St Kitts PM says same-sex debate goes beyond Parliament

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 14TH 2013 (CUOPM) – The introduction of legislation allowing same sex marriage in St. Kitts and Nevis is for national debate, especially among stakeholders and not just legislators.

“I believe the church will want to have its say upon this particular matter. I believe the various groups that are pursuing the human rights of people in a vigorous way in the fundamentals of what people can do or what people cannot do and also looking at what governments can do to lend support to the debate,” said Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in response to a caller during the weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister.”

“I believe it will generate quite a bit of national debate. I believe we would be guided not only with what is happening in North America and in Europe, but to some extent what have been cultural norms in our own Caribbean Society and in our own St. Kitts and Nevis society. This is a fundamental question I believe that will definitely need to be brought to national debate at some time, Dr. Douglas said.

The St. Kitts and Nevis leader has been one of the leading advocates in the Caribbean Region on the human rights of people, “especially those who are homosexuals, those who are gays, lesbians, I believe that they have a right.”

“In fact, because of my own position with regard to the leadership role that I play in advocacy with regard to HIV/AIDS and the fact that when a society continues to openly condemn those persons who are gays, lesbians and who therefore maybe driven underground and may not want to come into testing to know their status with regards to HIV; that is something that I condemn,” Dr. Douglas added.

He is of the view that the stigmatization and the discrimination against homosexuals, those persons who are sex workers are matters of human rights that have to be discussed in the open at some stage.

“As a country, we have been called upon to look at some of the existing laws that we have on our law books. The buggery law for example, we believe that the time has come for debate to take place in our country with regard to whether these laws which continue to perpetuate discrimination and stigmatization against certain people; whether this should not be brought to a debate for discussion so that a national position can be taken within the context of human rights and within the context of allowing people who may have the HIV Virus to come to the fore to get tested and thus receive the management, treatment and the care that is available to them,” Dr. Douglas told listeners.

Female cisgender imperative thwarted: 17y/o trans-woman murdered

Condolences to the family and friends of Dwayne, firstly;

IRIE FM reported on Monday the following:

Cross dressing teen killed by mob

A teenager was set upon by a mob and killed at a party in St. James overnight.

Reports are that between a 10:00 p-m and 3:00 this morning (July 22), there was river party being held in the Irwin community.

It's reported that the 17-year-old was dressed as a female and was dancing with a male, when a woman at the party recognized him and told other patrons that he was not a female, but a male.

It's understood that one of the men at the party, held on to the teen, searched him and discovered that he was in fact, male.

Some of the patrons reportedly set up on the teen, and chopped and stabbed him to death.

His body was then dumped in bushes along the Orange Main Road.

Police discovered the body about 5:00 this morning.

The police have said they will be increasing their presence in the Irwin community, as two brothers were also murdered there just over a week ago.

ENDS

JFLAG now jumps on it with the following:

Violence is an Affront to Democracy

J-FLAG is appealing to Jamaicans to be more respectful of persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) and encourages all persons to stand up for justice.

J-FLAG notes with deep concern the recent mob killing of Dwayne Jones, a teenager in St James who is gender non-conforming; the recent murder of two gay men at an anti-gay religious rally organized by a coalition of evangelical churches in Haiti; and the continued misuse of medical data by some members of the faith-based community to fuel anti-gay animus in society.

We send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the teenager who was slain as well as to our friends in Haiti. We call for a thorough investigation into the murder of the teenager in Montego Bay and hope that the family and loved ones of the slained teen will find the justice they deserve. We encourage persons in the Irwin community of St. James to support the police with any information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators .

It is time that these murders, beatings, and evictions are seen and treated as an affront to democracy, peace, justice, harmony, and freedom of our society.

Jamaica cannot become the place of choice to raise families if we continue killing our children, expelling our most productive, and perpetuating a divisive atmosphere through the skewing of objective truth to suit subjective prejudices.

In response to the mob killing of two gay men on the weekend, the Haitian Government issued a release which is most instructive to us in Jamaica: “The country is in effect at a stage where it needs the energies of all its citizens to undertake great and true battles: the battle against extreme poverty, against illiteracy, against hunger and malnutrition, against ignorance and intolerance. In such a context, tolerance, being a necessary virtue for the establishment of a just and democratic society, becomes a patriotic duty to the extent that a society that is not just cannot progress, and there can be no justice without tolerance.”

Tolerance underpins democracy. Tolerance protects justice. Tolerance promotes harmony.

Our National Anthem beseeches ‘true respect for all’ and our National Pledge urges us all to ‘stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace’.

J-FLAG therefore urges the government, churches, and other stakeholders to join with us in our ongoing commitment to be faithful to these principles for the future of our nation.

Editors Note:

“Gender non-conforming” refers to people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth (Silva Rivera Law Project).

