Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues

The perception of the Jamaican gay lobby or sections of it at least are being bullies continues as a recent Gleaner article has brought to bear but as usual objectivity from the accused parties is not there as imperviousness abounds when listening is crucial for all concerned to arrive at some settlement. Yes there is a place for firm and sometimes aggressive posturings but instead head strong activists seem to have dismissed the criticism by some members of the public and commentators as nonsense. I hope this post helps to make some sense of the whole thing in some way as it is more complicated than thought as one would have to look at the historical timeline from back in the day as well and the advocacy or lack thereof in some instances alongside some errors that we have not learnt from it seems.

as this post screenshot below (Dr Wayne West) shows the deception as seen by some fuels the bullying perception

(the video has since been removed) I have been concerned about the credibility issue for years and the actions by some LGBT activists is questionable if truth be told, how can we achieve the changes when the parties involved are continuing to hold hardened positions and the lack of truth seems real for some? But if "activists" do not check to verify what they have as materials what do we expect, deception for real? I too have had my fill of Maurice Tomlinson's style of public advocacy as well too he seems to be spoiling the core of the thrust more than helping it.

Not to excuse the antigay voices here but they too are guilty of name calling and some deception (HIV is a gay disease ploy) too as seen clearly here in a leading voice from those parts on his blog:

also see: War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?

Early days of the bullying perception came especially from the Buju Banton case where the LGBT lobbyists were repeatedly blamed for setting him up especially as the entrapment element of the trial came forth. See JFLAG peeved - Says there is no link between Buju's arrest and clashes with gays (Gleaner) for more on that. Even allies have expressed the sentiment as Yvonne McCallah Sobers did in 2009: Gays may have overstepped their bounds giving Buju ultimatum says human rights activist
On sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch the matter of bullying gays has been looked at so I decided to also share some of the issues here the spring board for this renewed perception that seems more entrenched than originally thought came after the Queen Ifrica Independence Day 2013 incident where she decried gay marriage at the Grand Gala, a similar move was attempted by her co-accused and fellow artists Tony Rebel the year before at the same event but the response from the gay community voices led to a backlash especially owing to a tersely worded press release by JFLAG that was subsequently quietly withdrawn.

Fast rising commentator and public figure Dr Michael Abrahams penned a piece published March 31 entitled 
Are Gay-Rights Activists The New Schoolyard Bullies? where he referenced the Ifrica matter and the general feeling of the stifling of freedom of speech as excerpted here: "It appears that freedom of speech is a freedom that some of these activists only champion for themselves, as they attempt to punish and destroy critics and dissenters. The irony is that this type of intolerant behaviour alienates potential allies. Many heterosexuals are sympathetic to the cause but at the same time feel intimidated. People cannot be expected to change their attitudes overnight, and beating them over their heads with big sticks will only cause resentment and more resistance.

My own tolerance took decades to develop, beginning with a discussion with a relative of mine who I discovered was gay when I was a teenager, and continuing with interactions with lesbian patients of mine and their partners, some of whom have been harassed and have had their lives threatened. It took me a long time to not cringe at the sight of two men holding hands, and ten years ago I would not even have entertained the thought of gay marriage.

So widespread tolerance and acceptance will not occur with any urgency. Certainly, remarks that encourage violence against, and marginalisation of, LGBT persons are to be condemned, but tolerance needs to be exercised on both sides."

