And as for trust, credibility & more on changing hearts & minds

In recent weeks a series of violent attacks to include two LGBT related ones have come to the fore with some unexpected and disturbing outcomes with this ugly business of intimate partner violence, domestic and power differential outcomes have had some major impact, there are at least eight murders of women by men within a three week period with last night’s shooting at the Bahai Principe hotel where a woman was stabbed by a lover (she survived) at a party on property who in turn was shot by a security guard, he died later. The unprecedented amount of domestic disagreement driven murders is strange to say the least as most murder cases are more on male on male side and based on some form of gangsterism often rooted in deep sociological challenges and or as the latest major reason being lotto scamming fallout and gun play; then there are other happenings on the funding front which made the mainstream news cycle, then came that article about the EU’s grant aid in the Gleaner and the supposed non-linking of gay rights and other legal considerations if not imposition of their will in order to qualify for said aid, we however know that said considerations are as real as the air we breathe and are done behind the scenes, pay close attention to how the Justice Minister effectively sang for his supper at the same signing ceremony for the grant aid making grand announcements as preceding ministers when such large support is extended to us.

Comments, if not shouting matches, quarrels online and on air framed as discussion misguidedly have ensued on social media especially since as to how to address this disturbing trend of women being killed for the slightest thing but what is supposed to be a solutions seeking activity seems to have morphed into angry men who call talk shows blasting women’s’ groups and feminists for being too sensitive and that all lives should matter whether they are men or women, some also suggest that some of the women deserve what they get as they should be submissive and are too emboldened and they cause men to supposedly lose it. This is a slight take off from the American ‘all lives matter’ campaign which was to designed to neutralize the ‘black lives matter’ campaign after the series of murders of black men by police and the unfair harassment of African American men more so than other races. But there is something else that has come to the fore which forced me to prepare this post.

A disturbing narrative laced with deep mistrust that has made itself front and center by talk show hosts, public commentators, and print media in letters to the editor and on social media. Some women’s groups and their supporters in particular are the target of the criticisms if not castigation but other human rights groups are also targeted and named as well, this feelings in some circles have always been around which is one of the reasons not much has been achieved on the ‘gay rights’ front in terms of public advocacy and the all important crisis communications; the latter requires so much work and healing it is not funny as if the public or sections of it do not believe that the loudest voices are telling the truth then one can scream from now to the next millennia you won’t change their minds and advocacy will be seen as an imposition on others and that homophobia is justified. Antigay religious fanatics have been the loudest voices leading that charge of hidden hand in the dark seeking to impose some nastiness on the nation and these misguided groups still do have influence on a large group of Jamaicans who seem more servile to the narrative than anything else without analysing what they are being asked to subscribe to or believe.

Subtextual context

Social media has its place and can make reaching larger audiences way easier bearing in mind where we have come from in the days when traditional media refused such as the now ‘friendly’ Gleaner and indeed tabloids as the Star (owned by the new conglomerate of TVJ et al) to publish press releases or carry tolerant and or balanced items on homosexuality but the seeming over reliance on the new media platforms in the present reality often with some appearance of arrogance and barring any real world follow up only further complicates matters; real world action usually via the proverbial ‘workshop’ are done in comfortable settings such as hotels of university campuses well away from the location of the problems or in privilege which feeds the very mistrust that is the obstacle to change and not in the spaces that may require those interventions. As the women’s groups and indeed LGBT ones as well as one new outfit in particular is the main dartboard for the ‘fire’ the subtext says that these newer groups online cannot be trusted as they coin the latest buzzwords, launch hashtags, run online campaigns but have no impact on the ground in the real world. 

They put themselves in line for grant aid funding as they have the foreign grantors in their pockets and attach themselves to causes real or imagined, small or embellished so as to embarrass Jamaica and force us to change our ways and impose foreign values. The latest voice to join the throng in that department was Dennis Broox of Nationwide 90FM as he sat in for Cliff Hughes who was ill on his “Cliff Hughes Online Show” Mr Broox was not so terse as the other commentators such as a certain opposition MP and a man of the cloth who recently returned to radio show hosting on Power 106FM but Mr Broox said that he did not like how some groups are using the whole gender based or intimate partner violence buzzwords to simply get access to grant aid funding which struck me, he never named the groups in question but the usual suspects come to mind such as the 51% Coalition, WE-Change and Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) to name a few as they have developed a bad reputation in the minds of many while launching all kinds of online campaigns they seem not to have any real effect on the ground so the cynicism comes out every time they do. Problem is that these groups are so busy often time on social media that they miss the mistrust formed about them and one wonders sometimes where they find time for real work with real people.

This business of trust or the lack thereof is something that has concerned me from my very entry into rights work and volunteerism especially in the early days of LGBT work since 1996; the hue and cry has and continue to be that gay groups are lying about homophobia to gain foreign support and that so called homophobic murders or violence are simply crimes of passion or lovers’ quarrels gone bad for the most part. 

Such conflations are walls that have not been properly surmounted but when the loudest speakers most of whom do not any real world experience to bring to bear and speak truth to their advocacy it literally rings out in the voice and in the narrative as they carry out such advocacy. In a previous post I shared some continued concerns I have on some of this as some seem to believe that just by changing laws such as the ‘buggery’ all will be well afterwards; it is quite the opposite as that is when the real work will begin if that change in law happens and if the groundwork in terms of establishing trust prior to that then the work is doubly harder thereafter.

It is really said that mistrust is still so high when trust is the glue or supposed to be the key ingredient but with a social media which aids but also poisons the goals and objectives then there are those who get carried away by mirroring, complacency and comfort in social media often unfettered and improperly managed with hashtag campaign that some think can make a universal difference; we must remember that the vast majority of Jamaicans are still not on social media and are locked into deeply comforting and justified old feelings driven by phobia and indeed hatred; real work with real people is still the most effective means of making change, face to face is still the best way especially in a world of permitted if not accepted deceit, falsehoods, bettered or altered versions of oneself on social media it is going to be difficult to penetrate some of that with just plain truth and honesty, so some resort to partaking in the farce to gain acceptance and a following. Besides despite social media’s impact on Jamaica figures show us that it is not the panacea as some want us to believe, yes more and more younger cohort of Jamaicans are using the platforms but the vast numbers of us are not even online with a basic Facebook profile let alone the others. Therefore we can conclude a lot of the campaigns really may only target and reach the converted while the campaigns fly over the heads of who are to be the intended targets.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again hashtags/tweets only last as they are allowed to and are mostly forgotten the moment another one replaces them and become short lived often not revisited as the latest hype takes over and a desire to conform drives the said short lived interest, therefore no learning and retention of what has been dispensed can be of any lasting value in order to effect contemplation and real behaviour change; hashtagging also appears to be becoming monotonous so many persons either un-follow some groups, effectively disconnecting or do not value or have long attention spans to the efforts, a point made by a media manager recently at a forum I attended. The campaign can be major turns off so, persons literally turn off on groups by discontinuing notifications to emails or their phones just to avoid the perceived annoyance. Then there is an appearance of arrogance that comes with the persons behind some of the groups due to the frequency of the posts and tweets, the choice of buzzwords & phrases plus the comments thereafter and again the mirroring phenomenon where the proverbial patting on the back ‘good job’ sentiments. Then there is the feeling by audience members of a prescriptive imperative which may be needed in some respects to force thinking towards change but it may sting of the said arrogance so it is resisted and not seen as an invitation to consider suggestions when they are made.

