to be sense.
But this week's performances have been landmarks in the history of hypocrisy, especially since huge expanses of the US press appear to have become accredited members of the US diplomatic apparatus.
The president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, is an American puppet installed after one of the trademark colour-coded 'revolutions' in Eastern Europe. Georgia's was the 'rose' revo, following the 'orange' revo in the Ukraine, both part of the supposedly invisible American campaign to encircle the Russians with hostile regimes, Lilliputian warriors primed to tie down the Russian Gulliver and render him harmless and ready to yield billions of barrels of petroleum to Mr Cheney's friends.
According to the US government and its official press, Russia, that big bad bully, has cruelly attacked and mauled poor little Georgia - a shining light of western style-democracy in the formerly limitless expanse of Soviet empire.

CONTINUE by clicking the image, post title or HERE

Homosexuality 101:What Every Therapist, Parent, And Homosexual Should Know

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Homosexuality is an issue that has often been mishandled by therapists due to misinformation on the topic. Although not supported by the research, many therapists believe that homosexuality is solely biological in nature, and therefore unchangeable. Yet despite ongoing efforts, researchers have not discovered a biological basis for same-sex attractions. In fact, many researchers hypothesize that a homosexual orientation stems from a combination of biological and environmental factors. For example, when asked if homosexuality was rooted solely in biology, gay gene researcher, Dean Hamer, replied, "Absolutely not. From twin studies, we already know that half or more of the variability in sexual orientation is not inherited. Our studies try to pinpoint the genetic factors...not negate the psychosocial factors" (Anastasia, 1995, p. 43). In addition, brain researcher Simon LeVay has acknowledged that multiple factors may contribute to a homosexual orientation (LeVay, 1996).

What, then, are the causes of homosexual attractions? These feelings typically stem from a combination of temperamental factors and environmental factors that occur in a child's life. According to Whitehead and Whitehead (1999), "Human behavior is determined by both nature and nurture. Without genes, you can't act in the environment at all. But without the environment your genes have nothing on which to act" (p. 10). One way of understanding this combination might be expressed in the following equation:

Genes + Brain Wiring + Prenatal Hormonal Environment = Temperament
Parents + Peers + Experiences = Environment
Temperament + Environment = Homosexual Orientation

While environmental factors may include experiences of sexual abuse or other traumatic events, a common contributor to same-sex attractions is a disruption in the development of gender identity. Gender identity refers to a person's view of his or her own gender; that is, his or her sense of masculinity or femininity. Gender identity is formed through the relationships that a child has with the same-sex parent and same-sex peers.

The process of gender identification begins approximately between age two and a half and four. For boys, it is during this phase that they begin to move from their primary attachment with the mother to seeking out a deeper attachment with the father. For males, the relationship between a boy and his father is the initial source of developing a secure gender identity. It is through the father-son relationship that a boy discovers what he needs to know about being male, including who he is as a boy, how boys walk, how they talk, how they act, and so forth. As the father spends time with the son, shows interest in the son, and gives the son affirmation and affection, the father imparts to the son a sense of masculinity. The boy begins to develop a sense of his own gender by understanding himself in relation to his father.


Continue HERE

Can Someone's Sexual Preference be Changed?

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Gene Silencing May Stop AIDS Virus

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Study Shows New Technique Has Potential as AIDS Therapy
By Daniel J. DeNoonWebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

