Lesbians do not factor in HIV prevention that much, bisexuals still seen as only a ‘bridge’............

The more things change the more they stay the same and then expectations are out there to gain positive results when the nonsense continues as the farce thrives; in the face of new information, data driven work and so on, old entrenched thinking trumps (no pun intended) sensibility.

One would have thought with the expansion of the understandings of sexuality, the now more than ever urgent need to filter out subgroups alongside their sex seeking behaviours and psychologies associated with same we would have gotten passed this nonsense of omitting what some see as lower risk groups for HIV infections hence they need not be included. The lumping of transgender persons into MSM studies for example in times past seems not to be recognized as yet and accepted by the establishment as the 32% rate being bandied about from then is often referred to despite the error has been quietly seen. The figures are obviously flawed to begin with, one does not have to be a genius to see it; in the days when words such as “pre-operative” was not a dirty word in transgender realms and represented ‘transitioning’ suggestions were made to separate such persons out of the study as some trans did not pursue such but who identified as gay and found some comfort in the gay community

I find it most odd that it has to take a gay man like myself to be writing on this. It also stems from two greater conclusions I have drawn several years now, first being much more could have been achieved if not for forward thinking and action and secondly some of the very folks at the helms are the actual obstacle to said achievements to materialise. Frankly I am getting tired of the itty-bitty achievements it is time for monumental if not better positives and outcomes on a much larger scale after all these years, when the potential exists for forward movement.

As World AIDS Day came to a close and the cogs of HIV settled back to business as usual an old discussion came up via social media about risk for women on the strength of a post and article on transgender persons in Jamaica who were said to be HIV positive. In making the rounds on various platforms and literally examining the content over a host of presentations, a myriad of radio interviews, television appearances, hash-tagging and so on literally not a word came out on certain types lesbian sex as risky for HIV and or sexually transmitted diseases. A rather young bright young lady asked a potent question on Facebook as to why women seem missing or very low on the radar for prevention messaging saved and except for commercial sex workers and the emphasis that the rates had fallen in that category. The group she was in froze for a minute suggesting pause for thinking I assume and then the flood of answers/comments came mostly espousing words to the effect that she may be right in a sense. The omission if not invisibility of same gender loving women in HIV prevention especially in today’s world is telling yet again that the more things change the more they stay the same.

Trouble is the bureaucrats and board of governors of many of these HIV outfits are still mostly male or if women are there they are heterosexual and cannot speak to some issues directly from a space of real world experience along with an elitist chip on their shoulders (the males that is) despite some bragging that they have now employed more women in their midst but still have a gay male driven mindset by just mere observation in public policy/advocacy. They refuse to take ‘telling’ as country people would say from non elitists and experts while HIV infections dilly dally although it is known and accepted as a challenge in the gay community in terms of rates the lumping of transgender folks. The near total omission of bisexuals where they are only seen as a ‘bridge’ for infections and lesbians’ near total annihilation from the interventions altogether despite so called new women’s’ groups in operation still is too gay male and mainstreamed if not hetero-normatively focused. These new groups and advocacies if not added bureaucracies are more interested on the comfort of social media these days and really hardly do real work as one person puts it with ‘real people’ and issues, then it is no wonder the messages are flawed and overlook certain groups. Older outfits such as Womenforwomen, WFW seem all but dead publicly and offered not even a dribble in the department of HIV risk and women who have sex with women, hash-tagging and instagramming if you will are the latest crazes but while such platforms can work when you’re up against altered or bettered versions of individuals profiles including the very NGO republic hiding the actualities to give a near perfect of not falsified appearance then where it the truth to credibility to make the message more effective and lasting hence omission and oversight may be less.

an example of Tribadism

We now know of practices such as Tribadism probably the most risky of them all in sex between women and or the seeming increase in use of sex toys as evidenced by the very retailers within the same gender loving community who have said their sales have increased exponentially and their buyers are mostly women. The sex industry and or the human trafficking illegality that often forces women who are straight into lesbian sex by just mere observation has been clearly incorporating women on women action in bars, so called massage parlours that are really a front for ‘Madame’ services and so on, by virtue of those considerations alone it warrants more forward thinking on the part of the programs and new if not ‘outside the box’ thinking and not just typical responses. It’s all about the money for managers of these establishment and the old hetero-based restrictions are out the window as the rules of the game changes. A tip in the thousands of dollars for such entertainment is the norm today and not just the kissing touchy-feely eroticism but more raunchy presentations on stage to include Tribadism for example.

Tribadism is one of the most risky of all, a point I have been driving at for some years now in previous posts, effectively it is sex between two women where the clitoris and indeed the vaginal openings are made to come together to create friction in a kind of X pattern formed by the participants. The act can be very intense for the parties and led to multiple orgasms often with no barriers such as a dam, cut opened condom or so on. The theory that hairs if not shaven can act as an intervening item to create openings on the skin or the labia minora. We know that cuts and exposure to blood of an infected person can facilitate passing of the infection and given the literal receptiveness of a vagina by virtue of its shape this is grounds for reference at least or stronger advocacy at best.