The very launch of that so called peace initiative in western Jamaica in a so called bid to address crimes lotto scam related was laughable in a sense. The actual launch complete with celebrities who lend their names was not done in the actual communities where it really matters where the killings and fear exist but at a five star hotel where the very residents might not be even able to pay for a night let alone a cupcake if they desired it; yet we expect to make change on the outside or in comfortable zones while expecting results. At least the church groups in March Pen alongside the Peace Management Initiatives PMI folks after those awful killings earlier this year they launched an initiative right there in the heart of the conflict in the geography where it matters most as gangs jostle for power and not at some fancy hotel as one has to be in it to win it not outside and then expect penetration afterwards to solve issues. The hotel launch was heavily criticized which also helps to feed into the mistrust that bedevils advocacy of any sort on social media as well and basically dismissed the moment as a grand show and media hype and that not much will emerge after to begin to adequately address the root causes, it made news as some suggest and I agree that location is everything including how the launch is done; that however is one part, the follow up work is next and how much money is left after salaries and administrative costs are tallied and paid out which usually end up ending and starving the efforts/initiatives in the final analysis sometimes well before the priority or scheduled dates.

The church groups in Montego Bay and other parts in western Jamaica also made sure that the marches and initiatives were done in the very geography where it matters albeit they are seen as hypocrites by some including Christians as they reactionary than proactive and while the marches and outdoor services have a psychological effect some are skeptical that as before we have these cycles, there are marches and then the thrust whittles away as the crime drops and persons find themselves in a false sense of security.

It is going to be difficult to shake off some of this belief that some NGOs and outfits are only there to use issues to enrich themselves via grant aid and with little tangible results to show in the eyes of many that only cements the mistrust in the national psyche. The reality in NGO work is that funding is always a challenge and qualifying for same can be challenging as grantors do not just dole out funds like that but how it is done and how the work appears to the public is not reassuring confidence on a larger scale; that lingering mistrust is often thrown most unfairly at others who do similar work. The very homeless MSM/transgender matter was not spared the castigation as persons like Mutabaruka have asked and are still asking why aren’t popular and powerful gay groups who get shed loads of funding seem not wanting to address their own or words to that effect. That PMI and others highly publicized press conference is another such example with the UK high commission in 2015 on MSM/transgender homelessness albeit the very homeless were absent (yet again) and not given voice with the very member of parliament in attendance yet no help can seem to come to the populations yet still after so many years of grief in New Kingston proper for the past twenty plus years of the problem. Perception is everything in the world of behaviour and legislative change; there is no way around it and truth is slowly dying or is in trouble if we believe change can come otherwise; even if it does it will be fleeting and not long lasting.

Think on these things

Peace & tolerance

H


also see:
Oh to change hearts and minds

Human Rights Day ......

Here we are again this old familiar place on what is the annual International Human Rights Day and while the original egis of the recognition was made on credible aspirational terms towards a better world it seems that over several years since the world has turned to something else, counter to the objectives set out. We have a Syrian crisis festering right before our eyes, groups and advocates clashing over which rights should be prioritised or are morally acceptable, our least amongst us especially homeless persons on the MSM/transgender front are essentially left out in the cold by the very bureaucrats who claim to represent them but the populations are easily found and made use of for statistics especially in the department of HIV and such yet they are left alone no sooner after the results come to hand alongside the insulting tokenism that is often parading as legitimate answers.

So the main question is whose human rights really? 

recent Jamaica Observer Clovis toon as the debate continues on ganja rights/decriminalization also see: Tolerance, when, has the oppressed become the oppressor? 2009

We have a United Nations that seems near impotent if not just ceremonial on many issues including the refugee crisis madness in places like Greece, Germany, France, Austria and so on and yet as people flee mostly for genuine reasons very little help seems to come their way. Right wingers in the same breath are out in earnest now playing on the fears of sometimes ignorant populations who feel their peaceful countries or existence are being turned upside down with ‘foreigners’ disrupting their way of life but where is the human rights for the genuinely fleeing folks? It has become a political football for example in Germany’s upcoming elections or in France where there is an election to win and juxtapositions or populism seem to be making the fleeing refugees and their rights or protections shafted.

another Clovis toon in the wake of the controversy surrounding a US embassy tweet & a phone company, the old misconceptions on US/foreign impositions on us continue.

That recent telephone directory cover controversy as caused by the hypocritical antigay group Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS is one such matter that shows us on the human rights front we are eons away from just true tolerance as the so called moral police who think they can impose on everybody else their views. No theocracy ‘round here is the loud rebuttal. Gay rights in the JCHS’ eyes are seen as a fallacy as they prey on yet again the ignorance of the masses sadly which includes clergy, theologians, lawyers and pastors with a gullible congregant populations. The fearmongering is palpable and is so easily done without fail by voices such as Dr Wayne West with obsequious servants who can’t think to save their own lives. Only so called pressured Christian groups or voices matter as some invisible hand somewhere is intent on silencing them they claim because they oppose for the most part homosexuality yet near silent on every other atrocity out there; that old victimhood card. The sad part is that honest, forward thinking and balanced/tolerance Christians or church body are batched as crackpots due to these fanatics.

Meanwhile ho is really standing up for the children these days?

It is disturbing to watch the news cast on television at a certain part of the presentation as a list of missing kids is shown and we wonder, yet groups find time for phonebook covers, homosexuals and buggery law but are all but blind to the things that sit right before our eyes on a daily basis. Some voices who have been championing children’s causes have simply stopped as they feel the thing looks hopeless as slow action from the state is a turn off, while the ones who are active continue to incorporate an old conflation of paedophila, homosexuality, crimes of passions beliefs and a so called gay agenda in their advocacy, case in point Betty Ann Blaine; which gives further strength to the fearmongering imperative as the key strategy y said groups. While I support the thrust for the rights of children to do so by ostracising others who one does not like or misunderstand is not the way to do so. The awful Ananda Dean murder and its unsolved case file status so many years ago is one of those cases that brought persons such as Blaine to prominence and who had mass support but as of late the support has waned somewhat as she shows her colours. Hope she does well at the upcoming Global Missing Children Conference and not let her antigay sentiments cloud her judgement.

