A response to: The Butch Dynamic/Mystique a problem? post

In one of the responses to the post below a lesbian blogger gives her take on the issue and the points raised in my post. Photos were added by me to enhance the discussion.

Post republished with permission

Cherie wrote:

"Howieeee! It's Cherie.

I read your post re: butch/femme mystique. It was good reading. I was considering your question of whether the national obsession with masculinity, associated societal beliefs and rules that govern them are some how rubbing off on the lesbian sisters who identify as butch or stud?How could it be otherwise? I can not speak to what might make it so that some women have a yearning for the masculine model of behaviour (dress etc); and I accept it is being as natural as liking the colour pink or not. But the basis of my response is this: butch women might not necessarily want to BE men, but they have a yearning for the masculine model of behaviour.

Therefore definition of "butch" is a woman whose behaviours are modeled off masculine behaviours and this will be true across any culture. Sooo, it follows that the butch behaviour would be affected by and shift with the larger societal beliefs and understanding of what it is to be masculine. Bearing in mind also that this is a general commentary, there are many butch women who only exhibit certain masculine behaviours while there are others who feel it necessary to do everything like a man would do it.

This distinction also raises another significant question about physical appearance and how heavily it features in how lesbian women are labeled. But that is too big for right now. Mi brain start twist up as I think of it. Think of men who are content to be taken care of - if a stud choses that role... is she still a butch because she walks talks and dresses like one? Or is she a femme in butches clothing? And a femme who fucks and functions like a butch but is completely feminine in her outward appearance?

I had few and far between girl on girl experiences while I iden

tified as Bi; so really and officially I largely consider my current relationship my initiation into the lesbian world.
One of the things I'm being educated about is the spectrum of gender identity. I don't think that a lesbian HAS to identify on - and stick to - either side of the masculine:feminine ratio. My take is do whatever makes you happy, and I took it for granted that it was like that in the community, but I'm figuring out that there are rules and expectations about how you're expected to behave based on how you look and identify.

For myself I look like a femme but don't necessarily behave as

one in our relationship while my girlfriend looks like a butch but doesn't necessarily behave like one in our relationship. It's very fluid and we're happy with that.
I can't see it being any other way; so when she commented to me the other day that she's happy to be able express her feminine side in our relationship I was a little surprised. When I asked her why she thought something like that's a big deal she explained that in the past she's had women lose interest when she behaved less aggressively. Wow.

For a minute I thought that was really whack cause I think it's acceptable to want what you want and be who you are. But I gather it's not really ok in some areas of the community. There are some women who identify as very butch, and some women who want only that; and some women who identify as super femme and some women who want only that. I think that's ok. Where we run into trouble is by not talking about it before we enter a relationship ,we get our wires crossed and end up with a woman who's a poor match and we create situations where women feel like they can express only one extreme of their aggressive/submissive self.
Before she and I started dating we had conversations about our expectations; she expressed certain "butch tendencies" that I explained I wouldn't find satisfactory in a relationship and told her what my ideal situation is and she did the same thing. We discussed what would make us most comfortable in our relationship and we still continue to talk about it.

In that way, I've come to be with a woman who is (and is happy to be) a great balance on the butch femme scale for me rather than the extreme butch I first started talking to and would not have been very comfortable in a relationship with.

I'm sure this isn't going to be true to every situation, but it kinda shows how important it is to talk about what's important to you on this scale, and to make room if necessary for each of you to flex whatever muscles - or not - you desire.
So, I think we should put it like safe sex, on a list of things you need to discuss before you make that big step into a relationship."

Cherie ENDS

Thank you Cherie for responding and allowing the views to be shared.

Then there are others who do not take kindly to "labelling" behaviours or identities in the community whether for purposes of separating behavioural differences in the groups purely in a level of recognition or those who use such labelling for destructive and discriminatory purposes as we do have inter and intra community discrimination especially intertwined with socio economic class and scholastic achievement in all spheres of Jamaican LGBTQI life. I however try to use the various descriptions purely out of an academic purpose so we can easily identify groups, individuals or behavioural trends for greater understanding.

Let's continue brainstorming and talking.

Peace and tolerance

H

The Butch Dynamic/mystique becoming a problem?

A Butch is a lesbian that appears to be more masculine—in their clothing, their attitude, hairstyle, etc. Sometimes fits the stereotype that people may have about lesbians—that they all like to work on cars, wear short hair, and act in a stereotypically masculine manner.

A Stonebutch or “Butch Plus”.
Some stonebutches are almost aggressively masculine, and may fall just short of being transgender. Other stonebutches may prefer to pass as men, or live as men, but still be considered a butch stonebutches do not permit themselves to be touched intimately. They instead derive pleasure from making love to their partners, who often identify as stone femmes. Some butches may also choose to use male first names and pronouns, because while they do not identify as men, neither do they consider themselves women. Yet often they still identify very strongly with the lesbian community.

In recent months we have been watching a steady stream of discussions, opinions and complains locally from varying quarters in the lesbian and bisexual women communities chief among them are the increased reports of abuse verbally, stigmatization, profiling and otherwise towards women who present aesthetically as masculine which all of a sudden has become a problem for some men in Jamaica. Same sex attracted women never had so many problems navigating sexuality in this complex society now there are issues of clothing stores refusing to sell a woman a pair of male jeans within the last week this kind of open discrimination was unheard of before. Is this a result of the moves towards full metrosexualism in Jamaican men? when a popular dancehall DJ can openly defend skin bleaching and full body tattooing which was once relagated to gays in years gone by the change is rather rapid and dramatic, the same DJ as in Vybz Kartel commented at a recent lecture on the University of the West Indies campus what was taboo will soon become widely accepted. One wonders if he contemplated that homosexuality will be in that mix?

One butch sister complained that at a central location in Kingston recently she was verbally abused by men as she beckoned to another female she was waiting for to go about their private business. Another woman was harassed by a taxi driver in the same area as he drove his car almost in her path. In previous posts here we examined the fact that most women who were butch identified were sometimes considered "one of the boys" given our homosocial trends Jamaican men get together and the butch sisters never really experienced major lesbophobic problems as late as 2008 until we started to see the increase in cases of corrective rape, beatings and forced evictions to include both femme and butch sisters as victims in a bid by their attackers to straighten them out. Historically from I can recall I have always seen butch identified women even at my primary school there was one who was the physical education teacher and coach and she had cordial relations with the male students and other male members of staff as far as we could see. There was a popular female police officer who was assigned to the bike teams and when she rode around it was fascinating to most onlookers to see her strut her stuff with broad shoulders and a husky voice with her gun embedded on her holster. 