A new gene silencing technique stops HIV cold in mouse studies and promises to become a potent new AIDS therapy with few side effects.
The technique uses short interfering RNA, also called silencing RNA or siRNA. These tiny snips of RNA are designed to stick to specific genes, which are then rendered inoperative or "silent."
Researchers have previously shown that siRNA aimed at HIV can shut down the AIDS virus in the test tube. It can also target the T cells HIV loves to infect, shutting the window through which HIV enters.
Now Priti Kumar, PhD, Premlata Shankar, MD, and colleagues have linked siRNA to an antibody that delivers them directly to T cells -- and to a molecule that transports them to the cell nucleus where it can attack HIV genes.
They used a siRNA cocktail: two siRNAs that inactivate different HIV genes and one siRNA that keeps T cells from expressing the CCR5 molecule to which HIV attaches.
"In mice pre-treated with the siRNA cocktail and then infected with HIV, we could not find any signs of virus for a long period of time," Kumar tells WebMD. "And when we treated mice whose immune systems had been reconstituted with T cells from an HIV infected individuals, they were totally able to block expansion of the virus."
Working in Shankar's Harvard lab (recently moved to the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center), the researchers used recently developed mouse models of HIV infection. In these models, immune-deficient mice have their immune systems reconstituted either with adult human T cells or with human stem cells that provide a continuing source of T cells.
"You get a mouse with the immune system of a human," Kumar says.
This mouse model is a big advance in the development of new AIDS treatments, says longtime AIDS researcher Margaret Fischl, MD, director and principal investigator of the AIDS clinical research unit at the University of Miami.
"The humanized mouse model is very interesting," Fischl says. "It would give me much more information on the effectiveness and toxicity of treatments and save time in human clinical trials."
Fischl has seen a lot of promising AIDS therapies come and go, but she finds the siRNA approach "intriguing" and would like to see it explored further.
One of the researchers doing this exploration is Ramesh K. Akkina, PhD, professor of microbiology, immunology, and pathology at Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
"The Shankar lab's finding is certainly an exciting development," Akkina tells WebMD. "This siRNA is a very interesting molecule that is actually programming cells to deal with the virus."
Akkina notes that the Shankar/Kumar team is using direct injections of siRNA constructs, an approach to gene therapy that would require repeat administrations. Another approach uses a genetically engineered virus that infects blood-forming stem cells and becomes a permanent part of their genome. When these stem cells become T cells, they produce siRNA and are immune to HIV infection.

"In the approach with the stem-cell gene-therapy approach, we are programming blood-forming stem cells with anti-HIV siRNA so that the stem cells are viable lifelong in the individual," Akkina says. "The virus-resisting cells are produced on a daily basis."
Sponsored by Benitec, the firm developing this approach, a phase I safety study of virus-delivered siRNA is under way at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, Calif.
Kumar says her team's approach would avoid the pitfall of having a foreign virus integrate into the human genome.
Both approaches hold promise for reaching the so-called "resting" T-cells in which HIV is able to hide from current AIDS therapies. Reaching these HIV reservoirs is the key to eliminating HIV from the body.
"These approaches could be used to purge the latently infected cells," Akkina says.
Kumar agrees.
"The advantage of siRNA is that you can deliver it into resting T cells," she says. "So if these siRNA are present when the cell becomes activated and starts to produce HIV, you have siRNA there ready to combat it."
Kumar and colleagues report their findings in the Aug. 22 issue of the journal Cell. Kumar, an instructor at Harvard Medical School while working in the Shankar lab, is now an assistant professor at Yale University.
Related Posts with Thumbnails

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Podcasts You may have missed or want to re-listen




A look at the fear of the feminine (Effemophobia) by Jamaican standards & how it drives the homo-negative perceptions/homophobia in Jamaican culture/national psyche.



and



After catching midway a radio discussion on the subject of Jamaica being labelled as homophobic I did a quick look at the long held belief in Jamaica by anti gay advocates, sections of media and homophobes that several murders of alleged gay victims are in fact 'crimes of passion' or have jealousy as their motives but it is not as simple or generalized as that.

Listen without prejudice to this and other podcasts on one of my Soundcloud channels

More uploads




Aphrodite’s PRIDE JA tackles gender identity, transgender misconceptions .....



Nationwide New Network, NNN devoted some forty five minutes of prime time yesterday evening to discuss the issue and help listeners to at least begin to process some of the information coming from the most public declaration exercise as done by Jenner. Guests on the show were Dr Karen Carpenter Board Certified Clinical Sexologist and Psychologist, ‘Satiba’ from Aphrodite’s P.R.I.D.E Jamaica of which I am affiliated and Lecturer (Sociologist) and host of Every Woman on the station Georgette Crawford Williams (sister of PNP member of parliament Damian Crawford); one of the first questions thrown at Satiba by host Cliff Hughes was why has Jenna waited so long at 65 years old to make such a life changing decision?

