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

What’s happening with “HIV blaming” driven violence?

As World AIDS Day approaches on December 1 annually and there is also talk about on gender equality work and addressing intimate partner violence there is hardly any reference to the ‘HIV blaming’ piece of it, it seems. The pending court ruling of the March 2012 scheduled for December 9 beheading case has raised the subject as the motive by the male partner of the victim who beheaded him effectively killed the man as he accused him of infecting him with HIV or in the language used AIDS. This is separate from willful targeting persons and having unprotected sex in revenge to suggest the already infected won’t be the only one with the infection; it seems what drives that level of deception is the feeling that HIV is still a death sentence when it is not so in the age of improved treatment and research; as to whether both are keeping pace with making them available is another matter.

Some strange discussions is the only way I can describe it have emerged on various media platforms with reference to two previously popular episodes as well in St James and Kingston, the latter unfolded at a party after the individual doing the blaming arrived with tests results with as we say ‘blood in his eyes’ it also shows that maybe the post test counselling in that matter was not effective enough or may not have been done if any. There is a deficiency in the support group meeting department as they are not continuous and are sometimes haphazard and in response a soon to be concluded pilot called ‘Brothers’ Positive on Positive’ tried to address and better unpack with a small group of persons. It sought to fill in some of the gaps that the only hour long sessions elsewhere do not address some of the situations adequately.

Revenge via HIV blaming ought to be a thing of the past given the strides in terms of the high knowledge of safer sex and indeed post positive treatment adherence and diet alongside the support systems now available in the national program. They still need to get the medication collection part straightened out as long waits at dispensaries outside of the social workers collecting for really ill patients or disabled persons is ridiculous. An announcement via Jamaica Information Service, JIS recently though suggests that more pharmacies will be added to the mix to offer ARVs, CART and HAART prescription filling at a discounted price, the clip never mentioned the other supportive drugs for opportunistic infections such as Co-Trimoxazole to control basic infections and skin maintenance or vitamins and so on. Probably the emphasis has been too much on condom use and or prevention and not equally on sustained quality of life. Condom pinching came up as well in an online discourse which was a bit surprising to me as we thought we had gotten over that problem but apparently not.

As persons await the judgement of the pending case many have condemned the accused men; be it the partner and his roommate who he forced to assist him in dumping the body under pain of violence as well which came out in the trial and his unsworn statement. Mistakes can happen, condoms can break, less vigilance in the heat of the moment, using oil based materials as lube or when persons realise flaw but continue through to the climax while hoping for the best can be some of the avenues for facilitating transmission; outside of assaults and non consent. Overseas cases of deliberate infections have been addressed by some countries passing legislation to deal with it but this is after the fact. A recent case with an African American man just showed the madness that can flow from such matters.

An infamous incident on the outskirts of Emancipation Park in New Kingston some years ago where a man and his supposed partner ended up in an awful clash that led to security interventions and subsequently the police in 2013; yet more evidence how sensitive matters can spill out into the streets with unneeded attention or results. Accepting the positive test results as not a death sentence and that suspected infidelity or cheating needs to be and can be dealt with more effectively via conflict resolution measures and third party possible professional interventions. Fighting or violence is not the way out, if lovers really love each other even said cheating and sometimes surprise HIV positive results they should find a way out, if not they were not lovers to begin with, in the true sense but merely in a ‘spirit tek’ farce or tolerated relationship for matters of convenience and or co-dependency.

Then with talk of transgender persons now factoring supposedly more in HIV infection rates when really they always did as far as I am concerned, given transwomen (male to female) often have integrated themselves in the men who have sex with men umbrella group as invisibility of the trans population in HIV prevention prior was almost normative. The previous results there in HIV infection rate surveys are not brought into serious doubt if not disrepute as if the lumping was so pronounced as we are now beginning to find out then a whole new rethink will have to go into the design of the HIV response to marginalised groups. The violence that may attend to that may also have to be researched properly in the ever tendentious quest for ‘evidenced based advocacy’ but if the data and collection is already flawed how does the relevant agencies solve those concerns and arrive at the true situation or as close to it?