It may look attractive to some men for the sake of having a "buddy" of sorts but then there is the ever constant reminder that it's a female by either the aesthetic or physical features that are feminine including cleavage which cannot be hidden for some. What triggered this post also was my witnessing a butch taxi driver recently who plies a route in Kingston and how she seemed quite comfortable with the boys chatting and idling on the terminus dodging between cars calling for passengers while she had a stick of marijuana rolled and stuck behind her ear, it was clear that some onlookers by the nearby taxi stand were obviously captivated watching this woman being one of the boys but there were no open lesbophbic remarks. When examples of some of the opposing gender norms appear in public most persons are indeed fascinated until some fool takes it to another level.

Inter-community issues

The concept of butch and femme identities have long been hotly debated within the lesbian community, yet even achieving a consensus as to exactly what the terms "butch" and "femme" mean can be extraordinarily difficult. In recent years, these words have come to describe a wide spectrum of individuals and their relationships. It is easiest, then, to begin with an examination of butch-femme culture and meaning from a historical perspective.
Butch and femme emerged in the early twentieth century as a set of sexual and emotional identities among lesbians. To give a general but oversimplified idea of what butch-femme entails, one might say that butches exhibit traditionally "masculine" traits while femmes embody "feminine" ones. Although oral histories have demonstrated that butch-femme couples were seen in America as far back as the turn of the twentieth century and also in Jamaica to a certain extent it is the late nineties to present working-class and bar culture that most clearly illustrate the archetypal butch-femme dynamic.

Then there are the issues of some butches get strong criticisms of being to "manly man" or "man royal" many soft femmes (pardon the labels) and more mixed soft thugs remark that if they wanted a man they would have gone to find one and are not looking for a replacement, so one could conclude that even if a same sex attracted woman wants another female as her romantic interest with her butch mystique and all she must not seek to replace that attraction or distort it with being to masculine in dress and attitude. Some butches respond by saying that's who they are take it or leave it and why not if one is seeking a dominant partner. Question is, is the national obsession with masculinity, associated societal beliefs and rules that govern them are some how rubbing off on the lesbian sisters who identify as butch or stud? The stigmas that affects butch identified sisters seem to be coming to a head with the walls closing in. As more butch identified women are becoming targets for violence one response is self defense classes offered by a new lesbian owned entity Couture Elements for a relatively small fee concerns have been raised especially during International Women's Day activities.

Butch-Femme net http://butch-femme.net/Butch/BF/ says:
“To the mainstream dyke world, Butches are often seen as "men" or as selling out to the enemy. Butch energy is often read as male energy because it is closer to what we consider male energy than it is what we consider female energy. We are sometimes seen as oppressors of Femmes who they see as "tools of the heterosexual patriarchy" because they are feminine and often don all the feminine accouterments such as makeup, long fingernails, and high heels.”
The butch-femme dynamic is well known among lesbians. The most well known combination is a butch with a femme, although it’s not impossible for a butch to be with another butch, or a femme to be with another femme.

According to GLBTQ social sciences encyclopedia, In recent years, "pansexual" and "polysexual" have joined "bisexual" as terms that indicate women's attractions to more than one gender. Another indication of that fluidity is the fact that one cannot always tell simply by looking whether a lesbian identifies as butch or femme. Butches are not necessarily tops; femmes are not necessarily bottoms; and butches and femmes are no longer expected to date only each other.

Trends that are to be watched.

Peace and tolerance.

H

International Women's Day 2011 ......

International Women's Day Centenary sees largest ever activity

IWD Press Release

London, March 2, 2011: March 8 sees the highest level of global women's activity ever witnessed as groups celebrate the International Women's Day centenary.

The first International Women's Day events were run in Austria, Denmark, Germany and

Switzerland in 1911 and attended by over one million people. 100 years on, International Women's Day (IWD) has become a global mainstream phenomena celebrated across many countries and is an official holiday in approximately 25 countries including Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.

8 March sees extensive global women's activity. Performer and social activist, Annie Lennox, will lead a mass march across London's Millennium Bridge for charity. In Washington D.C. over a thousand people will descend on Capitol Hill demanding a better world for millions of marginalized women and girls around the globe.

A major international businesswomen's conference will be hosted in Sydney, Australia. Schools and governments around the world are participating in the day. Trade Unions and charities are campaigning. Global corporations are hosting conferences and distributing extensive resource packs. The United Nations Secretary-General delivers a formal message. The United States even designates the whole month of March as Women's History Month as officially proclaimed by President Obama on February 28, 2011.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future. However, activity has not always been on the increase. Australian entrepreneur and women's campaigner Glenda Stone, who founded the http://www.internationalwomensday.com website, a global hub of events and information, said:

"A decade ago International Women's Day was disappearing. Activity in Europe, where International Women's Day actually began, was very low. Providing a global online platform helped sustain and accelerate momentum for this important day. Holding only a handful of events ten years ago, the United Kingdom has now become the global leader for International Women's Day activity, followed sharply by Canada, United States and Australia. 2011 will see thousands of events globally for the first time."

More recently, social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube have also helped fuel International Women's Day activity. Generally the day has moved away from its socialist Suffragette beginnings to become more mainstream in celebrating women's achievements. Women's rights campaigners, however, continue to remind that vigilance rather than complacency is essential in striving for women's equality.

locally in light of the recent problems some lesbian and bisexual women have been encoutering that of verbal attacks by mostly men in public spaces a self defense course has commenced in Kingston (March 6th 2010) via Couture Elements, there have been some reports of some of our Butch oriented sisters being profiled in public spaces and harassed, one woman was literally almost run over by a taxi man in Half Way Tree while hurling insults at her. Many fear that the recent Buju Banton verdict may have sent some of his groupies into a feeling of exacting some kind of revenge of persons who do not fit the gender norms aesthetically. There are also reports of some gay men particularly the homeless and displaced brothas who are being targeted by groups of thugs in sections of Kingston who claim the gay activists overseas set up Buju Banton to destroy him because of the Boom Bye Bye song so battyboi muss feel the pinch.

An Open Mic session is planned for Wednesday March 9th at 7pm in Kingston to discuss famous women, past present and future and look at some of the issues facing lesbian and bi-sexual facing women...in the now!

Read and come prepared to share what you know/learnt about women, come express how you feel about your special woman and the women in your life.

Meanwhile The theme for International Women’s Day this year is ‘Education and Training: Decent Work for Women’.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange will lead a delegation to the service which begins at 8:30.
In addressing this year’s theme, Minister Grange says although statistics show that there are more women with degrees and that women graduate from tertiary institutions at higher rates than men, women still struggle to get decent work.

