CCJ Dismisses Gay Activist case due to lack of evidence .

Well the long awaited judgement on the immigration action brought against the state of Belize and Trinidad has come to hand. I was not hopeful as it was clear to myself and others as we watched the proceedings via live stream at the time when the fundamentals were being pursued by the prosecuting attorney for Trinidad.

Questions were asked of the claimant Tomlinson as to whether he actually declared he was gay at the point of entry and if the immigration team refused him such at the time as he was attending an event to which he said no.

The Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ has dismissed the case filed against Belize and Trinidad and Tobago by Jamaican Gay activist Maurice Tomlinson.

Mr. Tomlinson had brought a case regarding circumstances concerning his entry into both countries.

Tomlinson is an attorney at law.

He had alleged that he has been prejudiced in the enjoyment of his right as a CARICOM national to enter Belize and Trinidad and Tobago without hassle.

Tomlinson conceded that he was never refused entry into Belize or Trinidad and Tobago.

But he contended that the Immigration Acts in both countries, which purportedly include homosexuals as a class of persons prohibited from entering these territories – should be rejected by the CCJ.

Tomlinson argued that the mere existence of the statutory provisions prevented him from entering both countries since, in so doing, he would be breaking their domestic laws. Commendable in principle but to bring a case without definitive proof and expect to win on mere principle is not the way to go I contend.

He told the CCJ that his rights as a CARICOM national would be prejudiced in contravention of his right to free movement under Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The CCJ statement/release also read in part:

In the case of Belize, the Court, agreed with the State’s view that homosexuals (and others) are prohibited from entering the country only where they are seeking financial gain either by offering sexual services themselves or by profiting from those performed by others. As such, the provision would not be applicable to Mr. Tomlinson. 

Critically, the Court indicated, this interpretation is bolstered by the practice of the Immigration authorities of Belize who apply the legislation in a manner consistent with this interpretation. 

see the summary judgement HERE

The Court agreed with Trinidad & Tobago that their Immigration Act differs from the Belizean statute in that it appears to view “homosexuals”, as a category of prohibited persons, although the Court suggested that a more liberal interpretation of the Act was possible. It was shown, however, that Trinidad and Tobago’s Immigration Department does not apply this prohibition to homosexual CARICOM nationals. Therefore, the State argued, 

Mr Tomlinson should have no fear that he would be prejudiced in enjoying his right of entry. 

The Court agreed with this view, noting that Trinidad and Tobago’s practice of admitting homosexuals of other CARICOM Member States is not a matter of discretion (something they could choose to do or not to do) but a legal requirement based on Article 9 of the RTC. Similarly, Mr. Tomlinson, as a university graduate and Community national under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, is entitled to a right to seek employment in, and thus to enter, CARICOM Member States and that these rights have been incorporated into the domestic laws of Trinidad and Tobago through the Caribbean Community Act, 2005 and the Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nations) Act 1996. 

The Court concluded that (a) homosexual CARICOM nationals have a right to freedom of movement essentially on the same terms as any other CARICOM national and (b) the State practice of both Belize and Trinidad and Tobago is in keeping with that right. Nevertheless, the Court cautioned that Member States should strive to ensure that national laws and administrative practices are consistent with the right of free movement of all CARICOM nationals, and that this is a necessary component of the rule of law which is the basic notion underlying the Caribbean Community. The Court also emphasized that continuing inconsistency between administrative practices and the apparent meaning of legislation is an undesirable situation as the rule of law requires clarity and certainty, particularly for nationals of other Member States who are to be guided by such legislation and practice. 

The Court ultimately dismissed Mr. Tomlinson’s claims against Belize and Trinidad and Tobago and refused the requested remedies. 

Also see

CCJ Reserves Judgement In Maurice Tomlinson Immigration Case ....... No restrictions on Caricom gays, TT officials say

See the latest video of the actual proceedings HERE, HERE and HERE from the CCJ website.

Peace & tolerance

H

Tenofovir Vaginal Ring Provides Protection Against HIV in Women

An intravaginal ring loaded with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF, Viread) provided mucosal tenofovir concentrations high enough to protect against ex vivo HIV challenge in a 14-day placebo-controlled trial that enrolled healthy women. Product-related adverse events were all grade 1.

TDF with or without emtricitabine has proved effective as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in women and men. The high tissue and cell penetration of TDF and its long intracellular half-life make it a good candidate for intravaginal ring administration, which could promote better adherence than daily or as-needed oral or gel TDF. Also, TDF retains anti-HIV activity in the presence of seminal plasma. A TDF intravaginal ring completely protected macaques from 16 weeks of intravaginal simian SIV challenge.

U.S. academic researchers recruited 30 healthy, sexually abstinent women 18 to 45 years old and randomized them after cessation of menses in a 1:1 ratio to insert a polyurethane reservoir intravaginal ring bearing TDF or to insert a placebo ring. Participants gave blood and vaginal swab samples on study days one, three, seven and 14, and they removed rings on day 14. They provided additional samples two to four and seven days after ring removal. Researchers also collected an ectocervical biopsy on day 14 for pharmacokinetic analysis and rectal swabs on days seven and 14.

Age averaged about 29 years in study participants and body mass index about 25 kg/m2. One woman withdrew from the study. Rings remained in place for 14 days in all other women, all of whom reported it was very easy or somewhat easy to wear.

Researchers recorded 29 adverse events in 12 women randomized to the TDF ring and 14 adverse events in seven women randomized to placebo. Eight events judged to be product related occurred in six women randomized to TDF and in one randomized to placebo. All product-related events involved cervical or vaginal discharge and were grade 1. There were two nonproduct-related grade 2 adverse events and no grade 3 or 4 or serious adverse events.

The TDF ring provided high tenofovir disoproxil (TFV-DP) and tenofovir concentrations in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) from the vagina, ectocervix and introitus within one day of insertion, and concentrations remained high through day 14. After ring removal, median initial tenofovir half-life in CVF from the vagina, ectocervix and introitus stood respectively at 14, 12 and 11 hours. Median tenofovir concentrations remained above 1000 ng/mL two to four days after ring removal, a finding suggesting that the ring could protect women who remove the device before sex.