The conflation of drag queens with gay men only when feminization forced or unforced leads to the feminine aesthetic has been an issue leading to advocates, NGOs and even funders themselves misreading the landscape. More needs to be done in conflict resolution as stated above. Legislation may have to be considered for some of this but the gay/bi male populations may get left out seeing we are already marginalised by way of an archaic 485 year old piece of theocracy in a buggery law. If we do not have legitimacy in everyday life then why focus of issues affecting us via formal governmental structures.

Then there is the matter of assault driven willful infections in the MSM/transgender mismatch as the latter is seen as gay without any reassignment surgery to boot; so many stories often unconfirmed of said abuse and assault with HIV positive alleged perpetrators and yet the reporting to police is virtually nonexistent as the gross indecency or buggery charges may attend if one tries to. This is why the amendment of buggery in as far as rape is concerned between men as rape already in law covers women as a case I often referred to in former dancehall artist Zebra who has been serving a thirty year sentence after he raped and sodomised a young lady so the jury gave him 20 years for the rape and the full 10 years for buggery.

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

December 9 sentencing for 4 year-old gay lover beheading case in St Ann

Jealousy leads to fight at strip club (yet again)

An accused lesbian damned as being jealous was held by cops recently at a strip club in St Catherine on Friday night last as she became furious that a girlfriend of hers who performs at the establishment was too close to a male patron. The old issue of women who work in these clubs who also are same sex attracted or involved in liaisons or otherwise has raised its ugly head again. The woman in question who became the center of the tussle between the man and the disgruntled lover works at the club as a performer but is alleged to be just that and not a commercial sex worker as well.

The job does require some light intimate contact with patrons mostly men even though some females also pas through and also patronise the ladies with tips and such as evidenced with cash thrown on or drinks being sent to the particular dancer who is the subject of attention. The subject was in the arms allegedly of a male patron who was also drinking at the time in a too romantic position when her female love interest walked in; she did not act at the time but waited until the woman was off duty to confront her at the dressing room throughway, a problem of access by non-staff that seems to linger these days. What started as an argument steadily became louder to the other dancers and staff and according to some of them questioned things got really ugly when the butch identified woman offered several blows to the face of her love interest.

Several minutes into the melee as the night’s proceedings continued outside the dressing room, the women fought as tempers flared; a wig was soon seen on floor and blood was running down the left side of the dancer’s face as the butch woman unleashed her fury on her. She complained that the love interest was too close to the male patron (of course dotted with colourful Jamaican parlance and expletives) and she proceeded to remind her that she was the ‘man’ in her life and that she was to only dance on stage and not get so close to men almost to the point of sex.

The management of the club was eventually alerted as the music was halted why the DJ announced of the situation over the microphone. Patrons were spooked by the impromptu halt of their enjoyment and when it became apparent as to the reasons why, many were not pleased, to include the male patron in question who wanted a go at the butch woman. Many other male patrons were up in arms declaring that they would harm any lesbian or man royal (the colloquial term for butch identified women), some men went as far as to declare that the club should ban female patrons who look like lesbians and went on to compare another popular strip club where lesbians also congregate in larger numbers and openly flirt with each other and dancers; in disdain the men suggested the lesbians should go there for their entertainment. One man even suggested another spot where male dancers are also a part of the line-up as he related his surprise when he went there and complained that too much gays are about these days.

The fight between the women was stopped by other staff in the dressing rooms and the security detail with the manager present. The aggrieved woman (butch) was escorted outside and a plain clothes policeman allegedly warned her not to cause anymore trouble; which led to another near clash, he identified himself and reached for what appeared to be a firearm on his waist under his shirt. Things calmed and the music resumed with the dancers and waiters serving. The injured young lady had a cut on her left side of her forehead and the aforementioned blood was cleaned off. The butch woman asked to leave the premises a request she took up and told that if she persists and the lady reports the matter to the police further action will be taken.

The phenomenon of lesbian relations with so called go-go dancers outside of their jobs when said job requires interactions sometimes very close intimate contact with male patrons has been a challenge for many years since I have been observing it from HIV prevention activities. It would seem to me that if one’s woman is in such a job then it may not be normative to expect some physical connection, given the nature of the beast. Although she may not have had sex as other dancers may also get involved in commercial sex with patrons and depending on the club rules, lovers need to be cognisant of that fact. To simply get jealous as it were because one’s love interest is in the arms of a man is foolhardy and also suggest there is no trust in that union. If one felt that their love interest will not stray as it were then one should not be worried about the fickle nature of the job sexually speaking. Some have also asked why a lover would come to a club to watch their love interest if not spy on them if not by being insecure. A similar incident occurred at another club in January of this year but was quickly diffused by other male patrons and security and the woman chased away but the aftermath for the woman in question was evident the next week when a healing face wound was the outcome.

