Ronnie Thwaites’ rubbish on flying rainbow flags grooms children into “particular lifestyle”

Ronnie Thwaites rubbish on Rainbow Flags... 

I guess some politicians want their piece of fame from this rainbow flag fiasco and they can’t resist the urge to join in but one wonders if their motives are genuine especially those from the parliamentary opposition; owing to the fact that when they were in power they duped us all on a now farcical conscience vote on buggery. The Former education minister from the prior HFLE fiasco turned opposition spokesperson Reverend Ronnie Thwaites has displayed his poor thinking yet again. This is the same man who as Education minister was directly responsible for the removal of progressive materials in the Home & Family Life Education, HFLE manual despite his guest speaker duties at JFLAG’s International Day against Homophobia & Transphobia, IDAHOT in 2012 and the resulting increased fear-mongering and moral panic and the recently ended guidance counselors and gay students controversy. I was expecting some more enlightened narrative on just basic tolerance from the goodly Reverend but I am yet again disappointed as remarks made by Thwaites on the controversial tweet-faux pas by Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte had further muddied the water in some circles.

the tweet that started the ball a rollin'

Gleaner poll results on the issue

What is ironic is that many persons may have passed the flag at the US Embassy at Hope Road prior to Mrs Forte’s tweet-faux pas I bet did not know what the flag meant until this controversy, so the good that can come out of this it is a teaching moment for us LGBT voices included who know the flag is for LGBT but do not know the history of it.

In a television interview on CVM TV on June 14, 2016 when asked after a public where the Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed support to the families impacted by the Orlando Pulse gay club shooting Thwaites said that the flying of a rainbow flag at the US Embassy is effectively grooming children into “a particular lifestyle that is different from the Judaeo Christian norm which is in fact the foundation of our constitutional order and I believe of our personal and national health...... ”

In other words polite speak for HIV is a gay disease resulting from anal sex; a ploy that is often used by antigay religious bigots such as Dr Wayne West, Betty Ann Blaine and Shirley Richards. I am not stupid as the goodly Reverend thinks some of us are and continue to pray on the public’s ignorance. So the hardened positions continue, will there ever be movement towards true tolerance anytime soon with the kind of continued paranoia and fear of openness of LGBT people and that a flag is so frightening in this round of it. Mr Thwaites of seems to forget that the very laws in Jamaica were inherited by us by default after independence in 1962 from Britain protected under a ‘savings law clause’ which preserved them until we must make the amendments and deletions when needed and this buggery law in particular needs to go. Also the UK has moved from a theocracy essentially to more civil legislative environment, as an attorney Mr Thwaites ought to be more balanced and indeed honest when making such remarks. He ought to also know that the buggery law when first promulgated was more about the smear campaign in the UK under Henry VIII to give effect to the English church reformation while extirpating the Catholic church and replacing it with the church of England which is the dominant denomination today in the UK; with subsequent re-enactments and amendments to 1967 when the forward thinking parliament decided the law should go and they were on good ground.

Then there are others in support are ascribing motive of imposing homosexuality and whether such flags are flown in US Embassy in Saudi Arabia for example and or ‘double standards’ as opposed to Jamaica and that the US would not do it; while ignoring the fact that that it is a different jurisdiction and that the death penalty under Sharia law as homosexuality is illegal but homosexuality is NOT illegal in Jamaica but buggery is despite the gender of the receptive partner(s) involved. Double standards are indeed needed in such delicate diplomatic relations especially with states like the Saudis; there are implications on world affairs that are too delicate to infuriate the fickle relationship. Some people just don’t think these days. Lest we forget who were murdered sadly in Orlando and the Attorney General in my view is saying indirectly LGBT Jamaicans dare not put up a flag to celebrate what we are about.

Why is the term ‘alternate lifestyle’ still being used in modern times to describe sexual orientation or homosexuality? Thwaites cannot bring himself to speak directly to the issues openly it seems. Let us put to rest the silliness about “homosexual lifestyle” or “alternate lifestyle” once and for all; as a phrase it is pure propaganda, a gossipy generalization and completely unworthy of a Christian who, following the counsel in Proverbs seeks understanding and insight into life and people. As Christians some will have to decide if we are going to partake of divisive “party spirit” that racked the church at Corinth or follow Christ as discerning attentive principles – to that still small voice and sharpen concerns for the ostracized instead of creating more strife.

Bear in mind that there is a reference in Luke 17:34 where Jesus in a teaching on the rapture makes what appears to be a neutral non-discriminatory reference where it read (King James Version):

Grooming when last I checked is not about an external influence as remote as a flag that can just influence someone so simply; as if to say children are going to get up and have sex as a rainbow flag denotes homosexuality and they will try it out. This grooming argument is not new and I had done an entry on the subject to try to decipher the phenomenon as untrained as I am but just sheer common sense is enough. Grooming involves a more personal one on one contact with the intended victim over time usually in an unbalanced power differential situation as the groomer seeks to psychologically imprison their target. A rainbow flag could not have any serious impact to those who do not have any understanding of what it signifies; what it denotes to the US and by extension the global struggle for LGBT rights and recognition. 