Median tenofovir and TFV-DP concentrations in ectocervical biopsies collected on day 14 were respectively 5.4 ng/mg and 120 fmol/mg. Rectal tenofovir could be measured in five of five participants who agreed to anoscopy on day seven and in four of five on day 14. Median CVF vaginal-to-rectal fluid ratio was 104 on day seven and 240 on day 14.

An ex vivo model using T cells challenged with HIV-1 in the presence of CVF collected from the cervix indicated 29% median inhibitory activity at enrollment, 96% inhibitory activity on day seven and 94% inhibitory activity on day 14.

The researchers conclude that the TDF ring "is safe, well tolerated, and results in mucosal tenofovir concentrations that exceed those associated with HIV protection." On the basis of their results, the authors "anticipate that the ring will continue to deliver ~5-6 mg/day of TDF for 30-45 days and will result in very rapid steady state tissue TFV-DP concentrations that exceed those achieved following oral TDF PrEP in adherent women, but with significantly lower systemic concentrations, thus avoiding potential toxicities."

Making a valid will ......

The content of your will is just as important. Your first duty is to think it through carefully, that is, what you want to say from the grave about your estate and then write it down. Yes, write down all that you own and then decide who should be the beneficiaries, your executors, your witnesses and who should keep your will.

You must first decide what is your name. This is not always easy. Funny, but true. Look at your birth certificate or passport. You may also consider in what name you own some of the things you own. So, your correct name is John Joe Brown, but you are also called Joe Brown and some of your land titles are in name Joe Brown and, in later years, you sign as J. Joe Brown, to the extent that your name on the last two Benz cars and the vacation home in Montego Bay is J. Joe Brown. In light of the above, your name in the will could be John Joe Brown, also known as Joe Brown, also known as J. Joe Brown.

EXECUTOR

Your next big decision is to determine who should be appointed as executor to gather and administer your estate as at the date of death. You may appoint more than one executors. Good friends, beneficiaries and family members are excellent choices. You should be careful to think about someone who is likely to have the energy and drive to instruct lawyers and accountants. The executor must also be able to deal with matters in court, if required to do so.

You can say who you wish to make arrangement for your funeral. For instance, you can direct, in your will, if you wish to be buried or cremated or what exactly what should happen to your remains.

If you have certificate of titles for your properties, you should make them available for the drafting of your will as this is necessary to ensure accuracy in the description of your property. The same thing would apply for your insurance policies, motor vehicles, bank accounts, among other things.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Should you have books, jewellery, watches, paintings and other personal items to be given to your beneficiaries, you should provide a list with a description of each item and the person who should receive these items.

In your will, you can make provision for your church or charity organisation or even for persons who you do not wish to name personally by saying, for instance: "The sum of $10,000,000 to Andrew Graham from my savings account at NCB to distribute in accordance with my instructions".

You may direct your executors to sell any property and share the proceeds amongst beneficiaries or direct that the beneficiaries take the items or properties for their own use absolutely or that they take in equal share, or you could divide the shares by way of percentage.

Another important decision is to decide on the two persons who should witness your will. At least one of the two witnesses should be around to sign documents to have your will probated. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the person is not nomadic, but can be easily found.

Now that your will is drafted and signed by you [testator] in the presence of the two attesting witnesses, it is important to think about how this important document will be stored and kept safely and in good condition until your passing. For the purpose of safe keeping, you may consider using the attorney-at-law who drafted the will, a justice of the peace, one of the executors, or you may even keep it yourself. What is important is that a few people know who has the will in safe keeping.

Pope Francis reveals new church law to deal with paedophile priests

Move to remove Catholic bishops from office if they fail to sack known child abusers is response to demand by victims

Source: Guardian

Catholic bishops who fail to sack paedophile priests can be removed from office under new church laws announced by Pope Francis.

The move, announced by the pope on Saturday, answers a long-running demand by victims of abuse to make bishops responsible if they fail to stop clergy sexually abusing parishioners.

Is the pope serious about confronting child abuse?
Paul Vallely

Many have long accused bishops of simply moving priests accused of abuse to another parish, rather than report them to police or church authorities.

While acknowledging that church laws already allowed for a bishop to be removed for negligence, Francis said he wanted the “grave reasons” more precisely defined. However, doubts remain about the Vatican’s commitment to tackling the issue.

The move comes shortly after the pontiff moved to defend a French cardinal accused of covering up abuse. Philippe Barbarin, the archbishop of Lyon, is facing criticism for his handling of allegations made against Bernard Preynat, a priest in the diocese who has been charged with sexually abusing boys.

Investigators have not yet decided whether to bring charges against Barbarin, who travelled to the Vatican on 20 May for a private meeting with Francis and has denied any wrongdoing. The pope has said it would be “imprudent” to call for the cardinal’s resignation while the case continued, arguing if he did so it “would amount to an admission of guilt”.

“Based on the information that I have, I believe that Cardinal Barbarin in Lyon took the necessary measures and that he has matters under control. He is courageous, creative, a missionary. We now need to await the outcome of the civil judicial proceedings,” Francis told Catholic newspaper La Croix last month.

Closer to home, the pope faces a key test next week in choosing whether to hold onto his financial chief, Cardinal George Pell, who has been accused of covering up historical abuse in Australia. Pell appeared in February before the country’s royal commission into institutional responses to abuse, during which he denied knowledge of priests abusing children as he rose through the ranks of the Catholic church.

The cardinal was appointed head of the secretariat for the economy in 2014 and reaches the official retirement age of 75 on Wednesday. While the date marks an opportunity for Francis to appoint a successor, the pope is expected to reject Pell’s customary resignation and request he continue as the Vatican’s financial tsar.

Juan Barros was appointed a bishop in Chile in March 2015. He had been accused of ignoring reports of abuse by Father Fernando Karadima, a Chilean priest who was found guilty of molestation by the Vatican in 2011. Victims claimed Barros not only helped cover up the crimes, but in some instances observed the abuse. Barros has denied the allegations and the Vatican said he had the church’s support.

Peter Saunders, a British abuse survivor who sits on a papal commission to protect children, said Francis had been vocal about the abuse scandals. However, he criticised the church’s handling of another case in Missouri, where bishop Robert Finn has remained in power even after being convicted of failing to report clerical child sex abuse.