It's a lot of ground to cover but it is important to track it if we expect to really convince an ever cynical nation towards true tolerance and acceptance as it were, first here is an audio interview from RJR recorded in February where Dr Abrahams expressed the same sentiments then alongside host Jerry McDaniel and Dutty Berry:

Then the previous matters and comments that expressed similar concerns and criticisms such as this piece also from the above RJR discussion:



It is this perception why we seem to be stuck in a rut as headstrong narcissism in some respects seems to have taken over the communication aspects of the struggle more so than sensible discourse with transparent action to boot, what we have seen instead is mistake after mistake and sometimes plain lies in the crisis communication thrust dotted with shaky narratives that are simply not credible, then we wonder why we are still at it with too slow progress.

also see: Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting

'I SPOKE FOR WHAT I BELIEVED IN' - Queen Ifrica defends Grand Gala performance after JFLAG backlash

Lobbyists split on Queen Ifrica’s Canada performance

CHURCH STANDS RESOLUTE AGAINST BUGGERY BACKERS SAYS AL MILLER ………… LOVE MARCH MOVEMENT LACKS MORAL COMPASS SAYS LGBT VOICE

REV AL MILLER ON THE ABNORMALITY OF HOMOSEXUALITY & THE INVENTED GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS PLOY

REV AL MILLER SAYS GAY LOBBY IS USING THE GUISE OF TOLERANCE TO GET THE NATION TO ACCEPT THE “GAY LIFESTYLE”

Credibility overall has been eaten away with respect to the LGBTQ's position in the struggle and even Queen Ifrica herself responded in song about freedom of speech while church groups also express fear of future victimization. See: Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica and see Anti gay pastor and restorative therapy advocate in trouble with the law again

You don't want anymore evidence than the disastrous interview as well that followed the Ifrica matter to remind us of the tidying up that is needed on the communication front listen HERE and Murder Music Campaign needs local leadership/ownership once again bearing in mind that that fiasco started from a tersely worded press release via JFLAG which they have since quietly removed from their website and the snide remarks from Tony Rebel especially to the "big words" used in the release was played upon thus making the agency looking like a bunch of snobs instead of equal rights seekers. 

Please also bear in mind that the Stop Murder Music campaign was not intended to go after what I call second tiered artists who while having homo-negative materials in their repertoire the songs do not go to the extreme of prescribing death for homosexuals via execution as the main act targeted at the time did such as Elephant Man "Log On" (accused of being gay HERE & HERE) Beenieman's "All Battyman fi Dead" TOK's "Chi Chi Man" and Capleton's "Shot Him Up" Buju Banton's "Boom Bye Bye" had done. Hence we are here again with the complaint also that the lobby wants to shut down the reggae/dancehall industry overall which for all intents and purposes is not true. The SMM was a very surgical activity which basically targeted five or six dancehall acts mainly (all males):

Beenieman (click the name for the fake apology fiasco)

Elephant Man (see A Nuh Fi Wi Fault lyrics HERE)

Buju Banton (gays blamed for his incarceration in US prison)

TOK

Capleton

Sizzla

Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal, I-Octane, Lutan Fire, Movado, Bounty Killa and other not so prominent acts were only looked at with their mostly one liners suggesting incitement by the campaign, some artists upon realising their careers are faltering they record antigay tracks to gain traction in the market. Kartel changed course after signing symbolically the Reggae Compassionate Act, in fairness to Queen Ifrica she has never had materials in her repertoire inciting or prescribing the execution of homosexuals but conflates abuse with same gender sex and promotes closetedness for LGBT people. See: "Keep it to yuself mentality" on homosexuality and "Keep it to Yuself mentality" on homosexuality part 2 .... on "str8 Jamaica Now we see she has in effect crossed over to the dark side as evidenced recently:

also see: Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD

also flashback to

Recorded Aug 24, 2013 - My two cents on the mishandling of the Queen Ifrica affair by overseas Jamaican LGBT advocates (JAGLA) and the loss of ownership of the Stop Murder Music Campaign by JFLAG leaving the lobby in total being labelled oppressors of freedom of speech.

The SMM campaign took a life of its own as overseas activists in turn carried on the role as JFLAG went quiet for a while as the foreign activists became astute in deciphering the local patois dialect and spotting offending lyrics. Then came the so called Reggae Compassionate Act that was to act as an agreement between artists that signed and promoters in not performing such tainted materials but some artists developed a stage trick where the band would strike up a chord of the respective anti gay track then the audience would fill in the rest loudly and willingly while the artist remains mum on stage. When confronted as to the infringement they would claim that they never actually performed the song. 

