Ragashanti defends his "Lesbian Mix-up" pieces

As the Ragashanti train rolls on Jamaican radio airwaves he has had an endless streak of sensationlized discussions about stereotypical gay and lesbian life in Jamaica even with full participation of GLBTQI people caught up in the drama. One particular concern raise repeatedly by some of my contacts is a conversation where certain codes and descriptions from our stealth cabinets were used quite openly basically "giving us away"

Meanwhile Dr. Kingsley "Ragashanti" Stewart strove to defend his entertainment column in a popular tabloid today with some anthropological references, have a read:

A jus blessings to mi Tambareen Fambily an Mix Up an Blenda crew. Mi seh dem a done mi fram both sides a di lesbian issue. One man a accuse me of promoting lesbians, an a woman a done mi an a threaten mi seh mi nuh like lesbians. How dem fi do dat?! lol Dem nuh know seh mi a di biggest skettel, an because a straight woman to mi link den dat mek mi di biggest lesbian! DWL!!!! Mad!!

Accusing mi of Promoting Lesbianism

Good afternoon Ragashanti. I would like to know the purpose or intent of your "lesbian mix up" column. Is this some kind of "lesbian promotion" in Jamaica? Don't you think there are other well deserving topics to cover? Are you a gay man trying to highlight lesbians to garner Gay & lesbian unity in Jamaica that is so prevalent in the USA?

Evidently the worst thing that has ever happened to black people was freedom from slavery. That was the ticket to adopt and mimic and endear every lifestyle that colonial masters enjoyed. It's such an irony, to note that when blacks had no freedom their minds were preoccupied with thoughts that empower and enrich ... now that they're free, they are self-destructive. BET channel swept Jamaica by storm and other derogatory cable programs. The rich used the poor boys and girls, then they turn around and use each other. I am by far not a prude, but eroticism goes beyond simple minded indulgences.

Do what you do, if that's all you can do. However, heterosexuals have enough issues to deal with as they are becoming outnumbered and surely don't need anymore "gay & lesbian promotions". You would not write a column promoting the residents of Bellevue mental hospital courting each other, yet you promote this other group who has a mental deficit, simply because it involves "sex".

History has proven that gays & lesbians are mentally ill, yet because psychologist and other individuals who use to tend to these persons were violating them "sexually" in various institutions and found sexual gratification from the experience, they later recanted and said this was no longer an illness.I guess for most humans it all comes down to sex in all forms. Pretty soon a column will be written about people who want to screw and marry their pets. A sick evolution. I'm just disappointed that "Jamaicans" have become such weaklings.

Missa Man ... I am The King of Mix UP! A mix up mi say straight!! Mi deal wid all kinda mix up: parson mix up, wedding mix up, funeral mix up, police mix up, politician mix up, obeah mix up, lesbian mix up ... a whole host a topics pon mix ups. So if yuh jus waan pick out one topic fram one week an come try done mi dat a your bizniz. Tek weh yuh self an go pree a cemetery.


Lesbian a Attack an a Threaten Mi

Intimidated by women aren't you? I can see why, I've seen your ugly face and I know that it is difficult to get a woman to sleep with you isn't it?

So you take your sexual frustration out by targeting lesbians. Better be careful though because some lesbians fight back.

Targeting lesbians? Me? I actually have lots of good friends who are lesbians. An wi cool like dat. But you might be referring to my opposition to a minority of lesbians who have always opposed my radio programme, opposed my ads with Mandingo tonic wine, and have consistently sought to get the Broadcasting Commission and advertisers to get rid of my radio programme. Maybe you are referring to my vociferous condemnation of the lesbians who are consistently raping young girls and getting away with it because we erroneously believe only men can rape women.

And if you're referring to my strong opposition to the four married women, including the very popular radio announcer who a helper called in and explained that they set her up and raped her at a hotel in Montego Bay, then hear dis ... mi nuh give a damn weh yuh waan say! An if a war yuh a pree ... bring it!

Finally, yuh know you want me ... but mi nuh pet an powda garbage, mi dash weh dat!

Reach Ragashanti at mixupraga@gmail.com or PO Box 5866 Liguanea PO, Kingston 6.

ENDS

UPDATE March 22, 2011

Ragashanti program has since been stopped by the Broadcasting Commission on the grounds of problematic statements going on air, there is now a debate on the role of the commission versus what is acceptable broadcasts and the morality police. Here are two articles on the matters:

Broadcasting Commission moves on 'ragaslackness'

The Nationwide/Ragashanti dilemma

What say you readers?

Peace and tolerance.

H

Human Rights Day 2010 - December 10th theme: "Human rights defenders who act to end discrimination."

December 10th marks the 62nd anniversary of the acceptance by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNHR Site

The theme for Human Rights Day 10 December 2010 is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination.

Human rights defenders acting against discrimination, often at great personal risk to both themselves and their families, are being recognized and acclaimed on this day.

Human rights defenders speak out against abuse and violations including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence. They advocate justice and seek to protect the victims of human rights violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency in government action. In so doing, they are often putting at risk their own safety, and that of their families.

Some human rights defenders are famous, but most are not. They are active in every part of the world, working alone and in groups, in local communities, in national politics and internationally.

Human Rights Day 2010 will highlight and promote the achievements of human rights defenders and it will again emphasize the primary role Governments must play in enabling and protecting their role. The Day is also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested.