Such are the challenges of same gender relations, intimate partner violence and role playing for that matter.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

'Girl-on-girl dancing out of hand' .......... what!

Lesbians clash in car park outside popular strip club

Transgender woman accused of killing lover case continues

A transgender woman who reportedly mowed down her lover during a domestic dispute, is scheduled to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on February 25.

in good times

The transgender cosmetologist, who now sports wel designed breasts, extended hips and buttocks, is facing a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Carlos Ottary, a landscaper of Chancery Hall in St Andrew.

The incident allegedly occurred on July 7 of last year, along Hamilton Drive in St Andrew around 2:45 pm.

According to the police report, the accused was reportedly driving along Hamilton Drive, heading towards Leas Flat, when she hit the now deceased man after he flung a stone into the 24-year-old accused’s car.

The vehicle reportedly went into a ditch and ended on top of the victim, who had been walking along the roadside.

According to the accused in her statement, on the day in question she drove to the home, which she had been sharing with Ottary, and an argument developed between them.

Ottary reportedly threw a stone and hit the rear window of her car and also hit her on the elbow.

Following the incident, Ottary reportedly left the yard and walked down the road, while the accused subsequently went into her car with the intention of going to the police station.

While driving on Hamilton Drive, the accused said she saw a large stone coming towards her, evaded it, but let go of the steering wheel, resulting in the vehicle hitting an embankment and landing in a ditch.

According to the accused she later realised that she had hit the man whom she claimed she had not seen walking along the roadside.

She was later told the identity of the victim and said that it was he who had thrown the stone at the car, which had damaged the windshield.

The accused in her statement, also reported that she and the now deceased had been together for four years in an abusive relationship.

However, the accused said that she did not intentionally hit him as she had never harmed him during their tumultuous relationship because she loved him.

On January 19, when the accused appeared in court, her bail was extended after the matter was rescheduled for mention in February.

Attorney Valerie Neita-Roberston is representing the accused.

also see:

Transwoman tried for running over partner

Woman beats female lover at court

Oh boi there is never a dull day in Jamaica with drama and intimate partner issues spilling over into the public domain in real time of via twitter-verse. I had heard about this one a day after it occurred via a neighbour who had gone to conduct business at the adjacent parish council office when daily operations were interrupted by the fracas. Now it has also made its way to the Star News since. 

Sadly it's cases such as this that help to define for some the notion that homophobic violence is actually intimate partner violence and so true homophobia does not exist; that belief could not be further from the truth.

Remember this?:

Anyway:

It was high drama just outside the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court last Friday after a woman attacked and threw several blows on her female lover who reportedly works at the courthouse.

The incident, which occurred about 11:30 a.m. and in full view of several people, left many in shock as they witnessed the court employee being assaulted by the woman, who accused her of being unfaithful.

"Yuh go gi wey mi sinting last night," the woman said in between a series of punches, as some people called out to her to desist.

concerned

But what happened next caused many of the curious onlookers to drop their jaws in disbelief. A concerned passer-by, in an effort to help the court worker, approached the attacker and asked her to stop, but was shockingly chased away by the employee.

"Yu can't come a di woman workplace and assault har like dat," the man told the attacker as he attempted to intervene. But, before he could go any further, the employee quickly butted in: "Leave her alone, how yu get involved?"

The man simply walked away as the assault continued. Other individuals eventually stepped in and rescued the woman and chased away the attacker. Police eventually arrived on the scene, and counselled the court worker. Up to late yesterday, the assaulted woman had made no report of the incident.

Visitors to the court told The Star that it was not the first incident of its kind to happen in the precinct of the courthouse. Others opined that the women needed to deal with their matter privately instead of out in the open as it was very disgraceful.

In the meantime, The Star has learnt that an investigation has been launched by the assaulted woman's employers to look into the incident and to discuss the way forward.

