4th Annual Lesbians Who Tech + Allies Summit 23rd to 26th Feb 2017

It's conference season as usual and the CROI 2017 just closed or about to, now comes the technology driven 'Lesbians Who Tech(nology) Summit invloving lesbians and bisexual women in the ever evolving Tech world.

ABOUT THE LESBIANS WHO TECH + ALLIES SAN FRANCISCO SUMMIT 

The 4th Annual Lesbians Who Tech + Allies Summit from February 23rd to the 26th, 2017 in the Castro District of San Francisco will bring together over 2,200 lesbians, queer women + allies across all areas of technology. 

Some years ago we had a Jamaican representative who did us proud there and made a Caribbean mark as well. 

Topics include: Technology + The Resistance, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data, Hardware, Machine Learning, A.I., Healing + Community, Virtual Reality, Engineering and Entrepreneurship.

At the heart of our Summits is a deep commitment to women in tech, LGBTQ women and women of color. We do that by showcasing top tech talent who are changing the world, and happen to be LGBTQ women. Our goal is to push the industry towards a higher standard, a technology sector that is representative of the people who live in this country.

Because the world changed, our strategy for this year’s Lesbians Who Tech + Allies 2017 San Francisco Summit changed.

After the election we regrouped and approached the Summit with a fresh point of view to take the Summit beyond technology. We reached out to leaders who are rising up and using tech to lead the fight on issues of reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, systemic racism and sexism, and more issues at the intersection of power and freedom.

Basic Agenda, see the detailed registration/agenda HERE

THURSDAY | FEB. 23
6:00-9:00 PM
Tech Crawl
Badge Pickup

FRIDAY | FEB. 24
VIP Breakfast
TED Style Talks
Technology Demos
Recruiting Zone
Executive Diversity + Inclusion Forum
After Party

LevelUP Leadership Lunch

SATURDAY | FEB. 25
TED Style Talks
Workshops
Panels
TechUP Career Fair
Hackathon

SUNDAY | FEB. 26
Lesbians Who Hike
Lesbians Who Bike
Lesbians Who Rock Climb

Closing After Party

Scholarship Applications HERE

Rev Devon Dick calls for Dr Carolyn Gomes (CVC/JFJ) to resign re Bain Issue, another ally lost here?

So the Professor Bain conflict of interest HIV CHART matter continues to cause debate and voices from all angles have been sharing their opinions including ones who we do not regularly hear on about homosexuality as it were or the stifling of freedom of speech perception that has been deceptively manipulated by the anti gay groups and voices involved in recent days, protests and church meetings are still being planned and hosted to further push their fear-mongering agenda that somehow some hidden hand are out to get the church and foist homosexuality on the nation. Newsflash homosexuality has always been here.

We have been slowly loosing public tolerant support (private opinions may differ from that support as evidenced as of late) as more persons seem to have been turning or changing their minds in as far as tolerance or was it a show all along? News coming to hand as well that the Child Development Agency, CDA alongside the Ministry of Youth & Culture raising concerns that a Jamaicans for Justice, JFJ sexuality program (Dr Carolyn Gomes is past ED and a current board member) funded by foreign grant makers in places of safety and children’s homes was not approved by both as is required has only sought to strengthen the perception of deceptively by groups with some hidden agenda and hints of conflict of interest as well in some sense.

Reverend Devon Dick who has written on the subject of homosexuality before has been making a turn towards some understanding to even surprisingly include intersexuality issues as evidenced in the last appearance I saw him in person as he made a presentation at the Dr Ena Thomas Symposium Sexual Awareness November last year at the Pegasus Hotel, he among other things spoke on Sexual Healing and his opening remarks sought to be as inclusive as possible: “Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen and persons of intersex gender” with some laughter coming from the audience and a short applause although a crack it shows some learning is happening but intersex does not suggest the umbrella description is another gender per say. 