Noting that a stop needs to be put to this practice, Minister Grange indicated that this year’s observance of International Women’s Day will address the issue in a big way.

meanwhile: SMACK in the middle of Princess Street, downtown Kingston, business is booming for a set of hairdressers, nail and other beauty technicians. Among the women doing what's seen as traditional women's jobs is Samuel Blair, a versatile male hairstylist and 'eyelash technician' who goes by the name 'Gabriel'.

Gabriel said he's a self-taught hairstylist who has been working on Princess Street for the past three years.

Notice how the camera man zooms in on the stylists thumb ring, what are they trying to do? advertise that he is gay because of our stupid belief that it represents homosexuality or some declaration, even if some gay persons wear this so called identifying mark not all persons who wear a ring on their thumb are gay, sections of our media has such a long way to go in adjusting their behaviour and stop pushing stereotypes and such.

Peace and tolerance

H

Lavender Rules - Bull peeps into the China shop

contributed by Lady Leslie

This may not be the way to do it but I am very good at doing things and making a mess so here comes the bull entering into this China shop.

Bull peeps into the China shop

I have been thinking about a name change recently because I dont think that either side of the family gets it. I believe in things in their purest form, love never dying be it romantic or platonic. To malice hurts me. But I have a flaw I am a lavender rose. To most of you the reference maybe lost and for sensibilities and phobias I will not explain this term ( well at least not yet, I will ease you into it slowly). So yes I am a lavender rose. And this colour in me makes it easy for people to feel violated by me. Yet they never seem to think that pushing themselves on to me wont make me defensive. So take for instance this constant slur of phobia in my ear. Playing songs meant to offend calling me a freak just because mommy said you should. Then you wonder about the kid's grades. I can take that shit from anybody outside but never from someone who proclaims undying love and falls under the category of family.

Bull proceeds to back of china shop.

When I was a kid I saw alot of things. But one of the things I witnessed that scared the shit out of me was watching a man I revered beat my Grand Uncle to a vegetable state because he was gay. This fear is numbing. So when I came out of the closet and loosing my mothers side of the family ( the side that was instrumental in my development) all of them too straight to comprehend this atrocity, I leaned a little unto my Fathers side scared to cross over because there was some bad blood brewing already ( remember Bull in a China Shop). I spoke to my dad when the fears began and recounted the tales of a molestation by his brother and my rape. Years after his death I said to an uncle that I was gay and he said he knew and we mosied on with our lifes. Maybe I was in search of some comfort ( my kryptonite) from the fact that I finally knew that this thing that I am is in my bloodline (although many of us refuse to admit it).

But what I truly dispise is the silence among families. Who though they profess love are never bold enough to say "so tell me about this lavenderness". Instead they sit around and whisper without the slightest affirmation of anything except that you are in love with the best thing that has happened to you and you have to hide it have to be prejudiced and have to be ridiculed because of it. Like I would choose to be this. I SIMPLY AM.

Fuck it!!! I believe in love in its holistic sense. I believe that I have to love some one or else I will whiter up and die inside cause I have been fucked with and fucked by men who I never wanted but willed myself to be with so as to make my Mother my Father happy. Homophobes all of them. Double hell for me, hurt by them betrayed by myself.

I know I have no boundaries sometimes. But I do know that there is no reason for me to be treated like shit because you cannot visualize what I do to my partner. Because you find my sex repulsive. But I am not fluanting my sex. I amhappy to be in love. Simply with the way she smiles for me and at me even when she hates me. I love the way her eyes flicker and dance when she eats her favorite food. The sound her toes make when she is happy. The way her serious face scares the shit out of me. The way time passes slowly as if it knows how sacred every second is. The way her smile changes my mood into better. And the way she fits so perfectly on me and falls asleep for hours. The way no matter what she has my back and allows me to have hers ocassionally. She is the only one allowed to ever say to me I LOVE YOU LOTS and I believe. The way I feel like a better person for having known that love. The simpicity of it all. So take your mind out of the gutter.

So following me around, or stalking me cannot justify anything. All it does is infuse in me hate for you and your stupidity. Cause if you had fallen I would pick your heterosexual ass up brushed it off and given you shelter simply because Jesus says " Do unto others has you would have them do unto you"

I am not perfect. And I can sure as hell do better with this life now, but isnt family some kind of security you are granted even when it all falls down. So yes I will change my name and build a family of straight and gay people who no matter what will live by the rule in this my Lavender heart " do unto others as you would have them do unto you". I hope some family members transition, cause I seriously love you all.

God damn it if I make you uncomfortable at least talk about it. Dont say you love me cause I wont believe a single word you say. Just in case you forgot 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Now calm down with my favorite song

Ps we are not responsible for BUJU damn man tasted the coke and had a gun..work that out...sad but true And if we are I disagree that was not a very nice thing to do guys... I am not responsible.

Jamaican author writes gay novel

According to the Star News (I of course removed the question sign they had in the headline as if it were some shocker or something to hear of a Jamaican penning a gay novel)

Typical Star News

Paula Gordon wrote:

A Jamaican woman living abroad for the past 15 years has ventured into unfamiliar territory with the publication of her first novel.

Who would have thought that a Jamaican woman would have been the author of a gay novel?

The self-published book Related Affairs was written by Tilsa A. Wright. Wright, who now resides in Brooklyn, New York, spent her early life growing up in Harbour View, Kingston 17. She migrated to the United States just after graduating from Camperdown High School.

In an interview with THE WEEKEND STAR recently, she disclosed that she had no plans to be a writer. She explained that the idea to author the novel came to mind while she was having a conversation with a business partner about three years ago. "I came up with the plot, characters and title within three days," she said.

Wright was quick to point out that the title of the book was "a given based on the fact that all the plots are related."

Related Affairs is a classic case of jealousy and betrayal. It deals with complex relationship issues and the views of some Jamaicans towards homosexuality.

The story which takes place in New York City sees the character named Anna meeting the attractive and talented Paul. Anna is initially drawn to Paul by a sexual attraction, but later learns how valuable he is as a friend and business partner. Paul is a homosexual and carries some deep, dark secrets including one about Anna's new-found love. However, Anna's parents disapprove of her relationship with Paul, which sets off tempers and begins irreparable scandals.

most homophobic places

At a time when Jamaica is considered to be one of the most homophobic places in the world, the Jamaican-born writer admitted that she decided to write the book because, "I'm just brave like that." Wright revealed that, "I was getting tired of the fights that homosexuals have been getting." Further adding, "It's becoming overbearing ... It's their choice, their sexual preference. We need to address character rather than sexual preference."

She noted that although she touched on the homophobic situation in Jamaica, she tried not to dwell on it in a negative sense. She believes that her time spent abroad has allowed her to be more tolerant and acceptant of homosexuals. She is also of the view that, people in general and Jamaicans in particular should learn to "embrace and love the rainbow".

