Bisexuality Day is September 23 ...................

Celebrate Bisexuality Day is observed on September 23 maybe 24th as it falls on a Sunday by members of the bisexual community and their supporters originally in the United States but has been extended worldwide.

This day is a call for bisexual, pansexual, friends and supporters to recognize and celebrate bisexuality, bisexual history, bisexual community and culture, and the bi/pansexual people in their lives.
First observed in 1999, Celebrate Bisexuality Day is the brainchild of three United Statesbisexual rights activists: Wendy Curry of Maine, Michael Page of Florida, and Gigi Raven Wilburof Texas.

Wilbur said,


“Ever since the Stonewall rebellion, the gay and lesbian community has grown in strength and visibility. The bisexual community also has grown in strength but in many ways we are still invisible. I too have been conditioned by society to automatically label a couple walking hand in hand as either straight or gay, depending upon the perceived gender of each person.”

This celebration of bisexuality in particular, as opposed to general LGBT events, was conceived as a response to the prejudice and marginalization of the bisexual persons by some in both thestraight and greater LGBT communities.

In its first year, an observance was held during the International Lesbian and Gay Association, which occurred during the week of the 23rd. While at first it only took hold in areas with an extremely strong bisexual presence, it is now celebrated worldwide.

It features event such as discussions, dinner parties and dances in Toronto and a large masquerade ball in Queensland, Australia. At Texas A&M University, the week featured discussion panels and question-and-answer sessions. Princeton University celebrates this day each year by throwing a party at its LGBT Center.

It has also been celebrated in Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Unfortunately in Jamaica either our advocates haven't matured to the recognition of bisexuals as a part of our struggle or we can't be bothered as "batty business" and the associated dramas are more important when some of the very issues of homophobia as we call it are not really so but bi-phobia if one were to closely examine the details at times.

JFLAG, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays has "Allsexuals" included in their acronym I suppose to cover all other orientations and variants outside of the original LGBT population (excuding thoses associated with disorders) but I never heard of any direct meetings, interventions or strategies to engage this section of the population or any inclusion in the umpteen public statements or press releases.

Bi-phobia or bi-erasure by default?

I would hate to think that our advocacy representatives are themselves guilty of bi-phobia in the form of bisexual erasure (the tendency to ignore, omit, remove, falsify, or reexplain evidence of bisexuality in history, advocacy, academia, the news media, and other primary sources.

In its most extreme form, bisexual erasure can include denying that bisexuality exists. Inclusiveness is the name of the game now if we are to get anywhere but with the elitist position taken by the group one wonders when will we begin to move on anything? with recent ugly events further darkening our LGBT history that of aloofness towards the homeless msm population more and more persons in and outside the LGBT community are asking what are the reasons for these organizations.

It is refreshing to see other individual voices saying their piece and going out on their own, I would love to see an all out Jamaican bisexual website or at the very least a couple of blogs related to bisexual issues exclusively. There has been some discourse regarding bisexuality but the backlash from the MSM and SGL female communities suggests we have a far way to go towards inclusiveness and tolerance, ways that are to be facilitated by a JFLAG or similar groups.

Let us hope in the near future something can be done about that either by them despite the insulation or some other group, organization or individuals. Here is an ironical take on the issue from a UK perspective, the images included here were burrowed from this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-4w6NqfLAc

Celebrate yourselves anyway my BI-FRIENDS. We won't erase you here.

my audio commentary on the issue from a year ago:

 Bi-phobia by default from supposed LGBT advocate structures? 

Also see:

Biphobia in the L & G communities maybe higher than thought from last year.

Peace and tolerance

H

School Is Cool - No Problems With Homosexuality

Following the recent uproar about lesbianism in schools and such here comes another article on the schools issue interestingly the Principals Association President has come up for mention.

Here is the article as appearing in the Gleaner recently:

Latoya Grindley, Gleaner Staff Reporter

THE ISSUE of homosexual activities in secondary schools has risen to the forefront as one of the behavioural problems confronting school officials. There has been much debate over time, whether co-educational schools are more wholesome for children than same-sex institutions. 

In this regard, many parents have also expressed concerns about their children's exposure to homosexuality in schools, and have carefully selected which school their children attend.

While trying to give some reassurance that homosexual engagements in schools are currently no cause for concern, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Sharon Reid, said the issue really is how the incidents are treated.

According to her, homosexuality, like bullyism, is just one of the behavioural problems that schools will inevitably face.

"Every school will have these problems but, as educators, we have to be careful how we deal with an issue like that and how we manage it."

Recognising that homosexuality has become more obvious in schools nowadays, Reid, who also serves as the principal of St Andrew High School for Girls, said the behaviour could be due to external influences.

"There is heightened interest because of what is happening in the world and the pressures from gay movements," she said, adding that the association is informing members on how best the issue of homosexuality can be dealt with.

Specifically, as it relates to the school she heads, the principal noted that the student handbook speaks to student intimacy. "The handbook points directly to abstinence and forbids student intimacy. As a Christian school, our students are urged to practise abstinence," she stressed.