However his misuse of the mythological and now stigmatising term ‘hermaphrodite” later in his twenty minute presentation to further describe intersex issues did not sit with me and obviously some other medical experts and sexologists in the room, he however referred to the Caster Semenya timeline where she was treated as an outcast, he then said “.... we must never allow things like that to happen to any other human being based on how their sexuality is viewed, she was prevented from being part of the female running community she should have experienced integration, the faith community becomes defaced for values and decisions that exclude and marginalise and define people as superior and inferior are destroyed, we ought to affirm the humanity of persons rather than defining them based on their sexual practices; it should be gay but persons who are in a homosexual relationship or persons who practice homosexuality; a person is more than what he or she does sexually ..... everybody is somebody first and foremost.” 

Coincidentally Mrs Gomes also made the same "H" word error earlier at the IACHR hearing: Jamaican human rights advocate uses the "H" word in submissions on intersex/lgbt issues at IACHR hearing

Now comes this piece in the Gleaner today with the Reverend calling for the present Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition who has been given the task of carrying on the agitation of challenging the conflict of interest of Bain imperative in that Belizean testimony/affidavit, this of course was started under Ian McKnight as ED but Miss Gomes is “damaged goods” in my view has a public persona problem as her image as an anti-police, anti government, upscale professional woman (of light complexion) with some flawed agenda that has followed her from her stint at Jamaicans for Justice is not helping this at all. She has tried to present the issues as they are but the public rebuff is clear and there seems to be an adage of pushing some “homosexual agenda” so much so that anti gay voice Betty Ann Blaine has asked what is the role of the CVCC bearing in mind the entity has been around for some ten years plus. Whether it has its own conflict of interest is another matter in and of itself as persons who sit on its board also cross sit on JFLAG, JASL and other agencies which makes one conclude that very delay and dithering on certain frontline work needed to meet urgent crisis cannot and have not happened.
Rev Devon Dick wrote:

On April 4, 2014, Carolyn Gomes, of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, wrote a threatening letter to E. Nigel Harris, vice-chancellor of UWI, calling for the removal of Brendan Bain as leader of CHART.

Gomes stated: "Professor Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society in the integrity of his word and work means that we do not believe he can or should remain in a leadership position in the UWI programmes of response to HIV."

This is an exaggeration to claim that Bain no longer holds the confidence of civil society. She does not speak for civil society but for some groups in civil society. The membership of 33 groups would not be a significant membership when compared to the membership of the Church, and the Church is a part of civil society. Her comment about civil society could be regarded as misleading.
Gomes' letter continues, "We wrote asking that you demonstrate unequivocal commitment to promoting human rights for populations made vulnerable to HIV through structural factors by: removing Professor Bain from any leadership position in the CHART programme and all positions of representation of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on issues of HIV and AIDS". Where is the data to support this premise for his dismissal? In addition, there was a news report where she stated that the protest against Bain's dismissal would be futile.

CRUDE THREAT

Gomes appeared crude in threatening Harris: "Your lack of leadership in the exercise of your discretion regarding who heads and implements the CHART programme, and who represents UWI in decision-making spaces, leaves us with few options but to make our concerns known to the widest possible audience, including regional and international supporters, funders and leaders". Apparently, financial pressure was applied to Harris.

Gomes' action has setback tolerance toward men having consensual adult sex with other men. There is a backlash in Jamaica against the homosexual agenda.

Nowhere in Bain's expert witness statement did he state that he was for or against the retention of criminalisation of men who have consensual sex with men.

Professor Bain has resigned from the PACC of PANCAP. Why was that not enough? Why hound him out of a job? Why not wait until his contract ends next year and not renew it? What harm can Bain do by training health workers and caring for persons with HIV?

Good work undone

Gomes' behaviour is similar to that of Butch Stewart and his treatment of three former senior employees. Stewart took them to court and the senior magistrate upheld a no-case submission. Stewart has undone the good work of the past by the treatment meted out to these former employees. Even if letters were backdated, it does not necessarily mean a criminal offence. Why treat loyal, competent persons like that? Similarly, why treat Bain, a loyal and competent worker like that? How kind will history be to Gomes and Stewart because of the way they have treated employees?

There is an allegation that French economist Thomas Piketty appears to have got his data wrong in his best-selling book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, which argues that inequality is rising and calls for a global wealth tax. Scholars will differ. Unless Bain had deliberately falsified data in his expert witness testimony then he should not be dismissed. Based on Gomes' letter it appears that a grave injustice has been done to Bain and she should resign.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.