So the campaign changed its look and feel again but slowed down somewhat, it soon picked up again when some French activists reconnected with local contacts including yours truly where again the campaign took on a new life going after two main big names, Capleton, Sizzla and then other artists such as Elephant Man, Beenieman tried daring the system as they used Sizzla's repeated opposition and well oiled PR strategy.

some comments from the Abrahams Gleaner article seem to support the belief of speech stifling

additional reading on Stop Murder Music from 2010:
Gays Move to Ban Reggae/Dancehall in Germany says the Xtranews where German authorities including a gay MP joined the discourse as reported in the now defunct XNews tabloid.

More Murder Music posts from GLBTQJA on Wordpress

One wonders if the lobby will adjust itself now that the discussion has gone mainstream as prior to now it was limited to some parts of social media and blogosphere, the belief that homosexuals are also the ones who are killing each other more so than real homophobic killings has been a longtime challenge as a stonewall in the quest for rights and freedoms, the lobby needs to re-examine the strategy overall taking into account the credibility factor something that has concerned me for years even as I was in the system but objectivity is a dying form in the scheme of things. It cannot be a tit for tat situation as in the old days. Some decisions and actions by the lobby or those linked to it has left more questions in the public's mind when the true nature and reason for activities are unclear for e.g the 2010 walk for tolerance: The Walk for Tolerance aftermath mistakes and suggestions, other matters over time has led to a deep mistrust by the public and implied motives hence the deepening of the bullying perception.

The question posed in a voxpop some time ago bears the disbelief and dismissal of the concerns about homophobia and homo-negativity, go HERE for the video 

The US/UK aid matters too over the years and calls for boycotts tourism and trade have not helped either as the public interprets them as the lobby using diplomatic channels to 'force" Jamaicans into accepting homosexuality as it were. I think the conversation and LISTENING on all sides needs to be more active than ever before while monitoring the strategy and not what obtains now by the lobbyists who seem more on a frolic of their own while reveling in their own perceived successes. 

also see: Holness Dithering On Homosexuality .............. from 2011 and the exporting of religious hate as it were from a 2010 post I did on GJW: In The Life: Intersections of Church and State when we never asked for same sex union/marriage rights yet some jump the gun in order to strengthen their anti gay positions. Also see 

BUY NO RINGS, YOU WON’T WED; RELIGIOUS FEAR-MONGERING ON GAY MARRIAGE & THE BUGGERY LAW CONTINUES and CHURCH ANGRY, GAYS HAPPY PNP ON COLLISION COURSE WITH CHRISTIANS ………………. BUT SOME OF US ARE NOT IMPRESSED

also listen these past podcasts as well:

Here is the article/post referenced in the above podcast: Betty Ann Blaine on the big gay lie .......... and 

SHIRLEY RICHARDS SUPPORT UGANDA “KILL GAYS BILL?” and Gay lobby claims not true, says Green  and Wheel and come again ACP Green ..... but

Truth has to be the centre piece of all this but if it is clouded with shady maneuverings why are we surprised at the response?

Peace and tolerance

H

JFLAG at its 15 Anniversary of the Struggle on Human Rights Day..................

Jamaica has a long and complex history of LGBT human rights advocacy from the 1970s with the Gay Freedom Movement.

Back then, there were more pockets of tolerance and gay social spaces in Jamaica; visible gay clubs such as NS, Marshalls, The Closet, and Entourage all based in Kingston. More recently we’ve had The Loft, and Oasis as well as Heaven which is still in operation.

Regrettably, beginning in the late 1980s, things began to change. People were being targeted, beaten and killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consequently, the LGBT community became imprisoned by fear, discrimination and violence.