While it's not a true story, the writer intends to intrigue readers with a tale that teaches them that "we are all as colourful as the rainbow and related through human connections".

For Wright, the book will find favour in Jamaica. Its popularity will increase "If people have an open mind ... if persons who read and embrace the book give it a voice," she remarked.

Added to the good feedback that she has been receiving about the novel, she says she has the complete support of her family members and friends. "People here (New York) are waiting on part 2," she said.

She informed THE WEEKEND STAR that plans are also being put in place to develop the book into film. "I am confident that things will take off in a year," she said.

While happy with the outcome of her work, she divulged that it was very challenging for her being a first-time writer. She is encouraging young writers to "stay focused and align themselves with a good support system".

In the meantime, Wright, who has hopes to launch the book in Jamaica, says she will do so "as soon as the human climate permits it." But for now, she says that persons who are interested can purchase the book online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Wright says that she is aware that not everyone will agree with what she is doing and not everyone will like her work. "If it's not for you, then it's not for you," she said.

Trinidad happenings: Sexual rights are human rights & CAISO

Trinidad has been heating up recently following the debate in their parliament on same sex unions and possible rights which look close at hand if CAISO has anything to say about it and they have been speaking out.

Meanwhile this interesting article appeared in the Trinidad Newsday on March 1:

Sexual rights are human rights

It is heartening that the question of the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people has been so much in the news since the topic of same-sex marriage was raised in the Senate on February 15, 2011. That discussion in the Upper House came during a debate on the Statutory Authorities Amendment Bill, as senators noted there was a need for discussion of same-sex marriage given that our country does not recognize even common law marriages of people of the same sex.

Gender Affairs Minister Mary King was quoted in a daily newspaper as saying, “The debate must start and we must ensure that debate is taken throughout the country and when the recommendations come in they will be taken to the Cabinet for decisions.”

The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) is happy the issue is being ventilated, but we are obliged to note that marriage is only one of several human rights currently denied to GLBT people in this country. As gender relations and human rights expert Diana Mahabir-Wyatt said in a Newsday article that week, “People should have the same rights under the law.” FPATT believes, as does its parent body the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), all people ought to have the right to express their sexuality without fear of oppression. FPATT President Dr Jacqueline Sharpe, in her portfolio as IPPF President, said in the foreword to the document Sexual Rights: An IPPF Declaration: “Sexuality is a natural and precious aspect of life, an essential and fundamental part of our humanity. For people to attain the highest standard of health, they must first be empowered to exercise choice in their sexual and reproductive lives; they must feel confident and safe in expressing their own sexual identity.

Sexual rights are a component of human rights, they are an evolving set of entitlements related to sexuality that contribute to the freedom, equality and dignity of all people, and they cannot be ignored.”

Cogent to the discussion is the danger GLBT people face daily in this country. Harassment, intimidation and physical violence are visited upon many individuals simply because of their real or suspected status as GLBT people. The recent horrifying murder of Ugandan GLBT activist David Kato in Africa occasioned a statement by a group of Caribbean sexual rights organisations, including FPATT, lamenting the killing and drawing a relationship between Africa and the Caribbean: “Were it not for advocacy late last year, 13 Caribbean countries would have allowed ‘sexual orientation’ to be removed from an international statement of commitment to protect persons from unlawful killing because of who they are. David’s death, following threats against his life, is a gripping reminder of the importance of those protections, and a sobering one of how much more work needs to be done to give people the right to freedom over their bodies in places like Africa and the Caribbean, where battles against slavery, colonialism, racism, apartheid, genocide, gender inequality and religious persecution ought to have taught us better lessons.”

David Kato was openly gay and targeted by the media, the church and the national community for his sexual orientation and his activism. The New York Times’ report of Kato’s killing said, in part, “‘David’s death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by US evangelicals in 2009,’ Val Kalende, the chairwoman of one of Uganda’s gay rights groups, said in a statement. ‘The Ugandan government and the so-called US evangelicals must take responsibility for David’s blood.’

“Ms Kalende was referring to visits in March 2009 by a group of American evangelicals, who held rallies and workshops in Uganda discussing how to turn gay people straight, how gay men sodomised teenage boys and how ‘the gay movement is an evil institution’ intended to ‘defeat the marriage-based society.’” The report notes that shortly after the evangelists’ visit, the Ugandan government drafted legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by death.

The report is chilling in itself, but becomes downright bloodcurdling when one considers that evangelists with the same mission have visited and continue to visit Trinidad and Tobago. There are four seminars planned for various venues here in March featuring Pastor Phillip Lee of His Way Out Ministries/ Exodus International, who will speak on the topics of coming out and homosexual conversion to heterosexuality. While anyone is entitled to believe in whatever religion they choose, and to have the full protection of the law in doing so, GLBT people do not enjoy the same rights in exercising their sexuality. Rather, their right to enjoy their human sexuality is constrained by laws that prohibit same-sex intercourse; people of the same sex in abusive domestic relationships are justifiably frightened to report the abuse to the police, for fear of harassment or intimidation; GLBT teens are too often targeted and attacked at school… the injustices and indignities are too many to list here.

The IPPF Declaration states in Article Ten:

“All persons have the right to effective, adequate, accessible and appropriate educative, legislative, judicial and other measures to ensure and demand that those who are duty-bound to uphold sexual rights are fully accountable to them. This includes the ability to monitor the implementation of sexual rights and to access remedies for violations of sexual rights, including access to full redress through restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, guarantee of non-repetition and any other means.”

Same-sex marriage is a worthy goal, but we have to agree with the Coalition for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, a local gay rights group and an FPATT ally, in saying, “The proposal is a distraction, Government clearly isn’t listening, and has its priorities on GLBT issues wrong.” We urge Government to pay heed to the GLBT community and act now to ensure the safety and security of all GLBT persons in this country, which is their right as human beings.

Contact the FPATT at executivedirector@ttfpa.org

ENDS

meanwhile see the recent CAISO video entries on the debate:

CAISO calls for equal rights - TV6 Morning edition, 21 February 2011 from CAISO on Vimeo.

Lesbian Identified Bisexual .........oh those labels

So the labels become more intertwined as we struggle to free ourselves while gaining recognition for who we are, a debate now rages in certain parts of the blogosphere and social network sites leaning towards bisexuals about the above captioned "label" which could be interpreted as a bisexual female who identifies as lesbian mostly to other lesbians or lgbt people probably our of fear or rejection or having to explain who she is to others who are strident in their own "gayness"

Some of the comments from the debate which I took the liberty of copying for this post suggest persons are confused or at best trying to come to terms with the description given that bisexuals get a bad rap already just from "invisibility" faced even while grouped under the LGBT rights/activism banner.