We recently recognised the day of the girl child in a bid to raise awareness of girls their issues and abuse to include sexual abuse yet only days ago we had that awful report of a 14 year old rape victim in St Catherine was forced to ride in the very car of the police to the precinct alongside the very perpetrators; to be asked to relive the ordeal like that in the face of supposed enlightenment and training of cops but practice of what is taught is another matter. That other matter where the police spent the better part of eight plus hours at a crime scene of a murder of a teen arguing who has jurisdiction over the matter is another one that shows up the cracks in our justice system and rights. To have the family standing their already in their grief to look on helplessly on a body and to be told by the cops who arrived they cannot handle it is plain absurd, then why did they arrive in the first place then if when 119 or 911 told them the location they should spared the family the grief by telling 911/119 to find another team. Who cares about anything anymore these days? Then we wonder why vigilante justice is seen more and more as a credible option in the eyes of some? Call a ‘shotta’ perhaps; maybe in the eight hours of waiting maybe something would have been done already, at least a plot to find the bastards or best someone’s head back get lick out. Sigh! Of course the illegality of it makes it problematic plus persons who go that route never actually stop paying these men as they when broke simply find you and ask if not demand money on the strength of the secret.

We have CISOCA, Children’s Advocate & Office of the Children’s Registry and a myriad of child rights groups yet we are bombarded with child abuse stories and crimes as the adults continue to quarrel with them living in a world they did not make. Similar to the nonsense about having the most churches per square miles yet per square inch or towns and nation has crime and destitution spreads like an infection while only a few enjoy wealth and privilege. Yet again the refrain the more things change the more they stay the same is appropriate; we ought to have way better improvements and a reduction in atrocities yet things are going in the opposite direction. There must come a point when enough is enough. Oh the monotony. The few things that do work are often not replicated or starved of resources to make them expand with little interest.

Women’s rights seem in stagnation these days with pretty announcements as usual from gender specialists and ministers of government, I have announcement-itis these days, lofty aspirational goes yet blah! Where is that sexual harassment bill that has been sitting on the order paper of the house for so long? Where is the real equality in terms of equal pay or breaking the proverbial glass ceiling? The week of day for recognising violence against women is here again and after the hash tags, social media awareness, what’s next, back to normal, especially the more impacted persons I suspect do not even visit the pages or have a smart phone for that matter. The grand partnership signing on Wednesday December 7 yet another event for smiles for the camera for social pages and media moment with a who’s who of rights personalities, politicians and such as the opposition was missing in a huff following their parliament walk out the day before as they are upset at their election loss on both fronts local and national while complaining about the name change of the partnership as if any party has copyright over words such as “progress”, semantics! I tell you so even in the signing moment the greater idealistic concern for rights and harmony is killed off in a sense and rights linked therein are overlooked. The PNP has convenient amnesia when they made name changes prior; remember the tagline in 2002 “Log on to Progress” subsequently renamed afterwards and then the 2011 partnership signing. The delivery on these partnerships or the lack thereof is the elephant in the room where rights are also directly intertwined. Whatever the thing is named and by whom just get the job done.

Who is really representing certain other issues such as continued HIV discrimination or persons with disabilities apart from the small genuinely concerned groups who are trying their utmost best as lolly voices in the wilderness; as disabilities awareness weeks ends the Executive Director of Disabilities Association of Jamaica lamented on a radio interview that society seems to have lost something as an uncaring nature is here with us again. She and others cite the public transportation complaints, access to thoroughfare, inability by some to pursue tertiary education namely the hearing impaired as institutions have no sign language capacities to disseminate the courses. World AIDS Day just ended and amidst the elegant presentations, radio interviews, online and social media runs were on the up and up but as the hype cools down the issues raised are still there even after so called improvements, it makes one start to wonder what is the point of it is all then? Itty bitty achievements are not enough in my eyes, ARVs for example are cheaper and supposedly more readily available yet shortages interrupt persons’ adherence schedules, or persons forced to travel long distances out of parish to wait in long lines for prescriptions to be filled while a plethora of groups break out like an infection mostly on social media and not actually in the real world engaging real people.

The Public Defender for example seems like many other outfits that need resources are lacking in them if not deliberately starved and rights get caught up in that as well, apart from the pursuit for natural justice for aggrieved persons the office is swamped with complaints from the public seeking redress for rights breaches by agents of the state or government and the cases linger, yet in the midst of it all we hear of flowery aspirational goals of Human Rights Institutes and training which all sound so up in the air yet somehow cannot materialise. The previous administration launched the thrust for the institute but it seemed stuck in the quicksand somewhere and if it dares wiggle or too much is said on it, it may very well get swallowed up as other matters take precedence. The Human Rights for All campaign seems to be more about cake cutting events and experts meeting for shindigs than about actual reaching a way larger percentage of real people.

The Independent Commission, INDECOM standoff with the police high command and by extension the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP only serves to obscure the processes of Justice, clearly some police have not unlearnt the old ways or the ‘squaddie’ mentality yet people who want to be honest are exposed by the very same shady cops in the system and then made to be targeted as informers in their communities so people see wrongs and simply shut up. When family members of victims who speak out but who are harassed by the very police who did the harm in the first place it leaves one wondering yet again what is the point of it all? Groups such as Jamaicans for Justice have been at it on a stretch and yet the more things change the more they stay the same. Honest police are afraid to speak out openly as repercussions can apply, that video episode with an alleged police man living aboard brought that front and center; albeit so many years after the particular issue he was passionate about, whether he was truthful is one thing but to release such a footage warrants serious contemplation.

How do persons can get motivated to stand up?

The fight continues no doubt but the cloudiness that impedes it is of concern.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Human Rights Day: LGBT Stand in the morning, theocratic concert in the evening 

Human Rights Day 2012 ....... My Voice, My Right, My Voice Counts

BREXIT & LGBTQ Asylum concerns part 2: the Trumpage ........

In part one I looked at the ongoing BREXIT concerns and the outcomes from the United Kingdom’s referendum on leaving the European Union and pending referenda in Scotland to leave the United Kingdom, Ireland’s concerns about border protection and subservience to the English parliament. Business interests in both the EU and elsewhere are worried for tariffs, trade deals and future movement of investments. The immigration matters as well are of concern under an EU Schengen visa system effectively giving free movement to nationals in participating states; that may come to an end if and when ‘Article 50’ the parliamentary instrument must be enacted to start the BREXIT process. Right wingers backlash to refugees and or foreigners is alive and well for misplaced cultural fears and job availability, outside of the rowdy behaviour of some groups, namely the recent “jungle” camp in France which was destroyed by French authorities and rerouting said populations to other parts of the country even as the UK are hesitant to take persons who flow over or come by hiding in the under carriages of planes and lorries. The French have their fair share of ring wing advancement and some speculate that Francois Aunard may not win in the upcoming elections.

also see: Homophobic attacks in UK rose 147% in three months after Brexit vote

Gleaner's Lasmay took a shot at it and got it right

US EXITeering?