Pity this had to play out at a court house of all places.

Also check out this related podcast:

Transwoman tried for running over partner

This is the crap that can happen when intimate partner violence rears its ugly head and goes public.

A transgender woman accused of mowing down her lover during a tiff created quite a stir when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court in a transparent skin-tight dress showing her black underwear which was deemed to revealing and somewhat inappropriate.

The voluptuous transgender cosmetologist accused, who now sports breasts according to one report, extended hips and buttocks and was adorned in Brazilian hair touching her waist and nude pumps, seemed to have fooled many of the men in the courtroom, whose attention she had captured.

The 24-year-old accused, who is charged with manslaughter, was arrested and charged in connection with the death of her lover, Carlos Ottary, a landscaper of Chancery Hall in St Andrew.

The incident allegedly occurred on July 7 along Hamilton Drive in St Andrew around 2:45 pm.

Dolly

murdered boyfriend

The accused was reportedly driving along Hamilton Drive, heading towards Leas Flats, when 'she' hit the now deceased man who had been walking along the roadside. The vehicle went over a gully and ended on top of the victim.

According to the accused in her statement, on the day in question she drove up to the home which she shared with Ottary and got into an argument with him when he threw a stone and hit the rear window and also hit her on her elbow.

Following the incident, Ottary reportedly left the yard and walked down the road, while the accused subsequently went into her car with the intention of going to the police station.

While driving on Hamilton Drive, the accused said she saw a big stone coming towards her, evaded it, but let go of the steering wheel, resulting in the vehicle hitting an embankment and ending in a ditch.

The accused realised that she had hit the man whom she claimed she had not seen walking down the road. She was later told the identity of the victim and said that it was he who had thrown the stone in the car which had damaged the windshield.

According to the accused, she and the now deceased had been together for four years in an abusive relationship.

She said the accused had abused her on several occasions, and had even cut her in her eye once and she had made several reports against him at more than one police stations.

However, the accused said that she did not intentionally hit her lover, as she had never harmed him during their tumultuous relationship because she loved him.

On Tuesday when the matter was mentioned, attorney Valerie Neita-Roberston, who is representing the accused, told Senior Resident Magistrate (SRM) Judith Pusey that her client was driving when someone threw a stone into her car and she ducked her head to avoid being hit and lost control of the vehicle which hit the victim.

The matter was subsequently scheduled for mention in January of next year.

Jamaican deported after beating ex-lover

A Jamaican woman was deported yesterday after confessing that she beat her ex-girlfriend earlier this week.

Why everywhere we go we have to cause problems, I'll never know and now this.

As a result, Kimone Alecia Morgan, 23, spent less than half of the stay of six months granted to her on August 30 when she arrived in Barbados.

Morgan, who was staying at #67 Hothersal Turning, St Michael, pleaded guilty to assaulting Gina Shepherd on November 8, causing her actual bodily harm, and threatening the complainant by telling her: “I gine stab and kill you ****” on that same date.

The woman went before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court this morning, where Sergeant Janice Ifill revealed that the two women were involved in an intimate relationship which ended just two weeks ago.

On the mentioned date, Morgan invited Shepherd to go out with her and other friends but the complainant declined. The accused became annoyed and began beating Shepherd about the body, causing bruising to the woman’s forearm and back.

Morgan later sent threatening words to Shepherd via Whatsapp. The matter was reported to police.

Once the court determined that the complainant did not wish to be compensated, Morgan was reprimanded and discharged and left the courtroom accompanied by Immigration officials.

Earlier this year another case involving a female and her lover just left me disappointed as intimate partner violence raises its head.

A JAMAICAN WOMAN was remanded to Dodds for a month after being charged with causing serious bodily harm to her live-in female companion. 

Kerreon Ishane Kelly, 25, of Barker's Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, was not required to plead to the charge of doing serious bodily harm to Tishana Alphonso of the same address, with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her on January 8 this year. 

Prosecutor Acting Station Sergeant Neville Watson objected to bail, noting that the victim was still in critical condition in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and that there was a possibility of the accused leaving Barbados. Kelly, a Jamaican national, was remanded until February 19 2015

I was also made to understand that the alleged attacker later apologised for the vicious attack on Instagram.

