Civil Society Statement of Action on the Decriminalisation of Adult Same Sex Conduct in the Commonwealth

Out of the 54 states that make up the Commonwealth of Nations, 41 continue to criminalize consensual adult same-sex sexual activity. Laws that criminalise same-sex sexual conductdiscriminate against and oppress lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.The majority of the laws that criminalise same-sex sexual conduct originate in British Colonial lawscriminalising ‘sodomy’.On the 15th of August 2011 at a conference facilitated by the Commonwealth Human Rights InitiativeLondon, LGBTI Rights Activists working across the Commonwealth devised the following statementof action on the decriminalisation of same-sex sexual conduct across the Commonwealth. This is astatement of action that relates both to the Commonwealth Secretariat and to Commonwealthmember states.

1. The incompatibility of the criminalisation of same–sex sexual conduct with Commonwealth values

1.1 Treating individuals in a discriminatory manner as a result of their sexual orientation isincompatible with Commonwealth values. Equality and non-discrimination on any groundshas been repeatedly affirmed as a core Commonwealth value, most recently by theSecretary General in his speech to the 2011 Law Ministers Meeting. The 2009 Port of SpainAffirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles states in section 5 that a coreCommonwealth value is the “promotion of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rightsfor all without discrimination on any grounds” and that “rights are universal...and cannot beimplemented selectively.” This reaffirms the commitments to formal equality, found in the1979 Lusaka Declaration, and equality before the law, in the 1991 Harare Declaration.

1.2 The universal equal application of human rights to all without discrimination on anygrounds is reinforced in the 2007 Yogyakarta Principles on the application of internationalhuman rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2008 seventeenCommonwealth States signed up to the European Union backed Statement on HumanRights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the United Nations General Assembly which affirmed the ‘principle of non-discrimination which requires that human rights applyequally to every human being regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity’.

1.3 At the Port of Spain Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)reaffirmed the agreement that states had made at the 2007 Kampala CHOGM that allCommonwealth members should ratify core international human rights treaties, includingthe International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In Toonen v Australia (1994)CCPR/C/50/D/488/1992 the Human Rights Committee held that the criminalisation of same -sex sexual conduct was incompatible with the right to privacy and the right to equality before the law, as guaranteed under the ICCPR. The implementation and ratification of the ICCPR by the vast majority of Commonwealth Countries means that states should take stepsto ensure that laws criminalising same–sex sexual conduct are repealed and amended.Further states that have not yet signed up to international human rights agreements should be mindful of the commitments made at successive CHOGMs and implement international  human rights agreements so that all citizens of Commonwealth states enjoy human rights without discrimination on any grounds. The few states that have not yet ratified the ICCPR are reminded that it accords with the fundamental principles of the Commonwealth andthey are bound to bring their laws into line with these instruments.

1.4 Whilst it is acknowledged that the laws that criminalise same–sex sexual conductcurrently are part of a state’s domestic criminal law and individual sovereign states are generally granted a margin of appreciation in respect to their own domestic criminal jurisdiction, the laws that criminalise same-sex sexual conduct constitute a systemic andongoing human rights abuse and cannot in any meaningful sense be applicable within aframework of individual rights protection. The 1979 Lusaka Declaration commits the Commonwealth to the abolition of discriminatory laws and makes it a condition of membership that states should repeal discriminatory domestic laws. The laws thatcriminalise same-sex sexual conduct are akin to the laws used to segregate racial groups andexclude persons from the full benefit of citizenship in a manner that is directly analogous topractices that underpinned apartheid and white minority rule.1.5 The Commonwealth prides itself on being a values based organisation. These valueshave an enforcement mechanism within the 1995 Millbrook Action programme and there avariety of different enforcement measures available. The Commonwealth, in order toenforce and realise its values, has taken action in the past. This is an issue where theCommonwealth now needs to take a clear lead.

2.The responsibility of individual member states of the commonwealth

2.1 All states must decriminalise private, same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults. Decriminalisation means the removal of any criminal or civil penalties that may beimposed on an adult who engages in private same-sex sexual activity. There should be nolegal powers available to the authorities to arrest or investigate private, consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults. A commitment not to enforce laws that criminalise same-sex sexual conduct is too uncertain and still constitutes a human rights violation as the merefact of ‘black letter’ criminalisation means that LGBTI individuals are marginalised in society.Decriminalisation can be achieved progressively, via either a constitutional reform or testcases that allow the courts to ‘read down’ criminal laws in line with international anddomestic human rights provisions.

2.2 Legislation must be implemented to protect LGBTI individuals from directdiscrimination and discriminatory practices. Decriminalization does not in and of itself prevent private parties acting in a discriminatory manner towards LGBTI individuals andtreating them in a discriminatory manner when it comes to matters of employment,inheritance of property and access to health care. This does not mean giving LGBTI individuals a special status but rather involves the creation of legal mechanisms that can give redress to LGBTI individuals who are the victim of discriminatory treatment of the sort that would be not be afforded to an individual who was not lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.

