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

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I-Wayne's "Burn Out Sodom" hits at gay adoption, homosexuality & accuses msms of paedophilia

0 comments
So I-Wayne's latest effort "Life Teachings" has been released and was supposedly advertised in a major newspaper recently with the song "Burn Out Sodom" being pushed as the lead song when there are other previous hits on the CD such as the former number one smash "One Man Can't Satisfy Her" a song about a prostitute who wanted to change her circumstances. Sodom of course with reference to Sodom and Gomorrah. The tracklist reads as follows:

1 I-Wayne Real and Clean
2 I-Wayne Burn down Sodom (5:30)
3 I-Wayne Empress Divine
4 I-Wayne Life Service
5 I-Wayne Life Teachings
6 I-Wayne Herb fi Legalize
7 I-Wayne Wise and Fearless
8 I-Wayne Drugs and Rum Vibes
9 I-Wayne I Care for You
10 I-Wayne Do the Good
11 I-Wayne Pure as the Nile
12 I-Wayne Leave if You Want to Leave
13 I-Wayne Change Them Ways
14 I-Wayne Can't Satisfy Her


With track number fourteen the main hit on the island and other songs like "Life Seeds" a song about empowerment Rastafarian artists usually have great songs as debuts that is until the Sodom bit comes into the mix then the claws come out or in this case the fireball(s).
Excerpts from the lyrics are clear what this song is about of course when one sees the words "Burn" and "Sodom" or "Fire" in the same sentence be they in song, written or the spoken word then look out there is bound to be trouble for same gender loving people. Lyrics in Pink/Translation in regular font colour.

  • Dem a drop dem fadda back, people good good pickney dem adopt
They are erasing their bloodline, not having own children but instead adopting other children (hinting at homosexualiisng children) 

  • Baybylon you wrong you wrong you can't live long then
Babylon you're wrong you cant live long then (suggesting finality for gays)

  • Wicked promote the freaky girls and nasty man dem
The wicked are promoting freaky girls (lesbians) and nasty men (gays)

  • But righteous youths risen and hang them
But righteous youths rise up and hang them (risen is used instead of the present tense "rise in the rasta lexicon)

  • Burn out Sodom, I nuh cater wid dem wicked and dem nasty behaviour
Burn out Sodom I don't cater with their wicked and nasty behaviour 

  • No slackness I nuh inna, forward I-press Itrina pon life scene yah
No slackness/lewdness I am not into, come in empress (rastafarian name for a woman or wife) Itrina on this life scene here 

  • Burn down Sodom we a keep dem straight yah bugger dem caan escape yah
Burn down Sodom we're keeping it straight yes the buggers can't escape yeah

  • Life aint no play ting starr, little kids the bugger dem raping starrr
Life is not play thing man the little kids the buggers are raping man (starrr - colloquial for man or good friend) 

  • Burn out the fag ting starr ... the empress need life seeds straight in har 
Burn out the faggot/fag thing man .. the lady/girls needs life seeds(sperm or hard sex) straight in her

  • Dem a gwaan like dem str8 down inna de pit dem sick, all type a ting dem a kiss 
They are acting straight but in the pit (anal sex) they're in, they're sick, all types of things they kiss

  • Nastiness, pagan practice dem haffi get bun out caw the lightening quick 
Nastiness Pagan practice they have to get burned as the lightening is quick (lightening suggests heavenly retribution in a literal sense for some as God's punishment towards certain sins including buggery) 

  • From you fight against nature you have to get bun tru 
When you fight against nature you have to get burned (suffer the consequences which may include violence)

  • Burn dem filthy web and dutty net down too, fire, tyre, kerosene oil or gas oil 
Burn their filthy web and internet  down too, fire, tyre, kerosene or gas oil too (suggesting literally ways of punishment by burning) 

Those were excerpts from the song clearly hinting at literal actions towards homosexuals, even if the defence comes that the suggestions of the actions aren't literal someone else in earshot of this may interpret otherwise.

See what you make of it

Peace and tolerance

H   


Monday, October 17, 2011

Bisexual and pansexual identities often look the same

0 comments

Bisexual and pansexual identities often look the same:
  • Both bisexual and pansexual people might feel desire towards any amount of genders. People who feel desire towards people of more than one, more than two, many, multiple or all genders can identify as bisexual or as pansexual (or really anything else): The word people use to name their sexual identity does not predict or convey the number of genders they might desire.
  • Both bisexual and pansexual people might be cisgender, transgender* or genderqueer*: Whether people identify as bi or pan does not predict or convey their gender identity.