A former Vatican ambassador, Józef Wesołowski, died before he was due to go on trial at the Vatican for possessing child pornography.

During his visit to the US last September, the pontiff met victims of Catholic church sex abuse and vowed that those responsible would face justice. It was the first time Francis had met abuse victims outside of Rome, where he had done so once before. The pope had already apologised for the church’s inadequate response to the US abuse crisis.

The scandal has severely tarnished the church’s reputation and cost $3bn (£2bn) in settlements in the US.

HIV Long-Term Survivors Day

Every year people join together to celebrate and honor the Long-Term Survivors of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Please join with us in raising awareness about the needs, issues and journeys of HIV Long-Term Survivors (HLTS) as we mark two significant milestones – it has been 35 years since HIV was identified on June 5, 1981. It is 20 years since Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) was introduced.

There are a few definitions of Long-Term Survivor (LTS)

• Pre-HAART LTS — Longest-term survivors are individuals who acquired HIV in the 1980s and 1990s, before the advent of highly effective antiretroviral therapy (pre-HAART) when having HIV was considered a death sentence. Those living longest with HIV have physical and psychosocial implications that are vastly different from those who acquired HIV later in the epidemic.

• Post-HAART LTS — those who tested past 1996 and living with HIV for over 10 years.

There are long-term survivors of a different stripe that are often left out of the discourse. They are the survivors who remain HIV-negative. They were lovers, caretakers and frontline healthcare workers. They were lesbians who stepped in to take care of people with HIV and AIDS. They too suffered enormous losses.

It has been over thirty years since the Denver Principles began the self-empowerment movement for people living with HIV but long-term survivors now find our voices muted. Our issues are sidelined by the agencies we helped to form. Conferences devoted to HIV are focused on newer topics while relegating long-term survivors to the sidelines and affinity sessions off the main stage.

The theme for 2016 is “Moving Forward Together”. It celebrates those who have defied the odds by living with HIV for decades. Our focus is on ensuring that HIV Long-Term Survivors and Older Adults Living with HIV are not invisible and forgotten in the current HIV dialogue. We want to change the narrative from surviving to thriving. Achieving that goal requires older adults with HIV to be equipped for healthy aging. Long-term survival, once an almost unimaginable concept is now the norm.

With courage and compassion, we survived the darkest days of the plague. Without access to effective treatments, we were forced to rely on each other and ourselves. As individuals and a community, we exhibited strength we didn’t know we had. Now we’re face the conundrums of aging. Celebrating our lives is what the day is all about.

Today over half of all people living with HIV in the US are over 50. By 2020 that will increase to 70 percent. The mew face of HIV is aging. However, HIV and Aging is not a monolith. A case can be made that Pre-HAART survivors and Post-HAART survivors are separate cohorts with overlapping but different medical and psychosocial needs. Longest term survivors, those who acquired HIV before 1996, face different medical issues and decades of planning to is having an impact on our lives now.

We now find ourselves confronting the realities of aging— something that was unimaginable before 1996. We’re the generation who were told to plan to die young. By the end of that year, in the U.S. we witnessed the deaths of 362,004 of our loved ones and community. 6.4 million people had died form AIDS worldwide.

We chose June 5 to commemorate the day the CDC first announced the mysterious illness that was killing young gay men. It was the beginning of HIV/AIDS awareness before it was known as HIV/AIDS.

There’s a meme that “we lost an entire generation.” While we did a lot of our generation their are by recent estimates, 26% of Longest-Term Survivors alive now. Let’s celebrate, honor and appreciate that they still have years go and it is all our job to help them become the elders of our tribe.

The Challenges

Long-term survivors face a myriad of interconnected psychosocial, practical, and medical challenges rooted in HIV-stigma, aging, ageism, and economic distress that impacts functional health-related quality of life (HRQoL) issues.

Psychosocial

The AIDS epidemic has been a series of complex traumatic events. Long-term stress like that experienced by long-term survivors, is unique and we now know that survival itself can also have trauma-related implications. The legacy of our past is having an effect on our lives now, and too many survivors are unaware of what is happening to them.

The effects of ongoing trauma now present in combinations of depression, anxiety, emotional numbness, anger, survivor guilt, insomnia, nightmares, hypervigilance, hopelessness, sometimes substance abuse and or sexual risk-taking. It also includes emotional numbness, low-self esteem, avoidance, social withdrawal and isolation, a lack of future orientation and loss of self-regulation that occurs when survival dominates how a person thinks, feels, and behaves in every area of his or her life. It is that sense of feeling lost or “not myself”. It often includes an exaggerated and persistent negative outlook about one’s identity that breeds a sense of hopelessness and despair.

It is a natural response to the sort of complex posttraumatic stress that often occurs years after the the immediate danger is over. We do not think a perfectly human response should be stigmatized by calling it a disorder. But in psychological terms ASS id s version of Complex PTSD. Another name sometimes used to is Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS). 

Here is the thing, surviving AIDS for decades is unique. The DSM-5 paints PTSD with a broad brush and ignores the nuances of something this unique. The bible of therapy is the recently revised DSM-5. It only hints at symptoms of complex PTSD, but in the end has left them out of the manual and lumps posttraumatic stress under PTSD. We deserve something that better describes what many of are living with.

More HERE

Lesbian unauthorised photo shakedown case ends amicably

A case with origins in Kingston in 2015 involving a woman’s sensitive photos were shared on a pornographic page of her semi nude in a compromising position with other women in the shot has had some resolution brought to bear; the original shots were intended to be a joke with friends and not an all out sexually explicit affair as the women were topless but with nipples covered etc. The impacted woman responded to the Stop Think Connect campaign which was ongoing in media outlets and as part of the STEM, a science, technology initiative which offers tips on safety and raise awareness of the dangers and online profiles etc. 

The matter was brought to the attention of the cyber crimes unit and investigations led to the tracking of the male perpetrator in St Catherine; he was also found in possession of several computers with internet connection and mapping capabilities literally via Google Earth and so on, according to my source even the mapping of persons locations seems to have been ongoing when pitted against intended targets social media status messages and tweets are screen captured for example and saved by the accused.

