October is LGBT History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness & also Coming out day ............

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 originally in the US but spreading wordwide, 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 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

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 or if one resides overseas and can literally insulate themselves dependent on the social class they are in as homophobia is far more pronounced in lower socio economic circles.

If you feel you want to observe this day in your life please be cautious and review the information so expertly provided out there.

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 to GLBTQJA Wordpress

CLICK HERE for posts from GLBTQ Jamaica and scroll down.

or HERE for previous entries on Gay Jamaica Watch's blog

Here is an older audio commentary I had done back in the day

 LGBT History Month Jamaica 

It was earlier this year our local diva Diana King came out to the world.

See more here: Diva Diana King Comes Out or HERE where she further spoke to her decision.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is also recognized and here is a post from 2011 where a Jamaican lesbian shared her struggle with the disease and overcoming some of the challenges.

See: Breast Cancer Month: A Jamaican Lesbian’s survival story …………….

also

Male Breast Cancer 

Additional listening on the happenings of the Club Heavens rebirth earlier this year making it the longest serving club until the recent raid by cops supposedly looking for lotto scammers. It is hoped it may reopen soon to continue the tradition of serving wonderful events.

 Club Heavens The Rebirth 12.02.12  

And an old post on some of the historic happenings locally

 LGBT History Month Jamaica 

Peace and tolerance

H

Atheism, Secularism and Buggery ..............

LGBT History on Tuesday September 18 was made with the above interview on TVJ's Religious Hardtalk when two activists who happen to also be atheists or secularist supporters appeared there. A pre-LGBT history month post of sorts however in days following one of the guests Javed Jaghai posted on his blog that Television Jamaica, TVJ erred and censored his comments on buggery.

See:

TVJ Censors Atheism Episode of Religious Hardtalk

The Jamaican media is not as free and fair as we would like to believe. A few weeks ago, I agreed to speak about atheism on Religions Hardtalk alongside Angeline Jackson. The host, Ian Boyne, had read a letter to the editor of The Gleaner in which I stated that I am gay and he asked whether I’d be comfortable speaking about my sexuality. We agreed that it wouldn’t be a talking point, but that if it became relevant I would not skirt around it.

In response to a question about the buggery law, I stated that as a gay Jamaican it is offensive to my being. Ian exclaimed that I was both an atheist AND gay in Jamaica, and we laughed then moved on.  The next day I emailed him asking for his assurance that our exchange concerning my sexuality would not be cut from the program. He said he did not intend to do so. In fact, he had instructed the editors to make it the promo.

Two hours before the program aired, I received an email from Ian informing me that the program was sanitized of my acknowledgement of my sexuality. I was told the editors were concerned for my safety, as he was initially, and that he did not fight for transparency. I was furious! Silence and invisibility does not protect minority groups from violence. It allows ignorance and prejudice to go unchallenged. How dare they insult me by telling me I’m being silenced for my own good. Tell that to someone with a less sophisticated understanding of social oppression.

TVJ has no qualms about inviting so-called “ex-gays” to speak about their turn from homosexuality through prayer and counseling. They eagerly obscure your face and distort your voice when you are speaking about molestation by (predatory) homosexuals and about your constant struggle to reject perverse sexuality.

You are to remain faceless! Furthermore, the station recklessly sensationalizes news stories dealing with homosexuals and homosexuality (HFLE anyone?).
Last summer, TVJ refused to air a PSA aimed at promoting tolerance for LGBT people. Kay Osbourne, the general manager at the time, justified the decision of the station by explaining their responsibility to respect the views and wishes of the majority. Editors there have NO understanding of how (by commission and by omission) they promote discourse that marginalizes homosexuals and makes violence against us permissible.

But I am to believe they are genuinely concerned about my safety. Because a yessideh mi bawn outa fimi madda woom.

The next day I received a tweet from a friend who lamented that he woke up to see the rebroadcast of the program at 10am but it did not air. I immediately emailed Ian, because I imagined my friend must have tuned in at the wrong time. Ian told me TVJ decided they would not show a repeat of the program. Since the most offensive bit of the interview was expunged by the editors, one can only assume the rest of the segment was also deemed objectionable.