2.3 States must enforce existing laws to protect LGBTI individuals against threats,harassment and violence. Laws that criminalize assault and harassment apply to all citizensbut frequently they are not adequately enforced in the case of hate crimes against LGBTI individuals. Moreover, LGBTI individuals often feel unable to come forward and report these crimes, and often an enforcement gap emerges between hate crimes directed against LGBTI individuals and groups, and hate crimes that are directed at other individuals or groups.Again this does not mean giving LGBTI individuals and groups a special status but ratherinvolves enforcing existing laws.

2.4

Consultation and dialogue must be arranged with local LGBTI groups and humanrights organisations on the implementation of all of the above steps. Other groups includingCivil Society Organisations and Non Governmental Organisations should also be consultedand the process should be as wide ranging as possible.

3.Steps the Secretariat and the Secretary General should take to facilitate decriminalisation

3.1 The Secretary General should follow up on his remarks to the 2011 Law Ministersmeeting and issue a formal statement on the incompatibility of the criminalisation of same-sex sexual conduct with Commonwealth values. It should be noted that the criminalisationof same–sex sexual conduct is incompatible not only with the provisions of equality underthe 2009 Port of Spain Declaration but also is incompatible with the respect for humanrights, as guaranteed under the 1991 Harare Declaration, and the principle of equality before the law as protected under the 1979 Lusaka declaration.

3.2 The Secretariat should facilitate the creation of an official independent workinggroup tasked with making official biennial reports into the status of decriminalisation in theCommonwealth. This working group should be formulated in a manner similar to that of election observation groups. The group should be comprised of representatives of NGOs,CSOs and other experts, and have a broad remit to investigate the progress towardsdecriminalisation in Commonwealth countries. The group should be completely independentof the Secretariat and National Governments and should publish a report every two years inline with the CHOGM cycle.3.3

Resources should be made available to the Human Rights Unit (HRU) at theSecretariat to engage in promotional and monitoring activities in this area. Research shouldalso be carried out by the HRU in this area in conjunction with the ongoing projects of CSOsand NGOs. The Secretariat should also make resources available for the promotion of thesocial, political and economic benefits of decriminalisation from the thirteen Commonwealthstates that have decriminalised same-sex sexual conduct.

4.Steps states that have decriminalised same-sex sexual conduct should take to facilitate decriminalisation

4.1 States that have decriminalised same-sex sexual conduct should provide effectiveinternational protection for LGBTI refugees from countries that criminalise same-sex sexualconduct. States that are signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention have a duty to providerefuge to individuals that have a well-founded fear of persecution. States should ensure thattheir law enforcement and border agencies are equipped to handle asylum claims made byLGBTI individuals.

4.2 States that have decriminalised same–sex sexual conduct should be vocal inadvocating for decriminalisation in Commonwealth and other international forums andshould spearhead initiatives aimed at forging inter-state consensus on decriminalization.

4.3 This also requires states to be active in monitoring the recommendations of international and regional organisations and being willing to scrutinise the human rightsperformance of other Commonwealth states both in Commonwealth forums and at otherinternational forums, such as the UN Human Rights Council. States should also make aneffort to showcase the economic, social and health benefits of decriminalisation from theirown jurisdictions in international forums and this should form part of the case in favour of decriminalisation.The Commonwealth’s future as a values based organisation is dependent upon action on this issueand the different actors mentioned in this statement need, as a matter of urgency to implementthese reforms. Since the declaration of the Commonwealth Principles adopted by Heads of Government in 1971, the organisation has defined itself by its values. The continued criminalisationof a minority for no other reason than their immutable characteristics is a form of discrimination andpersecution that cannot continue amongst a community of nations that has committed itself toprotecting human rights and equality before the law.

Civil Society Statement of Action on the Decriminalisation of Adult Same Sex Conduct in the Commonwealth

LGBT History Month: African Descended Transwoman character on mainstream television

This former favourite sitcom of many Jamaicans in the seventies through to the eighties with 'The Jeffersons' with some re-runs on local TV containing its catchy ode "We're Movin On Up" in an episode entitled 'Just A Friend from the fourth season was groundbreaking in many respects. It's the first time that an African descended transwoman character was shown on TV who didn't fit the stereotypes we all know and loathe in the world on record as is expected by some transwomen or sex reassignment patients are to have remaining features of their previous gender to point out and or critique that something was wrong with their look.