ENDS

I do not like where all of this is going as we seem to be haemorrhaging allies or possible allies in the struggle and HIV prevention work as well as more persons conclude that the Bain issue was a bullying exercise more so than a principled stance and just when it matters most it all crumbles to shreds setting back years of work and sweat to get to where we got prior to May 18 2014 when the story broke.

Peace and tolerance

also see:

Homo-negative & homophobic feedback on the male jogger rape case continues

Professor's Bain's Testimony Threatened Foreign Funding (Gleaner letter)

Queen Ifrica calls on gay community to out paedophiles from amongst its midst

'UWI had no choice but to dismiss Prof Bain' says Professor Rosemarie Bell Antoine (OAS Rapporteur)

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

Ian Boyne: Bain exercised terribly poor strategic judgement 

Lessons to learn from The Professor Bain Matter

H

CVM TV's Live @ 7 on the UK AID Withdrawal threat & responses .......

As the debate intensifies on the United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron in a television interview after the commonwealth heads of government conference in Australia expressed concerns that commonwealth countries receiving aid but who are still carrying anti sodomy acts will lose said aid, buggery or sodomy laws which are mistakenly described as anti gay/homosexual laws when buggery is not homosexuality which I think is  clouding the debate and creating more unneeded anger and rage with homophobia. Mr Cameron said that Britain is one of the primary aid givers in the world, "We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights and that includes how people treat gay and lesbian people."

Live at 7 host Elon Parkinson had convener of Families Against State Terrorism (FAST) Yvonne McCalla Sobers and Human Rights Lawyer Lord Anthony Gifford who challenged a similar law in Ireland some twenty years ago. Both have made appearances in the previous outdoor stands in New Kingston earlier this year. 

In her response she reinforced basically what she had said at the press conference at the launch of the challenge to the buggery law at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She contested that the British exported the laws to other states at the time to all of their colonies, she noted that Cuba has no sodomy law. "As I see it I do believe we have enough common sense here to decide for ourselves to examine our situation and to say this needs to go or this needs to stay."
But with host Elon reminding here that the public is incensed by the thought she changed her tone to suggest we may not have the common sense after all. In answering host's Elon Parkinson's question:
"Are we missing something here when David Cameron indicated that look this is not just an issue regarding the removal of the anti gay laws but also a human rights issue under the broad scope of human rights we have known especially first world countries have withheld aid on the basis of human rights violations in several states?


Miss Sobers responded: "Many of us in this country supported the embargo against South Africa for instance so this measure has been taken in the past now the issue is why is it that it needs to worry us that much if the UK decides to withhold its money as it has a right to do for instance Barbados who has produced their way out of whatever economic situation might have come close Barbados has no problem with aid they don't get any UK aid so on the one hand it is possible to be independent on the other hand to get there perhaps as part of our development we need to take an approach that respects the right of all, we don't stop and think how much we loose in the brain drain, persons gay persons who migrate take away their skills take away their assets from this country we may need to just think again. If we think of the harm that is done to persons living here and I'll just speak on the harm done to actually straight persons as well with this kind of law because it skews the way in which a man is perceived."


She continued on the point of the downlow phenomenon, poor condom and sex negotiations with HIV/AIDS infection rates directly affected. There are repercussions in maintaining this law. The buggery law she continued that it fuels health issues and corruption - "One of the pluses for a corrupt police officer is an unenforceable law and this is one." The fear of being charged in connection with this law creates opportunities for payola and corruption, persons who maybe innocent have been accosted." she said Britain has no moral authority to do this action.

Lord Anthony Gifford


Said that the way the UK is going about the issue has rubbed Jamaicans the wrong way, he does not think the threat will be carried through, the real issue of him is a needed debate on love and tolerance in the nation and the explanation of the law, he said the law is inciting hate as its text itself is encouraging homophobia, the words are inflammatory as it describes buggery as an abominable crime yet it does not describe other crimes as such. He also added that it is a fundamental rights issue that suppresses the minority. On the matter of homosexual rights being secondary he responded that we need to get the issues into perspective and we have almost perfected other rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association that we can teach the world. He repeated his original call that the UK government is going about it the wrong way. He hinted to the reparation commission as a means to repair damage he sees that UK has done by passing old laws such as the sodomy ones where symbolic gestures and financial payouts can be made. He agreed with Elon Parkinson that it maybe a kind of colonial hypocrisy as the former colonial master wants states to remove the laws when they were handed to us.