The story does not end after 10 December 2010. The focus on the work of human rights defenders will continue through all of 2011.

Objective:
Celebrate Human Rights Day by using the proven tool of writing letters to save lives.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people across the world mark International Human Rights Day on December 10 by taking part in Amnesty International's Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon - the world's largest letter writing event. We write letters to demand that the rights of individuals are respected, protected and fulfilled. In doing so, we show solidarity with those suffering human rights abuses and work to bring about real change in people's lives.

How to Get Involved:

It's easy! Follow these 5 simple steps to success:

1. SIGN UP to Write for Rights! Participate as an individual, or host an event and invite friends, family, and members of your community to join the call for human rights. Check out our Write for Rights map to find an event near you.

2. SPREAD THE WORD! Tell everyone that you plan to Write for Rights by sending an email or posting on Facebook or Twitter.

3. Get your RESOURCES. Everything you need to participate in Write for Rights is now available, including case summaries, sample letters, promotional materials, and helpful tips for holding a successful Write for Rights event. If you'd like hard copies of these items or have questions, email us: writeathon@aiusa.org.

4. WRITE and MAIL your letters. (December 4-12 are the key dates, but feel free to start earlier or later.)

5. TELL US HOW IT WENT! We want to hear from you: did you meet your letter pledge goal? Do you have great ideas on how we can make next year's Write for Rights even better? Be sure to complete the very brief online evaluation form or send us an email: writeathon@aiusa.org.

This year, we will select winners in the following categories, who will be mailed a grab bag of special Amnesty prizes:

• Best picture of a Write for Rights activity
• Most letters sent
• Largest Write for Rights event
• Most unique location of a Write for Rights activity

Radio program "Love & Sex" on Sexual Identities & Transgenderism (Were you born in the wrong body?)

December 1st, World AIDS Day the Jamaican transgendered community got a chance to voice their concerns through representative “Jane” on a radio program aired on Newstalk 93FM

named :Love and Sex” hosted by Jamaican Clinical Sexologist of The Caribbean Sexuality Research Group (CSRG) Dr. Karen Carpenter and co-host Gavin Walters. Sexual identities were the broader subject of the discussion as other variants and orientations were also examined. It is not very often the local transgender community gets an opportunity on the airwaves to share real information on their lives and to dispel the misconceptions about their community and the mix up with the Lesbian, Bisexual and Gay lifestyles. Host Dr. Karen Carpenter made mention of Cuba’s lead in public education on sexual identities and their interventions with the various groups. She highlighted the outreach there as providing jobs and overlooking the packaging of persons but more so seeing people as people.

Dr. Marilyn Volker famed international Sex Therapist who has worked with transsexuals in the United Stated as well was also a guest on the one hour and forty two minute discussion touched on the possible causes of transgenderism to sexual orientations and identities.

(photo from GIRES) Gender Identity Research and Education Society UK

The opening dialogue before the interview also dealt with the differences between Transgender, Transvestite and or Cross dressers. Being the qualified person that Dr. Carpenter is she simply defined the differences.

• Transgender – seems themselves as a different gender than the one they were born as physically also known as body dysmorphia or born in the wrong body. The person is unable to conceptualise themselves as the sex they are physical in. Sexual re-assignment surgery is used to make the changes for the individual.
• Transvestite – Persons who like to dress in clothing of the opposite sex mostly for entertainment.
• Inter sexual - persons born with undefined genitalia or sexual organs.
• Drag Queens – Dr. Carpenter referred to famed diva Rupaul or males who wear female clothing either for entertainment or just comfort.

Dr. Marilyn Volker Adjunct Professor with the University of Miami Florida, Florida International University and Diplomat of the American Board of Sexology, Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists and teacher to Dr. Karen Carpenter was introduced. She also hosted a program Sex with Marilyn. She contributed much to the discussion.
She contributed among other things:

Sexual Identity: consists of four parts, Biology consisting of chromosomes and hormones persons need to look at the brain structure and not the sexual organs to determine the finality. Gender identity is the second part; it’s the brain that determines sexual identity not the genitals. i.e. male, female or in between no matter what sexual organ the person has. The there is gender role that means how persons appear or dress, if we went by what the sexual organs are and not what exist between the ears we may be dressing a child or person of a different gender. We must see children and people with the heart and not by outward appearance. Gender role is on the external, Gender identity is on the internal Sexual orientation is the last no matter what is between the legs of the person, or the brain orientation is who one is attracted to. So a transgendered person could be right handed or ambidextrous, heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. It is very complicated at times but bear in mind what’s between the legs and ears doesn’t necessarily match how a person dresses.

Dr. Volker referred to twin studies where pairs of twins have different orientations that suggest there is more than just parenting, social and chromosomal and hormonal structure of each person. A child in as far as identity is concerned that may be born with a vagina may get more male hormones when in the uterus it could develop a masculine brain with feminine private parts.
The term for matches in sync with brain identity versus physical genitalia is CISGENDER transgender is the opposite and doesn’t match. In one in every two to five thousand births there is some difference in chromosomes and hormones. There maybe ambiguous development during birth. When there is a combination of chromosomal hormones in the middle that leads to ambiguous genitalia it is called inter sexuality also called androgyny (outside of entertainment use for rock music). Androgyny comes from the Greek word “Andro” Male and “Gyny” Female suggesting behaviour roles as well identifying with a wide range of activities and feelings excluding biological concepts.