  • Both bisexual and pansexual people can support transgender* and genderqueer* liberation/rights: Whether people identify as bi or pan does not predict or convey their levels of such support or their levels of transphobia/cissexism.
  • Both bisexual and pansexual people can support bisexual* liberation/rights: Whether people identify as bi or pan does not predict or convey their levels of such support or their levels of biphobia (and yes, people who identify as bi can be biphobic, too).
Bisexual identity and pansexual identity are not the same:
  • Bisexuality comes from a type of political thought based on sexual identity, pansexuality comes from a type of political thought based on gender identity: Talk to a bi person about bisexuality, they’ll often talk about sexuality and desire, and focus on biphobia; talk to a pan person about pansexuality, they’ll often talk about transgender and genderqueer identities, and focus on transphobia.
  • The definition of pansexuality is often dependent on the definition of bisexuality (and, dare I say, the rejection thereof): If bisexuality is defined as desire towards people of more than one gender, pansexuality can be defined as desire towards people of more than two genders; if bisexuality is defined as desire towards people of many genders, pansexuality can be defined as desire towards people of all genders; if bisexuality is defined as desire towards people of genders similar + different than our own, pansexuality can be defined as desire regardless of gender. But: both bisexuality and pansexuality can - and have - been defined as any of these things.
And herein lies the problem: many pansexuals feel the need to define bisexuality as attraction to no more than two genders (a definition which most outspoken bisexuals here on tumblr vehemently dispute) in order to constitute the difference as related to desire rather than as related to politics. This is where all the erasure and biphobia comes into play and where it gets fucked up, violent, silencing and oppressive.
Another problem here is that this kind of dependency on meaning and comparison erases pansexuality as an identity in its own right. I’d like to believe that pansexuality can stand quite well on its own [excuse my ableist language, I couldn’t find an alternative phrase] without being dependent on bisexuality like that.
My advice to everyone on this issue is to stop this focus on the desire-related differences between bisexuality and pansexuality: none can be defined in any way that can be agreed by everyone. Concurrently, I would also advise people to stop defining other people’s identities for them: they can do it perfectly well themselves. Since the pansexual side of the debate is usually the one doing these things, I urge pansexual people to consider the power relations here (obviously working against bisexuals), to take responsibility for themselves on the personal level, and to call each other out and encourage accountability on the community level.
To the bisexual side I would say… try not to assume that all pansexuals are necessarily biphobic or against us. Memes such as “police all the bisexuals” (accompanied with a pansexual flag) convey a lot of justified pain and anger, but they’re still in bad taste as they assume exactly that. Yes, many of them are, and yes we have grown used to expecting a lot of bullshit coming from that direction… but then again, many are not, and we might find even more allies within them yet.
Really, my dream in that regard is to have an awesome shiny bi/pan movement to make an awesome shiny bi/pan revolution with.
Solidarity for all.
Pan-sexual refers to the potential for sexual attractions towards people of all gender identities and and biological sexes.Some self-identified pansexuals refer to themselves as gender blind—that gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in determining whether they will be sexually attracted to others. The Oxford dictionary writes that pansexuality “encompasses all kinds of sexuality; not limited or inhibited in sexual choice with regards to gender or activity. Pansexuality can also mean the attraction to a person’s personality, rather than their physical appearance or gender.

People of pan sexuality are people attracted to people without considering their gender. The word pansexual comes from the Greek word ‘pan-’, meaning “all”. Pansexual people are part of the LGBT community.

Pansexuality is different from Bisexuality. Bisexual people are attracted to both men and women, but pansexual people are attracted to any people. This includes people who are neither male nor female. Pansexuality is the opposite to asexuality as pansexuality means a person may be sexually attracted to anyone, but asexuality means a person is sexually attracted to no one.


The term pansexual can take on a variety of different meanings depending on which social group the term is being used in, but it is generally defined as someone who is attracted to other people regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. The word pansexual is used as an inclusive term as opposed to bisexual, as bisexuality only refers to people liking both men and women, and does not including a wider variety of gender neutral or gender fluid terminology.