On a program that seeks to explore diverse perspectives on religion, some views are obviously not welcome. TVJ allows you to use their platform if they can make a spectacle of your beliefs while affirming the supremacy of Christian theology. How dare someone not show reverence to God while unambiguously advocating for the subversion of Christian hegemony! What I find stunning about TVJ’s decision is that it illustrates a point I made during the show that the voices of atheists and secularists are actively suppressed in Jamaica.
I am now convinced TVJ is more interested in further institutionalizing Christianity than facilitating progressive dialogue about secularism, diversity and inclusion.

That said, I am surprised the station posted the episode on their website and I would not be surprised if it was pulled abruptly.

Here is my two cents some days before via another post

   Atheism & Secularism may cloud the struggle for lgbt rights in Jamaica 

Same gender loving women troubles ....................

News has come that another member of the female same gender loving communities was brutally cut down in eastern Kingston at Dunoon Road on Tuesday September 18 around 6 or 7pm based on accounts from passers-by who are also members of the community who saw the cordoned crime scene and he nude body. The woman was reportedly seen nude running from her house at the time of the incident and several shots were heard later, when the heat cooled she was found lying in a pool of blood.

A bisexual theme seems to be the recurring decimal in this latest saga and community members in the nearby Rollington Town area have reported that the deceased was repeatedly warned about her involvement with a bisexual woman who also maintains a boyfriend. a series of very loud arguments have said to be the order or the day in recent times as the deceased demanded more time with her female partner. Meanwhile the boyfriend of the bisexual lover was allegedly livid at the fact that he was competing with a woman for his woman. Reports suggests friends had been heckling him for some time regarding the odd threesome and his switch-hitting girlfriend.

Another source in the area reported that the deceased was actually confronted by some friends of the boyfriend some time ago after an event in Rollington town's square where they supposedly warned her to stay clear of the female partner of their friend. 

Seeing this is bisexuality month as well the timing of this particular case brings into focus why we should discuss bisexual relations in a Jamaica caustic environment towards same gender love.

( L - R ) Phoebe Myrie. and Candice Williams 

It was in 2008 the gruesome double murder of the two photoed ladies due to a bisexual mix up as well where all the three persons were known to each other an excerpt of that story read as follows:

Although residents of Taylor Land expressed "mixed feelings" toward the alleged lesbian couple, they all concur that they were much more than friends. "Everybody know a two lesbian dem dat. U fi see how one a dem timid like gal, an di oda one guan like man ... The only time dem apart a when di Samantha (Candice) gu check har mother ina di morning," said a resident."Mi hear seh a lef one a dem lef her baby fada fi di nex uman, an tek di baby carry guh live," said another resident.
CHAT ROOMStatements given to the police by a relative of one of the deceased confirmed a lesbian affair between the two women, and explained the history of the affair, including the conflict over the child.According to the relative's report, the two young women met in a cellular 'chat room,' earlier in the year (when Candice was still living with the father of her child), adding that the common-law husband not only knew about the budding relationship, but actually encouraged it.The police document highlighted the temporary presence of a third woman at the house, but due to her alleged "nasty ways," she was soon asked to leave. It is also said that Myrie would go and stay with another female friend with whom she was also intimately involved.The statement indicated that Candice slowly progressed from a bi-sexual, to an outright lesbian, which led her to end the relationship with her common-law husband, who soon after, left the premises. The relative wrote that a conflict began when Candice decided to keep their child.

see more here: 

They Were Lesbians (Flashback)

10 months ago we lost two ladies as well one in Western Jamaica and the other in Kingston  over relationship matters, the accused was released as the prosecution's case was weak at the time for the latter victim, in fact an upcoming memorial is being planned by family members of which LGBT community members are invited to attend.

here is an audio I had done at the time:

 2 SGL Women lost, corrective rape and virtual silence from the male dominated advocacy structure 

also see the post from sister blog GLBTQJA: 

2 SGL Women lost, corrective rape & virtual silence from the male dominated advocacy structure

 

Western Jamaica

News also has come from St James regarding some same gender loving women facing some issues and a possible murder of another in the problematic Flankers area of Montego Bay.