To adequately deal with dysfunctional behaviour at the institution, Reid noted the importance of guidance counsellors. "We have guidance programmes which allow for discussions and reinforcement. And if at any time we have any information that a child is involved in certain activities, the parents will be called in."

She also emphasised the importance of educators being aware of issues affecting students and to be prepared to effectively deal with them.

"As educators, we have to inform ourselves, be alert as it relates to the changes around us and recognise the pressures affecting children. We have to be prepared to inform our students and be prepared to work with them."

Admitting that there are cases in which students are said to be involved in homosexual activities in schools, immediate past president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, Paul Adams, indicated that each school has its unique way of dealing with these situations.

"There have been ongoing discussions between the Jamaica Teachers' Association and the Ministry of Education on the matter and if there is an interpretation that this is happening, we urge schools to take the necessary actions to protect children," he said.

Admitting that this is a sensitive issue, he said that educators have to be very careful how students are addressed and reprimanded. "We have to be careful so that we don't brand people's children. You won't find a policy specific to this kind of behaviour, but schools have to put in measures to stop any form of sexual activity whether normal or otherwise."

He has also urged parents to play their part in the event that their child is engaging in deviant activities or is being targeted. "If you have information that children are affected or targeted, you must first of all visit the school. Parents should express concern and this will facilitate an investigation."

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com

for a historical perspective go HERE:


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

Lesbians & Learning – Situational Homosexuality at a Kgn All Girls School ?

THE UNIBAM CASE explained .......................

1. THE UNIBAM CASE

2. What the case is about Whether the criminalisation of consensual same sex sexual conduct is contrary to the Belize Constitution Very important case Opportunity for Belize to lead the way and set the standard for the Caribbean in righting a serious injustice What the case is not about: Not about same-sex marriage Not about adoption Not about any other social/other right It is scaremongering to suggest otherwise. Very important case Opportunity for Belize to lead the way and set the standard for the Caribbean in righting a serious injustice What the case is not about: Not about same-sex marriage Not about adoption Not about any other social/other right It is scaremongering to suggest otherwise.

3. Section 53 of Belize Criminal Code Section 53 states that “every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years”

4. History of Section 53 Section 53 is a colonial import No pre-existing culture or tradition in Belize that required the punishment of consensual same-sex sexual conduct Was imposed on Belize (as on other colonies) by the British rulers 

5. History of Section 53 cont.’ 1944 consensual same-sex sexual relations categorised as an ‘unnatural crime’ Ordinance 14 of 1944 repealed the requirement that unnatural crime was only committed where the act was accompanied by the use of force or lack of consent The offence has not been amended since Belize’s Independence [PETER: WE DO NOT HAVE THE TEXT OF ORDINANCE 14] Originally, included “use of force” or “lack of consent” – fundamental aspects which are legitimate to criminalise.[PETER: WE DO NOT HAVE THE TEXT OF ORDINANCE 14] Originally, included “use of force” or “lack of consent” – fundamental aspects which are legitimate to criminalise.

6. Parties to this case Claimants – Caleb Orozco and UNIBAM Defendant – Attorney General of Belize Interested Parties Human Dignity Trust Commonwealth Wealth Lawyers Association International Commission of Jurists Roman Catholic Church of Belize Belize Church of England Belize Evangelical Association of Churches

7. Genesis of Case University of the West Indies (UWI) United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) Some have alleged that this is a western campaign but contrary to what has been reported, this is a home grown case. 22 July 2011, Amandala reported on a joint statement issues by the Belize Council of Churches that denounced Unibam’s suit as being “heavily influenced by foreign interests who seek to impose a worldwide view that directly contradicts the supremacy of God…” This is a case brought by Belizeans, about the Belizean Criminal Code and the Constitution of Belize No foreign entity driving case – merely supporting. The Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the International Commission of Jurists and the Human Dignity Trust who have joined in support of UNIBAM’s case as Interested Parties are not foreign interests challenging Belize’s national sovereignty and way of life. The criminalization of gay sexual identity is a violation of international human rights law and therefore necessarily attracts the interest and involvement of the international community. These three organizations reflect the concerns of the international legal community. [Belize cannot enjoy the benefits of being a member of the international community when it is convenient to do so, but opt out of international human rights norms when it chooses to.] Some have alleged that this is a western campaign but contrary to what has been reported, this is a home grown case. 22 July 2011, Amandala reported on a joint statement issues by the Belize Council of Churches that denounced Unibam’s suit as being “heavily influenced by foreign interests who seek to impose a worldwide view that directly contradicts the supremacy of God…” This is a case brought by Belizeans, about the Belizean Criminal Code and the Constitution of Belize No foreign entity driving case – merely supporting. The Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the International Commission of Jurists and the Human Dignity Trust who have joined in support of UNIBAM’s case as Interested Parties are not foreign interests challenging Belize’s national sovereignty and way of life. The criminalization of gay sexual identity is a violation of international human rights law and therefore necessarily attracts the interest and involvement of the international community. These three organizations reflect the concerns of the international legal community. [Belize cannot enjoy the benefits of being a member of the international community when it is convenient to do so, but opt out of international human rights norms when it chooses to.]