“Jane” the leading local transgendered voice was introduced to the program where she explained she discovered she was trans when she was six years old but never started the process of living as trans female until her late twenties. She explained she was born male growing up she acted effeminate and liked doing girl’s things. “Living in Jamaica one knows that kind of thing is not normal” so she hid it depicting a male persona even becoming a bully at school using it as a shield. She adopted a very macho personality using it as a shield and became in Jamaican terms “a girl’s man” i.e having many girls and hyper masculine or the stereotypical yard man. In doing so she tried to purge the feelings within and the guilt of growing in a Christian home with heathen thoughts. She adopted a destructive cycle while cross dressing in private with suicidal thoughts which temporarily relived the tension. She would often destroy and burn feminine personal possessions only to recycle the same actions all over again. She struggled with the fact that she was still a man; the early morning boner was like “alien appendage” to her. She also had a fiancée while as a man but eventually broke off the engagement; persons were shocked upon discovering her “change” as family shunned her save and except for her father surprisingly as mothers are expected to cope with this better, she has since become accommodating.

Dr. Volker responded by emphasizing doctors are now realising through brain scans, hormonal tests and chromosomal tests to say to parents with children who are possibly transgender that one may have a child who has a particular genitalia but is the opposite sex in the brain. If many parents and troubled transgender persons were told as early as birth what the proper diagnosis is then a lot of the problems similar to the ones described by Jane would have been avoided. She also touched on chromosomal issues as in X and Y versus hormonal levels in determination of the baby’s sex, usually in a female it’s XX and a male XY, there are children born XXY born with a penis but an extra female chromosome meaning they could look more feminine or look masculine on the outside with a penis with a feminized brain, things can occur during birth. Usually girls get XX patterns with more estrogen and progesterone while most boys gets XY patterns with testosterone and androgen sometimes there is a mix in the uterus where a mix of chromosomes like XXY leading to less masculine development somewhere. There may even be more testicular tissue in girls where this mix up occurs. The available tests now can see into the hormonal and chromosomal structures. The paediatrician can now ask a parent does the they like to or want to know the chromosomal structure of their child.

Jane continued that she harnessed the power of the Internet as there were few doctors in Jamaica who knew about transgenderism. She sourced her own hormones from the Internet, she looked at the Harry Benjamin principles of care and read where possible medical journals. Dr. Volker noted that several Trans persons have to teach their doctors about the issues. Jane noted her website was down at this time. She is aware of ten individuals in Jamaica living as women some of whom are lost in the gay community due to the lack of education for them. Dr. Volker said the important thing is what the brain is attracted to and not the physical. There maybe a heterosexual female born in a girl who has a penis her brain maybe attracted to a male who maybe mistaken as gay. There maybe need for a serious re-socialization process globally to deal with these new phenomenons. One would have to also go to gender specialists, endocrinologists to get more professional and detailed information.

Jane highlighted she is pre-operative transgender meaning she has not done the full sexual re-assignment procedure so she can father a child now but after surgery cannot have children naturally or get pregnant. She plans to have the surgery as soon as she can find the money.
In answering Dr. Volker’s questions on her orientation Jane responded bisexual. Dr. Volker continued to explain that gender identity and orientation differ in the trans world. She has worked with transgender who have moved from having a penis while trying to be heterosexual male but their brain was heterosexual female but couldn’t express it as they would look as if they were gay on the outside,” it is confusing to persons going through the issues.” She emphasized the need for support. Jane continued on the lack of support systems in Jamaica except the Internet or possibly contacting JFLAG who may put one on to other transgender persons.

Dr. Carpenter noted that the Caribbean Sexuality Research Group (CSRG) offers some support to transgendered persons and runs a free clinic at the UHWI Psychiatry Unit which has been running for the last month by calling 977-0316 with a small registration fee of $500.00, leave a message for appointments as all calls are answered.

She also remarked on the misconception of homosexuality and paedophilia and the tabloid papers sensationalism creating the homo-negative perceptions over time. “The minute we find out someone’s sexual orientation is different from others we begin to monitor, oh they must be about to hit on somebody which is inappropriate.”
She highlighted that paedophilia happens when there is an economy is depressed and the power differential between the adult versus the young person despite sexual orientation is wide.

On the matter of gender variant children from a caller to the program Dr. Volker suggested that the child be monitored by a paediatric endocrinologist or a child psychiatrist who understands gender. Children who present with the mis-match usually the assessment is done in early puberty where hormones may be administered dependent on the case to stop the actions opposite to the physical presentation but the sexual re-assignment surgery is left to later in life in most cases unless they were born with both genitals or intersex. (A practice which is opposed by some intersex activists)

Program continues to the end.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Another Murder ..... where will it end?

Previously corroborated.

Confirmed 4:34pm

A popular cross dresser as will be described as such for now from the community was found dead in the vicinity of the Half Way Tree Road area on December 3rd, known for her ghetto fabulous look and sometimes overly nice yet sometimes rough personality "Charm" as she is affectionately called may have been the victim of a meeting or cruise hook up gone bad as she was known to "work" the streets at nights not formally as a commercial sex worker but on the cruising trails along those areas. I have no evidence to determine if Charms was confirmed or diagnosed to be transgender officially by any health expert. 

According to a popular drag queen who I interviewed for this post Charm was warned on several occasions to avoid the area even on the very night before her demise as the more experienced "queens" and "workers" have avoided the area as a stabbing incident occurred some weeks ago from "strange faces" appearing on the popular strip which aroused suspicion, the regulars starting drifting to other areas.