Even in Portmore

It was reported earlier last month as well of an evasive move by a butch identified woman who resided in the Watson Grove area in St Catherine after she got a heads up from other men in the residential community to relocate as males living in the community were seemingly jealous of her ability to have all the "beautiful women" around her, a point that has been even penned in a rare anti lesbian dancehall song of which is hard to come by in recent times. The song questioned how was it that the butch lesbians were taking all the women that should be available for men. Since 2007 same gender loving women on a whole have been going through some warm times and butch identified lesbians in particular have been facing what seems to be unprecedented backlash from males when previously the "one of the boys" acceptance seems to be dying down. 

The rise in problems faced by lesbians be they butch identified or even so called femmes have been concentrated in Kingston, St Catherine and western Jamaica for now according to reports thus far, elsewhere might have other examples to report.

Portmore is not immune to homophobic and lesbophobic episodes especially in certain zones such as Gregory Park, Greater Portmore, Braeton, Edgewater, Waterford especially and Independence City, one can recall the infamous beating in that section of two males who resided together in a house as flatmates when community members suspected them as lovers. 
There are some women who present very masculine which also brings the question of identity and possible transgenderism as opposed to them being gay. The mimicking of the shotta mentality does not seem to be washing well with some males these days.

Sad to hear of these latest issues with our same gender loving sisters.

More updates to come where necessary.

Peace and tolerance

H

Dionne Jackson Miller on the controversial HFLE Curriculum Manual

Radio Jamaica's Beyond The Headlines host Dionne Jackson Miller who was one of the first journalists to break the story on the Home & Family Life Education, HFLE Manual and the controversial parts that act as a self reporting mechanism on sexual orientation, HIV risk and other psycho sexual matters blogged recently on the issue, see below.

Also A must see - my take on the issue from Gay Jamaica Watch: Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally

Miss Jackson wrote: That Health and Family Life Education Manual – Bad Move!

Somebody messed up. Big time. This is not about being liberal, tolerant or open-minded. The people who managed to get what has turned out to be a hugely controversial Health and Family Life Education manual into Jamaican schools must have known that sections of the manual would be offensive to many Jamaican parents.

The manual, funded by UNICEF, is over 400 pages long, for Grades 7-9, and covers four themes, eating and fitness, managing the environment, self and interpersonal relationships and the one that has come in for criticism, sexuality and sexual health. The vast majority of the programme is uncontroversial, but some sections, dealing with sexuality, have raised concerns.

TVJ broke the story about some of the contents of the manual last week, which resulted in an immediate public backlash.

Within 24 hours of the story first airing, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said that:

“I consider sections of the manual inappropriate for any age and certainly for the Grade 7 and 8 students for which it was designed. I have instructed that the material be withdrawn from all schools and re-written then redistributed…”

It doesn’t matter if you believe that the law making buggery a criminal offence should be repealed, or if you think Jamaican society is homophobic and more tolerance is needed (or not), or if you are a gay rights activist who wants to see same-sex marriage legalized at some point. That is really not what this is about.

It’s about trying to sneak a controversial curriculum into schools without the knowledge of most of the parents of the children in those schools. It’s about trying to force change in a way that is certain to bring a social backlash. It’s about being respectful enough of other people’s views to understand that whatever you think children ought to be taught, parents have a right to have a say in that decision. This is not just a desirable principle, it’s a legal requirement. Section 44 of our Education Act says:


In the exercise and performance of the functions assigned to him by this Act, the Minister shall have regard to the general principle that, so far as is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training, and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, the wishes of parents are to be considered in the education of students.