See:  The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria
Also let me remind us all that we have had rainbow flags in public spaces before and no one has died or simply become gay on sight due to the bright colours or some hypnotic powers emanating from the symbol. The fear is palpable. 

kites such as these have been sold by men at stop lights all over the island I imagine to students as well, are we to assume by Thwaites position that such rainbow kites will also groom children in a 'particular lifestyle?"

I have to agree with Mutabaruka in a sense, in his opening shot on his Stepping Razor show on the matter where he sided with Mrs Forte in principle but is alarmed at how Christian voices are saying either the shooting was retribution by God or that it was justified; he also questioned how a God who is represented in the Bible as a kind God is being presented to uphold barbaric principles? He then in patois of course mentioned the other abominations that are contained in Leviticus and highlighted the selectivity hypocrisy and the death penalty in Sharia law alongside the suppression of women’s freedoms.

“..... If you remove the Bible what would they (antigay Christian voices) do?”

he mentioned that he was contacted by one of the antigay groups who wanted him to sign a petition to remove the flag to which he seems to have ignored; he also reiterated a point I have also said that no government is going to be bold enough at this time given the push back will chance amending the buggery law by their own recognizance. He mentioned that fact that if one left the Muslim faith one may be punished by death.

“...the Bible supposed to be the book weh a show you a way to peace and justice and love and generosity and dem ting deh; and it mek people so hard inna dem heart?” he said in part.

“Mi nuh hear nobody a seh mek wi demonstrate ‘gainst adultery, wah happen to the church, cause most a de parson dem a adulterer ...... parson a look sista Dinah .... sista Dinah I’ve been watching you for a while ......... how de church nah preach ‘gainst adulterer?” he continued “the whole a wi would a dead.”

He concluded:

“Tell me, who is without sin mek dem cast the first stone”

Peace & tolerance is really needed in these times.

H

also see:

Urgent need to discuss sex & sexuality part 1 and part 2 and 

Rainbow Flag Controversy @ US Embassy Jamaica... 

Sex-ed does not say have sex — NFPB head

finally some sense to address the fear mongering of comprehensive sex education as published in the Observer

NATIONAL Family Planning Board (NFPB) Executive Director Dr Denise Chevannes-Vogel has said that exposing adolescents to information on sexual reproductive health will not drive them to have sex if they are not already sexually active.

Speaking at an HIV forum at Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew on Monday, Dr Chevannes-Vogel came out in full support of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, which has come under recent scrutiny after concerns were raised about the infiltration of the philosophy into the education system.

Dr Chevannes-Vogel called for “frank conversations” which, evidenced by the loud applause, got the nod from the audience.

In May, Education Minister Ruel Reid met with representatives of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society to hear their concerns and made it clear that the education ministry’s philosophical position is that gender is fixed as male and female.




He said then that a recent review of the approved books used with the Health and Family Life Education curriculum indicate that their contents are in conformity with Jamaica’s philosophical position on sexuality and gender.



However, this is not the first time sex-education material has provoked the ire of the public. Related content had come under scrutiny in 2012 after an uproar about some parts of the Health and Family Life Education curriculum encouraging homosexuality. It was withdrawn and revised to be more sensitive to Jamaica’s traditional beliefs and practices.

Though the forum — which was held under the theme ‘Health for All: Putting Youth and Adolescents at the Heart of the HIV Response’ — sought to raise awareness about adolescent and youth-specific issues in the response to HIV and AIDS, Dr Chevannes-Vogel moved to broaden the theme to put youth at the centre of a comprehensive sexual reproductive health response and sustainable national development.

“When we look at the correlation between good, optimum, sexual reproductive health and sustainable national development, the linkage is clear,” she stated. “And as a matter of fact, that was part of the basis of the integration of HIV and sexual reproductive health; they share common drivers — the gender inequalities, the cultural attitudes, the poverty, the unemployment, gender-based violence, sexual violence, incest.”

The National Family Planning Board is the lead agency for the HIV response after the Government merged some aspects of the National HIV Programme with the family and population planning programmes of the NFPB.

In addition to the common drivers, Dr Chevannes-Vogel pointed out that adolescent pregnancy is very high in Jamaica.

“We have the unenviable reputation of being fourth-ranked in the Caribbean region with an adolescent fertility rate, age-specific fertility rate, of 72 per 1,000 girls age 15-19. This compares to the Caribbean average of 65 and the global average of 49,” Dr Chevannes-Vogel shared, while admitting that the data is a bit outdated but provides an indicative figure.

She insisted that, in terms of sustainable development, Jamaica will not get very far unless there is a “comprehensive approach” looking at sexual and reproductive health, in addition to HIV.

“I think we need to recognise what it (Comprehensive Sexuality Education) is and what it is not. It is not sexualising young people and adolescents,” she insisted.