Most of these older more experienced street walkers have learnt how to operate in stealth on the streets and are masters of the craft of cruising, honing in their prospective hook ups and carefully observing their environment while adjusting accordingly they had since left the scene to operate elsewhere.

She was in full drag at the time of the discovery of her body but it was confirmed later today by a passer-by from the community who saw the crime scene as a crowd had gathered there, he described some persons as jeering and laughing as the news that it was a cross dresser had been murdered surfaced. She reportedly had several visible stab wounds all over her body. She was discovered by a woman who apparently took her young daughter to a nearby dark area for her to relieve herself when they pounced upon the deceased.

Time of death is unknown at this time but more than likely in the wee morning hours of Friday December 3rd,

This raises serious concerns again in my mind about the lack of serious preferably residential typed interventions towards homeless, displaced persons, officially diagnosed transgendered individuals to include pre-operative trans, all categories of commercial sex workers and those under the GLBTQI umbrella who traverse the city streets at night at their own risk. Do we have to wait until more are killed before we do something about this lack of activities to make them occupied with something else. The concerns for homelessness in general to include GLBTQI people are real as the abuse reports are rising we need some sort intervention urgently to deal with this need to roam the streets given our homophobic and homo-negative society.

This comes on the heels of a stabbing incident only last Saturday November 27th in the same Half Way Tree area but nearer to the square where a young man and his friend were making their way to conduct their private business when they were profiled as gay and rushed, after the attack the victim sustained five stab wounds and was rushed to the hospital, fortunately he has been recovering slowly and he has the support of his friends around him to help him through that process which is welcomed positive news given the circumstances.

It was only on World AIDS Day that the deceased "Charms" visited a popular non governmental organization and was well known there where she transacted her private business now everyone there is in disarray.

Meanwhile ......

Only on November 30th some members of the local and international non governmental, blogging and advocacy communities marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic passing of Steve Harvey formerly of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life and other LGBT interventions and volunteerism as he was robbed at his home in Duhaney Park in 2005 taken by car to an undisclosed location, he was found some time later with gunshot wounds.

Steve Harvey

Meanwhile sections of the community are sounding off as to the carelessness by government towards LGBT people and the constant cases of murder and abuses coming to the fore. But anyone who has watched the proceedings over the years know that Jamaican political parties are not going to simply capitulate to LGBTQI rights demands as that would be suicide in our caustic environment, lest we forget the present Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) "Not in my cabinet" administration recently participated in removing sexual orientation from the list of extra judicial killings at the United Nations.

Please folks let us watch out for ourselves and each other no matter what station or place in life we are.

Peace and tolerance.

H

"Tell Me Pastor" commits the ultimate bi phobic infraction, tells writer she is not bisexual

Another day another Star News infraction to document at the train rolls on, Tell Me Pastor columnist, radio personality and Psychologist tells an alleged bisexual female writer who questions her bisexuality and by extension her orientation. This letter appeared in today's edition of the Star as many others before contributing to the continued anti gay and bisexual stigma and discrimination from the media.

She apparently by her assumption in the letter recognizes her basic orientation and is simply seeking information on how to deal with it, instead he Pastor Aaron Dumas sends a "deny yourself" message. It's stuff like this that leads to depression and suicidal tendencies when Psychologists and such persons are to help folks wrestle with personal questions on orientation as this.

I still believe that some of these published letters are either fabricated or so edited and embellished to reflect the anti gay agenda to fit the paper's objective and sell more through semi or full sensationalism.

have a read as the writer's question and Pastor Aaron Dumas's response is shown below.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Female letter writer asks:

Was i born bisexual?

Dear Pastor,

I am a teenage girl who is living abroad, but I am originally from Jamaica. For nearly a year, I have been struggling with a problem. For my whole life, I knew that there was something different about me. Well, gradually I have come to terms with the fact that I am bisexual. I really do not have a problem with it, because I figure that it is a part of me. Why not embrace it?

I had told most of my friends about my orientation and they are fine with it, but I have lost a few friends over it, too. The thing I am worried about is actually telling my mother that I am bisexual. I am afraid that if I tell her, she would be mad at me or kick me out. You see, I do not want to disappoint her in anyway. She expects so much from me already and, so far, I have lived up to all her expectations, and even exceeded them. I have done well in school and I have stayed out of trouble, and so on.

Well, I need your help. What do you think I should do?

Bisexual

Pastor Aaron Dumas responds:

Dear Bisexual,

You are wrong. I cannot agree with you. You were not born bisexual. You have embraced that lifestyle, and that is why you say you are comfortable. However, I know you are not comfortable. If you were, you would not have written to me. You feel tormented, and you believe that your mother would go crazy if you were to tell her how you feel, and what you have been doing.

Now, please do not misunderstand me. I am not here to condemn you. God forbid that I would condemn anyone who is struggling with a problem. What I would like to encourage you to do is to call a family counsellor or psychologist and make an appointment to see him for professional counselling.

There are times when people claim to be bisexual - homosexual when they are not. Sometimes, young people have gone to parties and got wild after they have had too much to drink. They engaged in illicit sex and do things that they would not normally do. Often, when they are told that they did certain things, they would deny it. That is why one should keep away from drugs and learn to protect themselves at all times.

When you go to see the counsellor and he access your situation, he would advise you how to relate to your mother.