I used the words “sneak a controversial curriculum into schools” quite deliberately. I don’t care who in the Education Ministry approved that manual, how much donor money was spent or that focus groups were involved. Anybody, and I mean any honest person, would have known that most Jamaican parents would have objected to sections of that manual. If you were serious about wanting buy-in, the controversial sections would have been published, widely disseminated and discussed in the media to truly gauge public and parental reaction. Any bets as to what the outcome would have been?

One of the most publicized aspects of the manual is the activity aimed at Grades 7 and 8 students with the stated objective of increasing ‘awareness of an individual’s personal risk of HIV infection.’ The questions include:

- Have you ever had sexual intercourse?

- Have you ever had sex without a condom?

- Have you ever had casual sexual partners?

- Have you ever had anal sex without a condom?

- Do you know your HIV status?

- Do you know the HIV status of all your partners?

Someone has just emailed me to point out that the activity is for the students to assess themselves, and that the answers are not meant to be shared with the teachers. So what happens when a teacher is inadvertently made privy to one of the answers? What if a child decides to share his or her experiences thinking the teacher can be trusted? Not all can. Also, are ordinary classroom teachers really equipped to handle the possible ramifications of raising some of these issues?

We hear a lot about children having sex at an early age. The 2008 Jamaica Reproductive Health Survey, conducted by the National Family Planning Board, indicates that 66% of young women and 75% of young men say they have had sex. These figures are actually a bit lower than those in the 2002 survey when 69% of young women and 82 % of young men reported having had sex. (Respondents were men aged 15-24, and women aged 15-49.)

In addition, the 2008 report stated that the mean age for first sexual encounter was 16.1 for young women, and 14.5 for young men, compared to 15.8 and 13.5, respectively, in 2002.

Twelve per cent of young women and 35% of young men reported having sex for the first time before they were 15.

Clearly this is cause for concern and must be addressed. A lot of young people are having sex. And inevitably, some of that sex is risky.

English: Adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in 2007. Source: WHO & UNAIDS (here) Ελληνικά: Ενήλικες και παιδιά που εκτιμάται ότι ζουν με τον ιό HIV το 2007. Πηγή: Παγκόσμιος Οργανισμός Υγείας & UNAIDS (εδώ) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jamaica is one of seven out of ten Caribbean countries named by UNAIDS Caribbean on its website as having a prevalence rate for HIV of over 1%. The figure for Jamaica is 1.7%. UNAIDS says:


“When the HIV rate in the general population is higher than one percent this is defined as a general epidemic. That means that while communities with higher risk such as men who have sex with men and sex workers may contribute disproportionately to the spread of HIV, heterosexual transmission is also sufficient to sustain an epidemic independent of those groups.”

So most of us understand that young people must be given information about the dangers of early sexual activity and how to protect themselves when they start having sex. Advocates of the manual apparently think we don’t. That’s not it. But how far should schools go?

Look at the flip side. Eight out of ten of the girls and two out of every three boys would NOT have had sex in first and second form, which is the age group targeted by these activities in the family life manual. Does that really suggest that we need to have discussions about multiple sexual partners and anal sex with the class as a whole?

Is there a way to initiate introductory discussions about sex and risky sexual behavior without going into the kind of detail many parents have said they find offensive? Could we start the general discussions in class, but with a pointer to internet sites where sexually active students who have concerns can discreetly go to access the more detailed information they might need? Or find a way to involve parents in the process, by asking them to discuss sensitive information with their children? I know, I know, many parents are themselves ignorant, or uncomfortable discussing reproductive health issues. So how do we provide the information our young people clearly need without introducing topics that have been deemed unnecessary and inappropriate for others of the same age? After all, the statistics clearly show that not all teenagers are having sex. It’s a discussion we need to continue, until we find a generally acceptable solution.

Another offensive aspect of the manual for many people though, was its emphasis on sexual orientation which the manual rightly identifies as a “controversial topic.” I guess this is where I say “duh!”