African-American transgender characters are not a new phenomenon. They've been on television for a while and you can probably consider Flip Wilson's Geraldine Jones as the first one. On Thursday nights from 1970 to 1974 I would tune in to The Flip Wilson Show si that I could see the latest antics of the sassy wise-cracking Geraldine. I loved to see her utter her famous line 'what you see is what you get' and professing her love for her boyfriend 'Killer'.
Interestingly enough one of the shows that was on opposite Flip was All In The Family, which had the Beverly LaSalle character on for three episodes. That episode was groundbreaking at the time in terms of the accurately depiction of some of the emotions that transpeople deal with when Edie was explaining her transition. It shouldn't have been a surprise to me since it was a Norman Lear produced show and a spinoff from All In the Family. They were aware of the issues thanks to the Beverly LaSalle episodes. It was just the first time it was done with an African-American character.

This was another enlightened step in American entertainment if one were to look at it as this was before the Cosby takeover where very few shows in Prime Time had all out African descented characters who were upwardly moving and not stupid looking or acting like previous dispensations. Also most transwoman or sex changed subject matter could have been found in the Caucasian mainstream shows.

 It was also broadcast in 1977.

the hosting of the videos are in no way intended to breach any copyright owners of the original work 

Here are some scenes:

Eddie now Edie reveals herself to George (Sherman Hemsley) who reacts in disbelief

George (Sherman Hemsley) asks if its a joke and searches her drawers only to find female attire in them

George (Sherman Hemsley) still in shock avoids an embrace from Edie (formerly Eddie)

George (Sherman Hemsley) pulls Edie's hair still in disbelief and concludes it's a wig but finds out later it is real 

Louise realizes it is George's best friend as Edit reveals the specific way she (Louise) ends her letters to George while they were in the army. Edie was played by Young and the Restless actress Veronica Redd.


 Leading Transgender blogger Monica Roberts from the United States commented on her blog TransGriot that "While I didn't care for the part where he tried to pass off Leroy as Edie, for the most part the episode is on point. You also have to remember at the time 'The Jeffersons' was a Top 10 rated show that many African-American homes watched. So if they weren't aware of the trans issue affecting African descended people, they were after that broadcast."

more trivia

Did you know that Sheryl Lee Ralph has been credited for also portraying a more realistic trans character where she played a post-operative woman named Claire in the short lived Amercian television series Barbershop.

Peace and tolerance

H

Another anti gay Facebook Group ...... Bun Batty Man Movements

As more anti gay groups continue to crop up on popular social networking site Facebook and are reported and taken down others spring up. Only some two days ago on my sister blog I carried a now defunct group named Bun Batty Man, Str8 Pumz Mi seh .... after much vigilance it was removed and now the above mentioned group has been found Bun Batty Man Movements with its description verbatim saying "Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of the have commited an abomniation. They shall surely be put to DEATH. Their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 18:22 - You shall NOT lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination. . . Those two verses justifies what this page is doing." 

 

 

This is expected as more and more Jamaicans log on to Facebook and the proliferation of mobile devices and  services the hate will just have another medium to or outlet to release itself however punitive measures can be taken also there is a twist to this a well. literally as a popular group that is a T-shirt company named Twystyd has opened its doors to gays and allows free expression, this has not gone down well with some older members who profess to be heterosexual and there have been heated threads on their group wall. A falling out also in major secret group as well which has many gay Jamaicans on there has also been blamed for this sudden growth on anti gay groups as the previous secret group whose admins have banned rowdy and wayward members have seen hit backs including reporting of the very page and suggestive pics with a view to having Facebook closing the group. The now defunct anti gay group had past members posing as straights in the new group and posting copied threads of exchanges with supposed hookups or hits in the original secret gay group. Here is a snapshot of the now defunct anti gay group

  

Now please report the new group as shown on the very top in the post. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bun-Batty-Man-Movements/143427622383792?sk=wall

Be Vigilant Be Safe

UPDATE October 12, 2011 - The Group has been removed

Peace and tolerance

H

Transitioning Sexual Paradigms (Gleaner 10.10.11)

Transitioning Sexual Paradigms

I am curious about the new state of affairs since the United States repealed the 1993 'don't ask, don't tell' law. Admitted homosexuals could find themselves in a domiciliary conundrum. If, say, a male in the armed forces, living among other male troops in an open dormitory or barrack where there is virtually no privacy, reveals his homosexuality, I believe that the heterosexual troops will feel uncomfortable because they would know that he would naturally see some of his male colleagues in a sexual light.

Before I get stomped on and misclassified as a homophobe, I need to make it very clear that I have absolutely nothing against homosexuals. In fact, I have quite a few male and female friends/acquaintances that happen to be homosexual. And on a broader scale, in spite of Jamaica's international label as a homophobic society, I know for certain that many heterosexual Jamaicans not only tolerate their homosexual friends, acquaintances, associates, workmates and relatives, they are very friendly with them and genuinely like and respect them.