Said persons do not want to stay in France but will and are willing to risk life and limb to such extremes as walking the entire length of the underground tunnel from France to the UK as they see the UK a better option. A trend that has been on the rise prior to the present UK Prime Minister’s Theresa May’s tenure, the more open resistance by right wingers and pass round donkey games by some states, namely Greece lest we forget; let us also not forget Germany in last year was LGBT asylum applications and indeed others have been met with pressure from the UK’s Home Office this while some fees have increased by some 300% in some instances; that of paper applications with or without a solicitor, Prime Minister May’s expression of interest of reducing overall immigration numbers by half from some 300,000 to150,000 is a clear indication where she intends to go.

Similar postures from Holland of all places have not gone unnoticed, a recent court case in that country of a far right representative blasting Cameroonians in large numbers and they and other non white foreigners need to be reduced shows the emboldened change some have who are no longer prepared to stay in the shadows. Now that Trump has won the strangest US elections yet on anti immigration rhetoric especially to Mexicans while not defining his concern in any strident way to illegal immigrants, complete with clan support officially. He is seen as an outsider which further complicates matters, there may be a civil war inside the Republican party, will Trump come from the far right to centre left or so is yet to be seen, politics in America has been shaken and parallels can be drawn in Europe with other dynamic on the continent with a menacing China smoothing over Africa. While the Russians have been doing all they can to undermine American democracy. Isn’t it also ironic that November 9 in Germany was when that state removed the blockages for refugees?

Some of the antigay groups and pastors try to present some balance mostly hypocritically by infusing some conflict of interest in their arguments even as they celebrate Trump’s win, they claim his business interests may cloud his presidency in terms of his announced handing over of his Trump businesses to a blind trust and to his children to run, they ignore however that the law in the US says that such release of possible conflicts of interest with public officials must be done by way of said businesses by operated by some independent committee or management devoid of direct intervention by the absentee owner or management. I am not surprised said pious individuals see what they want to see as long as it suits their interests.

oh really!

Unapologetic nationalism or manifest destiny?

The President elect does not recognise climate change; he is hesitant on trade deals and is looking inwards that with foreign policy. He dismisses the claim by environmentalists as alarmists, climate sceptics indeed. The Paris climate agreement and decades of legislation are in his sights for removal or severe amendments. He can start the process for now but countries cannot simply leave the protocols and agreements’, bearing in mind the main goal is to reduce green house gas emissions. He says it is ‘global warming BS’ the commitment of the countries may waiver as they were buoyed by the US leading in the charge getting the cooperation of other states, the entire agreement could fall apart. It was one of the areas with the US and China after locking horns arrived at some middle ground. Trump is also a pro-coal supporter despite China’s near about face and increasing solar energy thrust to address the pollution and smog poor air quality challenging there.

Trump might have a Republican congress to back him in certain respects but his agenda and their agenda might not be the same, it is hard to read him in terms of foreign policy, his threat to remove Obama care although that maybe really difficult, his position on pro choice and if he had changed his stance given the evangelical support and LGBTQ issues in the face of his parading of a rainbow flag at one of his stops in the campaign. Executive orders and vetoes may become the order of the day. The uncertainty troubles me much as he is unpredictable and seems to position himself as the situation requires and what of the strangeness of the Caucasian gay male support as well despite the uncertainty, who is really a Trump voter? Racists, poorer whites and Puerto Ricans moving from their island to Miami, the fundamental question in my mind; anyone can publicly find Trump’s revolting rhetoric and then in the voting booth give him the chance, despite polls, despite some media propping. Anti immigration pundits contributed greatly to Trump’s campaign as well; some locals are worried about the H2B visa work program as well, in the face of recent automation news with a patent gained on apple picking technology with harvesting rates of 1 apple per 4 seconds. Despite the fact that Americans are not interested in those types of jobs and immigrants are eager to take them, alongside nursing home care-giving ones a deceptive narrative has resurfaced to suggest said immigrants (legal or not) are ‘taking’ those jobs from Americans.

Demagogic populism has trumped sensible thinking it seems. He claimed he wants to drain the slop in Washington but he’ll have to walk through towards getting into office. A “rigged” system has got him in; wow how bizarre is that, America is seen as joke in some circles now. Trump now finds himself facing Obama after blasting him as unfit and questioning his ethnicity indeed immigration status history and citizenship but now he has to meet with elder statesman in part of the 70 days of transition to the Oval office. He has to reorder his foreign policy points during the hustings at the stomp, his recalibrations on South Korea for example are telling of uncertainty concerns. Fixed grins and diplomatic optics I suppose. The ‘Forgotten man’ reference by Trump is an old Franklyn D Roosevelt position he held, Trump says he is going to bring back jobs.

A right wing leader of Hungary has endorsed Mr Trump claiming it is time to smash misguided liberalism in his mind. The news of the Canadian immigration website crashing due to huge traffic volumes, persons seem to be exploring options to relocate and job opportunities. He flips flops literally saying or tweeting something in the morning and changing his position hours later. These uncertainties are an existential threat to small island developing states such as Jamaica. The violent anti Trump protests while highlighting the displeasure factor also seems to show up the amazing ignorance of some Americans of their own political systems and the Electoral College selection of Presidents. A popular vote does not put such presidents in the office; burning effigies of the man is one thing but did the but one can spend better time by applying pressure to the local representatives and individual state legislators so as to keep some checks and balances on Trump’s presidency and policy direction.

Some questions:

What will America’s policy on refugees and asylum seeking look like under a Trump administration; especially given the early HIV years under President Reagan and his refusal to even acknowledge the matter but siding with conservatives even more so and justifying no gays rights by stigmatized medicalizations; other under President Bush(es) there was some reticence despite USAID work to address these issues and hesitancy on asylum for homophobic victims who find it an uphill task to have their cases heard let alone win them, will there be a review of those cases that have been granted prior, will the old HIV travel ban in the late nineties or banning of donation of blood from gay men become a template for reducing asylum opportunities, will grant aid drop in a view to save money and as Trump puts develop America and create new jobs. Will Trump change Obama’s PEPFAR arrangements as well?

As Trump has threatened to bomb iSIS and other military might although at the risk of sounding ominous what should happen if he goes to war to appease his base and project strength, what will happen to successful asylum seekers, especially LGBTQ individuals, will they be forced into constriction with very little federal benefits or residency rewards, similar to what happened with Jamaicans who went to England in the second world war who joined the royal air force and allowed to apply for citizenship; or will non compliant or volunteering asylum persons be forced out by way of case reviews and examination of case files as to the status of their countries of origin, As I always said asylum status is not a guarantee to citizenship in the United States. Persons should not get complacent.