Fifteen years ago, some concerned Jamaicans came together to establish what we now know as J-FLAG. On Human Rights Day - December 10, 1998 - J-FLAG was launched to ‘engage in initiatives that would foster the acceptance and enrichment of the lives of same-gender loving persons who have been, and continue to be an integral part of society’. Jamaica is better because of their vision.

When J-FLAG was launched, the idea of protection from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity seemed foreign, but it was important to confront laws and policies that were, and continue to be detrimental to the dignity of LGBT Jamaicans.

Today, we celebrate fifteen wonderful years of advocacy for LGBT people. I thank everyone, including LGBT community members, our partners, donors, allies and policymakers who have helped in promoting the rights of LGBT Jamaicans. I pay tribute to the founders who so desperately wanted to ensure Jamaicans like me could claim our full citizenship and not be mistreated because of who we love.

It is an honour for me to be part of such a proud history, and I am hopeful that better days are ahead. Already, there is an unprecedented lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ‘buggery law’ and many LGBT people are boldly confronting homophobia. This year, we witnessed the establishment of three new LGBT organisations, namely Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ) - a lesbian and bisexual women’s organisation, the Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad (JAGLA), and Dwayne's House - working to create a shelter for homeless LGBT youth.

However, despite these strides by the community, there are still many challenges. Some LGBT people still do not have a place to sleep at nights. Children are still being thrown out of their homes because they are gay or lesbian, while some of them hide from school to avoid being bullied, and others contemplate suicide to end the harassment they face. Transgender Jamaicans are still being treated as outcasts. People are still being beaten for being LGBT and many of us still live in great fear for our lives and that of our loved ones. The murder of 16 year old Dwayne Jones in St James in July 2013, who wanted to become a teacher or entertainment coordinator, is evidence of how difficult it is for many of us.

It is for these reasons that we must all work together to create a peaceful and inclusive society for all Jamaicans. We must provide more opportunities to learn about human rights and foster greater respect among all of us, regardless of our differences.

No Jamaican should feel inferior, powerless or invisible because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is only with respect and embracing our common humanity that Jamaica can be a safe, cohesive and just society. Together, we can put aside the grievances that lead to prejudice, inequality, crime, violence and intolerance, to build Jamaica land we love.

Dane Lewis, Executive Director

(876) 875 2328 /(876) 754 2130

ENDS

Also see a list of top 10 accomplishments: HERE and below is my podcast on the matter, congrats indeed but there is much to do despite the strong differences of opinions as to the way forward. Hopefully the goals will be achieved on a sound ethical foundation of advocacy and not leaving us viewed as oppressors or lying our way to achieving our full rights and recognition.

Peace and tolerance

H

Apologies to Queen Ifrica from Blakka Ellis on the Independence Day Issue

Guess what! After my comments about Queen Ifrica's now controversial utterances at the National Independence Grand Gala on Independence Day, I got a personal call from celebrity entertainer and original roots singjay, the honourable Mr Tony Rebel himself.

Yeah, the big man from Flames Productions and visionary behind the wholesome, conscious and successful 'Rebel Salute' series called me, personally, so you know say me important!

Of course, I never got to big him up and tell him that he's one of my all-time favourite artistes, and all of those nice things, because it wasn't that kind of call. Rebel actually called to challenge me on the position I took in the article and we had a long reasoning about it.

I love talking to intelligent people. Yeah, man, because although neither of us budged from our basic positions, we were able to articulate and clarify our respective points of view, respectfully challenge each other and politely agree to disagree.

Differing opinions aside though, a key point of contention for Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel was a statement I had made in the article about what I actually heard on the night. I quoted Queen Ifrica saying four specific words, because those were the words I thought I heard. Rebel insists, however, that my assertion is factually erroneous and she did not utter those words. Naturally, he also wanted a retraction.

Now, based on my respect for the man, and considering the passionate nature of his insistence, I began to seriously wonder, there and then, if perhaps I did hear wrong.

But mi nah lie, I'm kinda stubborn, and mi couldn't just capitulate and run go apologise without verifying the thing. So I told Rebel that I'd try to get a copy of video footage from the event and watch it again.