Satiba responded that many transwomen have to hide their true identity in life .... given her life when she was younger she was a star athlete she would have been under tremendous precious to stay in from the expectations by the public and her team etc, also owing to the fact that she had a family as a man with children one may not want to upset the flow at that time until the kids are old enough. There is a lot of burden of guilt that some persons carry in weighing the decisions of coming out or transitioning so suppression of one’s true self is the modus operandi.

Dr Carpenter cautioned after a heated exchange:

“We really must remember as professionals we must stay in our lane I will never pronounce as a Sociologist cause I am not a Sociologist ............When we have an opportunity to speak publicly we must be careful of what we say unless it is extremely well informed......”


Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica, APJ launched their website


Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica, APJ launched their website on December 1 2015 on World AIDS Day where they hosted a docu-film and after discussions on the film Human Vol 1






audience members interacting during a break in the event


film in progress

visit the new APJ website HERE

See posts on APJ's work: HERE (newer entries will appear first so scroll to see older ones)

Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Homophobia - What are we afraid of?


Former host of Dr Sexy Live on Nationwide radio and Sexologist tackles in a simplistic but to the point style homophobia and asks the poignant question of the age, What really are we as a nation afraid of?


It seems like homosexuality is on everyone's tongue. From articles in the newspapers to countless news stories and commentaries, it seems like everyone is talking about the gays. Since Jamaica identifies as a Christian nation, the obvious thought about homosexuality is that it is wrong but only male homosexuality seems to influence the more passionate responses. It seems we are more open to accepting lesbianism but gay men are greeted with much disapproval.

Dancehall has certainly been very clear where it stands when it comes to this issue with various songs voicing clear condemnation of this lifestyle. Currently, quite a few artistes are facing continuous protests because of their anti-gay lyrics. Even the law makers are involved in the gayness as there have been several calls for the repeal of the buggery law. Recently Parliament announced plans to review the Sexual Offences Act which, I am sure, will no doubt address homosexuality.

Jamaica has been described as a homophobic nation. The question I want to ask is: What are we afraid of? There are usually many reasons why homosexuality is such a pain in the a@. Here are some of the more popular arguments MORE HERE

also see:
Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation


Sexuality - What is yours?

Promised conscience vote was a fluke from the PNP ........



SO WE WERE DUPED EH? - the suggestion of a conscience vote on the buggery law as espoused by Prime Minister (then opposition leader) in the 2011 leadership debate preceding the last national elections was a dangling carrot for a dumb donkey to follow.

Many advocates and individuals interpreted Mrs Simpson Miller's pronouncements as a promise or a commitment to repeal or at least look at the archaic buggery law but I and a few others who spoke openly dismissed it all from day one as nothing more than hot air especially soon after in February member of parliament Damian Crawford poured cold water on the suggestion/promise and said it was not a priority as that time. and who seems to always open his mouth these days and revealing his thoughts that sometimes go against the administration's path.

I knew from then that as existed before even under the previous PM P. J. Patterson (often thought to be gay by the public) also danced around the issue as this could mean votes and loss of political power. Mrs Simpson Miller in the meantime was awarded a political consultants' democracy medal as their conference concludes in Antigua.


War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?



War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?

A war of words has ensued between gay lawyer (AIDSFREEWORLD) Maurice Tomlinson and anti gay activist Dr Wayne West (supposed in-laws of sorts) as both accuse each other of lying or being dishonest, when deception has been neatly employed every now and again by all concerned, here is the post from Dr West's blog

This is laughable to me in a sense as both gentleman have broken the ethical lines of advocacy respectively repeatedly especially on HIV/AIDS and on legal matters concerning LGBTQ issues

The evidence is overwhelming readers/listeners, you decide.