As for that acceptance speech is nice sounding and rather aspirational but despite his calmer cadence of speech obviously prepped before delivery he thrives on showmanship promoting supposed unity. I am not fooled by it as it was the divide and rule construct he used so tendentiously, as the narrative to gain support then in the speech offering an olive branch of some kind makes good for optics and smooth transitioning of power, Obama’s statesman like speech is welcoming, at least he understands the ground game and doing everything to protect his legacy.

I am still in shock that a political neophyte known as the ‘Donald’ could come to power, this was not how this election was to end even as labelled Hispanics as ‘hombre’ while playing on the dissatisfactions on certain classes “Make America great again” despite the misogyny, is democracy all but dead here now when anyone can become the leader of the free world. But John F Kennedy warned about this prior to his murder, he effectively said every President needs a lull period to adjust and settle as many of what was promised on the campaign may not be deliverable. So I conclude instead of the motto credo ‘God Bless America’ it might be read in the future as ‘God SAVE America’ instead.

one of the memes floating aound during the campaign 

There is a cultural diversity that cannot be ignored anymore, the days of the privileged Caucasian with political power are all but dead as the ‘browning’ of the US by way or Latinos, African immigrants and such is unmistakable, they will make the majority in the long run; this round seems to be a last ditch effort to hold fast to ‘white power’

patronising suppport for LGBT to get votes?

Trump cannot be trusted.

Washington may change Trump or Trump may Trump Washington is yet to be seen, he may not able to ‘drain the swamp’ which is a far cry from running a private business versus governing within boundaries and Capital Hill runnings. The presidency seems to be moving to a ceremonial one than an office with on individual with raw power, said President is constrained in certain respects. Do not loose sight of the fact that Hillary Clinton got the popular vote to the tune of some 200,000 votes than Trump. The midterm elections should be interesting and when he is tested his temperament will be watched closely.

Will Michelle take it up for the next election cycle given her posturing in this last one? even as the above GQ photo of the first lady presumptive floats around. This is the image of dignity that should obtain in the Oval office?

I have to concur with former JLP spokesman (although he is antigay) that Trump is going to become the very thing he has demonised; as the reality hits him, trade deals he wants to change will be problematic and so on he will have to adjust. He cannot have his cake and eat it too.

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

Mr Trump has a steep learning curve indeed

where is Trump eally on LGBTQI matters?

Firstly the following is today's editorial from the Observer, most of which I concur:

We congratulate Mr Donald Trump on his victory in the United States presidential elections yesterday, admittedly with a reluctant sense of trepidation.

Reluctant because, while he won by the democratic process which we cherish, the election was much too bitter and divisive, largely because of Mr Trump’s scorching campaign, starting with the primaries last year.

Indeed, Jamaica and the world at large were gripped by the unusual election campaign and perhaps, more specifically, the conduct of Mr Trump, who broke all the conventional rules in the way he insulted various groups; admitted to what the rest of us regard as sexual assault on women; mocked a disabled journalist; attacked the media; and refused to release his tax returns against presidential custom.

There is a sense that with Mr Trump’s win, the United States and the world have entered uncharted waters under the administration of a man who has not shown any love for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is keeping the free world protected; has no qualms about the proliferation of nuclear weapons; and stays up late tweeting about inconsequential things against opponents.

To give him his due, Mr Trump galvanised a sizeable segment of the American population which is clearly feeling left behind. Regrettably, that also brought out the worst in some of his supporters, encouraged by the candidate’s loose language and fanned by claims that whites were feeling overwhelmed by the growing diversification of the United States.

But it demonstrated that, as part of the healing and reunification process, the concerns and fears of this large section of the country must be factored into any social and economic development plans going forward. A way must be found to help them understand that diversification of the population, while unstoppable, does not have to be a bad thing for them.

In this regard, Mr Trump has a steep learning curve. He campaigned on banning Muslims, deporting millions of illegal immigrants, and promising his supporters to “take back the White House” and “make America great again”, which many saw as a “dog whistle” to return to an era when non-whites were not treated as equals.

He will also have to brush up quickly on foreign policy in order to quell nervousness among leaders across the world who question his temperament and commitment to the norms that kept the Western powers safe and in control. He will have to learn to listen to the generals and not insist that he knows more than them.

Still, we are hopeful that the indomitable spirit of the American people will hold the country together and that Mr Trump will be a fast learner. His vast experience as a businessman gives him some advantage in the area of the economy and we expect him to do well in creating jobs for those who have been left behind.

We also congratulate Mrs Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, who came within a whisker of being the first woman American president. She fought a good fight and crowns a lifetime of public service with the historic achievement as the first woman to head a major party presidential ticket.

We wish them both very well.

ENDS

But the Observer had left out the fact that Trump will not have a free ride in essence; he may be as lamed up in a sense in terms of getting things pushed through the senate and he may as outgoing President Obama had to rely on veto powers o executive orders to mitigate the restraint of congress.

Can this win be seen as a US BREXIT?

More anon

Peace & tolerance needed now.

H

BREXIT & LGBTQ Asylum concerns

What does Brexit mean?

It is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU - merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in a same way as a possible Greek exit from the euro was dubbed Grexit in the past.

Why is Britain leaving the European Union?

A referendum - a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part - was held on Thursday 23 June, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.

In the aftermath of the surprise vote by way of a referendum in the UK to leave the European Union with accusations of deception in lead up campaign whilst the political causality was former Prime Minister David Cameron and his successor Theresa May seems to be hesitating somewhat on how the ‘BREXIT’ would look like and when it will come through; the firestorm in recent days since a high court ruling that for BREXIT to happen the parliament has to lay out its plans and decide on how it intends to launch the path for the exit to occur. The seeming protectionist posture by many states including the UK itself as the perceived fallout for foreign workers and implications for trade deals with negotiations are becoming more apparent. Nervous stock holders have been on a holding pattern somewhat similar to when planes heading for Gatwick circle until it is there turn to land the pound has been slipping, share prices fluctuating leaving investors overall worried about their futures; then there is talk of moving to other markets such as the NIKEI or the US even as the FED may announce reduced interest rates. Not being part of the EU single market does not seem to bother the likes of Theresa May such as high tariffs for exporting or importing goods and services.