8. Arguments against criminalization Laws which criminalise consensual same sex conduct relegate people to an inferior status and degrade people’s dignity by declaring their most intimate feelings “unnatural” and illegal breaching one of the most fundamental human rights: the right to dignity

9. Arguments against criminalization cont.’ Section 53 is discriminatory, invades privacy, and creates inequality Legislation under challenge flies in the face of the changing world view and a growing body of international human rights law and precedents demanding that such laws should be struck down

10. The Belize Constitution Recognises “the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed” Rights and freedom include rights to dignity, equality, privacy and health

11. Right to Dignity By the first Recital of the Constitution, the people of Belize: “affirm that the Nation of Belize shall be founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in human rights and fundamental freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions, the dignity of the human person and equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator” (emphasis added).

12. Right to Dignity cont. Human dignity is a fundamental and foundational value which underlies and gives meaning to other human rights, including the rights to privacy, equality, and the right to be free from inhuman or degrading treatment At its core, the concept of human dignity reflects the principle: “that every human being is worthy of respect” It is used “to explain why human beings have rights to begin with”. At its core, the concept of human dignity reflects the principle: “that every human being is worthy of respect” It is used “to explain why human beings have rights to begin with”.

13. Right to Privacy In Belize, it is protected in Sections 3(c) and 14 of the Constitution: 3. - …every person in Belize is entitled to the fundamental rights…to (c) protection for his family life, his personal privacy, the privacy of his home and other property and recognition of his human dignity; 14.-(1) A person shall not be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation. The private and family life, the home and the personal correspondence of every person shall be respected.

14. Right to Privacy cont. Decisions of the HRC interpreting the ICCPR, the ECtHR interpreting the European Convention, the IACHR interpreting the American Convention on Human Rights, and national courts interpreting their own constitutions all make clear that sexual activity between consenting adults in private is protected by the right to privacy

15. Right to Privacy cont. The right to privacy means a realm of space reserved for individual decision-making and activity The State may not invade such space without good cause Privacy protects personal choice and autonomy

16. Right to Privacy Indeed, in the words of one U.S. court, “it is hard to imagine any activity that adults would consider more fundamental, more private and, thus, more deserving of protection from governmental interference than non-commercial, consensual adult sexual activity.” Gryczan v State, 283 Mont. 433, 451, Supreme Court of Montana (1997)

17. Right to Equality The rights to equality before the law and non-discrimination are guaranteed in every major international and regional human rights instrument The UN treaty bodies, charged with monitoring compliance with the international human rights conventions, the ECtHR and the IACHR, and National courts, interpreting their own constitutions and national laws have all found that differences in treatment based on sexual orientation are arbitrary, in violation of both non-discrimination and equal protection guarantees Universal Declaration of Human Rights Art. 2; ICCPR Arts. 2(1) & 26; ICESCR Art. 2(2); American Convention Arts. 1 & 24; European Convention Art. 14; African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Arts. 2 & 3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Art. 2; ICCPR Arts. 2(1) & 26; ICESCR Art. 2(2); American Convention Arts. 1 & 24; European Convention Art. 14; African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Arts. 2 & 3.

18. Right to Equality cont. The principle of equality means people who are similarly situated must be treated alike The failure to do so constitutes discrimination unless the difference in treatment is justified, meaning that the criteria for the differentiation are reasonable and objective and the aim is to achieve a legitimate purpose

19. Right to Equality In striking down sodomy laws on equality grounds, courts have concluded that such laws bear no rational relationship to a legitimate State purpose E.g. Lawrence v Texas (US) – moral disapproval not a legitimate governmental interest.E.g. Lawrence v Texas (US) – moral disapproval not a legitimate governmental interest.

20. Role of the Belize Courts Under the Constitution, Courts are given the role as guardians of fundamental rights and freedoms Empowered to secure the enforcement of any provisions of the Constitution and to determine the validity of any law Section 2 of the Constitution imposes a duty on the courts to ensure and protect the supremacy of the Constitution, and strike down legislation that is incompatible with the Constitution

21. Role of the Belize Courts cont.’ Patrick Reyes v The Queen Privy Council Appeal No. 64 of 2001, an appeal from the Court of Appeal in Belize concerning the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty, “The court has no licence to read its own predilections and moral values into the constitution, but it is required to consider the substance of the fundamental right at issue and ensure contemporary protection of that right in the light of evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society…In carrying out its task of constitutional interpretation the court is not concerned to evaluate and give effect to public opinion….”