Some comments include:

"I know people who are "Straight-identified Bisexuals" and straight women who call themselves "Women-identified" and in many cases to make it clearer the phrase "Bi-identified LGBT Activist" is used. I guess it depends on the context and the intent."

"I see no problem with a lesbian-id'd or straight-id'd bisexual person. I think it's more forthright of a description, certainly is more detailed and honest, to me."

"I totally own this label, even though I am now married to a man. For me, it means that I am more into women and I identify a lot with lesbian culture."
" If someone is embarrassed about the state of the bisexual community then instead of hiding their personal identity they should help make it safer for people to identify as bi. The act of closeting one's identity reinforces the idea that on some level it really is something that ought to be hidden. This really is an area where, as a bisexual person, one is either part of the problem or part of the solution. I would venture that, proportionally, there are more closeted bi people than closeted lesbian, gay, or trans folks. When I came out it was partially a personal decision and partially a political one. In today's America, anyone's coming out is more or less the same in that way. There is a lot of internalized biphobia and it is related to, but distinct from, internalized homophobia. As a community internalized biphobia (as a separate issue from internalized homophobia) is something we need to be having a lot more conversations about"
"For what its worth-my own identification with the bisexual label, or any label I have chosen for myself over the years, has always made me look away from orientation and more towards one's character rather than their category. The label only tells a small part the story. Not necessarily a popular view but still unique for those who choose to look it at that way."

"they're calling themselves lesbian only to later come out bi in close personal conversations and request that it be kept secret."
"I know a couple of women who use this term to mean that they have had and would be open to future relationships/attractions towards men but they are primarily attracted to and date women. In fact, these 2 women, tend to use the term "lesbian identified bisexuals" when talking with bisexuals (I guess to denote where on the spectrum they fall). In mixed/un-known company, they use bisexual. I guess I'd have to evaluate the person using the title to know what they mean by using that term."

Sadly even in the gay community we give bisexuals a bad rap and many do fear coming out or disclosing that they prefer both sexes in fear of being vilified as confused or even described as nymphomaniac and unable to be satisfied as we gays cage them in our homo normative world.

As one comment above states we reinforce the biphobia and invisibility problem when we condemn our brothers and sisters who go both ways, another problem in the Jamaican GLBTQI advocacy context is that bisexuality is ever hardly discussed thus the advocates commit biphobia by default and thus our inability to handle even homophobic issues when all are tied together and then we wonder about the downlow?

Identifying as Bisexual, Fluid, Pansexual or Queer simply means that you were born with the capacity to be attracted to people regardless of someone's sexual or gender identity.

It does not define either one's lifestyle or sexual behavior. It does not mean you are promiscuous, a fence-sitter, a slut, a nympho, in the closet, unable to commit, trying to claim heterosexual privileges or whatever. Bisexual and pansexual people can monogamous or abstinent. They may have multiple sexual partners or be married/partnered for life. In other words, lives of bisexual/pansexual people are pretty much identical as those who identify as lesbian, straight or gay except that you have the capacity to like people of more than one gender.

Being bisexual/pansexual is part of who you are, of what makes you"uniquely you", but it does not dictate that you must then follow the crowd or what some people say about how "people like you" should live your life.

Many pansexual/bisexual people may have one committed relationship that lasts for decades while others may have many different kinds of relationships with different people. Some bisexual/pansexual people have no sexual relationships or they may have relationships with people of only one gender; yet, they still consider themselves to be bisexual/pansexual. On the other hand many people may have relationships with people of their own and the other gender, and yet they self-identify as Gay, Lesbian or Straight.

Also don't worry about not knowing for sure right away. Sexuality and self-knowledge develops over time, and you should feel no pressure to identify in any particular way to please other people. Follow your own heart, it all comes down to what makes you feel most comfortable and what you perceive yourself to be.

Coming to terms with your bisexuality can be difficult. However, lots of people have difficulty learning to like themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Some people also have difficulty understanding bisexuality, and some bisexual people may try to hide their bisexuality. In an effort to numb the effects of societal stigma, people may turn to drugs and alcohol and may even attempt suicide because their situation seems unbearable. However the vast majority of other bisexual people - just like you - lead successful, happy lives and you can too.

It helps to be informed and to know that you aren't alone. Read about bisexuality. Learn what it means to be bisexual. Make an effort to meet other bisexuals - they can be a valuable resource to build your self-confidence.

Just remember that there are lots bisexual people wherever you are. Sooner or later you will meet someone who feels some of the same things you do and has had similar experiences. Realizing that you are not the only bisexual person will make liking yourself a lot easier.

Peace and tolerance

H

(excerpts taken from BiNet USA) or here

Attacking Gender Based Violence

with Blakka Ellis

Yow my beloved peeps, tell me. What more can we do individually and collectively to help prevent all kinds of violence? And what do you really know, or how do you feel about the frighteningly increasing incidences of gender-based violence? Then tell me this, can a young woman 'man up?' Or can a young man actually be a feminist? Oh, and one last question: what exactly is a healthy relationship?

Is some very deep and serious questions dem deh, don't it? Yeah my peeps; and I definitely don't have any ready answers. But this coming week I'll be enjoying the pleasure and honour of being a co-host for what promises to be an exciting day-long event for school youths in Toronto. And that event will explore questions such as those and much more, in creative, participatory and fun ways. Mi cyaant wait!

Hear how di ting set. It's an International Women's Day Forum for young people aimed at generating discussions and advancing education to end gender-based violence and promote healthy relationships. It will be held at York University on Friday March 4, 2011 starting at 9am. The event is being organised by the 'BeLovEd' Movement under the theme 'be inspired, love yourself, educate others'. Mi love dat.

OK, so what's this movement? The Beloved movement is a stimulating campaign utilising workshops and arts-based ideas including posters, theatre and mural art, as well as radio and video public service announcements, to raise awareness and respond to the issue of gender-based violence.

sexual assault

And what motivated the movement? The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) released a school safety report called 'The Road to Health' in January 2008. And the report raised serious concern about the level of violence taking place within Toronto's high schools. The report found that sexual assault and sexual harassment are prevalent in Toronto schools, with 33 per cent of the students surveyed reporting that they have been a victim of sexual harassment in school over the past two years. The report also confirmed what many people suspected, that gender-based violence (GBV) occurs often and goes unreported. Sound like is Jamaica dem a talk bout eeh?

Well, the community responded! Yeah man, the Network of Community Based Organisations (NCBO) which is a body made up of community groups based in the Jane/Finch / Black Creek communities wanted to do more than we in Jamaica tend to do (you know, like releasing statements of condemnation and 'expressing concern' and dem boring ting deh!) They did a whole heap of stuff!

sobering findings

They sought to support a community, youth-driven response to the sobering findings. They hosted a series of community meetings with key stakeholders, identified key messages for the campaign and formed a working group. They secured funding and created a 'Strong Women, Strong Communities' mural project.