The practice in particular is now more evident at strip clubs than ever before with often dancers/strippers/performers who may not even be lesbians but the job may require some lesbian sex as management may demand same to make a profit as more male patrons and indeed other lesbians such as butch identified women like this kind of thing and tip heavily, the possibility however slight or low is still a risk no matter what, risk is risk. The typical message for women has to be amended even in the commercial sex work category in the face of a reduction in the prevalence rates. It is well accepted that high knowledge of condom use is out there but conversion to action is another matter but as to the specifics for other groups that is woefully lacking so the messages flies over those groups heads as it feels as if it is not for them to follow as they may not see themselves as at any risk at all. When are the programs people going to include in the narrative wider messages to boldly and specifically (if not in raw language) mention plasticizing bisexuals you too are to consider safer sex options and not just rely on the hetero-normative mainstreamed sanitized near nonsense anymore.

Lesbians and bisexuals aside specifically there are also other nuances often overlooked as the response also miss even sub group practices under the MSM umbrella. Cruisers alone is where I’ll zoom in as cruisers as it were not only include gay or bisexual men but also other men who either experiment, are exposed to gay sex of some sort by way of prison (substitutional sex/situational homosexuality), jail houses or correctional facilities but who when released back into general society over time may pursue sexual experiences via this route as it tends to attract more masculine types who avoid any hint of effeminacy and self identification as ‘gay’ a term seen in their eyes as a man wanting to become a woman and is too loaded psychologically for those men. These are often men who have ‘baby-mothers’, girlfriends and so on and in a type of behavioural bisexuality pattern. Condoms if there is any anal penetration to be had (as mostly oral and hand action are the preferred practices) are not an option as it can be seen as the one suggesting condom use may be HIV positive and or the engaging party is also positive which can lead to serious violent reactions in a blame game. Most men who I have interacted with in this arena simply avoid any mention of condoms just in case as the reaction from the other party is unpredictable. The more raunchy the sex the better it is for some men to include bare-backing, cream-pie action and so on; HIV prevention seems to totally overlook these psychologies when contemplating tailoring the response.

Omissions, oversights cannot continue as the norm not in this day and age alongside hetero-normative sanitized narratives must fast become a thing of the past (a call made some 8 years ago), if it is some expect to bring down infection rates. Risk is risk however small and despite the groups involved. Everywhere else is somehow able to address their prevalence rates save and except for some sub-groups yet here we are wasting time.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Tribadism & Safe Sex 2009

Gay Men Are Receptive to Sexual Health Info on Hookup Sites says Scottish Study

Something that most us from the front lines already knew in Jamaica but when oh when are our HIV prevention strategists going to finally be proactive or at least sensible to recognise what has worked and use them? Lest we forget we have 33/4% infection rate in MSM. 

On Facebook even now in on of my groups we often times raise such issues such as hook-up safety tips as recent incidents have raised some concerns and HIV safer sex tips in the heat of the moment, I can remember even the days of GLABCOM when the short lived blog was used to such effect as well. Now comes a study that help us to understand better.

A survey of men who have sex with men in Scotland has found that sexual health promotion is acceptable in online cruising environments such as Gaydar and Grindr, but that a significant minority of men object to health workers initiating contact with them while using these websites and apps.

The researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University make several recommendations for online health promotion with gay and other men who have sex with men. Their online survey was conducted with 1,326 men who were recruited through a social networking website (Facebook), sexual networking websites (Gaydar, Recon, Squirt) and sexual networking apps (Grindr, Gaydar).

Given the recruitment methods, it’s unsurprising that very large numbers of respondents used sexual networking websites (86.8%) and sexual networking apps (56.4%). Around four in ten respondents used one of these websites (38.0%) or apps (42.8%) on a daily basis.

Fewer respondents used BBRT and other sites focused on barebacking (14.7%), with only 4.6% using them every day. Unsurprisingly, unprotected anal intercourse was widely reported by men using these sites. But while it is often thought that they are mostly used by HIV-positive men who want to serosort, this survey found that a significant number of users of those sites believed themselves to be HIV-negative.

As expected, the websites and apps were primarily used for sexual reasons, but they also served a social purpose for some men, especially those living away from the big cities. The main reasons to use them were to meet men for sex, for dating and to swap erotic photos or messages, but around a third of men used sexual networking websites to make new friends or to be connected to the gay community.

‘Killing time’ was also a reason that a third of men used these websites and apps.

The researchers were interested in what kinds of health promotion interventions would be acceptable in these environments. Of note, less than 5% of website users and 2% of app users said they used these services to access sexual health information.

Few respondents objected to health workers taking a ‘passive’ approach. On sexual networking websites such as Gaydar, Recon or Squirt, 85.7% said it was acceptable for workers to have a profile or identity and to wait to be approached by users. Slightly fewer (74.5%) supported this approach on smartphone apps such as Grindr.