The photos were supposedly harvested from the impacted lesbian’s Facebook profile which she did not make the shots private and she thought only her friends were the only viewers of the materials or persons would not scroll through thoroughly as her other photos in her mind were or are ‘boring’ hence persons should not be interested to go further to fulfill any curiosity, a common mistake many make and leave themselves open to all kinds of predatory depravity out there. 

I have warned of this so many times in previous outing cases via Facebook and the conjoining family and ‘friends’ on lists where publicly shared activities are seen by all and lends itself to exposure and backlash on simple things such as ‘likes’ and comments on posts/status and even the gender or perceived sexuality of the recipients of such are questioned and become grounds for online abuse or the sullying of character and or impugned motives. We have seen cases of jilted lovers as well in as far as revenge porn as well between same gender loving folks; the last one though unconfirmed was in 2015 as well with another three in 2013 as social media usage increased sharply.

The impacted woman in this matter was floored with a message from a fake profile of a male with a profile photo being a flower showing screen shots of her sensitive photos splattered on a porn themed sight and a threat in the message threatening exposure if she did not pay a hefty fee or $250K for the non-release of the materials, according to my source the woman initially responded by blocking the threatening messenger but he simply opened another account and repeated his threat whilst almost doubling the fee and hints of violence. Of course these things have no end to them as even if the amounts were satisfied another round or rounds of threats of exposure under pain of more money or else. That was where she sought help and the cops got involved. The investigations apparently though slow and timely tracked the perpetrator’s internet protocol IP address and were monitoring him for some time before the sting operation of sorts was carried out. The woman was also advised not to close her profile as yet as the evidence needed to be mounted to which she complied.

The man was subsequently nabbed and other women who were intended targets have been reached and advised appropriately with some persons closing down their old profiles on Facebook and or Instagram as well. The last case that I was aware of as well was one where the impacted woman who regularly makes status messages on her Facebook wall and in one such turn she announced (to the world) she was meeting her friend in Half Way Tree only to be met by two men as she indeed was waiting at the gas station across from the JUTC bus park; the men then accused her of being a ‘sodomite’ and the whole nine yards and also accused her and her type as stealing away good women or words to that effect. She made good her escape via darting through the busy area nearby to Burger King and the coaster buses and her accusers lost track of her even as she could hear their voices identifying her.

The investigators have asked the present case victim to testify in the matter to which she has been reticent but the good thing about it is that it did not escalate to sexual assault and abuse; thanks to my source who responded to previous posts in April where I have been recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

Persons need to scuttle their online personas frankly as the world is a way different place than before and while physical harm may not be eminent, inadvertent disclosure via social media may lead to just that and attracting the wrong time. I had offered some tips in previous posts on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch, GJW from previous related displacements and stigmatization. Social media usage and online profile identity requires vigilance and careful thinking before one presses that send/publish or OK button. Once whatever is sent out there it cannot come back, even if the item(s) are deleted in real time, cached or screen shot versions are made and archived somewhere.

A word to the wise is sufficient.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see related posts from sister blog GJW:

Modern gay love, dating apps & deception wrapped in homophobia

‘Tek yuh bomboclaat out a mi house battyman’ from Facebook fallout

Another young gay man is outed via Facebook 2013

Inviting an unverified third party for a hook-up can be dangerous 2013

Facebook & unintentional outings to family members ... 2012

Warning!: Fake Facebook pics and hookup dangers 2011

Concerns on older gay men & homophobic challenges 2015

Transphobic & paranoiac nonsense from The Breath of Change ConnectPray radio show

firstly let us make that clear .........

It’s amazing how some persons and groups who profess Christianity yet are so bitter and spew most times hate and division ever so easily while celebrating vain salvation. 

So it is bad enough we had to stomach a so called concerned citizen statement on May 15 International Day of Families from Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS and others based on some fora held at churches targeted in part to bringing down transgender visibility. When said anti LGBT groups run out of targets they simply move to something else; now comes transgender advocacy internationally; of course the usual embellishments are included or lies and such relying on the their own deceptive strategy that of the bloated magnitude of unsubstantiated charges in order to make said charges and accusations appear convincing, then these same religious crackpots claim the LGBT lobby collectively are dishonest but find it necessary to do the very strategy they accuse us of.

After listening to the show the tenets presented goes against the very tagline that groups such as JCHS carry: "Straight Without Hate" which for all intents and purposes sound ridiculous to me.

The usual on the fly terms as ‘sexual anarchy’ ‘sexual revolution’ (the latter which I thought had occurred so many times before) and so were repeated constantly on the Connect Pray show on the TBC radio hosted by Phillipa Davies linked to the JCHS, Lovemarch, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship and other anti gay groups went to town for just under three hours on declaring transgenderism as insanity on the part of persons who declare that their brain sex differs in their minds from their physical sex and wild accusations and claims of paedophiles everywhere and reputable researchers work as part of some sneaky plan. Miss Davis also in her preamble sought to dismiss the bathroom bill push in the United States as an imposition, ‘being free with your sexual expression regarding of consequences’ and usual ‘exposing deceptions & lies’ Davies also claimed that gender neutral bathrooms will have predators in them to rape women (in a bathroom!); this is indeed sad and laughable but very serious indeed.

Absolutely no mention was made during the three hour show of trans/bi/homophobia (as if it does not exist) or the violence associated or discrimination with it; the vast time of the show was condemnation after condemnation (in the name of righteousness) sadly. Religious fanatics can destroy societies I swear. I was of the understanding that ostracism was never a part of Christ’s agenda lest some forget the alabaster box story. There was repeated referencing of ‘Stop War on Children’ but the documentary only seems to address so called feared sexual education and not the present day atrocities even committed by pastors were totally left out. As May is child’s month I would have thought more emphasis would have been placed on just the sheer numbers of Ananda Alerts (named after a murdered child in the 90s) that appear on television and announced on some radio stations; these religious fanatics are blind to the visible atrocities yet strive so hard to find conspiracies real or imagined in dark places; not to mention the kinds of money that is being spent in the respective campaigns including retaining lawyers for the ongoing buggery case in the constitutional court. Children’s’ homes, places of safety, psychiatric facilities and related outfits have been screaming for help in cash and kind and the assisted housing or relocation of wards of the state or abandoned mental health patients in places such as Bellevue but groups like JCHS or Miss Davies do not see or ignore these concerns. Sex change regrets were also discussed as it to suggest those who do engage such avenues are and will be mistaken.