Quite a few of our luminaries were either known to be or strongly suspected of being homosexual, yet no esteem or national honour was denied them because of that widely held opinion.

Reasons for sexual orientations

In spite of contrary assertions from certain quarters, having sat, listened to and conversed with several people with alternative sexual orientations, I believe that some individuals are born with homosexual programming, some are born with bisexual programming, others are born with no particular sexual leaning, and there are those who, through abuse, have been acculturated into homosexuality (which may not be their natural inclination).

Then there is that set of people that become so bored with 'straight' sex that they venture across the border in search of thrills. Those are dangerous people because they masquerade as heterosexuals while living a perfidious and highly risky lifestyle.

Homosexuality is far from new, and it is not an emerging psychosocial phenomenon. Historically, many great nations, societies and cultures accepted it as part of the spectrum of human sexuality. Even now, there exists an unspoilt tribe (I won't say where), wherein males and females live apart and only cohabit during seasons of mating rituals for the sole purpose of producing offspring. The prepubertal males are ceremonially 'abducted' to satisfy the mature male's sexual 'needs' until they go through their own rites of passage.

Misgivings about 'modern' sexuality

Homosexuality has been condemned by the Bible and other religious books. It has been called an abomination. With this in mind, I understand the furore it creates; however, there are many other abominations listed in the Bible. Adulterers, liars, wicked schemers, people who remarry former companions and robbers - just to name a few - don't attract as much ire and attention.

Like many others, I have several misgivings about some other aspects of 'modern' sexuality. The misconception that people can change their sex (gender) with an operation (or by any other means) is outrageous and misleading. Only one's sexual appearance can be changed. There was even a lobby to have birth certificates altered retroactively to reflect the 'sex change' that some people had.

And, I must admit that I am a traditionalist when it comes to marriage. I think that the contract/event/sacrament should be reserved for male-female unions. In a male-male or female-female 'marriage', is there a 'mister' and a 'mistress'?

Nevertheless, I also strongly believe that homosexual couples should have the option to become legally united for socio-economic reasons, but some other term or word should be used to signify the union.Whether or not individuals abhor homosexuality, it has been and will always be within our society. What we need is tolerance, understanding and flexibility on both sides of the sexual divide.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.

LGBT History Month - Buggery law backward said Trevor Munroe in 06

I decided to post this as a comment on the turbulent times of the Charter of Rights Bill Debate in the 2006 period with the varying positions mostly anti gay as it related to including sexual orientation as a form of discrimination. 


Senator at the time Trevor Munroe was one of the more sensible voices in the mix who spoke frankly about the stupidity of this old colonial law still on our books. Given also the furore in Antigua and Barbuda on the Buggery Law there on the strength of the challenge in Belize by advocates there.


also see: Anti-Buggery Law Here To Stay

This article however appeared in the Gleaner on July 9, 2006

Buggery law backward - Munroe


Dionne Rose, Parliamentary Reporter


THE JOINT Select Committee of Parliament considering the proposed Charter of Rights Bill failed to conclude its deliberations last week as the committee was unable to find common ground on certain issues.
One such contentious issue was whether the committee should accept the recommendations of the 2001 Joint Select Committee, which had recommended that the Government should consider repealing the buggery law.
Committee member, Professor Trevor Munroe, had insisted that recommendation should be carried forward by the current committee so that the matter could be debated in Parliament.


"... I regard that (the law) as a backward and retrogressive step consistent with when the law was passed in the middle of 19th century," he said.
However, committee members Senator Anthony Johnson, Delroy Chuck and others, had a different view and said that the discussion was not for the consideration of the committee.
"... People in this country don't want to see homosexuality decriminalised. We have agreed on that. We are dealing with serious matters and the committee has decided that we (are) not into that!" said Senator Johnson.


NOT A COMMITTEE MATTER
Meanwhile, Mr. Chuck said that this matter was not for the committee.
"In any event, Mr. Chairman, I don't think we could deal with that here because it is on the statue books ... If anything has to be done about it, is it the statute that will have to deal with it," contended Senator Dorothy Lightbourne.
There was also dissension on whether the Charter of Rights Bill should have a special provision to protect the rights of the disabled person with committee member, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange insisting that this should be included.


But Senator A.J. Nicholson, chairman of the committee, explained that the body had already discussed and agreed that it would be impractical to place these matters in the Constitution.
The committee, however, covered some ground as they signed off on a recommendation brought by the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, which wanted the right to freedom of religion in Section 13 (b) of the document to be separated.


But Nicholson said the committee would go beyond that.
"We are doing better for them. We are moving religion totally out of that and putting it by itself so that the citizens of the country can know the importance we place on these things, for example religion," he said.
The committee also accepted a submission from the group to prevent same-sex marriages by defining the word 'marriage' in the bill.