There was less support for a more ‘active’ approach, in which health workers approach participants and solicit engagement. On websites this was supported by 54.6% of respondents; on apps it was acceptable to 40.5%.

The researchers note that while the sexual nature of these online environments – and the higher rates of unprotected sex reported by frequent users - would seem to make them appropriate locations for sexual health interventions, proactive interventions may be met with resistance from some users. They say this resonates with research in public sex environments, which has found that specific social and sexual areas are delineated - sexual health promotion is only acceptable in the ‘social’ areas.

Utilising existing social spaces on websites or apps – or creating new ones – for health interventions may be culturally more appropriate than outreach within main areas, they argue. However it remains to be seen whether such an approach would be effective in reaching large numbers of men, especially those with higher-risk behaviours.

The authors also point to the importance of finding acceptable ways to interact with men on the specialist barebacking websites, who are likely to be at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections or of being involved in HIV transmission. Furthermore their qualitative research found that some HIV-positive men reporting these sites being important locations of community support (mentioned more often in interviews than websites established by health agencies.) While this role could possibly be harnessed, health organisations may be uncomfortable doing so. “Orthodox public health systems may have trouble engaging with the transgressive sites favoured by some gay men with HIV,” the authors comment.

Men responding to the survey supported sexual health promotion in various online media – around half said they would be likely to use an app allowing a 1-2-1 chat with a sexual health adviser (52.7%) or a service which would send a text message when it’s time to go for a sexual health check-up (49.4%). The latter was most acceptable to men who would benefit the most – those who reported unprotected sex with multiple partners and those who did not report annual HIV and STI testing.

But the researchers urge local health bodies – such as those who commissioned the research – to collaborate with and promote existing sexual health websites, rather than to create new local services.

They also suggest that sexual health promoters should consider how the negotiation of safer sex occurs in digital settings, where more direct negotiation is possible than in face-to-face encounters and intentions can be signalled by profile options. Health promotion could provide guidance to men who have sex with men on minimising the risks of online cruising - addressing issues such as managing information and disclosure; dealing with truth, ambiguity and omissions within online relationships; and the transfer of relationships from the digital to the physical world.

References

Frankis J et al. Social Media, Men who have Sex with Men and Sexual Health in Lanarkshire: quantitative report. Glasgow Caledonian University, 2014.

Frankis J et al. Social Media, Lanarkshire Men who have Sex with Men and Sexual Health: An Experiential Qualitative Analysis. Glasgow Caledonian University, 2014.

also see:

13,328 Jamaican MSM Reached by HIV Prevention says report on National HIV Program ........ but

New Efforts To Halt Spread Of HIV Among Gay Jamaica Men

Concerns for HIV prevalence rate in MSM in Jamaica & connected matters

Health Minister Ferguson on WAD '13 & FBOs fear of a Buggery repeal with future parachuted gay marriage rights

Incestuous messes, poor NGO monitoring & ever deepening mistrust about "gay rights"

Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco ...........

YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS from March 2014

HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2

Layered Stigma among Health Facility and Social Services Staff toward Most-at-Risk Populations in Jamaica

Big AIDS fight boost - Ja gets US$3.8 million from US$7-b fund

2007 MSM Study Reminder

New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed 2011

Review condom policy for prisoners

Continued oversight of same gender loving women in HIV response

Dubious Adam4Adam Profiles, Unscrupulous Sports, Gay Imposters, Robberies & Safety ...........

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

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

also see: 

Warning!: Fake Facebook pics and hookup dangers 2011

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

Facebook & unintentional outings to family members

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a previous podcast on tips for hookups, hope they help

Please be safe, please be vigilant

Peace and tolerance

H

Gays Stalk str8 men says the Star News

So the cruising antics of our homeless, displaced and just plain idle bredrens or friends of theirs in New Kingston makes news again despite the recent police crack down on some of them by the area known as the "gulf" where substance users also hang out as was carried on CVM TV on October 15th see: The toss up between MSM homelessness & public order makes news again, other mishaps have occurred prior to and after this report that are just too tall to tell.

Now comes this:

Some heterosexual men are complaining that they are being 'targeted' and harassed by some members of the homosexual community while walking in the New Kingston business district.

Alphanso Roberts told THE STAR that he has been, 'verbally harassed' by men who dress like women.

He said, "I was walking on the road in the New Kingston area one night and then mi hear smady a call after me, yuh know like how a man woulda call after a woman. When mi look is a bag a man who dress up like woman a call to me."

He told THE STAR that he was shocked by the 'brazen' approach, "mi did surprised because mi always hear bout dem tings deh but mi neva see it before. Mi jus tek weh mi self afta dat."

Meanwhile, taxi operator Leroy Allentold THE STAR that on more than one occasion he has witnessed this display.

"More than once mi affi tell them fi stop dat when dem inna mi vehicle."

call after man

When THE STAR asked Allen what he meant by 'stop that' he elaborated, "when them inna mi vehicle a call after man, it nuh right and it nuh look good."