I thought Christ’s message included inclusion and true tolerance but I am mistaken it seems or my expectations are too high with sheer idiots who make the rest of the church look as paranoid as they are.

Unsubstantiated paedophile accusations

Phillipa Davies

“So that the nature of the man; bisexual, supported paedophilia, engaged in sadomasochistic acts; created pornography films (she quoted Matt 18:7) so this is Kinsey the root, the ideological root of the sexual rights agenda and comprehensive sexual education ..... please understand that corrupt sneaky education came from this sick man; going into children’s homes and places of safety to spread the mind of this sick man; 

removing homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973 came from this sick man; repealing of the buggery law in the UK and the sodomy law in the US was influenced by this sick man; legalizing abortion was influenced by this sick man; calling for respecting sexual orientation arises out of this sick man; Digicel and other businesses in the ‘Respect Jamaica’ campaign want you to respect and endorse this sick man; the sneaking of sexual orientation into the civil servants staff orders for Jamaica civil service to prop up this sick man; the CVCC and the other groups and the University of the West indies firing Professor Bain to hide the truth and keep alive the lies of this sick man; 

the gay activist bringing the challenge to the buggery law is based on the lies from this sick man; and any politician from any party any government official of this sexual so called rights campaign he or she is propagating the madness of this sick man; and any referendum on the buggery law is this question, will you Jamaica endorse this dead pervert and let his warped philosophy become the basis of the laws or will your laws be based on the philosophies coming from the one true living God ....? Listeners I hope you’re catching my drift .............”

Listeners were also asked to pray for the bathroom bill in the US to fail (I find it strange that such a cal should be made when we have our own issues to address via said prayer) and pray for other things not worth annoying God in my view when we have a brain to gain understanding and to practically act. I was not surprised as her mentor Dr Wayne West of JCHS has schooled her well as she performed on point; the issue is though most of what were said in effect lies as she and others like to blast LGBT activists of telling. 

Then came the prolonged blasting of Dr Alfred Kinsey’s work describing his conclusions as ‘sexual fraud’ the fear if not hysteria is just astonishing to me; it is one thing to have a hardened position but totally another when it passes the norm to hyperventilation via the airwaves; then the guest attempted to link Dr Kinsey as a paedophile based on his work on realizing young children even toddlers can have orgasms; the guest also suggested that that was where the recommendation of buggery in schools began without making the link as to how buggery and orgasm in toddlers equate to homosexuality or anal sex at that age. He was accused by Davies and her guest one Dr Reizman (who made all kinds of spurious charges) of influencing the Wolfendale committee on changing the buggery law in the UK in 1957 (later in 1967 after the conservative govt was voted out) and also prostitution and abortion. Davis kept saying the buggery law was “repealed” when it was not but the act was decriminalized with a different age of consent as heterosexuals; the equalization came in the 80s onwards with advocacy from folks like Peter Tatchell. Reizman claimed that Kinsey died from “venereal disease and or damage to the genitals which he was doing all the time to himself; to violent effect on his organs, so that’s the man you have been learning from.”

“The fraud is meant to really cripple the children” Phillipa Davies claimed without proof that Kinsey was a paedophile and went on about the lies as disguised as comprehensive sexual education. Davis also claimed that children were not having sex at young ages in days gone by without qualifying her statement in anyway and again relying on the magnitude factor in order to sound convincing, sadly the few comments on Facebook as the show progressed showed how gullible some folks are. Of course with the advent of Facebook, sheer increase in the nation’s population and so on things once seemed hidden will come to light but apparently Miss Davies is too dumb to see these things.

Kinsey scale

I was of the thinking that a qualified clinical sexologist or related psychological expert would be the ones to determine a paedophile in the face of no victims coming forward and reporting the accused but paranoid antigay voices just wave wild allegations. Then came the shocker that Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner was a virgin until he was 22 until he read Kinsey then he received startup money to spread flawed sex education again without any proof, Davis then linked the home and family life HFLE book as an extension of the way to brainwash children. International Planned Parenthood is also a part of the ‘deception’ in her eyes. She then referenced the 2008 guidelines of sexual education and she named the Nation Family Planning board and accused even the Peace Corps of such good reputation as guilty as ferreting the comprehensive sexuality education; impugning coercion by the organization and some attached to it. I wonder what would the Peace Corps would say and do if they heard the nonsense from antigay religious groups who see conspiracies everywhere.

A representative from the Ruth Institute also added more paranoia to the show which I decided to listen just to prove to myself the nonsense I have been hearing about on the show. The RI guest by phone claims the UN has been infected by those who have an agenda to change societies and cultures and the ‘natural order.’ The interview waded between misconstrued feminism, sexual identity and fear-mongering on terminology such as gender based policies and that such terms are forgetting boys and linking neutrality to the present societal challenges as if LGBTQ and reproductive health agitations are anti Christian and anti family. Not to mention the interspersed selling of either books or previous shows on CD that came too repetitiously for me to stomach.

Then came the usual victimhood ploy claiming the church has been affected by the sexual revolution and the moralizing effect has been or is being polluted if not weakened by the LGBT push with the latest being the transgender visibility agenda; in other words the usual freedom of speech choking deception that these very anti gay religious groups (who make the whole church look bad) a strategy from the Professor Bain matter has worn itself out so the target has now changed. Want more fear-mongering then came the twinning of HIV prevention messaging with so called sneaky ways to impose homosexuality in particular, a penchant Miss Davis the host has and verbalizes it at every chance she gets. Then the repeated and implied fallacy that Jamaica is at war with big countries/ such as the US, EU, Canada et and that they are trying to suppress ‘free speech’

A so called former transgender individual named Walter Hyatt guest joined the show by phone who claimed he realized although he was assigned male he had the surgery but regretted it as he found out it was a disorder (gender dysphoria) and that his grandmother dressed him up as a girl so that caused him to feel feminine, then came the unqualified diagnosis or Bruce Jenner now known as Catilyn Jenner who had issues since his brother’s death after he handed the keys to him and so on. The kind of misinformation that is going out there as legitimate is disturbing and even both persons on the show that Caitlyn is not actually transgender or transsexual as he has not done the surgery; then came the references again to Dr Kinsey and again he was described as a paedophile activist without giving any proof or justification for the listeners. Then came the re-description of LGBT to mean “lambasting God’s biblical truth” and that such persons need to be stopped (he did not say how).