“What it is, is providing, in an age-appropriate, context-specific way, information that users and adolescents need to protect their sexual reproductive health.

“By telling adolescents and young people the kind of information [they need, it] doesn’t make anyone have sex.

“If they are not already sexually active, giving them the information is not going to drive them into sex,” she stated.

Dr Chevannes-Vogel said irrespective of the name given, whether it is Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Comprehensive Sexual Health Education, or Human Sexuality Education, what happens is having that “frank conversation” to help to empower young people.

She also pointed out that sexual education must be gender-specific and must also take into account how society drives sexual health behaviours for boys and girls.

“For boys, you have to have ‘nuff gyal inna bundle’. You cannot be thought to be gay,” she explained. “For girls, the notion [is] that you need a man to validate who you are; the notion [is] that if you haven’t had a child by the time you are a certain age, you are a mule.

“All of these are the cultural attitudes that we also have to empower our young people against,” she said, while reiterating the NFPB’s support for the ‘Health For All’ initiative.

Schoolgirl booted for taking same sex kiss with another girl, ignorant school officials ......

A ST JAMES schoolgirl who was photographed kissing another female cannot be sanctioned for her actions, the school's principal has said. Apparently it was a joke but also a dare to show she is secure about where she is going, if not experimentation. Teenagers often experiment with same gender sexualised behaviour of some sort and then move on as they age. 

the related photo

A photo has been circulating on social media which shows the girl, in school uniform, lip-locked with another female, who was in casual clothes.

The principal told THE STAR that any student found guilty of bringing the school's image into disrepute could be suspended. He, however, said that the uniformed female in the photograph was no longer a student at the school which he heads. He said the child left the school more than a year ago, but did not state the circumstances of her leaving. So if it is not disciplinary reasons or poor academic performance that caused her expulsion from the school then we can safely say it was because of misplaced homophobia, indeed lesbophobia then.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education told The STAR that its policy has always been that "we do not condone or promote sexual activity among adolescents, whether the behaviour is of a homosexual or heterosexual nature". A kiss is seen as 'sexual activity' by the Ministry! this just shows the phobia inside that organization as the experimentation bit in my opening suggests; a kiss does not neccesarily needs to full on sex gay or not. But I am not surprised as the minister himself has expressed said fears of 'grooming' and other such nonsense.

"Through the Health and Family Life Education Curriculum and guidance programmes, abstinence from all forms of sexual activity is emphasized," the ministry said.

The ministry said that adolescents found engaging in sexual activity should be referred to the relevant guidance counsellor for further guidance and counselling and external referral, where necessary. Problem is these sessions have a reparative ambit as opposed to a delay or abstinence thrust as if to 'change' the students from exploring or growing into their sexuality.

"Where these issues are identified in schools, targeted interventions are also implemented to address the issue of the inappropriate sexual behaviour," the ministry said. Just because of a kiss! the most that should have happened here is warning to her not to go so public as there maybe legal implications; as well as abstinence messages and refer her to the relevant outfits for follow up.

Sad another case of a teen's growth impacted by ignorant adults; living in a world they did not make and left taught stigma & discrimination.

When can we move forwards on this issue of sexual orientation?

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Livin' in a world they did not make: A second student rescued from homophobic attack at school

Parents' Month under the theme 'Parents: Today you guide. Tomorrow they lead' .... as for Gay 2010

3 Schoolboys face the court for beating other male student allegedly for calling them "battybois"

Viewers condemn kissing female students ...... yet again

Early initiation, gay sex, comprehensive sexual education and the real world

Girls Now Charged for Having Sex with Minors as Boys, Do Adults Ever Speak to Them?

The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics 

Teen boy love, getting caught & exploration

Teen forced to change schools following outing incident

Male student accused of spying in boy’s bathroom attacked

Effects of childhood bullying on mental health of adults

Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally

Sex-ed does not say have sex — NFPB head

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s a 'minority' matter.

Ronnie Thwaites’ rubbish on flying rainbow flags grooms children into “particular lifestyle”

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s a 'minority' matter.

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s not important & a minority matter.

Clarity is so crucial but as this matter drags out or dies down if ever so slowly the puzzle gets more pulled apart. This entry was supposed to be a part of two previous posts but in the preparation of the extract it dawned on me I had missed some crucial points; it is never too late for a shower of rain I say. Sections of social media are still on it despite the elections issues are more prominent but it cannot be divorced as the pandering is on in earnest from both political parties.

Ronnie Thwaites Education Minister

 quote from the Gleaner on JAGCE

In response to JFLAG’s supposed call issued on January 12 2016 ill-timed as it was in my eyes to investigate the position taken by the JAGCE President Minister of Education Ronnie Thwaites similar to what he did in the HFLE Home and Family Life Education manual fiasco dismissed LGBT considerations as not important and suggested it should not be addressed as more serious matters attend and is a minority. Speaking at a function in January (just managed to confirm it via audio clip) at the Oxford Road HEART Trust NTA he said such matters of counsellors were not high on the ministry’s agenda at this time.