But Puncy, a cross-dresser (man who dresses like a woman) told THE STAR that the approach only occurs when men are in what he calls their 'zone.'

He said "we are in our zone and if we see someone (a man) walking we are gonna holler at them."

When THE STAR inquired what he meant by 'the zone' Puncy said the zone refers to where he and others ply their wares. "I am in my zone doing my work, my job is to do my work and go home."

Puncy is not only a cross dresser but a sex worker as well in the New Kingston area.

Meanwhile, another cross-dresser, who calls himself Pearl, told THE STAR that he does not make it his duty to go after straight men but instead said, "I do attract straight men, I just can't keep them off me."

Allen along with Roberts, told THE STAR that although they do not have any issues with homosexuals, they both agree that it is immoral for these men to be dressing as women and make unwanted advances at men.

When contacted, the New Kingston police told THE STAR that they have received multiple complaints from men who have been harassed by some cross-dressers in the area.

The officer also told THE STAR that some of these men after making the complaints are afraid to point out the 'men' who made the advances.

"We haven't made any arrests so far in relation to that because the men are usually afraid to point them out because of the stigma of being touched up by a homosexual," he said.

Names changed

The age old practice of MSM in New Kingston proper and the outskirts is not new and my other blogs are replete with run ins with members of the public with some disastrous consequences as well.

Such as: Homeless MSM/CSWs in New Kingston rescued by taxi driver trouble is many of the younger displacees nowadays are learning as they go similar to Dwayne Jones in fulfilling their female cisgender imperative, trouble is they have very little room to make mistakes or escape a negative response, the murder of Dwayne is picture proof of such limited window of survival.

Those of us who are avid cruisers or even occasional walkers also know that the very turf is also used by hypermasculine types (gay for pay) or questioning men who also step out of their comfort zone every now and again, I should know I used to walk the turf back in the day for that occasional hunt and as we would say sometimes we "bingo" on a given night. Maybe the "gurlz" have become familiar with the trends over the years and are trying their own hand at success. 

Peace and tolerance

H

JFLAG says homophobic violence is on the increase across Jamaica. More than 50 cases reported. ...but a cynical public disbelieves

So according to another nicely worded release from the press release conveyor belt at the J we are told has more than 50 cases of abuse since this year to June on record, well I am not surprised and I am aware that many of them involved some of the homeless and active cruising community grouping of which I have written extensively on, plus there are others as always that do not get reported at all, to simply put out a release with no supporting media such as a video or photographs of injuries a policy by the way I implemented when I was a part of the group doing crisis interventions of properly documenting cases by taking shots of persons abuses and injuries without faces of course for safety reasons for strong evidence, they weren't ready and seems still not ready for serious moves even after nearly 14 years around.

What does the J expect now from a cynical public when we ball out that we are constantly attacked?

Obviously disbelief and continued stigmatization especially when both the public and the LGBT body politic have not been properly engaged for clarity and forward movement.

As evidenced in the comments on On The Ground News Report on Facebook and elsewhere on dancehall forums people do not believe that LGBT people are being attacked so another press release simply won't do. The continued limpwristedness of the J is just still alarming to me as they had people who had ideas and were fired up and willing to implement the showcasing of and proving that attacks do exist but they prefer to keep things hush hush. Simpy making press release calls on a government that uses open homophobic rhetoric to stay popular and an invented gay marriage discussion to derail any recognition from the Charter of Rights Bills is not enough JFLAG, there has to be real and tangible proof of such cases.

some questions the J is still yet to answer: (if they will ever be answered judging how insulated and non-engaging they are)

1. Where are the proactive programs for the community islandwide?
2. Where are the residential interventions that were to come on stream?
3. Did the Sunshine Cathedral in Miami manage to raise the funds they said they would to deal with homeless issues?
4. What about self defence classes for LGBT people?
5. Where is the proper engagement with the community?

I have stopped for a while in posting the incidents reports as I too am befuddled by the amounts indeed that is true there has been a sharp increase but many of the persons who have been attacked could have avoided such if we had a properly functioning national entity instead of an insulated corporatist group. Simple issues like navigating social networking sites and elations is not forthcoming from the J and one wonders if the plight of the victims is being used to prop up their visibility instead of dealing with lives interrupted?

Here is the latest release, see what you make of it:

Kingston, Jamaica ---July 7, 2011

More than fifty men and women who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual have faced various human rights violations between January and June 2011.

Jamaicans continue to experience human rights violations at the hands of their family, friends, neighbours, landlord, police or mobs because of their sexual orientation. Since January 2011, fifty-one incidents, including mob attacks, physical abuse, home evictions, and discrimination were reported with forty-seven of these meted out to males. Similar to national statistics on crime and violence, young people, 18 to 29 years, continue to be the main victims of violence based on sexual orientation. Young people made more than 30 of the 51 reports.

“On average, J-FLAG has documented between 30 and 40 cases annually over the past three years, but we have seen an increase in the number of reports which shows that homophobia based harassment and discrimination continues because of the lack of protection of the human rights of homosexuals living in Jamaica by the state,” says Dane Lewis, Executive Director at J-FLAG.