English: Symbols for heterosexuality (middle), male homosexuality (upper right), male bisexuality (lower right), female homosexuality (lower left) and female bisexuality (upper left). Česky: Symboly pro heterosexualitu (uprostřed), mužskou homosexualitu (vpravo nahoře), mužskou bisexualitu (vpravo dole), ženskou homosexualitu (vlevo dole) a ženskou bisexualitu (vlevo nahoře). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Again, one can only wonder at the person who really thought it would be appropriate to include in an activities section for Grade Six students, a suggestion that “students volunteer for a panel discussion on the rights of homosexuals. The discussion focuses on the need to show tolerance and respect to all persons.”

The guided imagery activity for Grade 8, asking students to imagine a world where it was normal to be gay but where you, the students, were straight, was also problematic for a number of reasons.

For one thing, many people saw it as “conditioning” children to accept the gay lifestyle. In my view, the aim of the activity was clear, to try to have students walk in the shoes of a gay student and understand his/her feelings and problems a little more. But adapted as it was from a Toolkit by a group called Advocates for Youth to “create safe space for GLBTQ Youth,” this was an inherently wrong choice. NB – GLBTQ means Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender and Questioning (I had to look up the Q!)

Advocates for Youth is a US-based organization which seems to carry out considerable work in the field of reproductive health education and advocacy for young people and describes itself, among other things, as an “innovator of new programs to redress homophobia and transphobia in communities of color.” That should have been a little red flag for people who wanted to borrow material for our purposes, shouldn’t it?

Another recent survey gives us a picture of current Jamaican attitudes to different sexual lifestyles.

The 2012 National Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions of Jamaicans Towards Same-Sex Relationships was recently released by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), and was funded by AIDS-Free World.

The survey states that about 50% of respondents become aware of homosexuality by 14 years old, 88% felt male homosexuality was immoral, 83.7% felt female homosexuality was immoral, and 83.5% felt bisexuality was immoral.

When questioned, 76.7 percent of respondents did not want to see the buggery law amended, and 65% did not want the constitution amended to include specific reference to LGBT rights. However, 21.3% said they would support an amendment that would allow consensual sex between adults in private.

One reader commented that there was “extensive island-wide” consultation with stakeholders. If that is so, then the persons designing the field testing needs to revamp his or her methodology entirely, because it clearly was useless in gauging true public opinion on the most controversial issues.

Should tolerance be taught? I would say yes, absolutely, but there must be serious questions asked about the methodology which the Education Ministry chose to use here. The attempt by the people behind this manual to tackle this issue in the schools in the way we saw here was not just inadvisable, it was disrespectful as well.

People who are so quick to speak about the need to respect others, need to understand that respect works both ways. Parents’ wishes, much as you may disagree with them, must be respected as well. And if you have trouble accepting that, refer again to section 44 of the Education Act.

Same-Sex Marriage A Misnomer, Fraud (Gleaner Letter)

The paranoia is crazy as this letter brings to bear, a no point did anyone in the struggle locally JFLAG or otherwise have asked for gay marriage rights or rights similar to those heterosexual couples get after tying the knot or related state recognition when we can't even get passed privacy and consensual sex matters. Even so I doubt churches would be forced to perform gay weddings similarly as they choose whether to wed divorcees or not, a point raised recently on a radio show discussing the attitudes to homosexuality study released September 5, plus the LGBT constituents have not issued such a mandate as yet. What is this fear that gay marriage is going to be next on the agenda if buggery is repealed or at best decriminalization so same gender loving persons can practice intimacy in the privacy of their own homes without prying eyes or nosy neighbors calling the police as is possible in modern day Jamaica, one can still be held just on suspicion of the act, proving it is a whole other matter via a doctor's report etc.

have a read of the letter and see what you make of it:

 