22. When will the case be heard? Hearing originally scheduled 18 July 2011 A number of subsequent applications Date to be set by the Court for 2012

23. Global trends In a majority of the world’s countries, same-sex sexual relationships are not criminalised Either because: Never criminalised to begin with, or Legislatures and courts have recognised that the criminalisation of consensual private adult sex violates constitutional and international human rights laws and standards 84 countries criminalise homosexuality (includes 42 Commonwealth countries)84 countries criminalise homosexuality (includes 42 Commonwealth countries)

24. Global trends cont.’ Excepting Zimbabwe and Botswana, every superior, constitutional and supranational court that has considered the issue of the criminalisation of private consensual same-sex sexual relations has held that such laws contravene fundamental rights and freedoms

25. Global trends cont.’ Examples: The United States Supreme Court in Lawrence v Texas struck down the U.S. sodomy laws, explicitly overturning its previous decision in Bowers v Hardwick on the basis that intimate consensual sexual conduct was part of the liberty protected by substantive due process under the Fourteenth Amendment

26. Global trends cont.’ The South African Constitutional Court in National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality v Minister of Justice found that the statutory provisions prohibiting sodomy were unconstitutional They violated the right to equality, privacy and dignity They unfairly discriminated against gay men on the basis of sexual orientation

27. Global view outside the judicial arena December 2008, 66 States signed statement presented to the United Nations General Assembly affirming the principle that international human rights law protects against violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity March 2011, 85 States signed a statement presented to the UNHRC that called on States to end criminal sanctions based on sexual orientation

28. Global view Cont. OAS has repeatedly condemned acts of violence and human rights violations committed against persons because of their sexual orientation The UN Secretary General, The High Commissioner for Human Rights and heads of various UN agencies have all spoken-out – calling for the worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality

29. Global view cont. In January 2011, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, categorically declared that “We must reject persecution of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity who may be arrested, detained or executed for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. They may not have popular or political support, but they deserve our support in safeguarding their fundamental human rights. I understand that sexual orientation and gender identity raise sensitive cultural issues. But cultural practice can not justify any violation of human rights”

30. Global view cont. December 2009 Holy See stated: “The Holy See continues to oppose all grave violations of human rights against homosexual persons…The Holy See also opposes all forms of violence and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons, including discriminatory penal legislation which undermines the inherent dignity of the human person…”

31. Global view cont. December 2011 – Obama administration vowed to actively combat efforts by other nations that criminalise homosexual conduct October 2011 – David Cameron pledged to withhold UK aid from governments that do not adhere to proper human rights, e.g. Malawi had £19m of budget support suspended following concerns about its attitude to gay rights

32. The 4 wrongs Honourable Justice Michael Kirby: Wrong in legal principle They exceed the proper ambit and function of the criminal law in a modern society Wrong because they oppress a minority in the community and target them for an attribute of their nature that they do not choose and cannot change

33. The 4 wrongs cont.’ Wrong because they fly in the face of modern scientific knowledge about the incidence and variety of human sexuality Wrong because they put a cohort of citizens into a position of stigma and shame that makes it hard to reach them with vital messages about safe sexual conduct, essential in the age of HIV/AIDS

34. Significance of Case Set an important precedent for the rest of the Caribbean Commonwealth and beyond Recognition that sexual orientation is protected under the Constitution and a prohibited ground of discrimination Interestingly, the Political Reform Commission in Belize in 2000 recommended that sexual orientation be explicitly included as a prohibited ground of discrimination.Interestingly, the Political Reform Commission in Belize in 2000 recommended that sexual orientation be explicitly included as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

35. Conclusion There is little doubt that ultimately, the Court of Belize ought to declare section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code to be unconstitutional Questions?

APA offers New Position on Transgender Care .........

*Note: As much as I applaud this it does not say the APA will cease the pathologization of trans people. It remains to be seen what affect this position will have as it concerns the DSM-5. I SO AGREE WITH PLANETRANSGENDER ON THIS 

*********

APA Issues Official Positions Supporting Access to Care and the Rights of Transgender and Gender Variant Persons

ARLINGTON, Va. (August 16, 2012) — The American Psychiatric Association advocates for removal of barriers to care for gender transition treatment and for the protection of civil rights for transgender and gender variant individuals. APA has long expressed strong affirmation of lesbian and gay civil rights since the 1973 decision to remove homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Now APA is issuing position statements in support of access to care and civil rights for transgender individuals.

Gender variant and transgender individuals must cope with multiple unique challenges, including significant discrimination, prejudice, and the potential for victimization from violent hate crimes. They often experience discrimination when accessing health care and are denied numerous basic civil rights and protections.

Long-standing medical and psychiatric literature demonstrates clear benefits of medical and surgical interventions to assist gender variant individuals seeking transition. However, transgender and gender variant people are frequently denied medical, surgical, and psychiatric care related to gender transition. Access to medical care (both medical and surgical) positively impacts the mental health of transgender and gender variant individuals.

Being transgender or gender variant implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities; however, these individuals often experience discrimination due to a lack of civil rights protections for their gender identity or expression. Transgender and gender variant persons are frequently harassed and discriminated against when seeking housing or applying to jobs or schools, are often victims of violent hate crimes, and face challenges in marriage, adoption and parenting rights,

Discrimination and lack of equal civil rights is damaging to the mental health of transgender and gender variant individuals. For example, gender-based discrimination and victimization were found to be independently associated with attempted suicide in a population of transgender individuals, 32% of whom had histories of trying to kill themselves, and in the largest survey to date of gender variant and transgender people 41% reported attempting suicide.*

The APA joins other organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, in endorsing strong policy statements deploring the discrimination experienced by gender variant and transgender individuals and calling for laws to protect their civil rights.