“There is a Policy Statement on violence against persons based on their sexual orientation, agreed by Cabinet on April 7, 2008, to support this, but there is no hate crime law,” Corbin Gordon, J-FLAG’s Programme & Advocacy Coordinator highlighted. In a communiqué with the organisation, Prime Minister Golding said that the Government’s position has been that violence against gays and lesbians is unequivocal. It should be condemned, discouraged, investigated, persecuted and punished with vigour and determination.

J-FLAG is therefore urging the Government to protect and promote the human rights of persons, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “Action needs to be demonstrated beyond that of a policy statement if we are to achieve our national vision to ensure that the ‘Jamaican society is secure, cohesive and just,” Lewis said.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons have and continue to play a crucial role in Jamaica’s development in the areas of arts and culture, sports, education, job creation and entrepreneurship, among others. They are efficient and productive members of both public and private sector entities. Lewis also said “Vision 2030 would never be truly materialised if there are distinctions in our constitution about the protection of one set of people over another.”

ENDS

Here are some responses and comments from ONGR"

Jas'n J Hemings - jamaica have well over 1000 murders evry year, i doah think 50 cases of abuse is special, we live in a violent society, doiah think unoo must get sppecial protection over the rest of us. Im surprised none were murdered, seems like the state is takin good care of u'all

Sashalee Scott - Ok I know jamaica have violence but be real . With all the phone that have camera . If gays are being abuse so badly wouldn't it be on the web or don't you think they would call amnesty. Jamaica is right in America back yard CNN would have it running 24/7

Jas'n J Hemings sashalee - apparently they think they are special, dem luv get notice or supm,,, cause me see battyman all di time a JA and nuh man naah beat dem, and dem say JA is the most homo intolerant society , however in the middleeast they are put to death and certain places in africa, im sure they wouldnt want to live there! jus a style man country so, dem fi get visa and migrate !

Maureen Douglas - Is it gay,s alone that are been abused if so in Jamaica, what about our children,our women and all the other unmentionable situation. With all of this happen and many other varies in our society why dem feel like they are being signaled out dem just love attention so they will seek it from any angle all of a sudden every where yuh turn dem a bright up dem self wha dem expect grenny use to seh when plantain wah dead it shot.

Just to list a few see the rest here

We have a long way to go.

Peace and tolerance

H

Security ........... a discussion

Coming on the heels of several closely occurring incidents all in one month to include:

1) A skirmish at a local beauty salon with subsequent beatings in a gas station by the members of a popular dancehall DJ's entourage of several gay men who were involved in the same skirmish

2) The abduction at gunpoint and subsequent lucky escape of two females one of whom accompanied a friend to meet an on-line link in a rural area but who were tricked into meeting their abductors.

3) Beatings of a popular drag persona at a recent annual event and other beatings of some of the cruising and homeless MSM populations on the same night with two other smaller attacks since

4) The beating of a teenage lesbian by her mother as she found out her daughter's sexual preference (this happened in April) and was not pleased about it

5) The job losses due to negative perceptions of persons sexual orientation (see post below or go HERE)

Last night's discussion at the Couture Oasis Lounge was timely indeed, we touched the issue of:

1) Stealth - and how persons could adjust themselves in public spaces especially to avoid unneeded scrutiny, to also not be too "loud" especially effeminate men who are more susceptible to homophobic attacks but not to be left out are Butch identified or appearing females as well who as of late have seen their share of abuse both verbal and physical.

It was suggested persons should try not to get too comfortable with familiar surroundings as one never knows what maybe lurking in the dark or awaiting one around the corner. This idea flowed from the first pointer above as a recent incident brought to bear as outlined by an eyewitness.

The main counter point to being subtle in public however was that while it was not suggested persons become someone else they should be mindful of what they attract to themselves. Some persons commented that the drag and butch communities however though both extremes in the lgbt case also are a reminder to the mainstream that same gender loving persons and transgender persons are here.

2) Self defence was also examined with reference to one of the cases mentioned above as well, persons suggested that we ought to prepare ourselves for any eventualities. One butch identified sister expressed her concerns that while others were seemingly bolder and ahead in terms of resolute and personal conviction she wasn't she was assured that it takes time and each person's pace, experience and reactions are different thus leading to the final resolve.

What was clear is this particular topic is worth revisiting time and time again especially for the younger lgbtqi populations most of whom only heard of some of the horrible incidents over the years and also those who are far removed or feel insulated by virtue of class and place of residents clearly are our of touch with what's happening on the ground.

3) Another issue which did not make it to the agenda but which came to mind is the phone/device hacking or sharing which can lead to some serious outcomes, there is one case of a phone break in that occurred this year that I know of and it had led to a temporary displacement of a young woman whose relative saw private intimate message and read them only to forward them to his own cellphone and out her to the extended family, she has since found help with friends for now and still has her job but is in fear of the news travelling to cause more problems.