Pansexual can also refer to an organization, event or group. In this situation, the pansexual is defined as meaning open or welcome to all genders and not referencing one’s sexual orientation or gender.

Occasionally, pansexuality is defined as a person who displays their sexuality in many different ways, or as someone who is open to a variety of sexual activities, although both of these definitions have become rare.Pansexuality is an attraction on a more spiritual level, one might say, and focuses on who the target of affection is, rather than“what,” as do other sexualities.

God and Christ Loves Transgender People!

0 comments
Adapted from Kelly Busey with additional musings


In biblical times there were men who would exclude Transgender people (Eunuchs). This belief still exists among some men now. I just received a tweet from one of such men.





Enter the prophet of Isaiah 56. Speaking for God, he announced: "Do not let the foreigner joined to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely separate me from his people’; and do not let the eunuch say, ‘I am just a dry tree.’ For thus says the LORD: To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths . . . 



I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. And the foreigners who. . . hold fast my covenant -- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. . .for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (56:1-7). 


An interesting piece on that verse can be found here which contrasts the "Conservative" understanding. In the book of Deuteronomy, "No one whose testicles are crushed or whose penis is cut off shall be admitted to the assembly of the Lord" (23:1). A similar passage in Leviticus declares that "no one who has a blemish shall draw near" the sanctuary, including one with "crushed testicles" (21:18-20).




"Now at the end of the days that the king had said he shouldbring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm"
Daniel 1:18-19





What is clear is the there are a number of men who presumed to speak on god and Christianity's behalf. Some were exclusionary going as far as to exclude a person with a blemish but in my opinion the vast majority of Christians welcome all "Blemishes" or not and most understand our diversity as gods blessing.

Jesus teaches welcomes and acknowledges the difficulties cisgender people would have in understanding transgender people. In Mathew 19:11 and 12 He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given 12: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it." 

I believe that passage was a post it note from Christ just before he began his accession and not as many have come to believe it was his clarification on marriage. There is no reference to marriage contained within it, only a effort to help his more Conservative followers understand transgender people.


After Christ was crucified true to his promise God made his will be known through the holy spirit by saving a transgender man after he had been rejected by the Conservative Christians after trying to be baptised in Jerusalem. Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch God commands a Philip a successful pastor to travel down the road leading to Gaza. This road was a desert road rift with criminals, without a doubt a road less traveled.



Transgender women and the Bible


One may ask what made three males change their sex to females? The world system declares there are five genders: heterosexual men, heterosexual women, homosexual men, homosexual women, and transsexuals or transgender (those who undergo sex change operations). Not only do the opinions and philosophies of the world system influence individuals to undergo sex-change operations, it also reinforces the vain imaginations of a individual to desire to have a sex change. A perverse spirit deceives them into receiving the satanic lie that they are really a woman inside of a man’s body or man trapped inside a woman’s body.

How would one deal with transgender people and the Word of God from a biblical Judeo-Christian view? We just can’t stop at Romans 1:27 or Leviticus 18:22. However, Deuteronomy 23:1 says, ” He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord.” The Word of God takes a stance against the sons of the children of Israel to not engage in in practice of Baal and Asherah. They were not to perform worship that involved males crushing their testicles between two rocks and castrating themselves to transform into female priestesses of Asherah called Qedshtu. These transsexuals would engage in anal sex (sodomy) with other male worshipers, or ritualistic sex acts with artificial phalli. These castrated men lived, dressed, and acted like they were female.

The ancient pagan nations across the world reflect transsexual women. This can be seen in ancient Babylonian kurgarru where individuals called the muxe of the Yucantan of Mexico, the hijra (even currently) in South Asia. The ancient gallae of Greek and Roman society were priestesses of the goddess Cybele. These “priestesses” were males who castrated themselves with a knife, sword, or a sharp object. They also wore women’s clothing, danced in a femmine manner, wore their hair like a female, spoke like a female, perfumed themselves, and behaved in ways of women of that time [source].

Sunday, October 16, 2011

LGBT History Month: Safa's Killer found guilty

0 comments

One of the few cases that had a very speedy verdict maybe due to his star status as a television psychic but not he saw that coming it seems in June 2006.