Pastor

The Pill killed my sex drive (Gyno issues)

DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE All Woman writer

THE Pill has long been seen as a saviour for many women, with a whopping success rate at preventing pregnancy. But more and more women on boards and blogs across the world have been noticing one trend -- it kills libido, and is a death sentence to many women's sex drives, with some brands causing a downward plunge in desire from day one.

A German study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine earlier this year said what many Pill users had suspected for years — those taking hormonal contraceptives are more at risk for problems with sexual interest, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and even painful sex.

The study, done by researchers at the University of Heidelberg, studied 1,086 women and found that those taking hormonal contraceptives are at the highest risk for sexual dysfunction.

It's a catch 22 situation for 29-year-old Peta-Gaye Richards, who laments that after finding what she thought was the perfect pill, she has become a shell of her former amorous self.

She said there is never any desire to be with her fiancé, a situation that causes friction in the relationship.

"Some pills do cause a decrease in libido," said gynaecologist at the Amadeo Medical Group in Spanish Town, Dr Charles Rockhead. "This can be avoided if women find the right pill suitable to their body. Let's just say no drug is tailored to any specific person and so different people will react differently to it."

But what does a woman do when she has searched long and hard for the perfect pill, with the fewest symptoms, and gets a low sex drive as the only drawback?

"I suffered for years trying to find the perfect pill and I've been through several brands," Richards said. "I was moody on some, nauseous on most, headachy, homicidal, and finally I found one where I had no side effects, except for a drop in my sex drive. I'm very hesitant to stop taking it, because none of the other contraceptive methods are suitable."

Said Dr Rockhead: "The only thing that a woman can do if this happens is to stop taking that pill. Or she can try other pills until she finds the right one that suits her body."

And he said pills are not contraceptives he personally recommends, instead he suggests IUD methods such as the Mirena, especially if the woman has already given birth.

"Anything that you have to ingest has to be metabolised by the liver and the potential effect can lead to other complications," Dr Rockhead explained.
He also said the expectation of the body 'seasoning' to the pill over time, resulting in a normal reaction, is a myth.

But, for women comfortable with the pill, Dr Rockhead said while some pills will cause a decrease in women's sex drives, others can cause an increase as is the case with pills with a high component of androgen — the male component to oestrogen.

It's these pills that women who complain of libido problems can seek out, for a test run on overall satisfaction.

The bad news continues ........

WARNING: disturbing photo enclosed

As Human Rights Day December 10th approaches and the serious concerns about the obvious sharp rise in homophobic and lesbophobic attacks just boggles the mind here are some recent confirmed, unconfirmed and corroborated stories of such incidents that have been brought to my attention.

The individual in the edited photo above was stabbed several times on Friday November 26th in the Half Way Tree area by a man, he is presently recovering in the hospital and our prayers go out for his life to be spared by God's hand. He was reportedly the victim of profiling a dangerous practice on the rise again where just by assumption ones sexuality is used to justify homophobic abuse. More details to come as they unfold and permissions granted from his close friends who supplied the photo, thanks to them also for sharing this.

see also:

Jamaica votes In favor of the amendment to remove sexual orientation from the resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (79)

Lesbian killed

A lesbian was murdered earlier this month, a story I held on to before going public as the information is unclear as to the cause of her demise. Speculation suggests she may have been caught in the middle of the dangerous cash for gold underground business gone haywire and not direct lesbophobia, recent crimes statistics have suggested a fall out in the new phenomenon on our society where nearly every public space possible at shopping plazas and street corners some person is yelling openly "Cash for gold"or "Sell your gold"imploring passers-by to sell their gold and gold filled jewelry. It seems to be big business as major jewel store chains as well are advertising for persons to take in old jewelry even if they are plated ones.

The trend has indeed invited the participation of many undesirable types and also many "butch" women have been seen peddling the trade as well as many butch lesbians are good at being one of the boys in our hustler typed society.

Lesbian raped by five men infront of her family

A woman was raped for a reported five hours by men in St. Catherine while her family watched helplessly recently adding to the growing list of corrective rapes happening to our lesbian and bisexual women, it appeared as if her attackers were lurking on the premises before entering the house and holding up the occupants at gunpoint. They are said to have proceeded to rape the woman and rob her.

The incident was reported to the Ewarton police station and it was also said that the woman had to seek counselling following the frightening ordeal.
That incident is said to be the latest in a series of cases occurring in two communities in the parish.

The police say that a group of men are said to be wreaking havoc on the women in the St Catherine communities.

In another case, a 16-year-old girl was also raped over a week ago by a group of men who discovered she was home alone. The police suspect the same group of men are responsible for both acts.

Exhibitionist/street masturbator attacked

A man known to many in certain parts of Kingston was recently rushed by a group of taxi drivers in Kingston as they say they have had enough, the man who by his physical appearance is not of unsound mind as open masturbation is attributed to has been seen especially after rainfall "backing his fist" as several spots in New Kingston and even downtown. He reportedly was acting as a voyeur watching a couple make out by a car in a popular make out spot where he proceeded to relieve himself. He was seen by a group of taxi drivers who normally in the late hours of the morning park near the make out spot monitoring their short wave radios or phones for possible contract carriages. They chased him away but no sooner had he ran he returned to finish his backing session, the men would have none of it and a short chase followed where a machete was thrown after him, it reportedly hit him on his left calf injuring him but he made good his escape. The drivers said they have seen enough of him and that he is a battyman as he has been seen eyeing men urinating in public and masturbating at odd hours of the morning in very inconspicuous spots.