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The increased discussion and acceptance, here and abroad, of the so-called 'same-sex marriage' calls for a face-to-face discussion of the issue. To begin with, the term 'same-sex marriage' is a misnomer; it is a fraud, it is a farce, it is an aberration of human nature, it is a perversion.
Marriage was instituted by God for the orderly development of the human race in a family structure. In Genesis 2:8, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." So He gave him a WOMAN; not another man!
Matthew 19:3-6 clearly says that marriage is a joining by God of a man and a woman, and it says, "Let a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they shall be one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder."
Biblical marriage is holy. So-called same-sex marriage is not joined by God, and it is not holy matrimony. It is sin. Marriage is God-made. Same-sex marriage is man-made. It is man's invention in opposition to divine ordination.
Clearly, it is a farcical imposition on society of what, at best, is a personal and social arrangement or contract, which seeks to demand legal approval and general acceptance in normal society.
In any case, it is a bad example for our children and young people who seek to pattern their lives from grown-ups.
Romans 1:19-32 is very forthright in stating that because of man's rebellion, God gave them up to reprobate minds and vile lusts, practising unseemly things, "both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature; and in like manner, males leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lusts towards one another, males with males working shame and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error, which was fit".
Much sympathy, love and compassion need to be shown to individuals who feel trapped in these unnatural urges, and who are desirous of change. Professional psychiatric counselling, as well as spiritual, prayerful counselling, is available and should be sought.
The condition should be treated; not excused as being 'in the genes'.
Many lives have been changed, with victory experienced, by yielding to Jesus Christ as healer, helper, forgiver, and friend. There is victory in Jesus!
MARRIAGE OFFICER
Kingston 8

ENDS

Pity the writer never left a proper contact so the discourse could continue, this last lick and run business is the strategy these days with these religious zealots. With approximately 120 countries that have decriminalized buggery only twenty or so have gone the route to legalize gay marriages, one does not necessarily follow as is feared by some including this letter writer above. There is a lot of public education that is needed as to the rights, privileges, stages and responsibilities of couples especially if children are involved either by surrogate mother or adoption.

As for the high divorce rates in Jamaica why defend an institution that clearly is not being engaged properly by heterosexual couples yet via religious imposition deny other who want to make their lives together permanent?

check out the latest figures from the Statistical Institute last updated May 2012 a fact overlooked in the letter.

The hint to reparatve therapy is also an issue for me and the recent study hinted to above also seems to confirm the believe gays can be changed by professional help as in this case prayer which many have tried but have not seen the change occur, we also have the dubious ex-gay accounts from overseas to prove the falsehood of that notion that sexual orientation can be changed:

recent study details carried on local television.

Here is a recent undercover investigation with a hidden camera at an ex gay camp in Minnesota:

Live and let live I say, think on these things.

Peace and tolerance

H

XXXTRAA - my message just in case gay marriage rights is called for later on  

Taboo Yardies documentary ..... some international screening dates ......

Here are some more upcoming dates as producer and ally Selena Blake continues her trek around the globe showing a different side of life and positions regarding LGBT issues in Jamaica to include homophobia, homo-negativity and the gay straight alliances that can work.

Selena Blake 

Preview:

What People are saying about TABOO… YARDIES;

"Taboo Yardies is such a timely and relevant documentary that will become a part of the rational discourse towards the rights afforded to human beings being able to be themselves without judgment or vitriol. I was most riveted from the beginning to the end of the film."-Bruce George, Co-Founder of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam (HBO)

"It is crucial to watch Taboo Yardies for those who want to understand the problem of violence against gay and lesbian people in Jamaica. This is a thoughtful, well-balanced, entertaining and finely layered examination of this topic. Selena Blake has filmed a must-watch documentary that should be seen by everyone. Only through the education provided in Taboo Yardies can we overcome the fear and foreboding surrounding this issue, and end the wanton violence."-Wayne Besen, Founder and Executive Director –Truth Wins Out

Since 1999 we have received hundreds of submissions of films to be screened in our series. We only select the best for screening; films that invoke passion, shed important information, or touch our audience in a particular way. We have screened over 100 films as a part of the 'Film & Cultures Series' at Medgar Evers College and no film brought forth the type of deeply personal and emotional conversation that the film Taboo Yardies created. A single film can not answer all the questions or address every issue, but this film challenges how some people relate to each other as humans on many levels. –Miles McAfee, Producer of the 'Film & Culture Series'
Meanwhile It took four years, cost her friends and family and almost the roof over her head, but Queens based documentary filmmaker Selena Blake got her latest project done.