They organised community consultation sessions and commissioned work to local artists, conducted workshops with youth to develop PSAs, media advertisements, posters and other marketing tools. They established partnerships. And they organized International Women's Day Forums like the one I will participate in this week.

Alright, so why am I sharing all this? It's a really positive movement. And I want to invite my co-host, community health worker and Beloved organiser Lisa Brown to come do a similar beloved thing with me in Jamaica! Wha unnu say people?

box-mi-back@hotmail.com

Different world, Mr Gomes

In response to in essence a smoothly worded yet bigoted article that was published in the Observer written by Anthony Gomes entitled

The androgynous blurring of the sexes

this wonderful letter came from an obviously thinking individual.

First here is an excerpt of the article referred to as written by:

Anthony Gomes

"................The Roman Catholic religion states clearly thus: "The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptised people has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."

According to the Vatican: "The Catholic Church contests these revolutionary innovations which, in the name of freedom, seek to legitimise a union regarded by the universal consciousness as going against nature".

Apart from being in sync with the changing times, contemporary liberalism has gone beyond the realm of propriety in its expectations.

Pope Benedict XVI has issued a caution to deviants that the gender theory blurred the distinction between men and women and could thus lead to "self-destruction" of the human race.

"Saving humanity from homosexual and transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction. Rainforests deserve, yes our protection, but the human being does not deserve less."

see below as well for full post, he went on about procreation and other matters giving the impression that he was tolerant only to have the true colours coming out read this wonderful response to the article published on February 28th 2011 written by a fellow blogger and advocate in his own right.

Dear Editor,

I write with reference to the article on February 23, 2011 , "The androgynous blurring of the sexes" in which the author, Anthony Gomes, struggles with the concepts of sex and gender within the context of the modern social revolution and his own longing for traditional values to hold firm.

This article is the best example to my recollection of how easily bigotry is masked by piety. It demonstrates how the smiling cleric can despise your very essence, but still feel compelled to proselytise in order to capitalise on some holy coupon scheme - the pie in the sky, if you will.

As much as part of me sympathises with Gomes' longing for simpler times, I find he posits non-traditional expressions of sex and gender as inimical to the continuation of the human race. Therefore, halting them becomes not just an expression of personal displeasure but a moral obligation and act of survival. This is the great deception of fundamentalists the world over.

They like to depict some sort of Sexual Armageddon in a topsy-turvy future that will come to fruition if "traditional values" are not protected. This is achieved of course by keeping marriage a binary concept for the fertile and Christian, eliminating the fluidity of gender and sexuality responsible for the fall of the Roman Empire, and inculcating from an early age that non-conformity is a threat to civilisation.

I suppose God didn't create inter-sexed persons or trans-gendered individuals. That Lucifer fellow sure is crafty!
I wish Gomes well that he might realise his dream of a world more in keeping with his own values, and I hope to God that I don't have to live in it.

Brian-Paul N Welsh
brianpaul.welsh@gmail.com

In The Life: Our Bodies Our Rights

As we continue to watch happenings on the lgbt scenes up north here is this month's entry for the In The Life documentary series.

A disproportionate number of LGBT youth who go through the juvenile justice system end up encountering discrimination and abuse. IN THE LIFE features the stories of young people who share their journeys of going through ill equipped correctional institutions and the voices of advocates who are fighting for change. Followed by a look at the consequences youth face for not conforming to gender "appropriate" dress and behavior in their homes and schools.

Our Bodies, Our Rights

March 2011 (00:28:00)

Juvenile Injustice (00:15:22)

"When it was time to see the judge my aunt had the option of taking me back but she said, 'No, I don't want him.' I went back to my cell for another month."

-George del Rio

Policing Gender (00:08:38)

"Our schools need to be a place where people feel like they can thrive and be who they are and be their most successful version of themselves."

- Carson Kressley

You Are Not Alone

February 2011 (00:03:00)

"You should never be ashamed to be in love with somebody."

In The Life Media staff share their personal stories of hope for young queer viewers

Did Buju not know that loose lips sink ships? (Observer Column)

CHRIS BURNS

Source

For it is written among other things that "he that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction". Furthermore, "A nuh everything good fi eat, good fi talk". Even so, the verdict that was handed down by a federal jury in Florida last Tuesday, which found Mark "Buju Banton" Myrie guilty of three of four charges, elicited anguish and scepticism among his supporters across the world. Many were expecting a vastly different outcome. But alas, Buju was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence and using the wires to facilitate drug trafficking.

In reacting to the verdict, one of his fans quipped, "Yuh nuh si seh a pure Babylon tings a gwaan, my yute. Buju nuh deserve none o' dis yah wickedness. De man dem frame 'im, but Babylon kingdom is bound to fall." In his mind, Buju is a victim of an oppressive American justice system. But as alluring as his passionate outbursts were and as defiant as his gesticulative behaviour appeared, I did not join him in apportioning blame to any specific group for Buju's woes. And I am not about to hop on to the caravan of conspiracy theorists, whose purpose, it seems, is to downplay the merits of accepting personal responsibility and applying logics and common sense to our thoughts and actions.

None of this is to suggest that Buju's Boom-bye-bye utterances, or his staunch intolerance of homosexuals, did not bring greater scrutiny towards him, because we know that not all human actions are motivated by purist intentions and are above reproach. That notwithstanding, we should look at this case in view of the evidence presented, but also with full awareness of the doctrine of "opportunity and inclination" and the role this may have played in the minds of the jurors as they deliberated on the circumstances that caused Buju to "taste" that stuff in the warehouse. There is no need for malevolence from anyone. Like most of his fans, I would have preferred a different outcome. My heart and prayers go out to his parents, who must have been disheartened by this verdict.

These serious charges could cause Buju to spend a minimum of 15 years behind bars. Sentencing is yet to be handed down, so before we throw up our hands in complete despair, or fix our eyes on the southern stars of condemnation, we should be mindful of the fact that he has the right and the option to appeal this conviction. Furthermore, the sentencing judge may exercise some discretion when handing down his ruling. Perhaps Buju was being prescient about his own future when he said, it is Not an Easy Road, but let us hope that he doesn't face an extensive incarceration, should his appeal fall through. Let us look ahead to the promises of tomorrow, and because life's destiny is never clear-cut to anyone, one can only hope that hidden treasures will emerge from this ordeal.