Last year several of that type of that infraction were mentioned on Gay Jamaica Watch with two having serious implications for the parties involved. We must be careful and employ methods so third parties cannot break into or simply browse at will private communications also pass on this warning to our friends and associates.

Peace and tolerance

H

I have made a special request for Bisexuality in a Gay/Lesbian context to be brought soon to the table as several issues came up for discussion as usual after the main topic for the evening was adjourned, the CE team is considering it.

The Cruising community’s dilemma .....

The Cruising community’s dilemma

In recent months we have seen some serious dents occurring in the section of the community hardly talked about openly or even recognized, the cruisers, with the Jamaica Observer story this year of a nude man found dead in the Coronation Market region with his throat slashed and his anus apparently penetrated which was deduced as a male rape by the police many have become nervous about their regular manhunt for sex or be it commercial sex activity in certain parts of Kingston. Certainly there are minor skirmishes in this risky form of sexual behaviour as done by men who have sex with men and given the sensitivities involved locally ever more so.

The follow up incidents that have also happened have not helped either with chases and the destruction of one male’s vending stall earlier in April as he was accused of stalking another man in the downtown Kingston area some of the guys who not only derive pleasure from their cruising habits but also some income are wondering if the walls are caving in on them and their version of the MSM lifestyle.

Some negative factors expressed include:

1) The loss of stomping grounds in downtown and surrounding regions

2) Stiff competition as more and more new faces join the fold some of whom resort to public homophobic taunts to scare would be competitors from turf or open war and fights for control of the business and traffic, many so called homophobic incidents that occur sometimes are as a direct result of this

3) Increased commercialization of once valuable areas of pleasure

4) Increased policing by the security forces of once quiet regions in and around Kingston and St. Andrew

5) Cross competition from other resident and nonresident street walkers such as homeless youths (windshield wipers who may or may not be MSMs themselves who use certain spots as their homes thus blocking traffic or “cock blocking”)

6) The increasing disappearance of easy access to public restrooms and specific gay cruising landmark buildings as stomping or hookup grounds as errors either from inexperienced persons or from more adept cruisers themselves have led to more vigilant security measures implemented thus leading to more “cock blocking”

7) Infiltration by “gay pretenders” on spaces and in the business who demand high payola, ultra secrecy and who also resort to public anti gay rhetoric in a few instances to threaten or intimidate the more affluent participants to comply in payment.

8) Trick cruisers (most of whom are MSMs) or other “gay pretenders” who use online or chat sites to get their prey to meet and may resort to even killing to protect their identities being revealed post an encounter or deal gone wrong.

The fallout is already creating havoc in the circle of things especially in sections of Kingston on January 8th a report that a man had to beat a hasty retreat in the downtown Kingston area after a cruising attempt went wrong as the intended target turned out to be not as he anticipated was true I have since gathered that a small mob was hastily put together by the man (the target of the cruiser) from the nearby rural municipal bus park as there are major works being done in that section of downtown Kingston with the new bus park being hastily put together beyond the old park.

January 8th a report that a man had to beat a hasty retreat in the downtown Kingston area after a cruising attempt went wrong as the intended target turned out to be not as he anticipated was true I have since gathered that a small mob was hastily put together by the man (the target of the cruiser) from the nearby rural municipal bus park as there are major works being done in that section of downtown Kingston with the new bus park being hastily put together beyond the old park.

The downtown area in particular like most other urban centers is a haven for "catching something" for a quickie or some outdoor action for the more daring MSMs around. Sadly many of these cruisers are not your average gays who frequent gay parties, clubs, interested, exposed or involved in advocacy typed activities or issues hence the actions go unnoticed or grossly under reported as incidents as the persons involved simply move on.

Read the rest of the Cruising Challenges post here from Gay Jamaica Watch, there was another chase typed event in Kingston some evenings ago but how do we reach these guys except the one off meetings or hanging with them in their own environment without disrupting their activities. Their recent revolve to protect each other following the gruesome murder of a cross dresser on Half Way Tree Road was a start in as far as their own protection mechanism which is commendable.

But given the fact there are several questionable cases of murder this year so far to include one prominent event promoter which is cause for concern.

Man murdered in Runaway Bay in strange circumstances

is one such case and the discovery of Roderick Reid in his car abandoned near Rollington Town earlier this year: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Roderick-Reid-killed and http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20110131/ent/ent1.html

Let's continue to watch these events carefully and assist our brothas in this area where needed or possible.

Walk good out deh

Peace and tolerance

H

Down low gone mad, Biphobia, or Sexual Abuse?

"Battyman Fi Dead" said publicly "Mi really waan f*** yuh" privately .... problems and abuse in the DL world.