‘Article 50’ the actual instrument that must go into effect is effectively limited to two years is yet to be acted on, Theresa Mays says she wants to do so by March 2017 but in the same breath the UK cannot re-enact its membership with the World Trade Organization, WTO unilaterally and requires the consent of 163 countries for that to happen and the business of quotas are problematic or negotiations of said deals, the recently concluded 7 year negotiated deal with the EU and Canada seems to be seen as a template for getting out of this; with the UK a more services driven economy than for goods the WTO re-negotiations may be challenging, the politics trumps the economics some say. The UK is not a direct member of the EU and is involved by way of the EU and risk the exiting of the EU without those deals cemented as the timing is too short some say. There is no known schedule of commitments by the EU in the WTO in other words there is no active independent membership some BREXITiers say use the EU membership terms but the issue with that is

‘No problem’ says BREXITiers as the UK can fall back on the default international trading rules by the WTO but the EU sells more to the UK than vice versa so the EU has more to lose. But what about business interests, where the power realities lie and lobbyists?

The EU MEPs in the meantime seem to be in a hurry to oust the UK and get on with the business of the union, while the French and British are still at odds with border controls more so than ever now as illegal migrants pass through, some going to great extremes such as literally walking the length of the underground tunnel from France to the UK or risking life and limb via way of hiding in lorries and using force for truck drivers to take them to the border. Despite a well thought through and implemented SCHENGEN visa system in the 27 states in the EU in terms of freedom of movement of legal persons and asylum seekers who can also move across borders for temporary jobs for example refugees and illegal migrant want to go to the UK more so than Germany, France, Sweden and even Holland.

Will the UK indeed England or Britain depending on who in that old arrangement decide to leave by way of their own referenda in Scotland, Ireland and the Falklands become even more insular in terms of asylum number allocation? The near 300% rise in the paper application fees and other fees for approaching the court/Home Office seem to suggest the pathways are being slowly closing or shrunken to make it even more difficult for applicants.

It is The change in law pushed by the Home Office as well in terms of landlords in the UK can find themselves in serious trouble if they do not verify or notify the authorities of illegal immigrants has sent said immigrants deeper into the underground, indeed deportations are on the rise as a recent public matter brought to bear. LGBT Jamaicans who have been in hiding in the UK and the EU to a certain extent and who cannot justify the affidavits they present are also a part of the mix and are being deported, three persons of note were sent back recently.

On the other hand UK Prime Minister Theresa May just yesterday has implemented a registered travel scheme for business persons with India being the first country to fall in that category but the lower socio economic groups seem not to be considered, the UK is trying to (re)establish connections if and when BREXIT comes to life, India’s economy is growing and holds most of the cards in these negotiations. Talks between the EU and India on trade deal have been going on for nine years so this move by the UK PM is timely to grab first instead of the EU; bilateral trade between the UK and India has slowed in the last five years from $16 billion to $14 billion. There are inherent inconsistencies as the very Theresa Mays has said she wants immigration number to supposedly include asylum seekers from dome 300,000 per year to 150,000 a full 50% cut while opening up more to business interests. How can on one hand the UK be seen to be closing the door but rolls out the red carpet to India in a strategic move to upstage the EU?

There are thousands of commitments in the WTO arrangements and some make it sound easy and cannot be done overnight or in twenty four hours; under WTO there is very little access to services. Britain is already been seen as a troublesome neighbour maybe two years after invoking ‘Article 50’ there may not be a sensible agreement in place, temporary expedience may become the interim solution. Rolling over the article for a year or extending member ship maybe unappealing for both sides especially the UK and transitional arrangements may be not on the cards. However not being in the EU single market has not stopped places like the USA to sell into it; the preferential sugar arrangements from a Jamaican standpoint in recent years also is an indication of a kind of shrinking of certain agricultural consideration with supply and demand.

Political implications

Britain maybe seen as undermining the push for solutions to the borders issues, the Eurozone crisis and terrorism and I do not think there will some olive branch to the UK to re enter the EU as the EU now constituted may want to do all it can to stop others from leaving , Turkey’s recent re-enactment of the death penalty and a subsequent warning by Angela Merkel of membership of the EU the response from Turkey was it will take no talk from the EU.

The rapid rise of right wing sometimes extremists groups and political outfits who have formalised themselves is of concern, namely in Germany, France (the opposition to the Jungle tent camps) and of all places Holland that was once thought to be the bastion of true equality and an open arms policy on LGBT asylum seeking and relocation opportunities. Donald Trump’s “BREXIT times ten” on the campaign trail among other things he has spewed seems to have emboldened said fanatical right wingers, the bizarre case that got me thinking was the anti African descented push by a group in Holland with surprising support and with so many Jamaicans already there I am concerned. A recent report of a clash outside a club with Jamaicans and persons making racist remarks and declaring blacks should return to the countries has made this issue a live on. Such anti African and racist sentiments are also on the rise in the UK and what appears to be the Home Office’s hardened positioning on the cases before it; given their history of disbelief of homophobic violence and asylum applications it may become difficult for some with even legitimate claims in their affidavits. One infamous case comes to mind from the early 2000s where the judge literally told the applicant he was not ‘camp’ enough to be gay and that he was lying, a deception by the way used by some (sometimes encouraged allegedly by dishonest solicitors) to act ‘camp’ with everything from aesthetic changes to boot while in holding camps to overdone effeminacy so that witnesses can say he displays stereotypes.

Angela Merkel

Germany’s more accommodative approach to refugees overall to the tune of one million has not gone down well with these racist and anti immigration groups and a recent poll has made the present administration targets of protests, sustained advocacy and violence with verbal abuse of non whites. Germany has a aging populations issue similar to Singapore and immigrants are given some leeway to take up jobs to meet those demands, alongside the natives’ resistance to taking those low paying jobs. 

They also encourage the SCHEGEN visa arrangements quite willingly especially since Angela Merkel’s assumption of leadership and who is seen as the most powerful woman politically in Europe. Most LGBTQ Jamaicans I am aware of who land on UK soil as asylum seekers or under-grounders cannot do much in terms of real good paying jobs so they take household jobs, fast foods work, volunteering at LGBT spaces to build their profiles and so on as legal fees can be a killing despite some grant aid by some LGBTQ outfits there.

Another video shot in Holland recently (this one came before - Rowdy behaviou by Jamaican gay men in Amsterdam) that appeared on social media of supposed bad behaving Jamaicans and similar ones have also not helped the situation by virtue of the comments made in Dutch suggests ostracism and indeed racism as well with the sub text being persons got an opportunity and they abuse it and bring their bad behaviour to their shores; while not assimilating as it were to their (Dutch) cultural norms. Alleged lotto scammers operating there seems to be also popping up more and more as well and I fear can lead to deep mistrust issues impacting those with legitimate cases. On the other hand Jamaicans there on a whole seem to be doing well given their respective social posts and their use of Dutch with is a part of the conditions for residency.

Some of the 42 deportees sent back to Jamaica by the United Kingdom, at Mobile Reserve in St Andrew, where they were being processed on September 7.