She allegedly wrote: "Sometimes we let ignorancy get the best of us n we tend to do stuff we don't wanna do and then having regret ... today (Saturday), I did the most cruel thing of all my life and I just want to take a minute to just say how truly and deeply sorry I am. I never really get the seriousness of it until my fren send me a pic ... I want to make a public apology to my ex. I wouldn't wish such a evil act on anyone."

also see:

GAY & BISEXUAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS & CRISIS COMMUNICATION

International Conflict Resolution Day 2015

Peace & tolerance

H

Bail offered in wounding case

When fights get ugly ....

A man from the Portmore area in St. Catherine, Shawn Dunn, 21, was offered bail last Thursday, April 16, when he appeared in the Port Maria Resident Magistrate court, St. Mary on charges of unlawful wounding.

Shawn Dunn was offered bail in the sum of $180,000 with surety by senior resident magistrate Andrea Collins. He is expected to report to the Greater Portmore Police Station on Mondays and should reside at his given Portmore address.It is alleged that on Saturday, April 4, the accused, Dunn got into an argument with a young man, Davon Smith in Jacks River. Dunn and Smith got into a fight in which Dunn allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab Mr. Smith several times. 

According to the investigating officer, the incident left Mr. Smith seriously wounded. He received treatment at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, St. Ann.The investigating officer also revealed that Mr. Smith was stabbed all over his body. The officer further noted that Shawn Dunn turned himself in on Monday, April 6, but his injuries seemed to be only superficial scratches he received from the altercation.The complainant, Mr. Smith, who also appeared before the court, was allowed to sit, during the case because of pain from the stabbing incident on April 4.

When RM Andrea Collins enquired about the medical certificate, the investigating officer explained that the complainant has applied for the medical certificate at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.

DRAMA

RM Collins set the bail bond and told the accused, Shawn Dunn that he was to return to court for the case to be mentioned on July 30.However, there was some drama in the court room, as the accused was seen resisting the police officer’s instructions when he was being taken to the holding area and was gesturing angrily in the direction of the complainant that they were telling lies on him. RM Collins, who did not see the incident, asked an officer in close proximity of the incident what had transpired. When she was told, she said to Shawn Dunn and his lawyer: “He seems happier where he is at. 

Maybe he would like to remain in custody until July 30.”“I’m sorry, Your Honour,” replied Shawn Dunn at the persuasion of his lawyer. RM Collins suggested that the accused conduct had to be addressed and instructed the police officer to remove him again to the holding area.The accused was then on a second occasion led out of the court to the holding area without much resistance on that occasion.

A note

The Port Maria Court House is located opposite the Claude Stuart Park and the Port Maria Parish Church. Originally built in 1821, this fine example of Georgian architecture housed the court house and police station until it was gutted by fire in 1988. It was subsequently rebuilt and reopened as the Port Maria Civic Centre in 2000. The imposing nineteenth century court house has had several cases involving some of the country’s best known politicians tried there. The most famous was that for manslaughter against Alexander Bustamante (now National hero) in 1942.

Weirdo Uncle’s ‘come on’ post to nephew disturbing

So a social media post by a disturbed young man has made the rounds and has caused some serious reactions by those who have seen it thus far.

The actual post unedited except for spacing read:

“GUYS I WAS SO UPSET YESTERDAY I ACCIDENTALLY LEFT MY TAGGED PROFILE OPEN AND MY UNCLE WENT AND SAW EVERYTHING!!!!! MY MESSAGES, PICS U NAME IT AND AFTER HE SPOKE TO ME AND SAID THAT HE WAS GAY ALSO WELL TECHNICALLY HE'S BI, BECUZ WELL HE HAVE KIDS , ANYWAYS I WAS LIKE WHEW!! ATLEAST IM SAFE, BUT..............

HE WENT FURTHER AND ASK IF I AND HIM COULD BE TOGETHER I WAS LIKE, WHAT! HELL NO!!! AND BESIDES YOUR MY FAMBILY!!!!! THATS INCEST!!! EEEW!!!! SO I TOLD HIM NO, AND HE SAID O.K THEN BUT IF ITS THE LAST THING HE'LL FUCK ME.