APA POSITION STATEMENTS

Access to Care for Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals
The American Psychiatric Association:

1. Recognizes that appropriately evaluated transgender and gender variant individuals can benefit greatly from medical and surgical gender transition treatments.
2. Advocates for removal of barriers to care and supports both public and private health insurance coverage for gender transition treatment.
3. Opposes categorical exclusions of coverage for such medically necessary treatment when prescribed by a physician.
Discrimination against Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals

The American Psychiatric Association:
1. Supports laws that protect the civil rights of transgender and gender variant individuals.
2. Urges the repeal of laws and policies that discriminate against transgender and gender variant people.
3. Opposes all public and private discrimination against transgender and gender variant individuals in such areas as health care, employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and licensing.
4. Declares that no burden of proof of such judgment, capacity, or reliability shall be placed upon these individuals greater than that imposed on any other persons.
See the full position statements and background information:

Access to Care for Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals Discrimination against Transgender and Gender Variant Individuals
See also a recent report from the American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder.

*Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Katz M (2006): Attempted Suicide Among Transgender Persons, Journal of Homosexuality, 51:3, 53-69 http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J082v51n03_04
Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, Justin Tanis, Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, and Mara Keisling. Injustice at Every Turn: A Report
of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Washington: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force, 2011. 

http://endtransdiscrimination.org/PDFs/NTDS_Report.pdf

The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psychiatry.org.
###

'BISEXUAL CLAIM NOT TRUE' - J'cans bash recent survey report

UPDATE 6:49pm UNAIDS Caribbean has debunked the original story go HERE for more but still read on below as the discussion has already commenced so might as well we continue to raise the issue(s)

Well I sort of expected this biphobic reaction laced with anti-gay insinuations in a sense as it seems to be founded on a fear of persons being perceived to being on the downlow so as to avoid being outed as gay. There maybe some truth to that though as the gay for pay phenomenon is real, these days one only has to listen and hear the one liners in the latest dancehall songs hinting to supposed downlow men forcing or using wealth and materialism to "change" other men to commit same sex acts. I wondered aloud in a Facebook group if the study took into account behavioural bisexuality as well, which I doubt as bisexuality on a whole is not given the attention it deserves in general LGBT discourse or rights agitation and as for social interventions and recognition to double gender loving persons we know all too well the agencies here pay scant regard to that except for the occasional time as this or when bloggers mark the respective calender events.

One also has to take a look at how even the gay community views bisexuals or for all intents and purposes pansexual people who see no gay or bisexual label entrapping them. 

also see: 
Bisexual and pansexual identities often look the same

Lady Switch Hitters & the Boyfriends who complain ...

The Biphobia in the community (Gay, Lesbian) maybe higher than thought

Anyone remembers this cartoon when the Vybz first made the trek to the slammer?

also see: Kartel on lockdown and that suggestive cartoon .....

Hence when issues/discussions like these come forth there is silence as all things gay and beautiful pervade the great and small all things wise and wonderful buggery repeal superceeds them all. This shows once again a clear lack of interest in general LGBT issues and not just the "G" in the struggle for recognition and rights. Bi-erasure and subsequent biphobia by default, a complaint raised by some community members for several years, where is the leadership?

see this older entry: “LGBT” advocates – nonengagement of bisexual issues = Biophobia by default

The Star News carried the following today in a follow up to the precursor to the Caribbean online study whose results are expected to be out by September of this year according to a recent communication with an officer close to the group responsible for its execution.

PAULA GORDON, Staff Reporter

Several Jamaicans are questioning the credibility of a recent study that claims that one in every four Caribbean men is a bisexual.

The online study conducted by the Caribbean Men's Internet Survey (CARIMIS) has become the hot topic on the lips of many persons since yesterday and has sparked some level of controversy.

About 2,560 men are said to have participated throughout 33 territories. This would possibly mean that the survey included men from Jamaica as well.

questioned credibility

Though the findings are preliminary, it was revealed that 15 per cent of those surveyed said they had sex with men but gave no labels, such as homosexual or bisexual to their acts.

Subsequent to the news being broken about the study, our news team sought to get some comments from several Jamaicans.

A number of the persons interviewed questioned its credibility and the sampling methods used.

Kirk Thomas, a bank employee, told THE STAR, "I don't believe in that survey because it doesn't identify the territories examined, ... one in every four ... my crew consist of 13 and mi sure I am not bisexual and none of my friends are so I can't agree with that survey."

Andrew Henry, a taxi man, expressed, "I know about myself, I don't think it is right. I think they did that survey down in the Lesser Antilles."

Interestingly, the gripping results have also resulted in numerous comments being left on Facebook.

Several males blasted the group that carried out the study on the social networking site.

One male wrote, "Lol ... these statistics are so dumb, would love to know how they came up with this ... The truth is we don't know squat, could be even more or less or not at all ... Personally I don't even accept it one out of four ... Come on."

Another wrote, "Not Jamaica ... Don't mix we up ... ."