“The issue of the LBGT community while I accept it is important, I understand how emotional and electric it can be frankly it is not the highest priority on my agenda as far as student behaviour is concerned; what bothers me is the abuse of girls, the brutality issued out to boys, issues to do with parental neglect, inadequate performance....”

He continued that these are huge issues affecting far more people and that “ ........ we do not major in the minors........”

The minister continued that a formal investigation is not necessary, he said his ministry will interrogate the JAGCE soon to determine any reports of infractions and that his task is to set policy with a view to extend compassion to any issue especially ones involving human behaviour.

Bearing in mind in another forum he was reported to have said he had received nor report on any student/parent and non engagement with guidance counsellors.

Meanwhile the implicated JAGCE President Nina Dixon in an interview on Nationwide radio with a counsellor Nadine Maloy, Ruel Reid Principal of Jamaica College and another Principal one Kassan Troupe on January 19, 2016 said the following practically changing her stance in my eyes when asked about her comment to the Gleaner:

“We notice that really some counsellors are uncomfortable dealing with issues that they were not trained to deal with; counsellors are well trained, we have well trained counsellors in our country but some counsellors are uncomfortable giving guidance without proper information dealing with that sensitive topic ....... it’s a taboo; it’s still a taboo topic.”

When asked if counsellors are refusing to counsel LGBT students she said:

“No, they would be fired, we work for the ministry of education and the ministry states that we look at students and listen to their issues, if we are uncomfortable or if we don’t feel that we can help that student fully we have a referral system that we utilize; and we have different agencies and different specialists that we turn to when things get difficult; you know that we can’t handle or deal with.”

She then made the definitive denial:

“A guidance counsellor has never refused to treat a student however they’ve stated that they are uncomfortable with some situations and sometimes it is based on their Christianity, what they’ve been taught in the church, how they’ve been raised; our culture."

Now I am even more befuddled than ever since this matter broke as where is the proof from Miss Nina that NO counsellor was dismissed due to non-engagement while not specifying LGBT students as the subject in the sessions and why didn’t Cliff Hughes and Dennis Brooks who interviewed her allowed that to simply fly pass in the wind? The JAGCE President did not mention the suicide matter as she did in another interview she gave to President of the anti gay group Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship LCF Helen Coley Nicholson and posted here. Given what transpired some years ago from as early as 2004 from memory when a male student was set upon by his own father who incited a mob at Dunoon High School and the subsequent discussions involving folks such as the late Dr Heather Little-White which resulted in some incremental changes to the referral systems as it was also unearthed that some counsellors were inappropriately using referrals as a cop-out or others were using a reparative therapy strategy for change while forcing students to suppress same gender desires with some transgender students allegedly being told they have a mental problem as well. Then came the ‘Lesbian learning matter’ and so called coercion on female students by other students as well as posted here; after the firestorm the Principals’ Association, guidance counsellors and other professionals also huddled sometimes in tense sessions to iron out the way forward and similar discomfort issues were mentioned which led to a further tightening of the referral systems etc.

also see: Girls Now Charged for Having Sex with Minors as Boys, Do Adults Ever Speak to Them? 2014

So it seems both JFLAG and the JAGCE President need to heed some advice in terms of tracking what both entities have done regarding this business of counsellors, LGBTQ students and where or what actually happened so that we can avoid such firestorms as this again; foot in mouth seems a chronic re-infection for the goodly J especially when the new blood do not take the time review the files or remove previously published press releases on similar matters so as to plan how to tread when present issues arrive as a curve ball at the crease. In the same breath the JAGCE President in addressing the matter at the Gleaner forum should have been guarded in her answer not for to deceive or cover up but for clarity and issue a caution answer whilst reviewing her own organization’s file as to what preceded her tenure seeing she seems young.

When will we have the courage in the education systems and at policy despite mere tokenism from the MOE on tolerance? The HFLE matter is still fresh in my mind despite years have passed as nationally we missed a golden opportunity to address early initiation, homo-curiosity, sexual orientation issues, sexuality, gender identity and such regarding teens instead fear got the better or persons who were supposed to be rational.

also see: 

JAMAICA COALITION FOR A HEALTHY SOCIETY, JCHS CONTINUED CONFUSION OF PAEDOPHILIA & CONSENTING HOMOSEXUALITY. 2012

Guess what?:

Think on these things.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Safety month in schools, bullying, oral sex and such 2011

Another disturbing paedophile accusation, homosexuality & paedophilia misconstrued 2010

also see: Experimental Sex Again? from GLBTQ Jamaica (blogger)

Early Sexual Initiation and Lack of Perceived Risk Put Youth at Risk

LAWYERS’ CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP’S CONTINUED FEAR MONGERING ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION POST BUGGERY LAW AMENDMENT & RE-SOCIALIZATION (Wordpress archive blog) 2013

Urgent need to discuss sex & sexuality part 2 2012

Dr Heather Little-White Ph.D on Lesbianism among schoolgirls in Jamaica 2012

Principal Association to address "lesbian issue" in prominent high school 2012

School is cool No Problem with Homosexuality 2012

Thwaites: Ministry alone cannot deal with homosexuality

So the Minister had joined the latest drama on homosexuality and the education system, sadly the goodly JAGCE President like JFLAG subsequently have reacquired foot in mouth syndrome. Obviously we know that the MOE cannot deal with such matters but to try to avoid discussion sensible policies directed at openness and such giving the impression of not condoning homosexuality is a little disingenuous to me.