I WAS SHOCKED AND SURPRISE TO HEAR THIS FROM HIM, NOW IM PREPARED AND EQUIPT WITH A KNIFE IF HE TRIES ANYTHING, OH! AND HES A POLICE OFFICER AS WELL WHICH MAKES IT MUCH WORST, SO GUYS I NEED UR ADVICE WHAT SHOULD I DO????????”

ENDS

This shows yet another case of poor management of social media spaces and profiles, a problem that had been rising since social media has becomes the newest way for LGBT people to reach out and link up and so on. I have not used my Tagged in quite a while come to think of it as there are certain features on there that leave my open to exposure apart from someone getting direct access as this case shows by viewing on another device. But the post above goes further than just the typical hunt online but a threat implied that the uncle will have his way in the final analysis by obviously sexual assault. It was suggested to the man who made the post that he should report the matter to the police but he in turn said he was concerned about the repercussions and family fallout if it got to the courts.

His concerns are valid if he does not have any sort of support systems and indeed the patience to fight this in our creaking justice system. If the uncle is advancing hints of violence to get his way then what could he be capable of if he is accused of being gay and pursuing his nephew? Worse yet the man is a police as well and this would not go down well in the squaddie mentality or psychology of the force as well in as far as reputation on his part, the ridicule that could come from this if it goes too public may even cause him to exact violence so as to project strength or bravado. This one is catch 22 situation in my eyes and as for the incest part I am not so sure about that, technically it man on man sex if it happened and children cannot come that way outside of stem cells reprogramming that allows for that without any sexual intercourse.

One of the main purposes of an incest law is to address the children aspect of it and religious or ecclesiastical laws on same as the outcomes can have handicapped offspring as blood lines get too linked with family genes. Others in the social media group suggested he should tell the man’s woman and out him as a freak, others suggested he should try and get a job and move out and not alert him as to where he lives. Family same sex relations are not new as close as cousins, uncles and nephews and even one case some years ago in one of the tabloids (XNEWS) declaring gay sex between brothers allegedly, the item caused outrage nationally as the story spread and led to a backlash against gay men and homosexuality and to a lesser extent a call for keeping the buggery law, as if to suggest that buggery laws are inextricably linked to anal sex by men when heterosexual couples who have men who penetrate women anally.

Sad that the man could not be satisfied with just coming out as gay or technically bisexual if not behaviourally so and not have a predatory imperative, some have asked if he was so “thirsty” for a man that his won relative would be prime target for his advances. This also suggests this man may have had an eye on his nephew all along and now that all has been revealed he can now pounce. The choice is the young man and one hopes this does not escalate into something else more egregious, let us say that this outing did not happen by surprise discovery would this alleged police man would have done as his thirst and urges got more intense? Was the threat meant to be a daring joke or endearment?

Jokes if it was are not to be taken lightly in any way shape or man, when a man declares that kind of thought it can be contemplation and be transformed into action.

Commendations are in order for the young man in openly sharing this and I am in no doubt it was a fabrication given the discourse that ensued in the thread, some in the NGO establishment and JFLAG do not take kindly to these kinds of public discourse on matters, and would prefer things are kept hushed for purposes of being politically correct to sound and look good. What hypocrisy?

Remember to be vigilant on your internet profile/footprint and the requisite privacy.

Peace & tolerance

H

Gay on Gay violence on the rise

Whether its domestic disputes between lovers including a third party or the rumoured illegal sweepstakes fraudulent activity where persons employ all sorts of weaponry and devices (including obeah/vodoo) I am told, gay on gay violence in rearing it's ugly head again in public. 

A lesbian couple recently had an appointment at a police station where one accused the other of a harsh beating. Fights were predominantly known to happen at parties hence the careful selection by some gays of events they attend as certain gay venues have been known to have sporadic breakouts of fights or outright brawls in the past as lovers or sweethearts "fight ova man" or woman as the case may be.

Lesbians are not exempt as female get togethers have seen some increase in this kind of antisocial behaviour as well, the Jamaican lesbian community was once heralded at the benchmark for gays to learn from in terms of public behaviour, now they have similar issues as gay men.

There are several complaints from ordinary citizens as well of fights in public spaces by gays and lesbians including a very public one on a JUTC bus recently, the bus was stopped and the girls removed by security personnel who apparently saw the exchange via the security cameras on board.