Meanwhile Justice Minister Delroy Chuck in a separate CVM newscast on the same station some days before said that any such legislative change must be driven by the public interest, “It is a matter that parliament should have the opportunity to debate, looking at the pros and cons just like the capital punishment individual parliamentarians can take a position as to whether or not it should be changed that is it should be repealed or modified as the case maybe,” he continued ” I am not too sure that the homophobia is caused from the laws, these laws have been in existence from time in memorial I think it is fear to say that um Jamaicans do not consider homosexual behaviour to be acceptable the question is whether these views can be changed over a period of time.”

Of interest the opposition People's National Party has been silent are they afraid as the election season approaches to be siding with gays may be political suicide ?

My original response when the story broke on October 10, 2011 on a post on sister blog GLBTQJA Wordpress. My two cents then

But what will that do though in the long run if most states and including Jamaica outside of the region mentioned in the article have a strong beliefs or perception that homosexuality is an import and that actions such as this are forcing the hand of countries with “christian principles” and “high moral values” to capitulate to the powerful gay lobby from first world nations yet The Prime Minister David Cameron is not gay but could be viewed as a puppet in the scheme of this with the pressure coming and positions from the European Union side of things and other bodies such as the United Nations on sexual orientation.

Is forcing countries to comply the way to go?

Or hitting them economically?

I don’t think so, certainly other diplomatic methods can be employed but what about the notion that anti gay forces in the United States are in effect exporting homophobia and funding anti gay and religious fanaticism especially in parts of Africa in recent times. What does Mr. Cameron et al have to say or do about that?, these powerful backers behind such moves are said to be numerous and are some of the biggest companies and individuals allegedly. Will the UK also criticize those backers and demand they stop this kind of clandestine support or be made to stop? Can or will the UK Prime Minister stand up to the police man of the world and call it for what it is? Are we going to solve the issue of tolerance this way folks? I don’t think so, the hitting of the economic prosperity of these non compliant states as it were may only serve to bring more harm to the voices and populations on the ground who are made to pay the price as involuntary martyrs for this kind of pressure.

The particular tranche of aid that maybe affected is a bilateral one known as general support,the aid was vital as it was used to rehabilitation programs for deportees who are helped to rejoin society, training and support. National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said on a radio interview that if aid was cut Jamaica could not afford to run such a program at this time. The comments as usual were anti gay as Elon read a few from the program's Facebook page.

Also see more responses from the aforementioned persons and State Minister Miss Malahoo Forte on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch Reactions continue to come in on the UK's stance on AID to anti gay laws hosting nations

 Homosexuality is Not Illegal in Jamaica .... Buggery is despite the persons gender 12.11.11 by glbtqja6

Peace and tolerance

H

Florida Attorney Helps LGBT Jamaicans Seek Asylum

Homophobia still runs rampant around much of the world, but the global LGBT community is experiencing change as human rights advocates like Grace Gomez fight for change.

Grace Gomez, a lawyer working with LGBT asylum seekers in the United States, has been making some progressive changes working with displaced LGBT Jamaicans in Florida.

Homophobia is a prominent mindset throughout the country and the United States serves as a haven for some refugees who Gomez has helped to seek asylum. Their stories of hardship are heart-wrenching, as the possibility of being beaten, stabbed, or jailed is an everyday reality for LGBT Jamaicans.

Gomez specializes in immigration law and has become a passionate champion for LGBT asylum seekers globally. When she began her immigration work, she knew nothing about the injustices facing LGBT communities around the world, and she definitely didn’t expect to become so involved in her work. The passion for her work was inevitable; after hearing the stories and gaining the trust of her clients, her mission became to change the lives of even just a few immigrants. 

According to Grace, once she won the trust of the Jamaican LGBT community it became much easier to understand the innate and ingrained fears that they had of their government, families, and country.