The committee will again meet on July 19 when it is expected that it will finalise its deliberations.

Kartel on lockdown and that suggestive cartoon .....

A reader suggested that the LGBT community and by extension the advocates and influentials should respond to this newspaper cartoon as to the suggestive nature of it given the salivating prisoners beckoning to the dancehall prince Vybz Kartel. Obviously what is also clear is the subtle correlation to bleaching males or men who lighten their skin as being gay or involved in same sex activity with the clear indication to my mind of subsitutional sex playing an active role where the prisoner in the foreground says "Psst Babygirl" Clovis seems more in tune with the real world than Lasmay the Gleaner's cartoonist and is not afraid to push the envelope especially with same sex related matters. We know that gay sex happens in our penal systems but we do not want to talk about it, I am afraid there is coming a day when we are going to have no choice but to do so. 

There are roles for certain types in the prison system seeing we do not have the solitary confinement type rehabilitation structure locally seven or more men can find themselves in one sometime 10 X 20 cell sharing on toilet or bike as we call it here and everything else, the browning phenomenon introduced to us by artist Buju Banton in the heterosexual realm carries over to the underground and those same rules of dominance or passive behaviour applies, whether the driving factors that lead to same sex behaviour are that of psychological control and dominance are yet to be explained and explored in our context given our special type of gangster culture.

Is Clovis being disingenuous here by linking the parts to Ybz Kartel or is he going overboard?

I have written about situational homosexuality in previous posts in layman's terms of course but it is quite easy to comprehend. Situational, or “emergency” homosexuality is commonly defined as sexual activity with partners of the same sex that occurs not as part of a innate same gender love or orientation but because the participants happen to find themselves in a single-sex environment for a prolonged period.

Some single-sex environments that frequently become venues for situational homosexuality include prisons, military bases, ships at sea, convents and monasteries, athletic teams on tour, and boarding schools and colleges. Situational homosexual behavior is so common in these venues that in some cases nicknames have been created for those who indulge in it; for example “rugger-buggers” on rugby teams, “jailhouse turnouts” in prisons, and “lugs” for “lesbians until (college) graduation.” or in a local context “the shop” “bugga house” or other less common names but known to those who practice this kind of same sex contact.

The idea of situational same-sex sexual activity is not a modern one. An essay by Josiah Flynt, published in 1899, told of situational sex among the male American hobos with whom he traveled. From the armies of Alexander the Great to the trenches of World War I to Desert Storm, male soldiers have taken comfort in each other’s arms; and from harems to convents to boarding schools, women who were forcibly separated from men have been finding each other for centuries. Situational homosexual experience can range from the frightening, such as prison rape and sexual domination, to the comfortable, such as the lesbian experimentation that occurs within the relative safety of a college campus.

Some social analysts believe that the concept of situational homosexuality is used to reinforce homophobia and biphobia by allowing those who perform homosexual acts in same-sex environments to continue to define themselves as heterosexual.Often participants in same-sex activity in single-sex environments are differentiated between “true homosexuals” and those who retain the assumption of heterosexuality. In such cases, it is usually the “true homosexuals” who are stigmatized, while their partners are not. In making such a distinction, homophobia is reinforced even as same-sex sexual activity may be tolerated.

Although situational homosexuality is often both tacitly expected and to some degree tolerated, it is also expected to remain clandestine. When such homosexual activity is made public, even in venues where virtually everyone knows it is happening, punishment is usually swift and severe, though often the brunt of punishment is borne by the participant who is considered the “true homosexual” rather than the presumably heterosexual partner who ostensibly participates in same-sex activity only because of his or her situation. In 2008 Minister of Justice Hon Dorothy Lightbourne addressed a church service where she outlined figures of male victims of rape she said among other things under the topic “Embracing Victims……Enhancing Communities” ..... "A summary of the island wide national statistics of clients served by Victim Support Unit officers during the past three years paints a disturbing picture. In 2005, Victims Support Unit officers saw six thousand eight hundred and fifty-six (6856) new cases involving females. In 2006 the numbers of clients jumped to 7436 and 7369 in 2007, while 2318 clients were seen for the period January to April this year. This translated to 580 more clients or an eight percent increase for 2006, and 513 more clients or a seven per cent increase in 2007. For the same period under review, male clients served by the VictimSupport Unit were 2395, 2711, and 2582 respectively while 1072 male victims were seen for the first quarter-January to April 2008."

This suggests a serious set of problems that are not being looked at.

Let us not forget the horrible prison riots that was caused by simple deliberations of distributing condoms in prisons which was met with great resistance from the prison authorities.