As we wait to see the rapidly changing times unfold more Jamaicans are going through some challenging episodes. The pesent state of affairs unde Obama saw more deportations up to 20,000 Jamaicans deported from the United States ; then what is to come under Trump if he wins?

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

Protect & Promote Human Rights, Economic and Social Justice for All Jamaicans Petition

sign the petition Here

The Road Towards Sustainable Development: A National Focus on Human Rights, Economic and Social Justice

Equality, justice, and protection are essential to growth and development; Jamaica’s National Development Plan (Vision 2030) was developed on this premise. The Plan recognizes the importance of inclusion given our diversity as a people has been dubbed by said Plan as one of our national strengths. We live in a Jamaica that is affected by economic and social injustices, where there is inadequate protection for the rights of all people without prejudice and discrimination, regardless of economic status, religion, gender identity, place of origin, sex and sexual orientation, ability, age, health or any other status. We also live in a society where there is inadequate protection for the environment on which we depend for sustenance.

J-FLAG is therefore calling on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) to consider the following human rights, economic and social justice issues as critical matters that must be addressed by the next government as part of efforts to achieve Vision 2030.
Empower People with Disability (PWD) to Achieve Their Fullest Potential and Fully Contribute to and Benefit from Jamaica’s Development in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcome 2 and Social Development Goals 1, 3, 4, & 8
Enhance the Lives of Retired Persons, the Elderly and their Families in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcomes 1 & 3 and Social Development Goals 1 & 3

Reduce Stigma and Discrimination and Protect and Promote the Rights of the Most Vulnerable and Marginalized within the Jamaican Society in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 2, Outcomes 5 & 6 and Social Development Goals 5, 8, 10 & 11

Reduce the Number of Children and Youth Living and Working on the Streets by Half in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcome 3 and Goal 2, Outcome 5 and Social Development Goals 1 & 3

Reduce Income Inequality and Secure Economic Justice for All Jamaicans in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcome 3 and Social Development Goals 1, 5, 8 & 10
Protect the Rights of Children, Youth and Adults who Come in Conflict with the Law in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 2, Outcome 5 and Social Development Goal 16
Address Homelessness and Protect the Rights and Well-Being of People who are Displaced and Homeless in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcome 3 and Goal 2, Outcome 5 and Social Development Goals 1 & 3
Protect the Human and Civil Rights of LGBT Jamaicans in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 1, Outcome 2 and Goal 2, Outcome 5 and Social Development Goals 3, 4 &16
Create and Strengthen National Mechanisms to Facilitate the Enjoyment of Rights in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 2, Outcomes 5 & 6 and Social Development Goal 16
Promote Environmental Protection as a National Priority in accordance with Vision 2030 Goal 4, Outcomes 13, 14 & 15 and Social Development Goals 2, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15

J-FLAG is calling on the next administration to commit to economic and social justice for all Jamaicans guided by a human rights framework toward achieving sustainable development. We cannot achieve Vision 2030 if the state, the Opposition, civil society, and our people do not work cooperatively and collectively to reduce and eliminate all forms of inequalities. Vision 2030 will only be achievable when there is adequate protection, consideration, coverage, access and empowerment for our people to achieve their full potential. 

We cannot continue to marginalize parts of the society, and we cannot continue to engage in business and personal activities that contribute to the degradation of the natural environment. We are aware that this cannot only be the responsibility of the next administration, but will require partnerships. We are calling on both the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party to declare their unwavering and actionable commitment to equality for all and for environmental protection. If we action this commitment, we will improve lives, families and businesses, and preserve the environment for future generations.

The organisation is willing to work with the next administration and all stakeholders and partners to action these recommendations.

You may read the full call to action here: https://goo.gl/9HUfTS 

also see from Gay Jamaica Watch:

The Line in the sand for the PNP part 16: Pre-election debate dodging

Buggery law referendum baiting by JLP in #Javote2016 campaign

The line in the sand part 15: More shenanigans & exploiting buggery ....

Nicholson says JLP 'crazy' for wanting referendum on buggery law .... oh boi

Tufton on Same Sex Marriages & Growing Up ..... Charles panders to antigay position

Golding, Buggery And The CCJ

Source: Gleaner

It is a well-known truth that minority groups are often used as scapegoats when politicians need to leverage the support of the majority. After all, what better way to coerce action than to convince the privileged that a "vile, immoral and downright sinful" minority are a threat to their privilege?

That incessant need to suppress otherness is a central rallying cry; nothing binds us together like our shared prejudices. With all that known to me, I perhaps shouldn't, then, be surprised by Senator Mark Golding's vulgar political ploy regarding the CCJ, the Privy Council and buggery. And yet I am. For in seeking to play to irrational fears, the minister may have done harm to his own cause and, in the process, called into question a central plank of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Speaking at a forum on the regional court, the justice minister made comments warning those expressing a preference for the UK-based Privy Council to tread carefully. According to the minister, and I'm paraphrasing, there will come a time when the country's colonial-era buggery laws will be challenged in the Constitutional Court.

As Mr Golding sees it, the matter could end up before our final court, currently the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Golding goes on to forecast that such an eventuality would all but spell doom for the laws, because, according to him, the UK-based judges are more likely to apply contemporary British perspectives on same-sex relations, rather than any judicial rigour, in interpreting the validity or the laws. Granted. He may well be right.

But the argument becomes curious when the minister goes on to say that he would much rather a regional court that understands our regional realities, culture, history, etc. passing final judgment on the laws rather than an alien tribunal.

What are we to make of this argument? Is the minister suggesting that the Caribbean Court of Justice, far from being an independent arbiter of law, would apply "regional realities, culture and history" to judicial interpretation? For if he is, he is on very shaky ground, indeed.

It is my understanding that judges should interpret what is plainly before them, rather than seeking to create public policy, or satisfy the wishes of the majority. They should, as far as possible, resist the urge to make law. Those judges who breach their role by applying personal preferences should be seen as oddities.

What Mark Golding has done is dangerous. In his indecent haste to win over a majority of the Jamaican people, he has called into question the independence of the regional court. What's more, the minister may have even created unreasonable expectations in the minds of Jamaicans as to the functioning of the court.

It is not an exaggeration to suggest that the naked prejudice that informs attitudes to the buggery law may convince many Jamaicans to get firmly behind the CCJ - no pun intended.

Such an arrangement would force the court into a corner, and quite possibly cripple its hand as it relates to ruling on the law. The minister comes dangerously close to confirming a long-standing argument against the regional court, which is that it would not be immune to political pressure from Caribbean leaders.

Golding is guilty of indirectly applying pressure on the court. To be sure, we cannot know with any certainty how the CCJ would ultimately vote on the issue, but it is enough to be concerned about the effect of Golding's posture, and the reaction of our people to it.