Male gang rape

A reported case of gang rape of a man in a section of Kingston is still causing some unease in the community, the entry was carried on my wordpress GLBTQJA blog and cross-posted here as well and is excerpted as follows:

Down Low Gone Mad, Biphobia, Or Sexual Abuse?

“Battyman Fi Dead” said publicly “Mi really waan f*** yuh” privately …. problems and abuse in the DL world.

So another horrible case of possible male rape or sexual abuse from within the community this time in a way has been heard, a young Jamaican man whose sexuality is of no major concern to us in as far as this post is concerned has become a victim allegedly of male rape by down-low”heaviot” thugs in Kingston recently, in August I am being told. News of the incident is rife among certain circles downtown and other flash points as it quickly spread on the grapevine but some details

are still sketchy I must add. However the main purpose of this piece though is to look again at the issue of clandestine homosexuality or DL as our African American counterparts call it and the possible negative effects that may come out of it such as this allegation of male rape by so called shottas and gangsters.

I doubt this has anything to do with substitutional sex or situational homosexuality (more

so in a prison or physical enclosed setting) but you can be the judge while using what basic information that will be shared, it took a while for me to get enough information to prepare this post so please forgive my possible lack of details but I want us to focus on the main issue, that is frankly “bad man battyman” as some in our society call it.

Given the timing of this revelation in the middle of an international controversy involving a powerful Pastor in the form of Eddie Long and some four or possibly more males who have or may take legal action on alleged years of inappropriate sexual advances the varying discussions are abuzz over the internet and social network media with arguments for and against to punish him or finding the Pastor guilty without even seeing the court case through."

Read the rest HERE


If you are in Jamaica just be careful out there folks, we know it is not easy.


Long time community member passes:



Winner of the recent Oscar Award for Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 Patrick as he is affectionately called made the transition and was promoted to glory on Saturday November 20th at a Kingston hospital after suffering from complications of a long standing illness. He will be missed as his presence and contributions to the community over the years have been outstanding. May his soul rest in peace.


Peace and tolerance.


H

Reporters Urged To Ensure More Gender Equality In Press

Laura Redpath , Senior Gleaner Writer

Media watchdogs are encouraging journalists to move beyond mere coverage and consider representation.

Women's Media Watch, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) yesterday hosted a meeting with journalists and communication students to present the findings of the Global Media Monitoring Project 2009-2010 regional report on how news is covered in the Caribbean.

Findings show that men were represented three times more than women in 65 newspapers and newscasts.

"Good journalism should really include fair gender portrayal," said Judith Wedderburn, board member of Women's Media Watch.

The results also showed that the major news topics were crime and violence, politics and government, social and legal issues and the economy.

The 11 countries studied were Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, St Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

Of the 1,678 people in the news, male government officials were the major newsmakers. Just over 80 per cent of voices were male spokespersons and nearly 70 per cent were male experts.

The majority of women in the news were politicians and then professionals in health and education, while female sources were more likely chosen by female reporters.

Other details that emerged include: of 840 articles and newscasts, nearly 70 per cent of television stories were presented by women.

However, nearly 90 per cent of radio stories were presented by men.

Shifting gender roles

Meanwhile, more than half the stories were covered by male reporters and, in terms of gender equality in the news, just over half the stories that were considered to be gender balanced were covered by women.

Less than 10 per cent of stories (written by men) challenged gender stereotypes.

Despite the figures, Jenni Campbell, president of the PAJ, noted that traditional gender roles have been and are still shifting in Jamaica and the rest of the world.

"We believe that any kind of investigation and exposure of information that will benefit our people and provide options to shape their decision-making process ought to be welcomed," Campbell said.

The PAJ president also noted that more women are entering the newsroom, a move to be celebrated.

In addition, the regional report pointed out that strategies must be developed based on the media monitoring project findings to assist with the democratising of media and gender equality.

laura.redpath@gleanerjm.com

Sex workers facing "hell' according to new book

THE hellish working conditions of Jamaican sex workers have been documented by Panos Caribbean in a 48-page book, aimed at highlighting the plight persons in this group face.
The publication provides first-hand account from 15 female sex workers and one male, examining reasons for becoming sex workers, conditions in the industry, health and safer sex issues, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, legalisation of sex work and gender issues.

Patricia Watson (second right) of Eve for Life and brainchild of the publication highlighting the plight of sex workers in Jamaica, makes a point to (from left) Indi McLymont Lafayette, regional director of media and community & environment at Panos Caribbean, Princess Brown, president of the Sex Workers Association of Jamaica and Dawn Marie Roper, Panos programme officer, during yesterday’s launch at the Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Book-says-sex-workers-facing--hell-#ixzz16IIf0Rkg

President of the Sex Workers Association of Jamaica (SWAJ) Princess Brown, pointing to the issues faced in the industry, said sex workers are forced into the illegal trade there were no other job options.

“Seeing your children hungry with tears in their eyes looking to you is one of the hardest thing to see,” Brown said, as she addressed the book launch at the Altamont Court Hotel in Kingston, yesterday.
“Before you judge ask the question why they become a sex worker; no one wanted to become a sex worker when they were children,” she argued.