What are the causes of the increase and how can we begin to address it?

It's bad that we have a reputation already as nasty people by John public but to see us fighting and quarrelling in public what good will that do us?
Some time ago there was a suggestion in the now defunct GLABCOM meetings that an anger management course or seminar be established permanently to deal with issues faced by us, to this day nothing yet.
The sad part about it as well is that these bouts of rage is not limited to fist fights but knives and guns have been known or alleged to be employed as well in some instances.

Boi it bad fi true.

Where do we begin folks?

Lata

H

'Homosexual has right to life' says DPP assistant

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Caroline Hay, addressing the jury yesterday at the trial of the man accused of murdering Ambassador Peter King, said a homosexual had a right to life.

She referred to comments defence lawyer Berry Bryan had made that King, 64, was a "disgusting sodomite" and said the words used to describe King were vile because some people believe homosexuals do not have a right to life.

Hay told the 12-member jury that if a person made a particular choice (as to sexual preference), then other people could not decide if that person should live or die.

Fatally stabbed

Sheldon Pusey, 25, a waiter and carpenter, has been on trial in the Home Circuit Court since January 19 for King's murder. King was fatally stabbed and chopped between March 19 and 20 at his Waterloo Road, St Andrew, home.

Pusey said in his defence that he went to King's house about a job and King was attempted to "rape" him and he stabbed him.

Hay advised that Pusey said he was not a homosexual but "if you accept the evidence that he was in under pants with another man who was in underpants or naked downstairs in a kitchen, then the jury could come to the view that Pusey was a homosexual".

She also told the jury that if they accepted that King's semen was on a towel on which Pusey's blood was found, then "you can come to the view that Pusey was gay".

She called on the jury not to have any bias because when the Crown opened its case they were told that King was a homosexual. She said Bryan in his address told them that King was a notorious homosexual.


Two knives

She asked the jury to consider what Pusey was doing in King's bedroom watching television and why was Pusey answering questions posed to him by a doctor in relation to how he got his nails to be so shiny.

In response to Berry's comments that the prosecution had suppressed an important piece of evidence, particularly two knives which were taken from King's house, Hay said the knives were not relevant to the case. She said all exhibits and documents were available to Bryan and if he wanted, he could have put the knives in evidence.

Hay asked the jury to consider the evidence which the prosecution put before them and return a true verdict.

The verdict will be given next week.

by BARBARA GAYLE, Staff Reporter

P.E.A.D ? A man's attitude changes after ejaculation .......

The ideal objectified thug but they can rob you after a good get down

Well, I did some searching online and found nothing close that could describe a trend that I have seen over some time now. I call it P.E.A.D, you know, they always have an acronym for some illness, disease or disorder but here it is.

P - Post

E - Erotic

A - Anger

D - Disorder

Gay men here in Jamaica have spoken of it before and 2 days ago it happened to a friend of mine. Why do some guys just literally change before your eyes after sex on some sort of guilt trip or error blaming that the partner of the moment just forced him into doing something he did not want? yet he did not resist the moves or urges in the heat of the moment.

He picks up a thug who he has met before but no sexual contact, this thug suddenly wants something sexual to go down so, they caress and intercrurally get to it (fake penetration or leggings as we call it here) then masturbate, they both ejaculate and almost instantly after the "nut"(climax) the thug demands money, doesn't want to be touched and is a totally different person, boisterous and physically threatening, he hits my friend and proceeds to rob him of cash and his bank cards.

While the incident is unfortunate it's not the first time I have heard of this when men almost instantly become a different personality and change their behaviour after ejaculation,

str8 women complain of it too.

If someone reading this post can explain it, please do, but for now I call it P.E.A.D, the acronym has other meanings according to Wikipedia however but for now until I get a proper explanation on this I'll work with this for now.

There was an incident some time ago where another young man had sex with a guy in bushes then immediately after climaxing the guy gets angry and almost severs the ear of the young man with a knife when he tried to hug him, he wanted none of it, no touching, caressing or any intimate contact for a part two.

He was simply done and wanted no reminder of sorts according to the report from him and the guy started cussing him out that he was a battyman yet as if he forgot that just moments before he was intimate with him.

Strange, anyway ......... mi caan badda.

Peace to everyone.

Howie seh so