In 1997, Lieutenant Colonel John Prescod(left in photo), then Commissioner of Corrections, suggested that condoms be distributed in the prisons as a means of stopping the spread of HIV. The suggestion sparked a riot that claimed the lives of 16 prisoners, some of whom were accused of being homosexuals and as it turns out many who died weren't actually gay but prior rivalry and a golden opportunity for a disturbance led the way to the attacks. The National AIDS Committee had recommended again in 2000 to the then Peoples National Party administration launch Mandatory medical examinations for all inmates, segregation of HIV positive inmates, legal conjugal visits, a health education programme for the prison, and permission for terminally ill patients to be allowed to die at home, were also among the recommendations made to the Government which were ignored.

Dr. Raymoth Notice (right in photo above) medical expert in the penal system had said at the time, "...We recognise that the incidence of HIV is increasing in the general population and not only that, studies have shown that the incidence of AIDS in prison is six to 10 times greater in prisons than in the general population," also he continued "the level of homophobia and ignorance as well as the lack of resources have hampered the education process a whole lot. Before we even get to the condom issue it is important first and foremost to educate the population about AIDS. But everyone has been too afraid to do anything since the riots. There is no analysis being done, no reliable data, inmates are leaving with the disease and taking it back to their communities."

Lambert Brown, the UAWU's the then first vice-president, had said that although he was still opposed to condom distribution in prisons, he had nothing against the other recommendations made.

"The fight against AIDS is not based solely on condom distribution," Mr. Brown said. "Those who are promoting condoms in prison are using the back door to promote homosexuality which is illegal." here suggesting fear.Many blame the wardens who are maybe inclined towards predatory homosexual behaviour as a form of control, a study conducted in Australian prisons found that prison rape was experienced by at least 10% of male prisoners aged 18-25, with a small number of these victims reporting sexual assault on a daily basis. However, author Jeremy Prichard (2000) has contended that the incidence and frequency of prison rapes depends upon the unique social climate and institutional culture of the specific prison, and whether or not the prison houses certain individuals who may promote or spread sexually-abusive attitudes and the acceptance of prison rape within the prison subculture. Prison rapists, according to Prichard, sexually-abuse other inmates to gain a more powerful position in the prison sexual hierarchy, known as the "pecking order," and it is these "prisoner leaders" that must be targeted by correctional staff wishing to curb the incidence of prison rape. It is these individuals that "rule the roost," and maintain their dominance over their sex-slaves as an expression of their power and masculinity.

also see: Situational Homosexuality or Behavioral Bisexuality ... a recap ... subsequent discourse so far

It is known in some circles that sex takes place in our local prisons despite the denial by the warden community and the authorities probably in fear of public repudiation as the sensitive subject of male homosexuality can cause sparks to fly. The problem of HIV/AIDS in our prisons is also of concern (figures to be properly ascertained as best as possible) but we know that the cases have increased, did the inmates go in with it in their window period or contract same during their stay at the respective institutions?

also see:

More compliants about Clovis cartoons ................

Why does Clovis make gays look effeminate? (Observer Letter) ....

Cartoons and the use of gay typed characters part 2

Peace and tolerance

H

Lesbians fondle 1st formers at school - Older students carry out attack in bathroom says The Star

Today's Star News disturbing headline blared this awful headline again putting the same gender loving community into disrepute as predators at the school level with very little to go on to substantiate the charges. A general feeling or assumption has been made with the aid as well from this tabloid that same gender loving persons be they teens or adults supposedly have some predatory streak and are hell bent on changing or infecting supposed nongay folk or innocent persons.

Have a read of the short piece which in my mind should not have been the lead story but who am I, I am not the star's editor?

Lesbians fondle 1st formers at school - Older students carry out attack in bathroom

A group of first formers were alleged to have been sexually assaulted recently by three lesbian students at a prominent school in St Catherine, THE STAR has learnt.

The incident which took place last Thursday has left several parents furious.

One parent who was reluctant to speak on the matter said that she is considering transferring her child to another institution.
Information reaching THE STAR from other sources is that three lesbian students ganged and fondled about seven grade-seven students in the school bathroom.

THE STAR understands that the officials at the school became aware of the incident after the girls who were being assaulted raised an alarm from the bathroom.

School officials are said to have met with some of the parents on Friday and are tight-lipped about the matter.

When THE STAR made contact with the school principal yesterday, despite the facts being presented to him, he denied the allegations.

However, a reliable source told THE STAR that the accused girls are going to face disciplinary action.

ENDS

My Two cents continued:

But as usual there are hardly follow up entries to have the public arrive as to the proper facts in cases such as this and no other questions are posed by the author(s) of such trope in most cases. Questions such as:

Are these females in an experimental stage of their sexual development, thus practicing same sex activity?

Were the first formers actually sexually assaulted and were they taken to a doctor for an examination or the police?

What does the Star News mean by sexually assaulted in this case as the perpetrator is of the same gender, was it fondling only that took place?