Davies went on another rant claiming the family is being destroyed and to think the entire thing ends in prayer! Even after spewing such hatred, somebody needs help.

Then the repeated “homosexual lifestyle" references which dotted the show, frankly envy of the apparent freedom of LGBT people could be called ‘freedom envy’ in my view. The role of freedom envy in the anti LGBT crusade is confirmed by the repeated and emphatic reference to “the homosexual lifestyle.” This is left a vague generality, as though it were something everyone already understands. The so called “homosexual lifestyle” is associated with a US view of homosexuality and dates back to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and stories of bath houses in places such as San Francisco; hence folks like Dr Wayne West of JCHS uses it as well to vectorise gays in his antigay advocacy. There is no such thing as a ‘homosexual lifestyle’ just as there is no such thing as “heterosexual lifestyle” heterosexual live on a “lifestyle” continuum just as homosexuals do. The continuum includes people in decades long monogamous relationships, people who live in social isolation, people who in into bar scenes etc people who move from relationship to relationship.

Let us put to rest the silliness about “homosexual lifestyle” once and for all; as a phrase it is pure propaganda, a gossipy generalization and completely unworthy of a Christian who, following the counsel in Proverbs seeks understanding and insight into life and people. As Christians some will have to decide if we are going to partake of divisive “party spirit” that racked the church at Corinth or follow Christ as discerning attentive principles – to that still small voice and sharpen concerns for the ostracized instead of creating more strife.

Bear in mind that there is a reference in Luke 17:34 where Jesus in a teaching on the rapture makes what appears to be a neutral non-discriminatory reference where it read (King James Version):

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Let me end here for now but I did this post just to show the madness coming from ignorant folks who in an information age refuse to accept the reality. If I may use the JCHS’s own biblical quote they end their newsletters with:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Isaiah 9: 2 KJV

Bearing in mind King James in whose name the most popular English translation of the Bible is in was actually bisexual; pity the goody King would not have foreseen the work put in would be used as a destructive weapon hundreds of years later.

although the Catholics have a lot to answer for in terms of clerical abuse (more anon) but the message is clear thus far.

Peace & tolerance needed indeed.


H

also see:

Impossible to be gay and Christian

I don’t want to peep in your bedroom ... oh really now

Gays are welcomed! oh really now

More madness from Miss Davies' mentors? then check this one: Lawyers' Christian Fellowship's Shirley Richards says lesbian sex should be criminalized as buggery ....... 2012

Fibroids can affect your sex life too

May 15 to 21, 2016, is dubbed National Fibroids Awareness Week, and it's quite fitting because it seems that every woman is affected by these non-cancerous growths on or in the muscle walls of the uterus. The statistics are depressing because some 80 per cent of women in Jamaica are affected in some way by uterine fibroids. 

I have experienced them both directly, with my own diagnosis, as well as through the ordeal that my older sister faced as she underwent two surgeries to remove fibroids. With all the information and treatment options available, many women still don't know that they have these growths in their womb. Some of us just credit the increase in our waistline to getting fat.

There are some women who have small fibroids that don't really present any symptoms. However, the larger fibroids can really wreak havoc on the reproductive system and present very inconvenient and painful symptoms. One of the symptoms of fibroids that I don't think is highlighted enough is its effects on a woman's sex life.

Painful intercourse - Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, sexual intercourse can be very painful for her. Some women complain about feeling a stabbing pain in their lower abdomen during sex. This can be a symptom of uterine fibroids.

Longer periods - With fibroids, bleeding is extended and periods last longer than usual. This definitely affects the desire for sex as well as the ability to engage in sexual activity. I have met women who say they have had month-long periods.

Heavy periods - In addition to hindering the possibility of sex itself, heavy bleeding can cause anaemia. Heavy bleeding also restricts a woman's ability to move around and go about her daily activities without having to worry about messing up her clothes.

Low self-esteem - With all the discomfort she is experiencing, her clothes feel different on her body, and overall, she's not feeling her best.

Bloating and other discomforts - The infamous PMS is real, and with uterine fibroids, it seems to magnify all the symptoms. So a woman is feeling bloated, irritable, and she is dealing with menstrual cramps as well. Any woman who has ever experienced PMS knows that it is not easy to get through a busy day much less get in the mood for sex.

Uterine incontinence - Feeling the need to urinate often can get in the way and make sex unappealing.

It is very important at this point for me to indicate that these are not just symptoms that affect women. Their partners are also affected, and it is vital that these partners participate with unconditional support. Men, especially, should learn more about how they can help to support their partners who suffer from this condition. 

It still surprises me that women same gender loving or bisexual men are uncomfortable handling feminine products or even talking with their women about their symptoms and overall issues. Even during intercourse, men need to pay attention to their response and don't just focus on 'stabbing di meat'.

Like it or not, uterine fibroids are a reality for some women and we must find out as much as we can to treat the condition.

National Fibroids Awareness Week ends on Saturday with a symposium at the Jamaica College Auditorium, and there will be a presentation about the journey of Dr Shelly Ann Weeks with the condition. 

I hope to see you there

Peace & tolerance

H

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia (#IDAHOT) 2016

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia truly deserves its title of “Global Celebration of Sexual and Gender Identities”

This year again, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia truly deserves its title of “Global Celebration of Sexual and Gender Identities”. Beyond the rather narrow notions of “Homo”, “Trans”, “Bi”; the day offers a fantastic display of diversity, which mirrors the many facets of human sexualities and gender identities and expressions.

All over the world, advocates and their allies are fighting for what matters most to them: the right to be free from criminalisation, persecution, stigmatisation.

Sometimes the right to just live, as in many countries people have to fear for their lives.

This year specifically, we are seeing the “fault-line” deepening between places where activism is increasing and those where it is repression that is on the rise.

On the one hand, activism in some countries is definitely rising, with more and more visible events and strong support from institutions, which the Day has always been a good framework for and this year again many official buildings will be lit in Rainbow flag colors, such as the Chilean Presidency building.