At 37 years old, Buju is still relatively young, and despite this setback he can go on to lead a remarkable and transformational life, during and post-prison. He can continue to pen positive lyrics and use his voice to bring positive changes to millions around the world. Consequently, my consolation to Buju is deeply rooted in an idiom my late grandmother often shared with us. It is very much about loss and life, as it is about defeat and triumph. She reminded us constantly that, "Wha nuh cost life, nuh cost nutten". Implicit in this is a certain consciousness that the gift of life is supreme. For although one may lose everything, the fact that one can still breathe, see, hear, think, feel, create, touch and enjoy the splendours of God's creation should be enough to impel one to learn from the tragedies, mistakes and setbacks in one's life and make amends.

Therefore, the unfortunate circumstances of life ought not to become permanent walls of inaction and resignation. Once we become conscious of the character and flavour of our mistakes, accept responsibility and submit to atonement, we should then embark on a journey to fulsome redemption and reformation. In coming to grips with the misfortunes of life, we should also compel ourselves to evaluate the opportunity costs associated with the things we lose, the freedoms we abrogate - wittingly or unwittingly - and the pain we endure by not having them. But we should only do so with the view to motivate ourselves into taking full advantage of the new opportunities for positive change that lie within our grasp.

Truth is that none of us can claim perfection. Errors will be made, some more dastardly than others, yet we cannot play victim or dwell in the emptiness of self-pity or blame everybody else but ourselves for our failings. If there are lessons to be learnt from Buju's predicament, they should be how we control our tongues.Yes, we must place bridles on our tongues sometimes and become cognisant of the effect of unguarded talk, as it could come back to bite us in the softest places of the anatomy. Buju admitted this much during his testimony. He said, "I knew it (drug deal) was all talk for me because when I left Johnson's company, I say to myself 'idiot', I am not a drug dealer. I talk the talk, but I did not walk the walk..." Was it a good strategy to use "idle talk" as one of the bases for his defence?

I often wonder why almost all Jamaican jokes in circulation, particularly those on the internet, end with the Jamaican saying something downright stupid to expose one's own prior actions, often without solicitation. And although these jokes are meant to titillate, they reveal a serious reality about our loose lips. Could it be that we are so inherently honest or helplessly transparent, that we cannot keep a lid on our own tongues? We have a habit to "gwow" a lot without regard for socio-cultural repercussion, but as the frog says, "What is joke to you is death to me." Then, there is no stopping us, especially when we feel we have an opportunity to compete or impress - boy, we go to town without being mindful that "loose lips sink ships".

Burnscg@aol.com

The big debate - Mixed reactions to guilty verdict handed down to Buju

So the Star feature called Legal Wranglings took a look at the whole Buju affair and how the public is reacting to the whole thing

Reggae star Buju Banton outside the courtroom in Tampa, Florida. - Daraine Luton photo

Many persons were overheard expressing disappointment and shock at the guilty verdict handed down in the case against Jamaican reggae superstar Buju Banton whose real name is Mark Myrie.

"Lawd mi can't believe it," one woman wailed when she heard the news. "Dem really set him up," another woman shouted. A policeman in analysing the case said he was not shocked by the verdict.

"If Buju got away, it would just be pure luck or the jury felt sorry for him," the policeman said.

"People are saying all sorts of thing that is set them set up Buju, but to tell you the truth, is Buju set up himself," the police said, to some of his colleagues.

"Now, put yourself in Buju's position. He did not know the informant before and they began talking about music and other stuff. The topic reached drugs, particularly, cocaine. Now, if you, as Buju, even run up your mouth and say all sorts of things, when it comes down to the final analysis, how Buju come to be tasting cocaine in a warehouse in the United States? We are sorry for Buju, but we must be objective at the same time," the policeman said.

"You are right, we must look at the case in an objective way and put blame where it belongs", one of his colleagues said.

predicament

The truth is and most people might no like to hear the truth is that Buju put himself in his predicament. People have been blaming the informant, but, when Buju went to the warehouse and saw the cocaine, if he were not serious about the deal, he should have said he was only joking, he was not involved in drugs, then he could not be arrested and charged," the policeman emphasised.

A policeman who was at first expressing sympathy for Buju said he agreed Buju was to be blamed for the situation he was now in. He explained that Buju could not say the informant was telling lies when he said Buju tasted the cocaine because Buju was video-recorded tasting the cocaine and making comments and that was shown to the jury.

undercover policeman

"Now tell me, if someone asks me if I know where they can get ganja or cocaine to buy and I go around trying to assist the person to purchase the stuff and it turns out that the person I am assisting is an undercover policeman, then if I am arrested and charged it would be my fault.

In the first place, I know that buying cocaine or ganja and being in possession of them is a criminal offence so how could I go about assisting someone to get the stuff? he queried.

"All Buju had to do was to walk away when he saw the cocaine and say mister, I do not deal in drugs," the policeman said.

Although Buju is convicted and will face prison term, he has the right to appeal and many people are hoping he will be freed when he appeals.

meanwhile here is a short precise letter from the Jamaica Observer speaking to the hypocrisy of it all.

Hypocrisy about Buju

Dear Editor,

I cannot understand why so many people continue to display such blatant hypocrisy in their continued support for Buju. Most of those who support him continue to think that he was set up by certain interest groups. Few consider the possibility that he is actually guilty.

Many say that he was tricked into committing a crime. This is total rubbish. Buju himself admitted that he was stupid for allowing himself to get involved in this drug deal. Too bad for him - that is no excuse for committing a crime. Now he is going to do the time. What's wrong with that?

Unlike Jamaica, the American justice system, with all of its imperfections, does work. We need to grow up. Justice must be for all, including reggae stars like Buju.

Michael A Dingwall
Kingston
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

So it go

Peace and tolerance

H

Also see this post from Gay Jamaica Watch:

Barbara Gloudon: "It isn't the gays who've sent him to prison, despite all the Boom-Bye-Bye controversy. It wasn't because he's a black man from Ja"

Get the full 62 paged document or Buju Banton speaking to the then informant here: http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/PDFs/banton.pdf

Battle royal (Observer Letter)

So JFLAG has received some information finally on that awful incident in Montego Bay on February 20th where several cops descended on a entertainment spot while a session was in progress, check out the report as compiled on sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica on Wordpress where I took a more advocacy approach as many homeless and displaced persons were separated from the unofficial out of pocket program of crisis intervention shelter and food supplied to them from the management.

Big Blow For Homeless/Displaced MSMs In Western Jamaica …..

here is the letter from atty-at-law and activist Maurice Tomlinson on the issue:

Battle royal

Dear Editor,

Reports reaching J-FLAG are that just after midnight on February 20, four police pick-up trucks and a van normally used to transport prisoners swooped down on the only gay club along Montego Bay's tourist Hip-Strip. About 20 heavily armed officers jumped from the vehicles, kicked in doors, aggressively accosted patrons, indiscriminately beat and pistol-whipped them, and chased everyone from the venue.