I promised that if I found that he's correct, I would make the appropriate correction the following week.

Well people, I really tried and tried, but got nowhere with obtaining the precious footage. Red tape choke mi till mi get blacker and blue!

I called around and asked about nine people who were either at the Grand Gala or watched it on TV, and nobody could unequivocally substantiate my recollection of what I thought I heard.

The week came and went. Braps, Roger Clarke 'daggered' his way into the spotlight and became the topic of my comments last week.

So, the relentless Rebel reached me again with the following text: "Greetings, Mr Ellis, I notice you did not correct your error that you made in last week's column about Queen Ifrica. We can overstand that the 'Rogernization' of the social media captured your mind, but we anticipate the correction from you. An error that is not corrected will end up as a fact and we don't want that. Bless. Rebel."

Mr Rebel is right, don't it? Yeah man, I'm now duty bound to do the right thing. So, folks, while I stand by my substantive argument against the public 'othering' of fellow Jamaicans based on sexuality, and while I insist that the Grand Gala stage was an inappropriate forum to introduce or ventilate an issue around which our people are passionately and violently divided, I must now concede that I also erred.

My assertion in the fifth paragraph of my column of August 28 that, "I'm sure I heard her say 'no gays 'round here' on the big stage at the National Stadium", was an error. I can find no evidence that Queen Ifrica actually spoke those words and I hereby, categorically, withdraw and retract my comments to that effect.

I also apologize sincerely to Queen Ifrica for inadvertently publicising an error.

box-mi-back@hotmail.com

ENDS

In the meantime here is my podcast on my thoughts on the handling of the matter by the advocates:

Calling for a Tourism Boycott on Jamaica is a dumb idea at this time

Some young advocates as it were with full support from some older ones who seem more interested in attention seeking than seriously thinking what can happen when such poorly thought out agitations are launched. Lest we forget the LGBT population is still reeling from the black eye from the Queen Ifrica fiasco and the fumbling by all parties involved namely JFLAG and JAGLA (Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad) like wherein the hardened positions by the anti gay voices and persons has gotten more so. Now we see the Lovemarch folks planning another march from Hope Gardens to Half Way Tree on September 14th in opposition to the upcoming court cases challenging the buggery law etc.

Lest we also forget for those who were around before in 2008 and for newcomers we have gone down this road before with calls for boycotts by over exuberant foreign activists out of touch with our realities and who in a supposed bid to assist us in the struggle instead we ended up with a near diplomatic nightmare and a major spike in homophobic incident reports that these same voices were not prepared to assist us (I was a JFLAG at the time) to mitigate or engage. The choppings, profilings, beatings and so on were numerous and the narrative that rang out in some of those documented cases was that they were done in retaliation for making our country suffer in the eyes of the attackers.

EGALE - EQUALITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS EVERYWHERE Canada for example comes to mind in 2008 where they fervently called for a tourism boycott and the nation turned red with the call those days we did not have a more supportive media as now and it was a public relations nightmare the call ended up causing more problems than they solved, SMMS Stop Murder Music Canada also joined the call but called it off after some persuasion from local advocates on the ground and a response from the then government of Jamaica, also involved was the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto who had demanded that the Jamaican government immediately denounce homophobic violence in the country and begin work on repealing laws criminalizing homosexuality, including sexual orientation in the Charter of Rights and developing education campaigns for the country and for the police. A similar call has been hinted to by JAGLA, individual advocates and supported by Maurice Tomlinson. The supposed call is stop the rising numbers of violence meted out to members of the LGBT populations in recent times, my fear based on experience is that such calls only seek to increase the very abuses that the calls are intended to decrease, boycotts are counter productive, besides travel agents said that a tourist boycott was not likely to have a major impact anyway then and I doubt it would have now, also we must bear in mind that Air Canada recently commenced flights to Kingston again with renewed interest in the destination and given our economic situation, austerity and the mood of the nation on many fronts this is not the time for a boycott. Jobs are scarce, persons are tense we do not need a spark to set the place on fire.