The President was reported to have said in part:

then came JFLAG's response:

We had an incident in 2004 at Dunoon Technical High School where a father inciting a mob to attack his own son and it was averted by forward thinking ancillary staff. Discussions following that with persons such as the late Dr Heather Little-White for example led to tightening the referral systems by school counsellors and reparative therapy etc.

Dr Heather Little White

The Jamaica Observer reported today:

MINISTER of Education Ronald Thwaites has said that the issue of homosexuality among students should not be limited, or addressed solely by the education ministry because the issue is more far reaching.

Thwaites was responding to recent allegations that surfaced in the media regarding the refusal of several guidance counsellors to work with students who are viewed as homosexuals.

“It’s not only the responsibility of the schools and guidance counsellors to do this. The pervasive homophobia in the Jamaican society cannot be dealt with by the education system alone. It must be dealt with [by] persons endowed with the love of God, parents who have responsibilities for their children and know them best, and very respectfully and very trenchantly by the mass media along with all the purveyors of culture,” Thwaites said. He was responding to questions fielded from a group of journalists who had gathered at the HEART Trust/NTA corporate offices in St Andrew for a press conference hosted by the ministry of education to provide an update on the current state of the education ministry, as well as to share projected plans for the 2016/2017 academic year.

Thwaites said that while no student, regardless of sexuality, should be discriminated against, it is important that the matter is addressed so as to prevent further hiccups in moving forward.

“We certainly will be meeting with the Guidance Counsellors Association and ask them to explain if they are having particular problems so that we can marshal the best possible team that we have nationally to so guide them,” Thwaites said.

He said that he, along with key stakeholders in the ministry, had already started making plans to explore best practices with the assistance of professionals to explore and develop strategies to tackle the issue.

“I intend, as a proprietor to that meeting, to ask the various interest groups — such as the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, and we have also been in contact with JFLAG — what they think is the best way that we can encourage our students to adjust and grow themselves, and it should be required as it probably will the continuing of training and best practices,” Thwaites explained.

However, the minister was quick to point out that the education ministry will not be taking any dogmatic position, but rather to encourage the greatest sense of fulfilment and engagement of all people.

“Our task is to set policy, and the policy should be one of principle and compassion towards any issue, and particularly issues to do with human behaviour. This does not mean that the ministry of education is a set of saps. It is quite the contrary. The society has established norms regarding behaviour that we are all expected to follow,” Thwaites said.

ENDS

So if both entities were in touch with their own histories we could have avoided all this and moved on to a possible solutions and clearing the air. The MOE minister's stance is not surprising as how he handled the HFLE Home & Family Life Manual controversy.

also see:

Northern Caribbean University female Cheerleader Suspended After playing male role in cheerleading

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s a 'minority' matter

The UTECH gay student matter is no 9 day wonder

Urgent need to discuss Sex & sexuality nationally part 1

URGENT NEED TO DISCUSS SEX & SEXUALITY NATIONALLY PART 2

The UTECH Student Abuse and the podcast/audio-post

Also see: New sex education manual in two months and Defending Family Life Curriculum

Podcasts and related audio:
Urgent Need to Discuss Sex & Sexuality Nationally (Part 2)

"Str8up Talkshow" on Newstalk on controversial HFLE book with anal sex questions

Newstalk FM's Jerry Small on the UTECH issue (collective security point)

Happy that both issues are being kept alive as too many times we have nine day wonders for important matters and the mainstream media does not do the necessary follow up. The Minister of Education was more prepared to find scapegoats and motives imputing a "gay agenda" behind the questions in the manual while pulling this important resource from the schools and bearing in the mind argued guided imagery exercise was a private one between the student and the specially trained guidance counsellors exposed to the manual's outline and delivery methodology. Pandering to the religious powers?as he himself is a man of the cloth, what about separation of Church and state?