Many LGBT Jamaicans in the United States seeking asylum have been completely shunned and outcast. It was hard for Gomez to even get her clients comfortable saying the word "gay" as they more often claimed to "be on the other side;" a term coined out of fear and socially learned prejudice. This violent discrimination, from beatings to murders, is a reality instilled in the community dynamic. Even harboring someone suspected of being gay has violent repercussions.

A client of Gomez, who out of fear for his life would like to remain unnamed, was emotional as he explained his conditions and that of his fellow Jamaicans who were "lost" prior to meeting Gomez. He said that she "helped put things into perspective for me, and told me I could file for asylum or withholding."

As defined by the United Nations persons claiming asylum must establish a "well-founded" fear of persecution, based on one of five grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion. The asylum seeker must prove their case and the courts are obligated by law to protect the refugee.

Withholding is defined under Article 3 and requires applicants to establish that it is more likely than not that they would be tortured if removed to a specific country. It is truly up to an Immigration Judge to decide if the candidate for asylum meets the standard. The notable difference is that asylum is discretionary while Article 3 protection is mandatory.

Relief from deportation under Withholding of Removal is found in the Immigration and Nationality Act under §241(b)(3) and 8 U.S.C. §1231 (b)(3). Under this section, the Attorney General "may not remove an alien to a country if the Attorney General decides that the alien’s life or freedom would be threatened in that country because of the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion."

Furthermore, a grant of withholding of removal under INA § 241 (b)(3) provides for amandatory prohibition against removal of a person to a country when that person has met the burden of proof, in contrast to the discretionary relief available under a grant of asylum.

An application for asylum under 8 U.S.C. §1158 is generally considered an application for withholding of removal under 8 U.S.C. §1231(b)(3) as well. Thus, if the determination is made that a person’s life or freedom would be threatened if returned to Jamaica because they are homosexual, they are entitled to mandatory relief from removal to that country.

As Gomez’s client describes his feeling about being in court he explains, "[I]t felt like I went in there with a mask on, and when I came out, it felt like I could take my mask off." That liberating moment is one that many gay Jamaicans trapped in their home country will never experience.

Jamaica gives no protection to its gay citizens as the law clearly denounces homosexual acts between men as illegal both publicly and privately. Law enforcement officers actively partake in the discrimination and turn a blind eye towards hate crimes. The judges and court system seem are unaware of the depth of the issue and discriminate just as law enforcement does.

Since protection under the law does not exist locally for LGBT Jamaicans, human rights advocates like Gomez are vital to not only creating a safe place within Jamaica but also changing the perspective of LGBT rights and rule of law in our global community. It is vital to recognize the imbalances of equality that exist around the world in order to demand change and more importantly affect it.

Angela D. Giampolo is an attorney, avid entrepreneur, and advocate for the LGBT community. Her column informs readers about changes affecting the LGBT community and provides expert advice on varying topics. As Founder and Principal of Giampolo Law Group, her goal is to provide a safe place for the LGBT community to service their legal needs and have their business and entrepreneurial questions answered. To learn more about Giampolo Law Group visit www.giampololaw.com and to read more articles, you can visit the firm’s two blogs at www.phillygaylawyer.com and www.lifeinhouse.com. To contact Angela directly with your business and legal related questions email her at: angela@giampololaw.com.

Source

Tanya Stephens gives confident lecture at UWI

A confident looking Tanya Stephens stood behind the podium at the University of the West Indies' Assembly Hall yesterday speaking in a lecture on the topic 'Music, the Power to Shape Societies'.

Her delivery was just as confident as she clearly brought across her points to the audience.

She touched on several fitting issues, among them, the social responsibility of entertainers, lyrics which objectify women, and the issue at hand, the power which music holds to shape societies. Where the latter was concerned, Stephens gave some excellent examples of how this was easily done, but did not accept responsibility for the negative impact that music has been said to have on society.

Stephens, however, did not place all the blame on music, saying, "... while music didn't create the problems, it is helping to propagate them."

She spoke of marketing strategies used by some artistes and how it helps them and at the same time influence how members of society and avid music lovers accept 'brand names'. The endorsement of liquors such as Cristal, Moet and Hennessy by entertainers is one such example she noted before going on to point out the clothing fad of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more recently Clarks.