Gleaner


A HOME Circuit Court jury deliberated for four hours on June 25 before convicting 26-year-old Christopher Dixon, upholsterer, of Seaview Gardens, Kingston 11 of the murder of 29-year-old psychic, Safa Asuntuwa.
The jury's long deliberation resulted in the members being recalled by Mr. Justice McIntosh after three and a half hours to ascertain how they could have taken so long in a case in which the issues were very "clear and straightforward".


Dixon will be sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment for non-capital murder. The judge, in sentencing Dixon will recommend how many years he should serve before he can be eligible for parole.
The jurors, after deliberating for three and a half hours, were summoned by Justice McIntosh who asked them if they had arrived at a unanimous verdict.


On being told "No" by the foreman the judge said "If we can't get you 12 people who listen to the same evidence which in my view does not need a rocket scientist to understand, then we are really wasting time with a jury system because clearly it must mean that you don't understand yourself or the evidence."


Commenting further the judge said, "I have been at pains to explain to you in very simple language what your functions are and how to go about them. I don't know what you are having a difficulty with because you have a duty and that is a sworn duty which you have to return a verdict according to the evidence.
After telling the jurors that if they did not believe the witnesses for the prosecution or had doubt on the prosecutions case, they should acquit Dixon, the judge also told them that it was their time and they could take all day if they wanted.


"I am paid to be here, but certainly we can't have a jury system where we have a simple issue and you can't make up your mind," the judge added.
After being sent out by the judge to take as long as they wanted, the jury deliberated for another 25 minutes and returned with a unanimous verdict of guilty of non-capital murder.


Lorraine Smith, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Diahann Gordon, Crown Counsel, led evidence at the trial which began last week Monday that Asuntuwa was beaten to death between June 24 and 25 last year. His body was found in a gully off the Cavaliers main road, St. Andrew, about 10.30 a.m. on June 25 last year.
It was alleged at the trial that that Dixon and another man were the last to have seen Asuntuwa alive.
Michael Thompson, a cousin of the deceased, testified last week that about 5.15 p.m. on June 24 last year he saw Dixon and another man at Asuntuwa's house, Mount Joy, St. Andrew. He said he went out and, when he returned about 11.30 p.m. that same day, he saw the deceased's black Honda Civic motor car being driven by Dixon's friend with Dixon in the front passenger seat.


Detective Inspector Altemorth Campbell testified that he received a report and on June 25 last year he went with other policemen to Stony Hill Road, St. Andrew, near to Asuntuwa's house at Mount Joy, where they saw his motor car. The car was later taken to the Constant Spring Police Station. Mr. Campbell said the police next went to Seaview Gardens on June 25 where he saw Dixon who was taken into custody. He said Dixon admitted that he and his brethren had beaten and stabbed Asuntuwa.


also see the Observer's take on it

Guilty verdict in Safa murder trial



here is where the trial began 

Safa murder case kicks off 
published: Friday | June 20, 2003 Gleaner 

THE TRIAL of 25-year-old Christopher Dixon, upholsterer, of Seaview Gardens, Kingston 11, who is charged with the murder of 28-year-old self-proclaimed psychic, Safa Asuntuwa, continues in the Home Circuit Court on Wednesday.
Asuntuwa's body was found with several stab wounds in a gully along the Cavaliers main road, in rural St. Andrew, at about 10.30 a.m. on June 25, last year.
Lorraine Smith, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Diahann Gordon, Crown Counsel, are leading evidence that Asuntuwa was severely beaten and then stabbed several times.
The Crown is alleging that Asuntuwa was murdered sometime between June 24 and 25 and his body dumped in a gully along the Cavaliers main road, in rural St. Andrew. It is further alleged that Dixon and another man were the last to have seen Asuntuwa alive.


Michael Thompson testified on Monday and Wednesday, before Mr. Justice McIntosh and the 12-member jury, that on June 24 last year he saw Dixon and another man at Safa's house, Mount Joy, St. Andrew. He said he went out and, when he returned about 11.30 p.m. that same day, he saw Asuntuwa's black Honda Civic motor car being driven in the direction of Asuntuwa's house. He said the car went into the driveway, spun around and came towards him at a great speed. He said he had to jump on the bonnet of the car to avoid being hit.