Brown said a number of sex workers, both males and females, were sexually abused by family members and still continue to be abused by clients, employees and even the police.
The association, she said, was formed two years ago to protect the rights of sex workers.
Sex work, though illegal in Jamaica, is widely practised in the island where unregulated commercial sex facilities have been blamed for helping to spread HIV in the general population.
A significantly higher rates of HIV infection exists among sex workers and their clients, compared to other population groups in many countries, according to the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

Meanwhile, executive director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC), Ian McKnight, in lauding the decision to highlight the plight of sex workers, said these persons are constantly exploited by the police because the trade is illegal.
“The police will draw down on them to get money and when that happens they have very little recourse,” he said.

Marion Scott, project officer for the sex workers’ programme in the Ministry of Health, said the testimonies outlined in the publication would guide the way interventions are conducted.
While acknowledging that the sex trade was illegal, Scott said the ministry addresses the vulnerability associated with sex work and not the profession itself.
“Yes sex work is illegal but they are considered vulnerable so vulnerability is what we speak to and not the profession,” she added.

She, however, pointed out that although there has been a decline in the spread of HIV among sex workers there is more work to be done.
She explained that while sex workers use condoms with 90 per cent of new clients, only 20 per cent use condom with regular partners.

According to Scott, the ministry is faced with the challenge of reaching some sex workers, many of whom are afraid to come forward for fear of being prosecuted.
“It is difficult to gain the trust of the sex worker because of the fear that we are going to expose them,” she said.

Dawn Marie Roper, programme officer at Panos Caribbean, explained that the sex workers interviewed for the publication consisted of persons working as massuese, exotic dancers, street sex workers and those who engage in live sex on stage and for film.
“What is unique about this is it’s coming straight from the mouth of the sex workers themselves,” she said.
In the meantime, Samuel Blake of the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons said the information gleaned from the publication will be used in the unit’s planning process as it address the issue of human trafficking which has linkages at times with sex work.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Recognized 25th November

By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day. Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. This date came from the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
On 20 December 1993 the General Assembly adopted Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (A/RES/48/104).

” Message from .....

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day for the
Elimination of VIolence against Women
25 November 2010

“My UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, and the Network of Men Leaders I launched last year, have generated welcome momentum and engagement. The word is spreading: violence against women and girls has no place in any society, and impunity for perpetrators must no longer be tolerated. On this International Day, I urge all – Governments, civil society, the corporate sector, individuals – to take responsibility for eradicating violence against women and girls.

In light of the increased series of attacks against lesbian and bisexual women in the past coupled with increases in sexual abuse and rape against young girls and women in general plus the disturbing cases of missing children in Jamaica mostly girls, the ongoing and troubling path radio personality Ragashanti has taken towards lesbian life supposedly to be joke and entertainement for his listeners this day's recognition could not come at a more opportune time. The concerns especially among young women in Jamaica of all stripes and orientations are growing as crimes and violence against them seemingly go unabated.

TODAY AS WE COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE (IDEVAW) AGAINST WOMEN UNDER THE THEME “COMMIT, ACT, DEMAND: WOMEN AND MEN UNITE TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. LET US FIRST REMEMBER THAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS REMAINS A MAJOR CHALLENGE AND IS RECOGNIZED LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS A GRAVE SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERN. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NEEDS OUR URGENT ATTENTION AS IT AFFECTS ALL MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY, RICH AND POOR, WOMEN AND MEN, BOYS AND GIRLS. Click HERE to view full Message

WHY WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD COMMEMORATE NOVEMBER 25th ASINTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Between the years 1940 to 1961, the Dominican Republic was subjected to a political regime under the leadership of President Trujillo that was as cruel as it was corrupt. During this period, a group calling itself the 14th June Resistance movement was formed, which was led by the militant Mirabel sisters, Minerva, Patricia and Maria Teresa. This organization was accused of plotting to overthrow the Trujillo regime, and as a result, the husbands of the three women, as well as Patricia's son, were arrested.

The three sisters were eventually ambushed, tortured and raped. They were then placed in their jeep and pushed over a cliff in an unsuccessful attempt to make the murders appear accidental. This incident took place on November 25th, 1960. When women from Latin America and the Caribbean met in Bogota in 1981, they proposed that a day be set apart each year that would be recognized as an international protest against violence against women.

Minerva, Patricia and Maria Teresa Mirabel had never been forgotten; and so November 25th was chosen as the day when the world would be asked to remember them, and the countless other women and girls all over the world who have died as a result of violence.

Click HERE to view as a pdf

Peace and tolerance

H

Ragashanti contributing to growing public lesbophobia?

In recent months there has been a sharp rise in serious concerns by members of the lesbian and

bisexual women communities about the path being taken by radio personality Ragashanti and his tambourine crew on his new home at Nationwide Radio. This is coming on the back drop of several unconfirmed reports of several cases of rape and sexual abuse including corrective type incidences across the country with two suspected murders. Please bear in mind the incidents have not been confirmed to be outrightly lesbophobic but the word on the street just by observation suggests people are talking about lesbian lifestyles more disparagingly in a long time.

Usually in Jamaica lesbians never experienced such a backlash either on the airwaves or otherwise and as Ragashanti is widely listened to between 1pm - 5pm following the controversial cut from Newstalk 93 FM where he was unceremoniously booted. There was a problem with the content of the program he hosted there at the time but he has found a place at his original home at Nationwide.

Ratings at any cost?