So another horrible case of possible male rape or sexual abuse from within the community this time in a way has been heard, a young Jamaican man whose sexuality is of no major concern to us in as far as this post is concerned has become a victim allegedly of male rape by down-low"heaviot" thugs in Kingston recently, in August I am being told. News of the incident is rife among certain circles downtown and other flash points as it quickly spread on the grapevine but some details are still sketchy I must add. However the main purpose of this piece though is to look again at the issue of clandestine homosexuality or DL as our African American counterparts call it and the possible negative effects that may come out of it such as this allegation of male rape by so called shottas and gangsters.

I doubt this has anything to do with substitutional sex or situational homosexuality (more so in a prison or physical enclosed setting) but you can be the judge while using what basic information that will be shared, it took a while for me to get enough information to prepare this post so please forgive my possible lack of details but I want us to focus on the main issue, that is frankly "bad man battyman" as some in our society call it.

Given the timing of this revelation in the middle of an international controversy involving a powerful Pastor in the form of Eddie Long and some four or possibly more males who have or may take legal action on alleged years of inappropriate sexual advances the varying discussions are abuzz over the internet and social network media with arguments for and against to punish him or finding the Pastor guilty without even seeing the court case through.

This particular incident on the local front however is certainly a reminder to the advocates also that there is another whole world that lgbt advocacy has not even addressed who suffer in silence most times as they do not know where to turn or are they powers that be really interested in taking on this very sensitive and possibly dangerous set of circumstances of male rape by members of the underworld?

In some way I am fortunate to have some insight into this realm without any major harm to my person as yet, thank God, as I usually keep in touch as best as I can with some of the poorer guys around on the streets and in communities who are gay or bisexual but who suffer double or triple marginalization just because of their class.

Here is a basic map of what I mean:

- Gay/Bisexual

- Poor/unemployed or not employable

- Ostracized or displaced by family and community

- Victims of violence

- Overlooked or shunned by the very advocates who say there offer service to lgbt people or misplaced focus by same leaves this group of men out in the cold

- Overlooked and shunned by the LGBT community in general and regarded as misfits and undeserving of existence

- Biphobia by default from general society, the LGBT community and ostensibly the advocacy structure

The Incident in question in summary based on reported accounts, the young man is in hiding.

The 23 year old man plies his rented handcart in a section of the market district and usually returns to his small shack which sits in a depressed section across volatile political boundaries in Kingston. On a faithful Saturday in August of this year he returned his rented cart that he uses in the market district to ply his trade of assisting shoppers to carry produce and organic food items to the bus-stop or car park for a nominal fee, on his way home by foot around 7:30 pm he took a route that he regularly takes to get home, bearing in mind that as early as this time is some parts of Kingston can be very lonely and given the absence of the main don who is away on trial in another country "the order" of things has changed.

There is a fight as it seems for turf and power in the market region which has not escalated to violence due to the strong police presence there and the local authorities push to bring formal order.

The man was approached by three men who questioned him, he answered them telling them what he had done etc thinking he would be OK as it was not customary to abuse anyone in the imaginary safety line of that zone as drawn by the dons. He was robbed allegedly at gunpoint and told to go to nearby bushes where they would decide his fate. The men however at first asked him if him "love man?" somewhere during the conversation although my sources suggest he is not effeminate of looks so either. They eventually attempted to take turns with him at gun point and to carry out anal sex but he resisted as best as he could, the men told him that they were not going to kill him they wanted some "batty" for the night. The ordeal was said to have gone on for almost an hour and after several attempts in trying to penetrate him they gave up it seems and demanded he performed oral sex on them and that he did reluctantly.

The sexual abuse ended but what allegedly happened next is what really sparked this post, the men while smoking marijuana sat and discussed their sexual encounters with other men and their ways of hiding their real sexual desires from their baby mothers and female sexual partners, they tried to enlist the participation of their "victim" in the post sex discussion but he barely answered when prompted to as he was said to have felt bad.

They proceeded to warn him that he must make himself available when they need him and he must keep it quiet, they even asked if he knew other men around the area who may get down (my words)? One of the men in particular was very upset at men who engaged in paedophilia and says he doesn't like boys as they are too young.

ENDS (updates may follow)

THE MATTER WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE

Judging by this synopsis we do have thugs who really want to get down but some questions come to mind and I am not an expert so let's discuss this please send responses or comment if you have such expertise.

Email just in case: lgbtevent@gmail.com

1. Are there men who really want to hit it but due to societal pressure they are prepared to steal it instead?


2. It is a case of abuse due to the power differential of the men in not only numbers but the fact that they are armed?


3. Did you think they surmise that the young man may have been inclined so they didn't harm him?


4. How should the advocates handle issues like this?


5. Do you think the issue of clandestine homosexual behaviour should be a main discussion point in presenting arguments for gay rights or tolerance?


6. Can this also be categorized as homophobia in a way?

This post may become a running series as we look at these set of issues more closely.

Peace and tolerance

H

Dissecting “Gaydar”: Accuracy and the Role of Masculinity–Femininity

SpringerLink is one of the world's leading interactive databases for high-quality STM journals, book series, books, reference works and the Online Archives Collection.