Here was one of those religious zealots on the matter at the time:
Shirley Richards on the withdrawal of the controversial HFLE curriculum/book

Newstalk FM's Freshstart host Clyde Williams on nondiscrimination laws & msm

Minister of Education says no to condoms in schools & grooming of children to see homosexuality as accepted 2013

my podcast from then:

Northern Caribbean University female Cheerleader Suspended After playing male role in cheerleading show, thumb ring/pierced tongue designated as infractions

Clear discrimination here folks, no question asked sheer ignorance and a theocratic agenda by the the Seventh Day Adventist institution located in Manchester but I am not surprised as they have factored before in homo-negative matters with even one of its own heads facing scrutiny some years ago and an infamous attack of profiled students by other students. See the SDA's position on homosexuality HERE

First here is the Gleaner version of the matter  

NCU cheerleaders are seen here enacting a proposal atop a human pyramid. - Photo via Facebook

A female student at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) who was suspended after she played the role of a man in a cheerleading routine is accusing the university of discrimination.

During the March 4 cheerleading competition, the student enacted a wedding proposal and allegedly kissed the hand of another female atop a human pyramid while doing her routine.

In a Facebook post yesterday, the student disclosed that she had received a two-week suspension from NCU.

However, she believes the punishment was not fair given that she was the only one in the cheerleading group who was penalised.

According to the student, she was not the only one who performed or who was atop the pyramid and who took part in the mock proposal.

She says it was decided that she would represent the male in the proposal because a man would have been too heavy for the top of the pyramid.

She says the Brodie House Cheerleading team did not see anything wrong with the pyramid as they were aware of what the group was trying to depict.

No discrimination

Meanwhile, the NCU’s student government says there was no discrimination in the imposition of a penalty on the student.

A member of NCU’s student government in charge of student services, Darren Barrett who sat on the committee that met with the female student said she breached other university regulations.

Barrett says it was later determined that the student was responsible for changing the original routine which was not approved by a social committee.

He further says the student appeared before the Citizenship Committee without her identification card and had a pierced tongue.

Barrett says the other female student who was involved in the mock proposal was called to a meeting but did not turn up.

He says no action has been taken against that student.

ENDS

The subsequent audio with a voice described as Barrett's also reflected a disturbing mindset and autocratic decision making process at the leadership levels here singling out the student Mr Barrett said "She knew that she had a meeting with the Vice President of the University and came to the office without displaying her, without an ID, the student ID, also with a thumb ring whichever colour it was but she wore a thumb ring which she had no; which she knew I should say that she shouldn't have worn and so with that in mind the administration saw that as blatant disregard for the policy of the university therefore that adds to the suspension."

Really Mr Barrett? nitpicking here to find something to punish her for breaking the gender norms when it was a clear logistics matter in terms of weight of male students who would have been too heavy on top of females in forming the pyramid, I don't see the other participants complaining and some if not most of the students in the audience cheered in fact when the kiss was planted as the video shows the actual session @ 6:14/5 there was also some dissent as well if one closely examines the clip but be that as it may it is clear where the student services and leadership wanted to go with this.

When will our tertiary institutions step ahead and become forward thinking or is it a lack of multi-generational ignorance and lack of exposure to sex and sexuality matters in our education system playing itself out here via those autocratic rules about dress on a campus where ADULTS mostly are in attendance and since she had these items prior to know why wasn't action taken before now? 

HFLE anyone? more on that HERE

Hmph waiting for her to trip eh?

some comments from the Gleaner shows the ignorance and some sense at the same time:

I thought females expressing emotional attitudes to each other in Jamaica was somewhat accepted here or is this specific lesbo-profiling of the particular student to her demeanour as some other comments on social media seems to suggest. A thumb ring or pierced tongues or ear tops by women are considered as markers for some folks out there and serves as justifications to discriminate on spot in some instances.

Sigh

Anyway congrats to the team for being so forward thinking, one more institution to bring into the light of modernity I suppose. Also see: UTECH Tolerance campaign following the student abuse by guards caught on tape, the case was dismissed and the two accused were set free.

also see: NCU Has Rights Too! 

CVM TV's midday news carried the matter as well where Miss Carolyn Gomes redeemed herself of sorts after the "H" word infraction at the IACHR meeting  other matters were covered at that press conference as well as the new ED for Jamaicans for Justice made her debut appearance and it was none other than former TVJ head Kay Osbourne who denied the tolerance ad airing at the time, hope she has come to some understanding now.

Lastly

UPDATE April 9th Lasmay of the Gleaner touched the issue via a Victorian themed toon, the inquisition comes to mind:

RJR's Beyond the headline had a follow up discussion on this with attorney at law and talk show host Clyde Williams:

CVM TV carried the item finally on April 9th:

Here was the institution's attempt to out the fire

UPDATE

AUDIO: NCU Says Suspension Of Cheerleader Is Justified, Punishment Lenient CVM TV's Live @ 7 had the cheerleader herself on set to explain her case, Sha Shana James also revealed she will be leaving the institution. 

Watch the full interview on CVM TV's website from last evening's Live @ 7 show HERE More follow up news items as the furore continues:

April 16th UPDATE Gleaner article: Sex And The University

Also see Sociologist and talk show host Dr Orville Taylor's take in the Sunday Gleaner: NCU, JCF & Justice

also listen the last interview I was able to get my hands on:

Nationwide @ 5 NCU Cheerleader Sha Shauna James by Djhowiejam on Mixcloud

Peace and tolerance

H

J-FLAG Stands Behind Dancehall, bats For Reformed Dancehall Artistes ........