Fast forward 2015 and the exchanges continue in a post from Dr Wayne West: Maurice Tomlinson misrepresents my position on his face book page and Blog 76Crimes

Tomlinson's post originally was:






Urgent Need to discuss sex & sexuality II






Following a cowardly decision by the Minister(try) of Education to withdraw an all important Health Family Life, HFLE Manual on sex and sexuality

I examine the possible reasons why we have the homo-negative challenges on the backdrop of a missing multi-generational understanding of sexuality and the focus on sexual reproductive activity in the curriculum.

also see:

and





Calls for Tourism Boycotts are Nonsensical at This Time





(2014 protests New York)

Calling for boycotts by overseas based Jamaican advocates who for the most part are not in touch with our present realities in a real way and do not understand the implications of such calls can only seek to make matters worse than assisting in the struggle, we must learn from, the present economic climate of austerity & tense calm makes it even more sensible that persons be cautious, will these groups assist when there is fallout?, previous experiences from such calls made in 2008 and 2009 and the near diplomatic nightmare that missed us; especially owing to the fact that many of the victims used in the public advocacy of violence were not actual homophobic cases which just makes the ethics of advocacy far less credible than it ought to be.

See more explained HERE from a previous post following the Queen Ifrica matter and how it was mishandled

Newstalk 93FM's Issues On Fire: Polygamy Should Be Legalized In Jamaica 08.04.14



debate by hosts and UWI students on the weekly program Issues on Fire on legalizing polygamy with Jamaica's multiple partner cultural norms this debate is timely.

Also with recent public discourse on polyamorous relationships, threesomes (FAME FM Uncensored) and on social.

Some Popular Posts

Are you ready to fight for gay rights and freedoms?? (multiple answers are allowed)

Did U Find This Blog Informative???

Blog Roll

What do you think is the most important area of HIV treatment research today?

Do you think Lesbians could use their tolerance advantage to help push for gay rights in Jamaica??

Violence & venom force gay Jamaicans to hide



a 2009 Word focus report where the history of the major explosion of homeless MSM occurred and references to the party DVD that was leaked to the bootleg market which exposed many unsuspecting patrons to the public (3:59), also the caustic remarks made by former member of Parliament in the then JLP administration.

The agencies at the time were also highlighted and the homo negative and homophobic violence met by ordinary Jamaican same gender loving men.

The late founder of the CVC, former ED of JASL and JFLAG Dr. Robert Carr was also interviewed.

At 4:42 that MSM was still homeless to 2012 but has managed to eek out a living but being ever so cautious as his face is recognizable from the exposed party DVD, he has been slowly making his way to recovery despite the very slow pace.

Thanks for your Donations

Hello readers,

Thank you for your donations via Paypal in helping to keep this blog going, my limited frontline community work, temporary shelter assistance at my home and related costs. Please continue to support me and my allies in this venture that has now become a full time activity. When I first started blogging in late 2007 it was just as a pass time to highlight GLBTQ issues in Jamaica under then JFLAG's blogspot page but now clearly there is a need for more forumatic activity which I want to continue to play my part while raising more real life issues pertinent to us.

Donations presently are accepted via Paypal where buttons are placed at points on this blog(immediately below, GLBTQJA (Blogspot), GLBTQJA (Wordpress) and the Gay Jamaica Watch's blog as well. If you wish to send donations otherwise please contact: glbtqjamaica@live.com or lgbtevent@gmail.com



Activities & Plans: ongoing and future
  • Work with other Non Governmental organizations old and new towards similar focus and objectives

  • To find common ground on issues affecting GLBTQ and straight friendly persons in Jamaica towards tolerance and harmony

  • Exposing homophobic activities and suggesting corrective solutions

  • Continuing discussion on issues affecting GLBTQ people in Jamaica and elsewhere

  • Welcoming, examining and implementing suggestions and ideas from you the viewing public

  • Present issues on HIV/AIDS related matters in a timely and accurate manner

  • Assist where possible victims of homophobic violence and abuse financially, temporary shelter(my home) and otherwise

  • Track human rights issues in general with a view to support for ALL
Thanks again for your support.

Tel: 1-876-841-2923




Peace

Information & Disclaimer


Individuals who are mentioned or whose photographs appear on this site are not necessarily Homosexual, HIV positive or have AIDS.

This blog contains pictures that may be disturbing. We have taken the liberty to present these images as evidence of the numerous accounts of homophobic violence meted out to alleged gays in Jamaica.