POLICE INVOLVEMENT
Thompson said he jumped off the car, ran down a cliff and went to a neighbour's house. He asked the neighbour to call the police. When the police arrived, he said he made a report. While he was on the bonnet of the car, he said he looked inside and saw Dixon sitting in the front passenger seat and Dixon's friend driving Asuntuwa's black Honda Civic motor car. He said they were the two men who were at the house earlier that day.
Detective Inspector Altemorth Campbell testified that he received a report and on June 25 last year he and other policemen went along the Stony Hill Road, St. Andrew, near to Asuntuwa's house, where he saw Asuntuwa's motor car. The car was later taken to the Constant Spring Police Station.


Inspector Campbell said they went to Seaview Gardens on June 25 where he saw Dixon who was taken into custody.

Blog Action Day/World Food Day ...... Let's Talk about Food

0 comments

In January 2011 Dennis Morrison, Columnist raised some concerns about food prices as at that time we had spiraling world oil prices which we know affects everything else locally - In my post on Blog Action Day and coincidentally World Food Day let's take a look at our scenario briefly.

 According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), its world food prices index rose by 32 per cent between June and December last year, raising fears that poorer food-importing countries could be hit by a crisis similar to that of 2007 and 2008. During that period, high oil prices, growing food demand and tight supply precipitated by poor harvests in some regions, escalated prices to levels that forced countries with limited hard-currency reserves to curtail food imports. This, in turn, led to food shortages that sparked riots in several countries, including Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti. In Jamaica, consumers were bombarded by hikes in the prices of staples - flour, bread, rice and cooking oil. These hikes, combined with the uptick in the prices of domestic food crops, arising from hurricane-related disruption to local production in 2007, to set off a surge in the inflation rate to 16.8 per cent that year, almost triple the rate in 2006. As oil and food prices peaked in 2008, cost-of-living pressures persisted with the inflation rate remaining at the same elevated level.

 Generally, world food supply conditions are now more favourable than during the crisis and African countries, in particular, had good harvests last year. As a result, their reliance on imports has eased. In particular, global supplies of rice and wheat are healthy, but continued stability will depend on the strength of this year's harvests in exporting countries. Already, the heavy rains in Australia have disrupted the wheat harvest there, leading to a reduced crop and there are also concerns about production in Argentina, another important producing country. While the FAO's food-price index has escalated, the prices of individual items that are critical to the Jamaican diet are still below their peak levels of 2008. The upward pressure on commodity prices is, however, gathering momentum due, in great measure, to the high liquidity in the world financial system flowing from the monetary easing by leading central banks. With capital markets awash with money and interest rates at record low levels, traders have been increasingly investing in futures in commodities, thereby bidding up prices of metals, as well as major food crops.

 The topsy-turvy movement in food prices is illustrated by looking at what has been happening to the prices of corn, wheat, rice and soya bean oil. At the height of the food price crisis in 2008, the price of corn reached US$281 per tonne (fob) at US Gulf ports in June, up from US$206 six months before, an increase of 36 per cent. By December, the price fell to US$150 or by 47 per cent, as the financial meltdown sent the global economy into recession and consumer demand was squeezed. It remained pretty stable in the US$150-160 range up to July 2010, but took off again in August to reach US$247.70 by December 2010, a jump of nearly 50 per cent in five months.

 Wheat prices have shown high volatility as well over the similar period, climbing to a high of US$482 per tonne in March 2008 before collapsing to US$ 240 by December 2008 and falling further to US$183 in June 2010. Thereafter, they shot up and at the end of December 2010 stood at approximately US$320 per tonne, an explosive 75 per cent increase. Movements in the benchmark prices for rice followed a similar pattern with prices going up to a peak of US$985 per tonne for 'US long grain milled' in July 2008 or 81 per cent above their January levels, and then plummeting to US$683 by December 2008. Prices reached their lowest point in August 2010, but by December 2010 they raced to US$600, a rise of 36 per cent in only four months. The warning signs of food inflation pressures are clear, and were oil prices to get up to the US$100 mark predicted by some observers Jamaican consumers will feel the pinch. Indeed, motorists are seeing gasoline prices exceed the highs of 2008.