On the other hand, several women proved to be more receptive to the findings.

One woman said, "Is true! Unno man is in denial"

In the meantime, THE STAR understands that the project, which was launched in November last year, was funded by the UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

It is expected that the results will be handed over to regional governments in short order.

article ends

Given the homo-negative and sometimes caustic environment here in Jamaica it only stands to reason why same gender loving men overall tend to be closeted in a sense and take on heterosexual partners even have offspring so as to take the social pressure of their backs, the proverbial why don't you have a child yet or girlfriend taunts from parents or sibblings. Is it time we begin to have a serious national discussion on coming out and remaining out and also here on the rock instead of having to run or seek asylum elsewhere? be you of whatever sexual orientation, it is time we start living our truths?

Bigger issues here are on the horizon to me than just a survey on how many bisexuals that there are.

All of a sudden the Star News "Tell Me Pastor" has a letter from a man claiming his female partner is a deceptive bisexual, how convenient, see more here: Deceptive bisexual one wonders is these letters are real sometimes.

Peace and tolerance

H

One in four Caribbean men bisexual – survey

There seems to be some foul up going on here as the original information was as follows:

Almost one in four Caribbean men today describe themselves as bisexual, a new study suggests.
The preliminary findings of the regionwide Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey (CARIMIS) are in stark contrast to the Caribbean’s traditional image of a macho society with sparse tolerance for homosexuality.

“We have a fair population in the Caribbean that identify as bisexual. Across the entire sample … about 20 to 23 per cent say they are bisexual,” facilitator of the CARIMIS project and director of UNAIDS, Caribbean Regional Support Team, Ernest Massiah said.
The CARIMIS study is being touted as the “largest sample” of the Caribbean MSM (men who have sex with men) population of its kind, done via Internet—surveying 2,560 men throughout 33 territories in the region.

Massiah also revealed that 15 per cent of the men did not define themselves in any category. Although they engaged in sexual activity with other men, they “do not want a label”, he said.
According to the director, the most “shocking” aspect of the study involves the amount of physical and verbal abuse and visual intimidation levied against MSMs in their respective countries.
“What we are seeing across the region is that between five and 10 per cent of people have been assaulted because they were perceived to have a different sexual orientation,” Massiah said.

In some nations half of the MSM population identified with being verbally abused and visually intimidated.
“What we are seeing is that as a society, if you have a sexual orientation that is perceived as different, you can be physically abused and in a lot of cases you receive verbal abuse,” he said.

For the first time, the study identified a new population of men – the educated MSM man.
“We are getting a population that we have not been able to get data from before, that is men with secondary and tertiary level education. We have a very educated sample here,” the director said.

Previously, face-to-face surveys were the norm, but only accessed “certain members” of the MSM population. Massiah said that the use of the Internet and redefining their target populations was the key to the survey’s success.

“It is a good way of doing research because you can get to people in a much quicker way than you would have if you tried to do an interview with an individual person,” he added.
The study’s results will be given to governments of participating nations to help develop policies and initiatives that will protect and service the MSM community.

The UNAIDS-funded initiative was launched online last November and concluded in June.
The MSM population is defined by the survey not only as openly gay men but also men who do not self-identify as gay or bisexual but participate in sexual activities with other men. The survey is being implemented throughout the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean countries.

The survey is now closed and will be out by October.

New developments - August 16, 2012

After communicating directly with the UNAIDS Caribbean media representative to verify the story yesterday via email the following Press Statement was sent to me from their Trinidad office as other media outlets had it wrong it seems, the problem is the damage has been done but let's make it right as local discourse is already high since the story broke with even our Jamaica Observer carrying the piece:

PRESS STATEMENT

MSM data due by the end of October

PORT OF SPAIN, 16 August, 2012— UNAIDS Caribbean wishes to debunk a news story circulating in the regional media over the last 24 hours under the headline “One in every four Caribbean men bisexual”. The story’s claim that a UNAIDS study found that quarter of the region’s men are bisexual, is misleading and of no merit.

The Caribbean Men’s Internet Survey—the first ever online study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the region—has not yet been finalised as country-specific data are currently being analysed. Of the overall sample (of MSM who responded to the survey), 23 percent declared themselves to be bisexual. This is far different from one in four Caribbean men being bisexual as suggested in the story. Additionally, the sample size of the survey was 3,566 and not 2,566 as the report stated.