Faces and names withheld for the victims' protection.

This blog not only watches and covers LGBTQ issues in Jamaica and elsewhere but also general human rights and current affairs where applicable.

This blog contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please view labels, post list or exit.

Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics.

This blog is not designed to provide medical care, if you are ill, please seek medical advice from a licensed practitioner

Thanks so much for your kind donations and thoughts.

As for some posts, they contain enclosure links to articles, blogs and or sites for your perusal, use the snapshot feature to preview by pointing the cursor at the item(s) of interest. Such item(s) have a small white dialogue box icon appearing to their top right hand side.

Recent Homophobic Cases

CLICK HERE for related posts/labels and HERE from the gayjamaicawatch's BLOG containing information I am aware of. If you know of any such reports or incidents please contact lgbtevent@gmail.com or call 1-876-841-2923

Peace to you and be safe out there.

Love.


What to do if you are attacked (News You Can Use)


First, be calm: Do not panic; it may be very difficult to maintain composure if attacked but this is important.

Try to reason with the attacker: Establish communication with the person. This takes a lot of courage. However, a conversation may change the intention of an attacker.

Do not try anything foolish: If you know outmaneuvering the attacker is impossible, do not try it.

Do not appear to be afraid: Look the attacker in the eye and demonstrate that you are not fearful.

This may have a psychological effect on the individual.

Emergency numbers

The police 119

Kingfish 811

Crime Stop 311

Steps to Take When Contronted or Arrested by Police


a) Ask to see a lawyer or Duty Council

b) Only give name and address and no other information until a lawyer is present to assist

c) Try to be polite even if the scenario is tensed) Don’t do anything to aggravate the situation

e) Every complaint lodged at a police station should be filed and a receipt produced, this is not a legal requirement but an administrative one for the police to track reports

f) Never sign to a statement other than the one produced by you in the presence of the officer(s)

g) Try to capture a recording of the exchange or incident or call someone so they can hear what occurs, place on speed dial important numbers or text someone as soon as possible

h) File a civil suit if you feel your rights have been violated. When making a statement to the police have all or most of the facts and details together for e.g. "a car" vs. "the car" represents two different descriptions

j) Avoid having the police writing the statement on your behalf except incases of injuries, make sure what you want to say is recorded carefully, ask for a copy if it means that you have to return for it

What to do


a. Make a phone call: to a lawyer or relative or anyone

b. Ask to see a lawyer immediately: if you don’t have the money ask for a Duty Council

c. A Duty Council is a lawyer provided by the state

d. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police

e. Tell your lawyer if anyone hits you and identify who did so by name and number

f. Give no explanations excuses or stories: you can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decided

g. Ask the sub officer in charge of the station to grant bail once you are charged with an offence

h. Ask to be taken before a justice of The Peace immediately if the sub officer refuses you bail

i. Demand to be brought before a Resident Magistrate and have your lawyer ask the judge for bail

j. Ask that any property taken from you be listed and sealed in your presence

Cases of Assault:An assault is an apprehension that someone is about to hit you

The following may apply:

1) Call 119 or go to the station or the police arrives depending on the severity of the injuries

2) The report must be about the incident as it happened, once the report is admitted as evidence it becomes the basis for the trial

3) Critical evidence must be gathered as to the injuries received which may include a Doctor’s report of the injuries.

4) The description must be clearly stated; describing injuries directly and identifying them clearly, show the doctor the injuries clearly upon the visit it must be able to stand up under cross examination in court.

5) Misguided evidence threatens the credibility of the witness during a trial; avoid the questioning of the witnesses credibility, the tribunal of fact must be able to rely on the witness’s word in presenting evidence

6) The court is guided by credible evidence on which it will make it’s finding of facts

7) Bolster the credibility of a case by a report from an independent disinterested party.

Sexual Health / STDs News From Medical News Today

VACANT AT LAST! SHOEMAKERGULLY: DISPLACED MSM/TRANS PERSONS WERE IS CLEARED DECEMBER 2014





CVM TV carried a raid and subsequent temporary blockade exercise of the Shoemaker Gully in the New Kingston district as the authorities respond to the bad eggs in the group of homeless/displaced or idling MSM/Trans persons who loiter there for years.