The film, “Taboo Yardies,” about homophobia in Jamaica, West Indies, and its costs to the island nation, is well worth the wait.

It’s a powerful collection of haunting images, each more powerful, and memorable, than the last: the anger in the voices of two pre-teen boys lounging on the steps of a darkened house as they disdainfully assert that gay men should be stoned; the middle-aged man who describes how he, newly arrived in New York, saw two men kissing near Penn Station and his amazement when his brother stopped him from looking for a brick to throw at them, saying “they don’t do that here.”

There is the painful story of a lesbian who tearfully tells how she has been the victim of “corrective rapes,” by men who believe such attacks will make her heterosexual. Police refuse to help her, so she in her anguish has taken to cutting herself and attempted suicide, the latticework of healed scars on her forearm visible proof of her efforts.

Dates/Places:

Oslo Gay & Lesbian Film Festival:

September 16th @ 3pm Cinemateket (The Cinemateque) in Filmens Hus, street address: Dronningens gate 16 www.cinemateket.no

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival:

Sept 22, 3.30pm- MovieTowne POS followed by Q&A

Monday Sept 24, 11.30am, UWI.- Running time-79mins.

www.ttfilmfestival.com

 

Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival:

Screening Saturday Oct 6th, 2:00pm - Running Time:79mins

Gateway Theater 4. Please get your ticket/s before it is SOLD OUT!http://www.flglff.com/

For more information please go to www.tabooyardies.com watch the trailer, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter.

Thank you for your support in advance and I look forward to seeing you J.

Taboo-forbidden & Yardies aka Jamaican

What more People are saying about Taboo Yardies:

Victor M. Gimenez Co-Programming Chairman for MGLFF & FLGLFF: TabooYardies shows you what it is like

to live in perpetual fear and to be treated as a second class citizen. It shows you when a government doesn't

defend all its citizens, then acts of hatred and brutality occur with impunity. From the mouth of a Jamaican,

“Anytime you is a known faggot in Jamaica you are going to get beaten, if it’s not today it’s tomorrow.”

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival: JAMAICA HAS a notorious reputation for homophobia and violence against gays.

This groundbreaking documentary goes beyond the headlines to look at what life is like for Jamaica's LGBT community 

and the origins of the country's attitudes towards homosexuality. Interviews with gay and lesbian Jamaicans both on the 

island and in the Diaspora, as well as gay-rights activists and prominent Jamaicans form the basis of this brave, important film.

 

Bard Yden- Program Director -Oslo Gay & Lesbian Film Festival- Norway: I thought I was aware of the situation for LGBT people in Jamaica, but this was a real eye-opener! It's direct, brutal, nuanced, and honest, and gives you the full picture of Jamaican society. Taboo...Yardies is definitely a must-see documentary!

Jason Fiddler- Director of Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: "I have seen your documentary and it's POWERFUL!

It's by far the frankest, most intimate exploration of this issue from within Jamaica as I've ever seen and directly relates to many attitudes here in Africa and South Africa".

MayNov Productions L.L.C.
www.tabooyardies.com
Follow on twitter
twitter.com@tabooyardies
Like on Facebook
www.facebook.com/TabooYardies

World Suicide Prevention Day ...... some thoughts

See discussion HERE from TVJ but the entity named is a faith based one and may not offer LGBT specific interventions to deal with the attendant issues however some salient points were brought out, in a subsequent radio interview with the gentleman above he said Choose Life International had a mix of psycho-social, spiritual and other support mechanisms to handle cases that he says almost come in on a daily basis. Men seem to be more inclined to commit suicide and employ more drastic measures in ending their lives as females being the social creatures they are tend to seek some sort of closure before actually planning their exit.