He has had guests who are introduced a lesbians and gays with very sensationalized discourse over the airwaves and with the broadcasting commission monitoring he has been careful to reduce some of the original verbiage that obtained when he was at Newstalk FM. He also has a column that he writes mix up pieces and gossip columns in the Jamaica Star. A steady stream of lesbophobic and stereotypical pieces have been coming both on air and in print as shown below, he supposedly answers a write in query on lesbianism:

More Lesbian Mix Ups

Mad respek to all a mi Tambareen Fambily linky-linky an mi Mix Up an Blenda massive. Yow!... di Lesbian Mix Up topic a mad up di place. A crazy tings a bust out inna Jamaica ya. Fi real. Gwaan pree dem two vibz ya pon di topic:

Who is really a Lesbian?

Raga big up yuh self. Luv yuh show! I am a lesbian and have been so since high school, at least that's when I became conscious of it. A lot of people seem to believe that a woman becomes a lesbian because she was abused by men or had very bad relationships resulting in heartbreak, been raped, lacked love from her mother and the list goes on I am sure. I think a woman that started dealing with women becuz of some sort of abuse is not really a lesbian and I think they should try again with men, but do it differently, like spend more time knowing the man and actually DATE and so on. 

I have never been molested, raped, heart-broken, never lacked love from my mother. In fact she was an ardent follower of God. I never grew among lesbians, nor did I know any, or knowingly encountered any. No family member I knew of was so inclined so I was not socialised in it. I have never been sexually attracted to a man. I can appreciate a well dressed, handsome, well-spoken, intelligent,sexy bodyman but to think "oh God him sexy eeh me woulda dash it out pon him," no. I have tried dating men when I was much younger. I had a steady boyfriend, very, very nice guy, I had real, real feelings for him but when it came down to sex I just couldn't do it and out of respect for him and his feelings I had to tell him where I stood. He and I are still friends. So my point is that the equation: abuse+loveless childhood+heartbreak by men = lesbian, is wrong, probably not entirely but for the most part.

Thanks for educating us. You're right. Many of us assume that if a woman is a lesbian then she must have gone through some terrible ordeal that turned her away from men. In a mature, secure and articulate manner, you've made us know that such is not necessarily the case. Not all lesbians are psychologically and emotionally wounded. Bless up yuh self.



Lesbians in School

Mi se Raga mi hav a bag a mix up fi gi yu. Mi use 2 go 1 all girls skool. Raga a bear drama dem gi yu. One 8 grader use 2 deh wid 1 eleven grade girl. But d 11 grader a d butch. She did a gi d 8 grader bun wid a nex 11 grader Raga. Wen mi ask d butch who a wife, she se if a wife dem a run down dem beta gwaan cuz she deh wid a gyal weh work a bank. Anyway, d gyal dem find out bout dem one another n d gurl lef d 8 grader. D 8 grader nearly mad, she all write luv letta n bear tings. Raga any way dem did deh bak n ting. But d other 11 grader find out bout it n knock out d 8 grader wit a chair. And d same evenin a nex girl cum a skool gate fi d butch girl n beat up d 11 grader...lol...dwl.

Dr. Kingsley Stewart aka Ragashanti

Nuh feel nuh way still, but mi naa go run mi usual joke dem wen di mix up involve children a roll dem way ya. Fi years now me a get a whole heap a mix ups bout a whole heap a lesbian drama in many of our high schools. Mi cyaan too support dem violence deh mongst di school girl dem. Mi jus hope seh di authorities will stop walk roun like dem a eediat an nuh know wa a gwaan, an start come up with effective interventions aimed at decreasing violence amongst students grappling with sexuality issues. Bless up.

Reach Ragashanti at

mixupraga@gmail.com or

PO Box 5866, Liguanea PO, Kingston 6.

ENDS

Serious concerns:

Many lesbians have been expressing outrage at this new and steady stream of commentary on their lifestyles/orientation and by extension putting them at risk. The obsession with the butch dynamic is also not going down well for many in the community as they fear there maybe serious repercussions. Bearing in mind that Ragashanti whose real name is Dr. Kingsley Stewart is an Anthropologist and while there maybe some validity to his use of the colloquial and street culture to examine humanity he may be going overboard much to the detriment of the folks who he makes fun off. Not everyone knows how to separate the seriousness from satire.

Shebada - comical roots play character loved and hated by his effeminate dialogues and shenanigans on stage played by Keith Ramsey who has been stigmatized as gay.

Ragashanti also has been seen however at Shebada's parties on several occasions bearing in mind there is a strong suspicion by the public he is gay yet Raga finds it necessary to get ratings by playing on the stereotypes in Jamaican society. Nationwide radio like it or not is owned by Cliff Hughes an erudite reporter turned radio owner who has signed on Raga and is also known for his gay friendly stance on LGBT rights yet we have Ragashanti out of control on the airwaves?

Some more outspoken lesbians have suggested bombarding the lines with calls condemning the way Raga has been going on and present a more positive light on lesbian and bisexual life.

Ironically there are many MSM and some members of the GLBTQI community finds the sensationalism funny and there have been vigorous debates on social network pages about ignoring the problem and some defending Raga to the ground.

Good to see ordinary folks getting in on a strategy to deal with this new problem but will it get off the ground? as many moves as discussed before just lie there after much planning and hot air.

Women for Women has issued a soft caution to ladies to be careful out there in light of the news of incidents happening and unverified cases.

How do we measure this? let's see what's to come.

Is the answer to Raga's contribution to lesbophobia a yes or no?

What say you?

Peace and tolerance.

H