Question is what will happen to the population now as they struggle for a roof over their heads and food etc. The Superintendent who proposed a shelter idea (that seemingly has been ignored by JFLAG et al) was the one who led the raid/eviction.

Also see:
the CVM NEWS Story HERE on the eviction/raid taken by the police

also see a flashback to some of the troubling issues with the populations and the descending relationships between JASL, JFLAG and the displaced/homeless GBT youth in New Kingston: Rowdy Gays Strike - J-FLAG Abandons Raucous Homosexuals Misbehaving In New Kingston

also see all the posts in chronological order by date from Gay Jamaica Watch HERE and GLBTQ Jamaica HERE

GLBTQJA (Blogger): HERE

see previous entries on LGBT Homelessness from the Wordpress Blog HERE

May 22, 2015 update, see: MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston



THE BEST OF & Recommended Audioposts/Podcasts


THE BEST OF & Recommended Audioposts/Podcasts 




The Prime Minister (Golding) on Same Sex Marriages and the Charter of Rights Debate (2009)


Other sides to the msm homeless saga (2012)


Rowdy Gays Matter 21.08.11 more HERE



Ethical Professionlism & LGBT Advocates 01.02.12 more HERE


Portia Simpson Miller - SIMPSON MILLER DEFENDS GAY COMMENT 23.12.11


2 SGL Women lost, corrective rape and virtual silence from the male dominated advocacy structure


Al Miller on UK Aid & The Abnormality of Homosexuality 19.11.11


Homosexuality is Not Illegal in Jamaica .... Buggery is despite the persons gender 12.11.11 MORE HERE 


MSM Homelessness 2011 ...my two cents


Black Friday for Gays in Jamaica More HERE


Bi-phobia by default from supposed LGBT advocate structures?


Homeless MSMs Saga Timeline 28.08.11 (HOT!!!) see more HERE


A Response to Al Miller's Abnormality of Homosexuality statement 19.11.11


UK/commonwealth Aid Matter & The New Developments, no aid cuts but redirecting, ethical problems on our part - 22.11.11


Homophobic Killings versus Non Homophobic Killings 12.07.12


Big Lies, Crisis Archiving & More MSM Homlessness Issues 12.07.12


More MSM Challenges July 2012 more sounds HERE


GLBTQ Jamaica 2011 Summary 02.01.12 more HERE


Homosexuality Destroying the Family? .............. I Think Not!


Lesbian issues left out of the Jamaican advocacy thrust until now?


Club Heavens The Rebirth 12.02.12 and more HERE


Should gov't provide shelter for homeless msm?


National attitudes to gays survey shows 78% of J'cans say NO to buggery repeal


1st Anniversary of Homeless MSM civil disobedience (Aug 23/4) 2012 more HERE


JFLAG's rejection of rowdy homeless msms & the Sept 21st standoff .........


Atheism & Secularism may cloud the struggle for lgbt rights in Jamaica more HERE


Urgent Need to discuss sex & sexuality II and more HERE


MSM Community Displacement Concerns October 2012


The UTECH abuse & related issues


Beenieman's hypocrisy & his fake apology in his own words and more HERE


Guarded about JFLAG's Homeless shelter


Homophobia & homelessness matters for November 2012 ................


Cabinet delays buggery review, says it's not a priority & more ...........................(November 2012) prior to the announcement of the review in parliament in June 2013 More sounds HERE


"Dutty Mind" used in Patois Bible to describe homosexuals


Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress for promised shelter 2012 More HERE


George Davis Live - Dr Wayne West & Carole Narcisse on JCHS' illogical fear


Homeless MSM Issues in New Kgn Jan 2013 .......


Homeless MSM challenges in Jamaica February 2013 more HERE


JFLAG Excludes Homeless MSM from IDAHOT Symposium on Homelessness 2013


Poor leadership & dithering are reasons for JFLAG & Jamaica AIDS Support’s temporary homelessness May 2013 more HERE


Response To Flagging a Dead Horse Free Speech & Gay Rights 10.06.13