Good to see some good news on this front, I was beginning to believe we have all but dropped this part of the advocacy that had myself as a DJ and music collector, a former JFLAG Programs Manager, local entertainment links, artist managers and overseas promoters etc. Good to see that the J is waking up as I have been critical of their seeming limp-wristedness on several former matters that were on the agenda. I know that the repetitious changes staff and objectives may have caused them to go off the beaten track and also the burnout some persons feel plus the demise of some while others seek asylum overseas due to threats on their lives.

photo from my sister blog GLBTQJA on Wordpress

Here is the Gleaner article related to the post's title:

J-FLAG Stands Behind Dancehall - Gay-Rights Group Bats For Reformed Dancehall Artistes

Davina Henry, Staff Reporter

The controversial Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is offering to help dancehall and reggae artistes respond to efforts by gay-rights groups overseas to boycott their performances and music.

Some Jamaican artistes who have divorced themselves from 'murder music' have, in recent time, come under renewed attacks from gay-rights activists. The sanctions have resulted in recent mass protests and cancellations.

But J-FLAG Executive Director Dane Lewis said the organisation is concerned about the recent spate of protests and the stance taken by many of the groups who mobilise these actions.

Although J-FLAG was, in the past, involved with anti-murder-music campaigns, Lewis said the landscape has changed significantly.

"The truth is we aren't even involved in these anti-murder-music campaigns today and, in most cases, we are alerted of these protests through our local media. Every now and again, some protesters might email asking for clarifications on songs and the general situation regarding LGBT Jamaicans. But, to our knowledge, far less hate music is being produced, and even sponsors have been responsive in the effort to make this type of music a thing of the past," Lewis said.

Lewis said many protesters are concerned about songs containing lyrics that either directly or indirectly call for violence against gays and lesbians, which have been recorded and performed by Jamaican artistes.

OFFICIAL STANCE

He contends that J-FLAG's official stance is that the continued demonising of some of these artistes is unfair.

He also said that although groups are aware that many of the contentious songs were recorded in the past, with some artistes no longer performing them, cancellations are still a possibility.

Beenie Man suffered a cancellation as recently as last month for the same reason.

According to Lewis, J-FLAG has made representations on its own initiative to groups overseas after learning about plans to stage, what he called in his interview with The Sunday Gleaner, "anti-dancehall protests".

He said those representations have gone well, but that the groups usually respond with "unreasonable initial requests".

Lewis went on to say that at least two dancehall megastars have benefitted from J-FLAG's discussions with these groups.

At least one group has suggested to the local lobby organisation that artistes such as Beenie Man "gather up all the money that he has made from these kill-the-gays songs and then publicly donate it to Jamaican LGBT groups like J-FLAG, and pledge to never perform or circulate recordings of the offending songs, then that might makes things right".

Efforts by The Sunday Gleaner to contact Beenie Man for a comment were unsuccessful. However, Lewis quipped that "requests like that are the stuff of fairytales".

"We don't support 'kill-the-gays' music, and our stance on this issue is not to be seen as a compromise on our abject rejection of homophobia, hate music, hate speech and other forms of discrimination against LGBT Jamaicans. But the idea that artistes provide all earnings over the years from 'murder music' is an unreasonable expectation, and it's unlikely that our artistes would be able to do this, so we have to find some other way to end the constant conflict," Lewis explained.

COULD REPRESENT ARTISTES

He said that in the end, the group responded favourably and changed their stance on the issue, but believes that the representations would be more effective if they were being presented officially on behalf of the artistes being affected.

Copeland Forbes, one of the foremost members of Jamaica's entertainment fraternity, does not believe artistes will be willing to work with J-FLAG as they have contributed to the problems they are currently facing."I do not see where J-FLAG can help these artistes. The artistes have to help themselves. J-FLAG was the same one who was sending translations of our songs to these people overseas. I would, personally, not want to align myself with them when they represent the same group. J-FLAG contributed to what is happening now, so I, personally, would not want them lobbying on my behalf. I believe that if anyone should represent these artistes, it should come through the culture ministry or a government agency."

Dancehall artiste Bounty Killer says that while there needs to be increased conversation with the groups overseas, he doesn't believe that J-FLAG should be lobbying on behalf of dancehall.

"I am not open for them to lobby on my behalf. Both J-FLAG and their international counterparts need to have a discussion for an understanding of what's happening in dancehall. How would it look for them to solely lobby on dancehall's behalf? If any group should lobby for dancehall, it should be a group that is directly affiliated with our music. I am open for a discussion as it relates to lobbying with their counterparts to understand us, but I am not in agreement with them lobbying on my behalf," he said.

While artiste Tanya Stephens believes that this initiative by J-FLAG is a good move, she told The Sunday Gleaner that it would be met with resistance.