Then came the Red Stripe boycott as well which had us in a frenzy for some time although Red Stripe bounced back easily and capitalized on the unexpected exposure that they could not pay for, their forward thinking however averted trouble when they vowed not to support shows with artists professing violent lyrics overall. Back then I had posted in a response to our friends in San Francisco; "While I appreciate the support in the cause for justice and tolerance towards everyone here despite their sexual orientation, groups planning or who have planned these events must be mindful of the repercussions such actions may have on an already marginalized grouping as we are here.

Members of the public and by extension select public opinion shapers will consider this as interference by foreigners and hence push for more hatred and opposition towards gays. Not to mention the increase in violence that occurs when a situation like this becomes public knowledge. As we have seen before during the planned Canadian group EGALE’s boycott early last year many persons including lesbians suffered attacks, we saw a spike in the numbers that was never so for lesbians especially before. The stories told to us by many victims included hints that we (gays) were getting foreigners to force their nasty lifestyle on Jamaica and other derogatory remarks so the attackers felt justified in their actions.

I ask you our friends to be mindful, JFLAG is slowly working on the ground to reach several objectives which include on going dialogue and other strategies which I am not at liberty to reveal now that I am aware of. Also to consider are the limited resources available for any action that may need to be taken in crisis intervention cases.

Let us remember too that it was Red Stripe, one of the targets of this ban campaign that withdrew financial backing for events and artists who promote violence of any sort against Jamaicans some time ago, we wouldn’t want to erode that small gain now, small as it was it was a step in the right direction.

Thanks to the organizers and participants however for showing concern and for taking the steps to bring the matter(s) to public light but let us communicate before any other drastic actions are taken, I know that there are passionate persons out there to our cause and I am grateful personally and by extension I know the JFLAG team and gays here are thankful too.

One Love

H"

Cordially relations are enjoyed since and in fact it was the members of the same team in essence that met with Buju Banton, Michael Petrelis seated to Buju's left was involved in the Red Stripe boycott call. Boycott calls tend to make the hotel market jittery and with the public still angry at the feeling that the lobby has moved from being the oppressed to the oppressor. 

alarmist LGBT crisis reporting?

One wonders if the calls are genuine when the same persons making such calls do not reside here and seem oblivious to the real conditions on the ground such as the long standing issue of homelessness which none of these fly by night groups have once spoken to fully yet but are loud on limelight placing demonstrations and homophobic or transphobic violence reactions, case in point the Dwayne Jones murder in July, Jones was indeed homeless and resided illegally in a captured house in western Jamaica while alive he got very little assistance but in death became wonderful public relations material for some persons to project themselves yet they do not directly get involved in frontline work, one wonders. 

The fundamental concern for me is when the boycott is launched as persons seem head strong to do impervious of the opinions of influentials and previous Programs Managers of JFLAG will these groups and individuals provide assistance in whatever forms (outside of asylum seeking avenues) for local folks who may fall as involuntary martyrs for a cause they may not necessarily subscribe to? Such persons are in the comfort of other lands and can say anything what about the least amongst us especially who are far more exposed to the likelihood of being attacked or killed?

Knee jerk reactions to an obvious spike in homo-negative incidents is not the way to go about it, careful thought has to be done and strategizing but with recent outcomes in the lobby as well as outside of it leaves me wondering and indeed concerned on many fronts.

also see: Murder Music Campaign needs local leadership and Gov’t Hush Hush On Gay Pressure …As Promoters Forced To Pull Queen Ifrica From Canada Show 

Rev Al Miller’s late response to Dwayne Jones’ Murder & Respect heterosexuals demand

Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected 

Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting  

'I SPOKE FOR WHAT I BELIEVED IN' - Queen Ifrica defends Grand Gala performance after JFLAG backlash

We muss tek sleep and mark death and learn from previous mistakes instead of going headstrong inna more mess creating more unneeded obstacles.