She also spoke of the lyrical content of female artistes which objectify women saying that they were sending the wrong messages to a 14-year-old girl who is trying to find her identity.

Dancehall vs homophobia

She did not bar herself from her missiles, however, as she admitted to having content which did the same, but none recently.

'Dancehall vs homophobia' was another of her topic which was welcomed with applause as Stephens pointed out that oftentimes artistes who wear the 'humanitarian' and 'cultural' cap were the ones who blatantly hit out against homophobia and in doing so influenced the masses.

She said that the first time she performed Do You Still Care?, a song which addresses racism and anti-homosexuality, was before a group of journalists in New York, many of who were from Jamaica.

"I was warned that when I released the track I would have to move from Jamaica," she laughed.

She later turned the lecture into a conversation as she answered questions from members of the audience before performing Do You Still Care?, These Streets, It's A Pity and Cherry Brandy at the request of the audience.

Here is her song questioning prejudice towards persons recorded live some years ago

Dr. Carolyn Cooper, the main facilitator/organizer of this event, has indicated that Stephens’ lecture marks the revival of the public forums on ‘Women in Reggae’ that were previously hosted by the Reggae Studies Unit at UWI (to mark International Women’s Month). The first forum was held almost a decade ago, in March 2002. Artistes Judy Mowatt, Cherry Natural, Lady G, Lady Saw, Angie Angel, Queen Ifrica, Pam Hall, Sabrina Williams, Jana Bent, Shirley McLean, Italee, Crissy D, Ce’Cile and Nadine Sutherland have all spoken at/participated in previous UWI Women in Reggae forums.

17yo reunites with mother & siblings after homophobic displacement

So this one rings with positive energy all over it, a very special thanks to the two impeccable sources who alerted me to this occurrence and their intervention at varying stages of the occurrence from as early as October 2009.

An extra special thanks to them as well for granting the permission to publish selected aspects of this positive outcome which are few and far in between, usually most cases of this nature aren’t cleared up so quickly and with so many unexpected players involved. This is indeed wonderful news given the ugliness of our homophobic landscape.
Another final special thanks to the Guidance Counselor at his school whom despite her Pentecostal faith saw a life interrupted and professionally did what she could given her parameters on which to operate to intervene.

In early October of 2009 a then 16 year old youth was apparently outed through an incident which occurred at his gate where a friend of his had come to confront him about an exchange with other friends about private matters, his mother and stepfather who resided at the home at the time were present in the house but overheard the argument between the two which amounted to accusations of homosexual conduct.
He was questioned by both parents and chastised he denied the accusations and was warned if it were true he would have to leave the home, unfortunately the rumour which quickly spread through the neighbourhood was confirmed in his parents’ eyes with another loud exchange occurring a few days later at his home this time with other teens and adults from the area demanding the “batty man” leave the community. His stepfather ordered he vacate the home and so he did. His phone was searched and alleged suggestive messages were said to be contained therein, his mother though angry was not so quick to dismiss her son but with the hard hand of her hubby he had to leave as at the time they resided at his home in essence, he vowed if he saw him again he would hurt him, his two other brothers one older and one younger were also in a way saddened that he had to leave with his older brother visibly upset and also calling him a batty man. He has since relented.

Time passed and he tried to find shelter with friends who were accommodating to a point but based on the kind of accusations he soon ran out of options. At school the rumour was not so pronounced probably because he was not effeminate and in fact is very masculine and muscular according to the descriptions provided by my sources. Here is where the two sources came into play a lesbian sister and her male cousin a university student engaged to be married took the boy into their rented house that they were sharing and made him aware of the rules, they tried to reason with both parents during this time. While his mother was more conciliatory his stepfather was hardened and adamant he is not to return as he wants no batty man around his kids (he has two children from a previous relationship) he also demanded they never call him again on the subject.