Rainbow flags will be flying all over the UK and Australia, where this action has become a national IDAHOT favourite. Locally not much is planned except for a forum on love matters as marketed by JFLAG with Dr Karen Carpenter as one of the main panelists. Several disturbing reports continue to come in but mostly unconfirmed on some rather strange homophobic related matters.

In Albania, the now traditional “Bike (P)ride” has already been a huge success last week end. Brussels Pride, always celebrated on the Saturday closest to IDAHOT drew tens of thousands onto the streets. Trans activists in Canada are getting ready to crown years of advocacy as the Government announced it will introduce groundbreaking legislation on May 17th. In Cuba, the IDAHOT week is again celebrated throughout the country. All over the planet, from Moldova to Bhutan, campaigns will take it online and onto the streets to mark the Day. Concerts, flashmobs, film festivals, Transgender beauty pageants, same-sex wedding ceremonies, conferences, lectures, community events and many more have been announced and will be reported on on our social media channels.

On the other hand many activists have asked not to disclose information about their actions for fear of backlash, even in countries where conditions were relatively safe in previous years. In Lebanon for example, the public conference organised by Proud Lebanon had to be cancelled under pressure from opposition.

In some places, this reaction comes as a backlash against stronger visibility of sexual and gender diversities but in some other places, there is increased State and social repression even though the levels of activism have not seen any significant change.

This shows that highly visible recent victories, and some severe defeats, on LGBT issues on several fronts have certainly increased the focus of moral and religious fundamentalist movements on sexual and gender rights. Activists from the sexual and gender minorities movement now have to struggle against increasingly well funded, well organised movements, which are getting much better than before at occupying the ground of values that appeal even to otherwise socially progressive constituencies.

Luckily, international organisations and progressive States are more than ever showing support. Local activists in dozens of countries are supported by Embassies and representations from international organisations.

The United Nations’ Free and Equal campaign has released a special “Why we Fight” music video for the Day. European institutions have held their annual IDAHO Forum, hosted this year by the Danish Government. Unesco is about to open a two-day inter-ministerial meeting on Education sector responses to homophobic and transphobic bullying.

The United Nations have also taken a specific stand this year on the global IDAHOT focus issue on “Mental health and well-being”, as a large alliance of UN experts have issued a joint declaration toend the pathologization of LGBT people, highlighting the many harmful impacts of human rights violations. In over 30 countries, this issue of Mental health and well-being will be a central part of the IDAHOT discussions.

As we see all the fantastic energy and creativity which the activists deploy around May 17, it is more than ever urgent to increase the capacity and resources of activists to stand their ground and promote positive social change.

The IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.

In under a decade, May 17 has established itself the single most important date for LGBTI communities to mobilise on a worldwide scale.

May 17 is now celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal, with 1600 events reported by almost 3000 organizations in 2015. 

These mobilisations unite millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is not one centralised campaign; rather it is a moment that everyone can take advantage of to take action.

The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia has received official recognition from several States, international institutions as the European Parliament, and by countless local authorities. Most United Nations agencies also mark the Day with specific events.

The Day originated in 2005 with the acronym IDAHO, standing for International Day Against Homophobia. The T was added in 2009 to highlight the inclusion of Transphobia

Some organisations use other acronyms or denominations for this Day, such as IDAHOTB, IDAHOBIT, etc.

Peace & tolerance

H

International Day of Families 2K16: Families, healthy lives and sustainable future

also see my last post on the subject (sadly in 2011), sorry for the delay: GO HERE (Gay Parenting (a view on the ground) (repost from 09) ........ International Family Day)

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 with resolution A/RES/47/237 and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

The International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising events, including national family days. In many countries, that day provides an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families. Activities include workshops and conferences, radio and television programmes, newspaper articles and cultural programmes highlighting relevant themes.

The central goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focus on ending poverty, promoting shared economic prosperity, social development and people’s well-being while protecting the environment. Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth and caring for young and old.

In particular, family-oriented policies can contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1 to 5 relating to doing away with poverty and hunger; ensuring healthy lives and promoting of well-being for all ages; ensuring educational opportunities throughout the lifespan and achieving gender equality.

Download Background note

Problem is equality in terms of other family forms seem to be left out of the equation; locally the antigay movements are still on the offensive claiming LGBT lobbyists are out to destroy the heternormative family as we know (a man and a woman), just take a look at the fearmongering laced statement from Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS:

Now that marriage equality is fast rising this international observance needs way more inclusion as the same gender couples in particular and their issues are not highlighted enough by the UN. The Background has left out the direct mention of LGBT visibility with regards to emerging family units, monogaous same gender love and children either by adoption, surrogates or ISPCs methods.

The theme of the observance of the 2016 International Day of Families focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Families have a unique role in ensuring health and well-being of children. Parents can improve children’s health outcomes by providing emotional support, ensuring preventive and sick healthcare visits, including timely immunizations and proper treatment in times of illness.

This year’s observance of the International Day of Families is to raise awareness of the role of families and family policies in promoting healthy lives for sustainable future. Academics and practitioners will address issues relating to family environments and work-family balance to improve health outcomes for all family members. Discussions will also focus on the role of parents in youth and children’s well-being, with particular attention to the role of men, as well as intergenerational transfers and the well-being of older adults.

History of the observance

During the 1980's, the United Nations began focusing attention on the issues related to the family. In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process (1983/23) requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.

In its resolution 1985/29 of 29 May 1985 the Council Invited the General Assembly to consider the possibility of including in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session an item entitled “Families in the development process”, with a view to consider a request to the Secretary-General to initiate a process of development of global awareness of the issues involved, directed towards Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and public opinion.

Later, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Social Development formulated in its 30th round of sessions, The Assembly invited all States to make their views known concerning the possible proclamation of an international year of the family and to offer their comments and proposals.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a comprehensive report, based on the comments and proposals of Member States on the possible proclamation of such a year and other ways and means to improve the position and well-being of the family and intensify international co-operation as part of global efforts to advance social progress and development.

In its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989, The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed The International Year of the Family. In proclaiming the Year, the General Assembly decided that the major activities for its observance should be concentrated at the local, regional and national levels, assisted by the United Nations system.