During the operation, homophobic slurs were hurled and this seemed to have encouraged patrons of nearby clubs to join in the melee by throwing bottles, stones and other missiles as individuals fled for their lives. One patron described it as a mob scene, and another who asked an officer, "If this is how you as a law enforcement officer treat us, how do you expect other people to behave?" was rewarded with several kicks for his effrontery. He later took refuge for several hours in an abandoned building.

At least ten people are reported to have been treated at hospital for injuries received during the raid while others decided to nurse their wounds at home.

This latest attack follows a similar one in Kingston in early February when police without badges were reported to have raided a gay club in Half-Way-Tree, pointing guns at patrons and shining powerful flashlights in their faces. On neither occasion did officers disclose the purpose of the raids, but they clearly have one intent, namely to intimidate and remind lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Jamaicans that their kind are not welcome here and they certainly don't have the right to assemble and socialize peacefully.

Maurice Tomlinson

Montego Bay, St James

maurice_tomlinson@yahoo.com

Letter ENDS

Meanwhile here is an excerpt from the Wordpress edition:

"Several persons had to seek medical attention following the attack and up to the preparation of this post the owner/manager who was not present at the time of the assault was held from Sunday morning at the police station where he went to inquire what had happened, he is to go to court today to apply for bail on charges yet to be made public, apparently there are outstanding charges of other infractions before that were used to justify holding him overnight.

The club which opened it’s doors only in the latter part of 2010 was to serve western Jamaica as persons there felt they had to journey too far westwards to central Jamaica and Kingston to get to parties was home to very good events so far and female impersonation shows. According to my sources many of the displaced persons who were beaten and gun butted in some instances were forced into the path of members of the public who were nearby at an event on a parallel road, men reportedly joined in the assault alongside the cops, several of them sustained blows and one popular party person’s face was severely bashed. Fortunately there were some amongst the public who did not support the assault in this latest homophobic incident which has come as a shock to everyone even to the area police as they were aware of the spot they made frequent patrols and had an agreement of sorts with the owner/manager to operate within the confines of the law specifically closing time of 2am or 4am where an extension was sought as the club is not near any residences to breach the Noise Abatement Act, it is surmised the cops came from elsewhere."

By now many persons are aware that it is internal rivalry in the lgbt entertainment fraternity that has caused this particular problem sadly the letter didn't reflect that, recent checks via phone with some persons who were injured suggest they are recovering and some repairs have been effected to the property as the management still occupy the premises, investigations are proceeding with evidence being put together to include photos taken of the damage and injuries.

Please have the guys in your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and tolerance

H

The androgynous blurring of the sexes

Anthony Gomes

Source

THE Observer reported on the latest debasement of Christian marriage that should exist between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation. Motivation for the report was clearly notoriety and curiosity.The report described the civil union marriage of a 66-year-old ex-fireman with a Jamaican lesbian some 30 years his junior.
The blurring and confusion of the sexes occurred, because the ex-fireman, after previous sequential marriages to three wives, underwent an operation to change his sex from male to female, paid for by the British National Health Service. He has a 41-year-old daughter by an earlier marriage who has distanced herself from her father, unlike the former wife who generously hosted the recent wedding at her home in Kings Lyn in Britain. The couple met on an international dating website and after spending two weeks together decided to get married. Christians believe that such behaviour is morally reprehensible, which takes sexual blurring to a new level of notoriety.

POPE BENEDICT XVI... saving humanity from homosexual and transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction

The Roman Catholic religion states clearly thus: "The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptised people has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." According to the Vatican: "The Catholic Church contests these revolutionary innovations which, in the name of freedom, seek to legitimise a union regarded by the universal consciousness as going against nature". Apart from being in sync with the changing times, contemporary liberalism has gone beyond the realm of propriety in its expectations.
Pope Benedict XVI has issued a caution to deviants that the gender theory blurred the distinction between men and women and could thus lead to "self-destruction" of the human race. "Saving humanity from homosexual and transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction. Rainforests deserve, yes our protection, but the human being does not deserve less."

Over time there have been calls in Jamaica for the legalisation of polygamy so that husbands could, if able to afford it, acquire multiple wives, and polyandry where wives could have more than one husband. There are tribes in Africa that practise such multiple relationships. In such arrangements wives are graded senior and junior without age limits. Jamaica is already burdened with wayward husbands, companions and partners, who indulge in multiple relationships overt or covert, or both, so that the only wife who knows where her husband is all of the time is a widow!
So far there have not been any demands to introduce as acceptable, the "ultimate frolic" that goes by the name of polyamory that totally abandons any vestige of religion, and sometimes turns violent, resulting in gang rape. According to an article by attorney-at-law Shirley Richards, polyamory is defined as the "practice of relationships within groups of three or more people, where at least one person in the group has more than one intimate relationship at a time. Polyamory configurations also exist as groups, where all parties are intimate with each other, or as groups with four or more members". This pagan activity is the ultimate heathen abandonment without any trace of Christian virtue.

Freedom of the individual to alter his God-given human status by changing his sex from male to female by medical procedure overlooks that man is created in God's image, so such elected and selfishly motivated alterations are an affront to the work of a transcendent, intelligent and good Being called God. If the union, by some stretch of the imagination, is described as a same-sex marriage, it then becomes a relationship composed of incongruous elements, without the benefit of the ability to procreate. Therein lies the serious challenge to society that in some countries would approve child adoption for same-sex unions. Such a conjugal relationship destroys the family unit that is the foundation of society.

In all matters of same-sex relations the problem of children arises. It is near to inevitable that any child so adopted, would unavoidably be socialised into a similar lifestyle as their legal "parents/guardians" that eventually confers in adulthood the same homosexual legacy applied to the lifestyle of their "parents/guardians". This is, in essence, what Pope Benedict XVI's caution to deviants could mean regarding blurring of the sexes as the potential for self-destruction of the human race.
Within the super-developed nations of the Western Hemisphere as with all cyclical historical events, super-development is followed by the dissipation of moral and spiritual values similar to Greco/Roman times, with the ascendancy of materialism that spawns the related ills of greed, corruption and lawlessness. The symptoms of this development are evident in today's Western world that forms a main part of the worldwide threat to Christianity which increases daily.

The possible effect of events described above on young adults can be detrimental to their understanding of things related to life in the spirit and Christian values. Strong parental guidance and peer pressure are the two influences which come to bear at this critical juncture in the lives of minors. There are many deviant concepts of life in the public domain that need to be sifted out of the story of true-life values. It is not an easy task, but one that every parent needs to take very seriously in today's toxic moral environment.