His school work started to fall from the impact of his displacement and so came in the guidance counsellor who at first engaged the boy in a couple sessions where he withheld the true nature of his dilemma, however at the insistence of the lesbian contact she said he should tell her and see where it goes. So he did, she suggested he tried to concentrate on the work and regaining his averages. She did at one stage spoke about homosexuality being wrong and referred to her Pentecostal faith and biblical suggestions but she was also very tolerant in the end according to the sources as she said she was not there to judge. There was a minor skirmish at school at one point where a girl tried to smear him but he quickly diffused the situation as he may have to also change schools if it got out of hand. He maintained a low profile as best he could.

He continued to reside at the lesbian’s home and was supported by his brothers at first who knew where he was and maintained phone contact with him. They as it turned out never liked their stepfather either so he got emotional support from that angle. The boys would share their lunch or pocket money with him when they could and the lesbian friend provided food where she could with shelter. It was not until things started to sour between the stepfather and the boy’s mother that she (the mother) was made fully aware where her exiled son was as she long suspected her two sons at home were in contact with him but didn’t want to tell her, she only saw him at school a few times afterwards when she could unbeknownst to the stepdad. Their relationship ended on a bad note in March of this year and she moved from the stepfather’s home to her own rented flat. It was from this angle the reuniting of the family was planned and eventually took place.

According to the two activists as I will now call them it was an emotional reunion in May 2010 so much so that there was not a dry eye around by all concerned including the guidance counsellor who was there in Kingston to witness the event.

We don’t get this kind of closure of cases of displacement so often in fact this is the second one that has come to my knowledge so far this year there maybe others eh?, given I cannot cover all the happenings but a good renewal of a family none-the-less. I hope that the issues though doesn’t rears its ugly head again in future disagreements as we have seen in the past, the strong Jamaican monotropic bond between mothers and sons may just keep things in check and seeing he is near the age of adulthood he may soon have his own will to sort things out but I would imagine for now with the guidance counsellor and the friends network involved there should have an eye kept on proceedings.

Thanks so much again to the two sources for this story and for getting involved with a positive outcome.

Peace and tolerance

H

Letter to the Gleaner Editor - MP's views on gays backward

THE EDITOR, Sir:
I FIND IT really disgusting that a member of parliament in today's world could make such comments about J-FLAG. He should be made to apologise to the Jamaican people for his bigoted views.

A member of parliament should speak for the Jamaican People - gay or straight, black and white - no matter what, he should not condemn anyone.

Because of outdated laws, we Jamaicans are known around the world for our violent behaviour and our intolerance. It is about time our leaders showed the world that Jamaicans are not just a proud people, but as well tolerant and peaceful

We are not just mind-blowing thugs with hate for others who are different from us. I believe there may come a time when Jamaica will be respected around the world, not just for its comedy and Bob Marley, but for its motto 'Out of many, one people'.

I am, etc.,

J Windsor
henry_j_winsor@hotmail.co.uk
Luton , Bedfordshire
England

Gay Str8 Alliance Outlook

With the present climate hot again by MP Ernest Smith's comments and the discussion in the public domain ensuing (see posts following) a disussion question was posted on our NING page with an interesting response.

Question:
How feasible do you think it is to have a possible Gay/Str8 alliance to include families and supportive friends of ours???

Answer by a straight Jamaican male student living in the US
I'd say it's pretty necessary. One more voice heard is one extra bit of pressure for change, and for society to take a good look at itself and see that plenty of heteros can and do support and lifestyle choices that are different from their own, other at the very least the rights of others.


Support or lack thereof for LGBT persons is a fickle subject, we have seen many a case where families have outrightly rejected their own and even one case several years ago where a father gave his son up to a bunch of students at his school to be beaten because he found out he was gay, fortunately he was rescued by janitorial staff at the school who themselves endured blows to save him from the mob.

We have had a report only last week that a 19 year old male was outed in his community by a friend and his mother and siblings demanded he leave the home with immediate effect.

• How can we form alliances with straight friends and family members without putting them at personal danger and risk in our hostile climate?


• How can we get tolerance levels with close friends up and functional to every one's benefit.


• How can we enlist more participation from this group in LGBT rights and tolerance issues?

We must thank the (male) respondent to the discussion question for showing us that there are thinking persons around and that all is not lost. To get more persons like this to voice there opinions is crucial if we are to create a balance on the discussion of homosexuality and achieve tolerance.

Howie seh so