Findings will be finalised by the end of October 2012 and will be released to the regional media directly through the UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team. For factual information on the study methodology and preliminary findings please visit www.unaidscaribbean.org

Contact

UNAIDS Caribbean | Cedriann Martin | tel. +868 623-7056 ext. 283 / +868 371-7195 | martinc@unaids.org

UNAIDS
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more at unaids.org and unaidscaribbean.org

ENDS

My question is who made these grave errors in numbers and the time of the study's release? UNAIDS, the media or is Dr Massiah The Regional Director as quoted is being reigned in as he has been saying alot lately, case in point his pronouncements that the PNP, Peoples National Party offers hope for repealing the buggery law while revealing his hand that he has had conversations with three sitting unnamed Prime Ministers (to be named), an observation I made that he should have held that to his chest while continuing the talks.

 here is the actual newscast on the PNP matter from Nationwide News

also take a look at a thread from the Antiguan Observer HERE

Some concerns from Western Jamaica on homelessness and homo-negativity

Readers and listeners welcome to another timely post on homelessness that I would normally cover on my other blog Gay Jamaica Watch but this time I was hauled over the coals by some of my following to also pay closer attention to the homeless and displacement issues in western Jamaica predominantly Montego Bay, Pitfour, Grandville and Savanna-la-mar along with other homo negative issues and a few same gender loving women concerns so I took a two day trip to Montego Bay and overnighted with a friend. From the moment I landed it hit me, why aren't you dealing with us as well on your blogs and audio/podcasts? I was repeatedly asked. So I was taken to task for the very thing I critique lol but such is life, there is always a teaching moment to learn from and I am guided by you my readers and listeners. But also understand that the issues in Kingston require urgent and consistent vigilance as the circumstances change so rapidly.

Indeed the social interventions by the LGBT advocates seem not to be island-wide and merely concentrated in Kingston proper but as we huddled and began to examine what was is really taking place it soon became clear that the same issues and more that were and are bedeviling the homeless msms in Kingston are the same as our western counterparts. Issues such as:

1) Transactional sex and related negotiating issues?

2) Identity issues and effemophobia clashing with hypermasculine types 

3) Gay for pay populations crossing over into the main homeless MSM populations and the subsequent fallouts

4) No permanent shelter and residential access

5) Improper diet and health issues especially HIV positive members of the groups 

6) Homophobic attacks and homonegative responses from the mainstream

7) Inability to reconnect with biological families and subsequent interventions and related social services

8) Non response or aloofness from the LGBT bodies that readily parade the men's issues overseas

9) Increased cynicism and refusal to report incidents to the very LGBT bodies

10) Little follow up from the LGBT legal arms and meaningful assistance from same

11) An unusual phenomenon of stoning becoming a fixture as part of the anti gay response in reported homophobic incidents 

The predicted fallout from the lotto scam crackdown by the authorities and the coming to a halt the informal half way house program that was carried out by a key influential who has been fingered as a key player in the illegal scam has also come to light as many of the displaced and homeless men who benefited from that arrangement have now found themselves having to move to other parts of St James and by extension other parishes including Kingston. This was the same influential who ran a club that was invaded in February 2011 by cops with some awful results, see the link for more: 

Big Blow for homeless/displaced MSMs in Western Jamaica …..

Meanwhile other alleged scammers too have fallen on difficult times financially and are now joining the fold it seems as they were once vilified by the originally displaced that were not helping and selfish while enjoying their ill gotten wealth.

Also with the veiled threat of sorts coming from the supposed criminal underworld as well that was carried in the tabloids recently many persons in the community are also surmising the increased hostility towards perceived LGBTians as a consequence of this threat.

see: 

Thugs warn drag wearing scammers ……………

A few incidents were reported to have occurred over the past few months where the persons so harmed have flatly refused to go into the report their concerns and injuries either to Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays and worst yet the police who in western Jamaica do not treat with any urgency or proper regard the sanctity of ones rights in a precinct of a station instead reportees are ridiculed or made to feel dejected as officers make a mockery of the situation. The untimely departure as well of Manger and his assistant at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life Montego Bay offices as only serve to add insult to injury as he also acted as a crisis intervention contact in western Jamaica often putting his own self in harm's way to offer emergency shelter or relocation for persons who would normally call the office for assistance. He was fired due to internal matters that have left many stunned even now some several months after his departure. The new staff members have been described as out of touch and very snooty and seem not interested for the most part in getting involved in serious cases but those who still do engage have a hard time convincing the homophobic victims to report the issue to JFLAG, the response is usually they feel it will go nowhere than just on paper. 

A same gender loving woman also had to beat a hasty relocation as she was the victim of a stoning incident as well so she took evasive action, she surmises that after the visit of a butch identified friend she became profiled by her immediate neighbours hence the incident that followed. A nurse also had to take action at her place of work where another coworker verbally abused her but the regional authorities quickly diffused the situation and transferred the offending worker to another locale.

With no permanent presence at this time of a crisis intervention team in Montego Bay how are the persons going to report incidents separate and apart from calling in to them. JFLAG has indeed indicated that it will be opening some shelter of sorts finally after 14 years of existence the first time a shelter is being opened after so many years of not addressing the social issues that have grown exponentially. How many beds are there in this project and if it will remain open and close surprisingly and dubiously as the previous Safe House Project we are yet to see. One other issue is will this new shelter if and when it opens will the services be so offered to engage the existing homeless men numbering some thirty or more just by observation and some of whom have been around since 2007 after the exposure of an LGBT party DVD by bootleggers first in Montego Bay then in Kingston leading to an islandwide meltdown. Many persons from western Jamaica had to beat a hasty retreat to come to Kingston hence the explosion of displaced and homeless persons to this day with all the associated problems some internally caused unfortunately.