UN Promo vid for WFD 2011

However with former minister of agriculture Christopher Tufton pushing the farmer's market concept and by virtue the eat what we grow campaigns and the cassava concept plus back yard gardening we have certainly warmed up to the idea of consuming locally organic food once again and leaving the pretty imported items in supermarkets to rot in essence although some of them are cheaper but we have pride in having "country food" and the tradition of going to market early on a Saturday morning has also helped with the buy-in. To cope with escalating food prices, Jamaica has to increase domestic food production and substitute local foodstuffs for the increasingly costly imported items. Farmers have an opportunity to expand production because the jump in the cost of imported food will increase the demand for local food. Increased production could save foreign exchange, generate employment and improve rural development.
The Planning Institute of Jamaica PIOJ in a document through the Office of The Prime Minister outlined some strategic priorities for to Alleviate the Effect of the Global Food Crisis on Jamaica’s Poor 


i. The PIOJ coordinated the negotiation of a US$15 million support loan, $13.5 million of which is for grants under PATH, which assisted the GOJ in expanding PATH by 113,000 persons to a total of 360,000 persons, to address the threat to the poor caused by food price inflation. The Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) was vital in this exercise.

ii. The PIOJ also managed the Social Protection Programme (SPP), supported by a US$40 million loan from the World Bank. The SPP funds a scheme of differentiated benefits to the education beneficiaries of PATH in order to promote school attendance and retention. As a result, GOJ paid out over J$300 million to beneficiaries every two months. 

iii. Under the pilot of the “Steps to Work Programme” initiated by the PIOJ, the Government launched a two year pilot project to provide working age persons in poor households that are currently on PATH with training and skills to improve their capacity to seek and retain employment. 

iv. The PIOJ published JSLC 2007 in November 2008 which reported that the prevalence of poverty was 9.9%. 

v. The PIOJ’s consumption based and un-met basic needs national poverty maps were launched in July 2008. The GOJ will use these maps to monitor and evaluate the impact of the current crisis as well as policy initiatives. 
Christopher Tufton (right), minister of agriculture and fisheries, seems to be getting some advice from vendor Angella Jarrett before the launch of the 'Eat Jamaican' campaign held at the Coronation Market on Tuesday. Looking on are athletes (from second left) Nesta Carter, Michael Frater (partly hidden) and Asafa Powell. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Christopher Tufton (right), former minister of agriculture and fisheries, seems to be getting some advice from vendor Angella Jarrett before the launch of the 'Eat Jamaican' campaign held at the Coronation Market on Tuesday March 8th 2011. Looking on are athletes (from second left) Nesta Carter, Michael Frater (partly hidden) and Asafa Powell. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
Jamaica was one of 28 countries shortlisted earlier this year to receive assistance to bolster agricultural outputs so as to enhance food security over the next two years, under the European Union's (EU) €1.02 billion Food Facility programme.The medium-term global development initiative, which is being implemented by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is in support of the UN Millennium Development Goal #1 (MDG1),which seeks to half, the proportion of persons living in extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.
Jamaica, like the other 27 countries shortlisted, will benefit from financial support amounting to €5.9 million (US$8 million/$688 million) to fund food security initiatives, including bolstering technology transfers and encouraging the replacement of imported staples with locally cultivated produce to stimulate economic vibrancy, particularly in rural communities. More than 5,000 local small-scale farmers are expected to benefit directly from the project.

Jamaica’s thrust to this end is being pivoted on the revamped ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign, one of several of initiatives expected to further strengthen the Government’s efforts at safeguarding the nation’s food stock.
Unlike other parts of the world where food shortages are chronic we have been blessed despite environmental degradation and unplanned illegal housing squatting taking away foliage and land to remain as the land of wood and water especially in western parishes like St. Elizabeth which is still considered the bread basket of the nation, plus the eat what we grow campaign was doing well and commended until the cabinet reshuffle and the controversial issues affecting the JLP administration. The new Minister has been relatively silent since but then again other political matters overshadow those issues now with a new Prime Minister designate to take the helm. The effects of hiking food prices resulted in an augmenting extreme poverty by adding about 44 million people in low and middle-income countries, during the period June 2010 to February 2011, according to the World Bank report on "Food Prices Control". Of concerns as well are LGBT people who are displaced or homeless and who in some cases resort to commercial sex just to barely survive in the face of well funded lgbt advocacy groups who only give lip service to this section of our community but no real front line interventions to deal with this fast growing phenomenon. 

Peace and tolerance

H
Related Posts with Thumbnails

AddThis

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