Does this new posture from the minister suggest the CCJ may yet see the ballot? And if it does, what would happen if the people buy into Mr Golding's fearmongering, and the court decides to nullify the laws? Who would soothe the resentment and anger that would rip through this country? It would be something akin to betrayal of the Jamaican people.

Still, Golding is no fool. There is a strategy at play, vulgar though it is. He knows well the prevailing misconception that suggests there is an orchestrated plot by external forces to overthrow our cultural preferences on buggery.

What could be a greater threat than foreign judges, with gay sympathies, overruling our most cherished laws? For many Jamaicans, that idea invokes a strong phobia. The minister may be interpreted to be banking on that fear to bolster the position of his Government.

Finally, politicians must be careful that their actions may be seen as seeking to exploit bigotry and prejudice to achieve a political end. History is replete with tragedies that arose because of that very exploitation.

At the heart of the fearmongering are real people, who are hoping for a fair hearing on the extent of their liberties and freedoms. They deserve no less. If Jamaicans accept the Caribbean Court of Justice, let it be on the merits of that court, and there are many, and not out of fear and lies.

Those of us who accept the legitimacy of the CCJ believe the truth of its worth is enough to win the day. The minister should accept that, too.

Mark, let us not turn this debate into a naked conversation about buggery. The CCJ is worth more, and Jamaicans deserve better.

- Ricardo Brooks is chairman of the Jamaican Association for Debating and Empowerment.

also see a previous post: Justice Minister exploits homophobia to gain CCJ support on Gay Jamaica Watch and ....

JFLAG Tries to Clarify its Agenda 2014

J-Flag Says It Wants More Done For LGBT People

Health Minister Says Boldness Needed to Change Buggery Laws for HIV Prevention Work to be Effective

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

Holiness, hypocrisy and homosexuality …Pastors and the buggery law debate


CVM TV @ Sunrise on the Buggery review & JFLAG's 100 days hope for meeting with PM

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

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke

PNP’s Bobby Pickersgill differs on Conscience Vote route to decide on Buggery Law 2013

Church defends Buggery Law ... 2013

Buggery Law challenges & overlooked judicial solutions 2013

PNP's Damion Crawford says it's highly unlikely buggery review will happen .....

PNP Wins ................Hope for LGBT People ??? 2011

"Outdated" Bail Laws to be changed but Buggery Laws remain ... how convenient Mr.Golding? 2010

an earlier podcast on the history of the law from 1533:

That Buggery Law (UK 1533), Grief & The Ill-informed (2nd Take) 21.10.15 

Gleaner Editorial: Confront Anti-Gay Bigots

President Obama's LGBT comments at Youth... by glbtqjamaica

When Barack Obama referenced Angeline Jackson in his remarks to young leaders during his visit to Jamaica, it was more than a statement about the bravery of an individual and the right of people, whatever their sexual orientation, to enjoy their fundamental human rights in a free and democratic society.

It was a declaration, too, of the nature of leadership: that, at its best, it is conditioned by neither opportunism nor narrow expedience.

We hope that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller heard and was inspired to lead her administration in a frontal legislative defence of this country's gay and lesbian community to love who they wish, without fear of discrimination, official, or otherwise. In other words, it is not enough for the prime minister to designate a member of the Cabinet - as the Americans may have been advised she has done - to trove for complaints about government agencies that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and then use moral suasion in an effort to reverse such bigotry. Nor should such an initiative be secret, as it appears to be.

(photos added for this entry, not at source)

Ms Jackson was 19 when she was raped. Her rapists hid behind the chimera of their action being some kind of corrective therapy for her lesbianism. Instead of slinking off in the darkness, Ms Jackson formed an advocacy organisation, Quality Life Jamaica, for women like herself who have faced such trauma and, as President Obama put it, to push back against such stereotypes.

Said Mr Obama: "But more than anything else, she cares about Jamaica and making it a place where everybody - no matter their colour, or their class, or their sexual orientation - can live in quality and opportunity."

It was a sentiment similar to President Obama's and the bravery of Ms Jackson that we perceived in Mrs Simpson Miller when, during the 2011 election campaign, she rejected notions of a sexuality check for prospective members of Cabinet and promised a parliamentary conscience vote on the law against buggery, the major weapon of terror used to intimidate gay men.

Mrs Simpson Miller and her Government have done little publicly to advance this issue, which requires a major public-education campaign and would benefit from her unique skills of communicating with most Jamaicans.

GOVERNMENT CONSTRAINED

It is easy to understand why Mrs Simpson Miller and Government may be tentative. A Bill Johnson poll for this newspaper last year found that 95 per cent of Jamaicans were in favour of retaining the buggery law. And while more than 80 per cent agreed that gays were not treated fairly in the society, two-thirds felt that they that should not enjoy the same rights as straight people. In other words, it is right for the law and other institutions to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Such attitudes are fanned by fundamentalist Christians, whose unevolved fire-and-brimstone interpretation of scripture helps, in too many circumstances, to reinforce bigotry and constrain governments keen on socially progressive and transformative actions. Put crudely, they influence votes. It would make sense that the fundamentalists undertake a review of their bearings.

At the same time, Mrs Simpson Miller might find that the hold of the fundamentalists and the bigots might be not as powerful as they assume if her leadership advances to the protection of people like Angeline Jackson.

ENDS

Nothing much to add except to reference the Quality Citizenship Tab immediately below to see other posts by date order, new ones appear first including this post so scroll down for more.

As this old Clovis toon implies it's about winning election so explosive matter such as Buggery/Homosexuality may not really get the attention they deserve or be made to become political capital harvesting tools.

In the meantime see:
Health Minister Says Boldness Needed to Change Buggery Laws for HIV Prevention Work to be Effective

Member of Parliament Lloyd B Smith on Of Buggery & Rationality

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

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

Opposition leader (JLP) reiterates his call for a referendum on Buggery ...

Jamaican Opposition Leader says he would allow homosexuals in his cabinet ..... departing from his predecessor 

Non Governmental Organization Consultant says JLP suggested Referendum on Buggery is not a good idea

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

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

Holiness, hypocrisy and homosexuality …Pastors and the buggery law debate

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

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke,

PNP’s Bobby Pickersgill differs on Conscience Vote route to decide on Buggery Law

The False Dichotomy of the religious right on the LGBT advocacy Godlessness

MoBay Church Fraternity Says No To Buggery Review

The PNP's first 100 days ............. buggery review looks far away

PNP's Damion Crawford says it's highly unlikely buggery review will happen ........ it's not important now 2012

CVM TV @ Sunrise on the Buggery review & JFLAG's 100 days hope for meeting with PM

Gleaner's associate editor on no to theocracy

Milk River PNP Councillor says no to buggery repeal ..............