Gerulf Rieger Æ Joan A. W. Linsenmeier Æ
Lorenz Gygax Æ Steven Garcia Æ J. Michael Bailey
Received: 5 November 2007 / Revised: 5 May 2008 / Accepted: 5 May 2008


for more on this study & to purchase the Journal and other articles click the images. It's an interesting read. Priced at $34.00

Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008
Abstract ‘‘Gaydar’’ is the ability to distinguish homosexual and heterosexual people using indirect cues. We investigated the accuracy of gaydar and the nature of ‘‘gaydar signals’’ conveying information about sexual orientation. Homosexual people tend to be more sex atypical than heterosexual people in some behaviors, feelings, and interests. 

We hypothesized that indicators of sex atypicality might function as gaydar signals. In Study 1, raters judged targets’ sexual orientation from pictures, brief videos, and sound recordings. Sexual orientation was assessed with high, though imperfect, accuracy. 

In Study 2, different raters judged targets’ sex atypicality from the same stimuli. Ratings of sexual orientation from Study 1 corresponded highly with targets’ self reports of sex atypicality and with observer ratings of sex
atypicality from Study 2. Thus, brief samples of sex-atypical behavior may function as effective gaydar signals.

AbstractSex-typed behavior

Introduction
‘‘Gaydar’’ refers to the ability to distinguish homosexual and heterosexual people using indirect cues rather than explicit information about sexual orientation. Gaydar encompasses at least two distinct phenomena. First, gaydar may reflect the detection of intentional interpersonal signals. For example, flirtation may be associated with unusually long eye gazes and other nonverbal behaviors (e.g., Moore, 1985, 2002), and the sex of the targets of such signaling may provide information relevant to sexual orientation. 

Second, gaydar may reflect the detection of stable behavioral or psychological differences between homosexual and heterosexual people. 

For example, there are stereotypes about gay men’s (and hence heterosexual men’s) patterns of interests, movement,and speech. To the extent that such stereotypes correspond to actual differences between homosexual and heterosexual people, information about a person’s behavioral patterns and psychological traits may also provide information regarding sexual orientation.

Little research has been done to date regarding gaydar via intentional interpersonal signaling. Nicholas (2004) conducted an ethnographic study of gaydar involving participant observation and interviews with gay men and lesbians. Based on this research, Nichols described the use of the ‘‘gaydar gaze’’ to signal a homosexual identity to other homosexual individuals. The idea that individuals from marginalized and partly hidden minorities may attempt to find and communicate to each other in this manner seems eminently plausible.

We note, however, that there is likely nothing specific about the association of lengthy eye gazes and homosexuality. For example, heterosexual people with a romantic or sexual interest in a person of the other sex may also signal their interest in this way. The other subtype of gaydar, as noted above, may depend in part on the validity of stereotypes regarding behavioral and psychological differences between homosexual and heterosexual
people. 

These stereotypes include a variety of phenomena that have been explored in two, almost completely separate, research programs.

The curious case of these "Curious Heaviots" Part 2

Heaviot = masculine downlown sometimes bisexual male (aka "trade" in US)

unusual image of masculine men in public in a comforting position, this pic raised eyebrows for many when it first came to social media, masculine aesthetics by normative standards do not determine effeminacy in a man or his role play as is often pegged to heterosexual constructs of man and woman, hence top and bottom discourse in gay male culture

In part 2 we continue to look at the dangers and happenings in the world of gay and bisexual men who cruise the public places for hook-ups.

This second reported incident happened a week ago in the downtown Kingston region, a 20+ year old unemployed male who occasionally gets a few small chores for pay was free that day and found himself wondering along an empty corridor of a certain commercial region. He came across a young man who was resting on his bicycle and smoking what seemed a ganja/marijuana spliff.

Their eyes met and the man winked at him and beckoned with his left hand discreetly. The curious male so as to not "dis" the "ganja man" obliged and approached cautiously as he was aware that there are men who pose as gays so that "They can rob or beat yuh" he commented as he related the story to me.

They exchanged words for a while which led to them arranging a secret rendezvous at a desolate location nearby so off they went, with the man riding his bicycle a few feet infront so as to guide his new friend. They arrived at what seemed a good enough spot and the ganja man eager to get into it initiated the "play"

About ten minutes or so into the exchange the man brandished a gun and demanded all his money, the young man nervously complied, the gun man proceeded to replace his attire and searched his victim which included a small pouch he was carrying with a small amount of cash ($3400+) he had on him, his shoes was also removed (a fairly new pair of K Swiss sneakers).

Fortunately the attacker did not harm the victim but departed with words to the effect that he didn't want any sex, he was just "lookin a food" - colloquial for robbing or to huslte someone.

They have been unconfirmed reports of liaisons resulting in more disastrous outcomes as we comb through them we will try to unearth the facts behind these attacks, fallouts or others you can appreciate that many of the victims do not wish to rehash these occurrences or to even let their friends and counterparts become aware of their cruising ground(s) or techniques.

If you are a "Cruiser" be warned, it's dangerous out there. Stay safe.

Volunteer