The United Nations Commission for Social Development was designated as the preparatory body and the Economic and Social Council as the coordinating body for the Year. 

In 1994, General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/237 proclaimed The International Day of Families, which is observed on the 15th of May every year. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

More inclusion UN!

Peace & tolerance

H

On female masturbation as natural

Prepared by Dr Shelly Ann Weeks

Every cell on your body tingles, your heart feels like it's going to burst out of your chest, you struggle to breath and you are shaking.

You start to move your hands faster as you feel the tension build and then - WHOOSH! Fireworks go off as you feel like the only thing keeping you together is your skin. Your pelvis pulsates as you feel the most amazing sensations you have ever experienced. You hear your heartbeat in your ears and your body is in frenzy as you struggle to find consciousness while recovering from your orgasm.

For so many women, the first orgasm is achieved during masturbation, and it makes sense, because who knows more about pleasing a person than that individual herself? As a sex educator, I advocate for people, especially women to masturbate. I stress more on women because there is still a lot of stigma when it comes to female masturbation. Too many women are still feeling ashamed of touching themselves because of the perceived assumptions that are made about women who masturbate.

She is lonely and no one wants her

This assumption is ridiculous because it implies that a woman is only validated by her ability to find a suitable partner.

Furthermore, having a partner doesn't stop her from masturbating. There is no rule that says that the only reason to masturbate is out of necessity because when is lonely and desolate.

She's in a relationship and it's not allowed

If a woman is in a relationship where she is forbidden from masturbating, then that relationship has bigger problems than sex. She is free to pleasure her body however and whenever she chooses with or without a partner.

Her partner is not satisfying her properly

Women who masturbate are more interested in sexual pleasure, and she will also want more frequent sexual encounters. The skills of her partner will not stop her from enjoying her own body.

It's nasty

If a woman is disgusted by the thought of touching her own body, what kind of response does she expect from a partner? Masturbation is not only a function of pleasure, it's also familiarising oneself to the beauty and wonder that is the human body. Having full knowledge of the body, how it works, what areas feel extra wonderful when it's stimulated, are all necessary for the full enjoyment of sexual encounters with a partner.

When we look at male masturbation, it's not hard to convince men to masturbate because it's accepted in society that they need to do it. As a baby, a little boy takes off his diaper and discovers his penis and spends minutes pulling and tugging at it, while his mother squeals with delight and marvels at how cute he is. On the other hand, little girls are reprimanded if she even thinks of taking off any article of clothing. It is clear that our socialisation has affected the way we look at our sexuality, especially masturbation.

It has been a personal quest of mine to get individuals to see the value of having a satisfactory sex life. Masturbation is a great tool to help individuals learn their bodies, and as a result, become more in tune with the pleasure experience for both themselves and their partners. So ladies, it's your body, touch yourself. 

Personally, I never understand people who say they don't masturbate. It's like owning the most amazing car and the only way you get to enjoy it is if you are chauffeur driven. It's your car, jump behind the wheel and take it for a ride! Masturbation is not only natural, it's necessary. So give yourself some well deserved love today. And if you don't feel comfortable touching yourself now, do it until it feels good.

Government Prepares To Tackle Transgender, Other Sexuality Concerns

According to the Gleaner this came forth, sadly talk show hosts such as Joan Williams of POWER 106FM instead of trying to understand the issues sought to confuse the issue locally with that of the bathroom law matter in the United States; she claimed that she will not tolerate a man in women's clothes in a bathroom. Just goes to show the ignorance we have to overcome or deliberate baiting to gain ratings for her show.

Callers tried to also frame the hint shown below that this is pressure from the US to issue gay rights, I am so annoyed at how ignorant we are in an information age, when all one has to do is ask.

But of course Clovis of the Jamaica Observer could not help himself with this toon:

I have stopped applauding announcements these days so Now the article:

The Jamaica Government is preparing itself to adequately address emerging concerns related to gender identification and other issues tied to sexuality.

In fact, legal battles in the United States, where school officials are grappling with confusion and consternation over whether transgender individuals should be allowed to use rest rooms that match their gender identity instead of their birth sex have not missed Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of entertainment, sport, culture, and gender affairs.

"The ministry is aware that there are new issues emerging and we are going to have to address these things," Grange told The Gleaner following the launch of Workers' Week and Labour Day.

"We are going to have to respond when there is a need to respond, and we are going to have to be that voice or that base that will provide an avenue to deal with these matters amicably."

She added: "That is one reason we have actually changed the name of the Bureau of Women's Affairs to the Bureau of Gender Affairs. We know that there are various discussions taking place and we want to be there to address both female and male, particularly our boys. They have been marginalised, especially as it relates to issues regarding their masculinity."

PANEL DISCUSSION

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson was hesitant to speak on the matter, but acknowledged that specific issues of sexuality are new areas of concern in the workplace.

It is for this reason that the ministry will be hosting a panel discussion under the theme 'Work for Human Development, New Realities of the World of Work in Jamaica' on May 18.

The event is to coincide with the observance of Workers' Week.

"We recognise that Jamaica is no different from the rest of the world because these things are happening here. I don't want to say too much about what will be happening at the forum, but there are some realities we will have to put on the table to see how best we can arrive at amicable solutions," Robinson said.

She continued: "Human trafficking is also something that we plan to address because it is so subtle and you find that people unwittingly get involved. We want to pay more attention and heighten the awareness on these issues."

SHOWING RESPECT

Grange implored Jamaicans to show respect to every individual they encounter, despite that person's beliefs, opinions, and background.

"I think these are all human rights issues and every individual is entitled to the freedom and rights enshrined in the Constitution. They should not be treated any differently, but be able to live normal lives to the extent they are able to conduct themselves within the norms of society," she insisted.

"We will encourage society to respect every individual and each other's privacy and personal use. Respect has to underscore everything we do."

ENDS

I hope this is not one of those tokenistic gestures to avoid scrutiny and diplomatic pressure as a pre-cursor to the referred to referendum on buggery by the administration.

Previous announcements of aspirations that have not materialized:

Government of Jamaica Committed to the Eradication of Gender Based Violence 

Gov't Makes International Commitment To Reduce Violence Against Women, Gays 2015 

Peace & tolerance

H