The LGBT community just going from memory as there are no formal statistics available on the suicide rates specific to us locally has had its share of persons resorting to ending their own lives, cases or persons who I knew seem to have hinted to or successfully ended their lives because of some of the following reasons:

1) rejection from family members and feeling as outcasts

2) very little social support from friends

3) lack of social services towards the LGBT community in developing social intelligence so persons can gage challenges early and seek help

4) lack of proper pyscho social support to address depression, stress especially those persons who are victims of homophobia, lesbophobia and homo negative trauma

5) the poor skills of some faith based persons and entities in engaging suspected suicidal tendencies 

6) feeling dirty and filthy after a corrective rape or sexual abuse episode as experienced by same gender loving females

7) the taking for granted hints to suicidal tendencies expressed to friends as they are sometimes dismissed as a joke then comes the bad news after the fact

8) feelings of being a burden to friends and family post a homophobic episode while recovering in the company of others

Loss of my friend surprisingly:

Some years ago I lost a good friend to suicide that left sections of the community asking how come or why? he locked himself in his Mercedes and attached a hose from the exhaust pipe to the interior of the car overnight as he was found by the household help in the morning. Robert Cork was an ally for me in my early years of advocacy and we worked closely at the time in some programs with an array of NGOs. There were no visible signs to us or at best to me at the time that he was undergoing some trying issues in his life when one judges he was socially upward with all the materialistic trappings, his businesses seems to have been going on fairly well yet he took such a final decision. This was a man who would counsel other persons in their own personal challenges so it was really a surprise as the news spread then. Many were angry including myself and we asked why didn't he say something maybe we could have helped but it was not to be. I won't share the subsequent reasons that were revealed but it shows the challenges that sometimes it is hard to tell or predict when this may strike from someone close to us

more reading here:

Suicide rate by age, sex and population, 2002-2006

Source: Statistics Department of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. M: Male; F: Female.

Another case I can recall:

A same gender loving female with bipolar disorder locally was the victim of a brutal series of abuses and gang rape in her community some 5 years ago, the men upon suspecting she was a lesbian decided to enact the corrective rape formulae to enact their brand of justice, after seeking help and relocating from her depressed area where she originally hailed recovery was painful and her thoughts of suicide was repeatedly expressed were dismissed as just jokes or expressions of basic frustrations, it was not until she decided to overdose on pills even while having drugs for her bipolar issue and seeking counseling (outside of the LGBT circles) she has since recovered thankfully and is now abroad as he asylum case came through.

As indicated in my introduction the real stats in the LGBT community are hard to come by but we may need to begin to keep a track of this problem though not a major issue at this time.

Hints to suicide

It is a well-known fact that as a person begins to climb from depression the possibility of a suicide attempt increases. There are two thoughts as to why this happens. The first is that when a person makes up their mind to take their own life, they become more at peace with the situation. They feel more in control and thus the depression begins to lighten. The second idea is that as lethargy lifts, a person finds the energy to carry out suicidal plans made while incapacitated. Regardless of the reason, however, this is a very critical time.

Behavioral Indicators
Acquiring a Weapon
Hoarding Medication
Putting Affairs in Order
Making or Changing a Will
Increased Interest in Suicide
Giving Away Personal Belongings
Mending Grievances
Checking on Insurance Policy
Withdrawing from People

Verbal Indicators
Straightforward Comments:
"I wish I were dead"
"I wish I had the nerve to kill myself."
"I wish I could die in my sleep."
"If it weren't for my kids, my husband ... I would commit suicide."

Hints:
"I hate life."
"Why do I bother?"
"I can't take it anymore."
"Nothing matters anymore."

Note that these signs are not proof positive that someone is considering suicide. Any number of these signs may be evident, but the person has given little or no thought to taking their own life. The reverse is also true. A person may give no warning of an impending suicide attempt. So how do you know for sure? Ask. Yes, ask! Be open to discussing this difficult subject with your loved one. It could save a life.

References

Citrome, L. & Goldberg, J.F. "Bipolar disorder is a potentially fatal disease." Postgraduate Medicine, 117(February 2005): 9-11.

Peace and tolerance

H