Why didn't the Star ask the school's principal to follow up on the allegations?

Where is or are the guidance counselor(s) in all this?

How do we know the alleged perpetrators are lesbians?

Are they being stereotyped because they may present a particular masculine or butch aesthetic?

Are the perpetrators mirroring a practice we know that occurs in many schools islandwide and on robot minibuses by boys and bus crews on school girls? (such as no panty days?)

Let us not forget that while we also have to be mindful or how we operate as same gender loving people as well the details in each case has to be brought to the fore and properly ventilated or in other words take each case on its own merit. It was earlier this year that the Observer published an article by Janice Budd claiming lesbian gangs were terrorizing schools  in May of this year there was some panic created as well by the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counselors in Education (JAGE) when its President Dr. Grace Kelly created a stir by making several comments on the issue, among other things a Gleaner story byNadisha Hunter summed it up - "There is a challenge in the schools and the guidance association is aware of it," she said."What we continue to do is to provide counselling and support for these children, and to ensure that we provide them access to proper information, and through the guidance and counselling sessions, the students are given an opportunity to understand and appreciate their sexuality," Dr Kelly added.

She noted that while it has not reached the stage where any matter had to be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, she was aware that cases have been referred to other persons in the education setting because of the nature.
no supporting data

The JAGE boss, however, said she was unable to say if this is widespread in the schools, as she had no data on the issue.

Dr Kelly argued that if there is need for a joint effort to do seminars and workshops on a larger scale to address the matter, the association would take the necessary steps to have it done.

She urged young persons to stop the activity as it is an unhealthy practice.
"I am appealing to the young people that their bodies are temples of God, and it wasn't designed for homosexuality," she argued.

Also it was in June of 2010 that a local sex therapist also hinted that so called lesbianism was on the rise and that girls preferred other girls in co-ed schools instead of boys.

Please See: Sex therapist Dr Sidney McGill says "Lesbianism is on the rise in Jamaica & world-wide with even young girls in co-ed schools preferring other girls"

See what you make of this readers

Peace and tolerance

H

LGBT History Month: The Queen of Comedy Harmonica Sunbeam graced our stage

December 2004 would never be the same in Jamaica after the queen of comedy herself Harmonica Sunbeam graced our stage in cool cool St. Ann one faithful Saturday night. Literally over a thousand patrons turned out that night which was far more than the numbers for average parties at that time locally to see this international diva. Overcoming all the logistical and security concerns she landed safely as her united States fans wished her a safe travel due to the awful reputation we had gotten over the years as being the most homophobic country and so on.

Her visit was one of the premiere visits that would break the mold of fear that besetting other big queens who also expressed an interest after hearing how successful the show was including the legendary diva herself Miss Rupaul. Since then other major international divas have also appeared to include Nina Flowers a winner from Rupaul's drag race and Stasha Sanchez winner of Miss Gay USA 2009

Here are some previously lost photos from that faithful evening.

The last photo is of particular importance as this was the skit that made the crowd gagante with the infamous "frying pan" drama and this image remains in the minds of many to this day who saw that historic performance and entry into Jamaica, she was pleased that the audience responded as she had said in an old blog post on her now defunct page how warm she felt while being on the island and how responsive the audience was which by all indications she did not expect such a rousing welcome.

She has returned once and is slated to be on the island again sometime in 2012 this time possible in Kingston, plans are afoot in that regard.

Meanwhile here is transgender goddess and Miss Gay USA 2009 winner Stasha Sanchez as she performed at Heavens Nightclub in 2010, many persons were in awe as she defrocked and revealed her perfect tataas to the crowd sans surgery scars I might add.

Feminine impersonations have certainly been around for a while as local entertainment for the LGBT community but with the new obsession of swagger and other masculine, stereo butch or metrosexual offerings ebbing away at this part of gay culture it is left to be seen if it will just become a once in a while phenomenon.

Peace and tolerance

H

Antigua's Buggery Law Unlikely To Change

Antigua St John's - “I don’t care what happens in Belize, there will be no change in the law on buggery in Antigua & Barbuda. At least not if I can help it. Being gay is morally wrong, and to be honest personally, I am still homophobic.

I know they are going to ask me this same question at the Human Rights United Nations meeting I am attending, and I will give them the same answer," Attorney General Justin Simon said.

“Besides, the churches and the public will cry murder if that would happen. I can tell you that," he added.

In 2005, Simon added an anti-corruption piece to the legislation in regard to fraud. When he defined partner, he included same sex partners. He clarified that he was only covering all the bases, and that in no way was he encouraging gay relationships. But still, according to the AG, the churches came to see the prime minister over the issue and the radio stations had a field day with it.