"I can speak from experience. I tried to speak with several artistes about this new initiative of J-FLAG and it was met with resistance. While I personally have not been affected by these lobbyists, I have been on shows with other artistes who were not allowed to perform, but that doesn't mean that it's still not my fight. From a humanitarian perspective, the fight is to get us all on the same page," she said.

Lewis said his organisation has decided to put this issue on its agenda because "while we have had significant issues in the past with the lyrical content of much of the music, dancehall and reggae are an inalienable part of being Jamaican".

CONCERNED

He mentioned that J-FLAG was concerned about the "livelihood of artistes and the many people, and I am sure this includes LGBT people, that depend on these artistes for their daily survival".

When asked if this was a divisive issue in the gay community, the J-FLAG boss said, "I wouldn't want to look at the issue through such a myopic lens."

He continued, saying that J-FLAG is not interested in easing any pressure off artistes who continue to be antagonistic to the gay community, but believes all Jamaicans should be concerned at what seems to be some sort of punishment for artistes who have actively committed to the cessation of murder music.

However, the artistes that want help must ask for it.

"J-FLAG has no hero complex, and we are not saying that we will be taking up this mantle on behalf of Jamaican music. What we are saying is that, for those artistes who continue to face the kind of punitive measures used by our international counterparts and are interested in coordinating responses to their concerns, we are willing to help. No strings attached," he said.

Stephens agrees, adding that the only solution to the problem is through dialogue.

"Dialogue is what we need and I, personally, have to commend J-FLAG for pioneering steps to a peaceful solution and I am extremely happy that they are going in this direction."

Lewis said he hopes these efforts "will, not only result in international lobby groups easing pressure on those artistes who no longer produce the kind of hateful music that started the anti-murder music campaign, but also encourage those artistes who still produce this kind of music to stop, knowing that our organisation will go to bat for them in the international arena."

"Our music is an important part of our being and it is all our duty - government and citizens - to promote our culture to the fullest. We cannot allow our music to be typecast by a few artistes and their personal beliefs. Reggae and dancehall music is much more than hate and we are willing to work with artistes who are so desirous of portraying this image," said Lewis.

ENDS

To address Mr Lewis comment on the LGBT groups overseas who seem to act on their own without consulting other here, they do in fact have kept in touch with individual influentials and persons in the know of the latest releases and "riddims" packages from the various recording studios and production houses. The network has been quietly doing the work outside of the J. Groups in Paris such as Tjenbe Red and in the US as the Gay Liberation Network, GLN do call or link on a timely basis. This is one section of the agitation where the collaboration seems workable other times we see over exuberant groups who while supporting us in a sense also do act outside of any consultations.

Only today I blogged about one such perceived action by a New Jersey group with alleged instances of harassment of the Minister of Education Reverend Ronnie Thwaites following the controversial Home and Family Life, HFLE's withdrawal from schools due to questions therein on homosexuality, anal sex and HIV with a guided imagery exercise that was to increase awareness of stigma leading to more tolerance, while overlooking the urgent need to discuss and teach sex and sexuality.

Please see: Education Minister says he has been harrassed post the HFLE withdrawal

The only satisfaction for me on this matter is the artistes guilty over the years of this practice of songs advocating the demise of LGBT persons and promoting hate and intolerance MUST pull the songs from the marketplace altogether, disassociate themselves from such utterances seeing that they say they have matured (who are they fooling) to simply say the songs were done years ago and that they have moved on is not enough as they continue to earn from them via royalties from some outlets such as ITunes etc where songs like Buju Banton's - Boom Bye Bye is still available and the songs get played non-the-less despite a report in 2008 that himself and tracks by Elephant Man, TOK and others were removed by the site. 

The story read in part: 
American company Apple Inc has removed songs from dancehall artistes Buju Banton, T.O.K. and Elephant Man from their iTunes site citing that the songs incite violence against homosexuals.In response to letters written by the pro-homosexual Canadian-based organ-isations Egale and SMM (Stop Murder Music) to iTunes in January, iTunes has removed controversial murder music from Jamaican artistes in its North American markets. Boom Bye Bye from Buju Banton, Chi-Chi Man from T.O.K. and Log On by Elephant Man have all been pulled from iTunes stores and the iTunes website.

Apple's iTunes is the leading on line distributor of music in North America through their websites and iTunes stores. Since 2008 over four billion songs have been downloaded since the service first launched on April 28, 2003. 

MORE HERE
meanwhile 

Boom Bye Bye appears on an double CD entitled "The Early Years 1990 - 1995) as track 8 on CD, so his defense is he does not perform it anymore yet the song lives and earns for him.
Beenieman's old song such as No Phobia (di urge riddim) an old anti gay anti oral sex track is still up as well on the site too, SEE HERE you decide.

Peace and tolerance

H

Additional archive:

Beenieman says he DIDN'T Apologise to Gays July 2012 on Jamaican TV