Peace and tolerance

H

  

Lobbyists split on Queen Ifrica’s Canada performance

Source

There are diverging views this Thursday morning from the gay community about the attempt to deny a permit for Queen Ifrica to work in Canada, because of her comments at the recent Independence Day grand gala. The attempt is being made by the Canadian-based Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad (JAGLA). The group feels her comments were anti-gay and she should not be allowed to perform in Canada.

However, doctoral candidate in Sociology at Yale University, Javed Jaghai, who is also a claimant in the case challenging Jamaica's buggery laws, does not believe that differing views should prevent artistes from travelling.

“I don’t think anyone has a right to violate someone’s right to travel and share their art just because they share different world views. But at the end of the day, this is a very complex issue, and it really irks me every time we reduce it to the gays trying to force their lifestyle on us, because that is what it really turns into,” said Mr. Jaghai.

He said as a nation we often communicate by inflicting pain on each other and said it is time we start acting like the adults we are.

However, member of JAGLA, Ralston Chamberlain, insisted that the group should at least get an apology.

“Let me declare; our aim and our mission is not to have Queen Ifrica’s travel documents revoked. Our aim is for her to either apologise to the gay community about the anti-gay remarks, or not be allowed to perform at the event,” said Mr. Chamberlain. He was speaking on Wednesday on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines.

And, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supporters, along with Amnesty International and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, on Wednesday demonstrated in front of the Jamaican High Commissioner's office in Ontario. The demonstration was aimed at bringing attention to the July 22 murder of 16-year-old cross-dresser Dwayne Jones in Montego Bay. The teenager was beaten, shot, stabbed, run over and thrown into bushes after appearing at a party dressed as a woman. A peaceful protest will also take place in London on August 28 to demand justice for the death of the teenager.

Organized by African Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans-genders Out and Proud Diamond Group, the protest is to be held outside the Jamaican High Commission.

also see from Gay Jamaica Watch: Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting 

UPDATE: August 23 Queen Ifrica's work permit was cancelled so she could not perform.

also see: Shirley Richards breaks silence on the Queen Ifrica fiasco

There is some talk now of launching a boycott from Canada of all places lest we forget or learn for the uniformed we have gone down that road before, we had a near diplomatic nightmare and a major spike in homo-negative incidents at the time between 2008-9 then I was full time at JFLAG doing ADMIN/FINANCE/Crisis intervention:

1) JFLAG did not support a tourism boycott as suggested by EGALE formerly Equality for Gays And Lesbians Everywhere Canada in 2008: CLICK HERE

2) Jamaican hotels fear boycott: CLICK HERE

3) Canadian Boycott called off: CLICK HERE

4) Posts from the Canadian and San Francisco boycotts in 2008 on GLBTQJA Wordpress: CLICK HERE

5) Gay rights activists clash over tackling Jamaican homophobia

6) Gays won't boycott Jamaica ..... EGALE cancels push

7) Gay rights activists clash over tackling Jamaican homophobia

also see: Gov’t Hush Hush On Gay Pressure …As Promoters Forced To Pull Queen Ifrica From Canada Show 

The Jamaica's Observer cartoonist Clovis penned this cartoon, a balance must be struck I say with second tiered homo-negative artists versus more really vitriolic ones such as Buju Banton, all artists who express anti gay sentiments cannot be treated the same in terms of boycotts or cancellations of work permits, each infraction MUST be carefully examined and the appropriate response given. Overseas folks need to take their cue from locals on the ground as there are consequences for agitations as serious as previous cases have shown.

UPDATE - August 26, 2013

Nationwide radio's Emily Crooks during her What's On My Mind segment of her show gave her two cents alongside Naomi Francis co-host, I am total agreement with her, JAGLA over reached in this case:

Update August 24, 2013