Simon was responding to the judicial review of the buggery law presently being mounted in Belize. The buggery law in Antigua falls under the sexual offences act of 1995, and states that a person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment a) for life, if committed by an adult on a minor; b) for 15 years if committed by an adult on another adult; or c) for five years if committed by an minor."Buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.

Section b calls for revision on the grounds of human rights. “If the government tells me to change the law, I will of course, but now is not the time, perhaps later down the road," Simon said. "Antigua is still very much led by male and church influences.” According to Simon, the law doesn’t require attention, as Antiguans condone homosexuality on a basis of "if you don’t trouble me I don’t trouble you."

AIDS Programme Manager Delcora Williams agreed on one point with Simon - that the Antiguan society is quite tolerant of homosexuals, especially compared to other Caribbean countries like Jamaica, where people are beaten or killed over their sexual preference. According to Williams, the buggery law certainly does not interfere with her work at the AIDS Secretariat as far as homosexuals not coming forward for medical aid when they need it.

So far, human rights have not been violated when it comes to stipulation b. “The buggery law is not being implemented when it concerns consensual sex, but only in regard to a criminal case, like rape, as far as I know, so you could wonder why even bother taking it off the books?" Williams said. Right after that statement, however, she pointed out that if it is off the books, there is no longer room to use the law at a whim in regard to human rights.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Anthony Armstrong admitted that in his four years in that position, he has had some cases in regards to buggery, but these were criminal cases and not consensual sex cases.

Person A, who is gay, would like the buggery law where it comes to stipulation b off the books. “It feels like an infringement on my rights as a human. The right to choose who I make love to and how," he said. Person B, who is also gay, shared that sentiment. They both agree that Antiguans are reasonably tolerant toward gays.

“We had a diva pageant last year, and I can walk the streets without harassment,” said person A, “but that does not go for all gays. At our support group meetings, we do share stories of discrimination and violence. You don’t hear about it in the news, because we don’t report it. A friend of mine did, and was chased out of the police station."

Person B added that the support group consists of gays from different Caribbean islands. When asked to give an estimate of the number of gays in Antigua, Person A said it would be in the hundreds. Person B explained that not all of them are a part of the support group. Some are actually still married and living a double life.

The support group for gays has been discussing the buggery law, and will do so again at its next meeting. “We are really not sure how to proceed, but we do need to find a way to get the law changed," Person A said.

ENDS


also see Jamaicans for Justice Report on “Civil Society Response to the List of Issues” for the UN Review 2011 includes section from JFLAG/WFW

The next periodical review comes in October - Jamaica is reviewed by the Committee every 3-5 years by the Human Rights Committee. This will be the third time that Jamaica’s human rights track record will scrutinized on the international stage.

Other Jamaican NGOs contributing to the report are Hear the Children Cry, Independent Jamaican Council of Human Rights (IJCHR), Jamaican Community of HIV Positive Women, Mensana, Stand Up for Jamaica and Women’s Resource & Outreach Centre (WROC)

October - LGBT History, Breast Cancer Month & Coming Out Day (Oct 11th)

Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters (often referred to as "allies") on October 11 every year, or October 12 in the United Kingdom.


Coming out / being "open"


NCOD founders Rob Eichberg, Ph.D. and Jean O'Leary encouraged all people, of all sexual orientations, to "take your next step" in living openly and powerfully on October 11th.
It is highly encouraged for participants on this day to wear gay pride symbols, such as the pink triangle (gay men), the black triangle (lesbians), the Greek letter lambda, and rainbows in jewelry and on clothing.


History


The day was founded by Dr. Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary in 1988,acting on behalf of their organizations, The Experience (www.ExperienceYourPower.com) and National Gay Rights Advocates,[citation needed] in celebration of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights one year earlier, in which 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, United States, for gay and lesbian equality. National Coming Out Day events are aimed at raising awareness of the LGBT community among the general populace in an effort to give a familiar face to the LGBT rights movement.


Multi-national observance

last years montage .........................


In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign manages the event under the National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives. Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for the day in April 1995.


Despite its name, National Coming Out Day (so called because it originated as an event in the United States) is in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Croatia, Poland and the United Kingdom (in the UK it is celebrated on October 12). As of 2008, the Netherlands also has Coming Out Day on October 11.

For Jamaicans here on the rock that may not be so easy given the sensitivities involved and our active homophobia, one could maybe come out to close family members and friends and hope they keep it close to their chests.

If you feel you want to observe this day in your life please be cautious and review the information so expertly provided by my friend over at Gay Jamaicans United's Page

Also it is LGBT History Month for all of October more posts to come on that in the meantime see the LGBT History tab below this post or go HERE from GLBTQJA Wordpress

CLICK HERE for posts from GLBTQ Jamaica

or HERE for previous entries on this blog

 LGBT History Month Jamaica by glbtqja5 

Peace and tolerance


H