Please see the following for some background to some of the issues:

Murder, Homelessness and fallouts ..................................

June 13th double murder scene of two homeless msms which was not a homophobic killing

also hear a recent audio commentary on the Trafalgar murder matter and more

and recent issues with the Kingston cohort 

From the pen of one of our homeless brothers ……..

There are several things to consider here folks as we navigate LGBT life here on the rock especially for those of us who choose to remain here and battle it out and not run off using the tempting asylum routes being waved infront of some as a dangling carrot but it becoming more clearer is the social fallouts and homonegative issues however small they make look needs urgent attention by the advocacy structures. Influentials alone can no longer take on these matters as they are spent from attempting to do so and resources are scarce on their part yet millions are available from the LGBT groups and they do not act on addressing the glaring issues staring us all in the face.

Think on these things

Peace and tolerance

H

Caribbean Sees Progress on HIV/AIDS, Fears Funding Cuts

Ian McKnight, executive director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVCC), used one word – “tokenistic” – to sum up his perspective on the 19th International AIDS Conference that ended here over the weekend.

Addressing the final session of the six-day event, McKnight said while “hubs” were important for allowing delegates to voice their opinions in small gatherings, these same delegates were not given the same opportunity at gatherings attended by scientists, officials and other major stakeholders.


The Caribbean has the second highest incidence of HIV/AIDS after sub-Saharan Africa. McKnight said he was disappointed that the conference had excluded vulnerable populations, such as drugs users and sex workers, from making their position known.


U.S. President Barack Obama lifted a travel ban on HIV-positive travelers, but some sex workers say they were denied visas to attend the conference. “It is nothing short of an abomination that they have been excluded from this conference …we need their voices and their issues here with us at this conference.


“So these half baked attempts at including people who use drugs and sex workers are tokenistic and it must stop now,” he said to loud applause.


Prior to the official start of the conference, the executive director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Media Broadcast Partnership (CMBP), Dr. Allyson Leacock, said that while the Caribbean media had adopted a significant role in educating and informing the public about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, she was also fearful that the conference would sideline Caribbean concerns.


She said the challenge for the Caribbean is that its population is so small and donors and other agencies “tend to use these numbers when HIV has the same potential to decimate the region”. Jamaica’s health minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson also appealed to the international community not to cut back on aid to the region as it deals with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.


“The move to make funding decisions based on limited criteria such as World Bank country rankings without wider economic and potential impact assessments will be judged as an error by history if allowed to stand. “These decisions threaten the very lives of the people we have just saved, “he said, adding that Jamaica, and the region as a whole, “cannot go it alone from here”.


“We need the continued support of our international development partners, who if they abandon us now, in the words of Michele Sidebe (UNAIDS executive director) would be making a decision to let HIV regain a foothold and flourish in Jamaica and they would be making a decision to abandon the next generation of children to HIV,” he said.


Ferguson said a recent study indicates that Jamaica would need 30 million dollars annually by 2030 compared to 15 million annually today to sustain its HIV programmes. “We could therefore see a doubling of the cost to the response if the investments to mitigate its impact are not made now,” he said, adding “today Jamaica, like many other countries, is concerned about the potential impact of the global financial crisis on the sustainability of its national response to HIV”.


McKnight said cutting back was not an option, adding that all the progress being touted at the conference “would be doomed to failure if we do not have the funding to do this work”. “None of it, none of it can ever happen without serious commitments and so we call again on our governments and say renew your calls to take ownership for this response and to make the investment necessary and to end AIDS,” he said.


U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said more than 150 million dollars in new U.S. spending initiatives geared toward leveraging progress against AIDS already achieved through new drug treatments, programmes to stop mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the preventive effect of expanded voluntary male circumcision.


But there were suggestions here that the US funds were geared more towards Africa than the Caribbean. In a report titled “Together We Will End AIDS” released ahead of the conference, UNAIDS noted that AIDS-related deaths in the Caribbean have declined by almost 50 percent in 10 years.


AIDS-related deaths fell to about 10,000 in 2011, nearly half of the figure for 2001, in the almost 30 years since the start of the AIDS epidemic. “This is in large part due to the relatively high antiretroviral treatment coverage of 67 percent for the Caribbean as a whole. At present 230,000 people are living with HIV in the Caribbean. The estimated number of persons who were newly infected with the virus last year was 13,000,” the report said.


UNAIDS said that about 1,100 children became infected with HIV in the Caribbean in 2011, the majority in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which together comprise 68 percent of the region’s HIV epidemic. UNAIDS said that many of the member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) “are close to achieving elimination targets for the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).”


But there is need for caution. “We don’t want people to think that the AIDS epidemic is over because we have eight million people in treatment,” UNAIDS deputy executive director Paul De Lay told IPS after participating in a panel discussion on “HIV/AIDS and the News Agenda – Implications for Ending the Epidemic”.


“We need to work with the media to ensure that we are putting the right spin on the data,” De Lay said, noting that while it is important to note that eight million people were receiving medical treatment for the virus, “underneath that figure is a lot of people who are not getting treatment”.