ENDS

Also more dishonest reporting by overseas LGBT outfits that seem to want to capitalize on the homo-negaitve situation here by hopping on an old perception of Jamaica being the most homophobic place on earth as done by Queerty: Jamaica Still “Most Homophobic Place On Earth” As Cross-Dressing Teen “Chopped And Stabbed” To Death but I am not surprised as some of our advocates have prodded them to do so hence it continues.

Frankly speaking young cross dressers or indeed pre-operative transwomen in their quest for the female cisgender imperative to live their truths need to be careful of the spaces they choose to do so especially in Jamaica with a general population not yet educated or sensitized enough about such issues, if deception was the deal here where the deceased was with a man who did not know "she" was a cross dresser or pre-operative transwoman that perceived deception is used as justification to attack such persons. If the partner knew he could may have to pretend he didn't in order to avoid attack on himself as well as has happened before. Older cross dressers or pre-op transwomen know all too well this business of passing or operating in stealth and know how to do so based on experience, this young one was not so lucky.

This also shows the lack of interventions towards the groups of pre-opertaive trans and cross dressers and understanding how to use stealth or passing in a public place, there are consequences (sadly death) in this case, this is not the first time in Montego Bay there has been such an incident but we always have to wait until something goes horribly wrong then the knee-jerk reaction comes. 

To ask for the public here in this case the perpetrators to stop as such awful acts are indeed not needed without the necessary interventions towards the young transwomen and cross dressers about navigating public spaces presenting themselves as they see fit is ridiculous in my view. Taking it on a wing and a prayer and hoping that one survives in the end is not the way to go here; we must teach our younger peeps to pass easily in open spaces but be weary of enclosed spaces and events especially where one may be identifies easily by others who know such persons. We have too many examples of abuse, attacks and ghastly outcomes by attempts at passing in public spaces and places of entertainment; it is yet to be seen if proactivism and the relevant forumatic response towards younger pre-opertive transwomen and crossdressers/drag queens to avoid entertainment spots that one is not sure of and if one chooses to go to them they do so at their own risk.

One cannot be foolish and give away ones life so easily. Where are the older more experienced voices in this department to bring some enlightenment on this issue of feminine aesthetics in public? besides effeminacy in men is not proof of them being homosexual.

Justice Minister condemns killing of St James cross-dresser on  so late in the day Monday, July 29, 2013 

KINGSTON, Jamaica- Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding has condemns the brutal slaying of 17-year-old Dwayne Jones by a mob at a dance in St James on July 22.

"Given our country's history of brutality and the pluralistic nature of our society, all well-thinking Jamaicans must embrace the principle of respect for the basic human rights of all persons," Golding said.

"This principle requires tolerance towards minority groups, and non-violence in our dealings with those who manifest a lifestyle that differs from the majority of us".

It was reported that Jones was beaten to death by the mob after it was discovered that he was dancing with a man while wearing women's clothing.

"Depraved acts of violence against individuals such as Dwayne Jones have to cease. The police must spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice, so that any persons who may be inclined to indulge in such vile brutality will know that they cannot do so with impunity," the Justice Minister added.

The United Nations Jamaica Office issued a statement:

UN Jamaica Statement on the Murder of Dwayne Jones

The United Nations in Jamaica condemns the brutal murder of 17-year-old Dwayne Jones by patrons gathered at a dance party in St. James in the early hours of 22 July 2013.

Dwayne was reportedly chased and attacked by a crowd of assailants after it became known that he was male and dressed in women’s clothing.

We welcome the statement issued by the Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, denouncing the killing and calling on the police to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The Government should ensure that the investigation proceeds without delay and is conducted in an independent and thorough manner. Those responsible for this heinous crime must be held to account for their actions.

Dwayne Jones is, sadly, only the latest in a long line of individuals in Jamaica assaulted and killed apparently because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Tolerance, acceptance of diversity and respect for others are all underpinnings of any free and equal society. They are also essential for everyone to enjoy their human rights on an equal footing. The need to ensure human rights for all and to respect the principles of non-discrimination, including for people belonging to sexual minorities has been consistently underscored by the United Nations Secretary General.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has launched the Free & Equal campaign designed to raise awareness of homophobic violence and discrimination, and promote greater respect for the rights of for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.

Here is the last video of Dwayne Jones aka Gully Queen inadvertently done by a television crew when they came across the homeless youths at an abandoned housing scheme in Western Jamaica, little did we know in death he would make such international headlines. He was laid to rest on August 25, 2013. May his soul rest in peace

Peace and tolerance

UPDATE July 2014:

One year review television special

A recent television special one year since the murder shows up the carelessness frankly of Gully Queen herself and friends that faithful night but who is going to say it openly? that in a sense she gave her own life away in a sense as they clearly thought they understood how to "pass" in public which clearly they didn't. See that documentary HERE or HERE ........ Host Dionne Jackson Miller takes a look at the issues of the murder of Dwayne Jones aka Gully Queen one year ago and some other related issues to do with homelessness, displacements and forced evictions of LGBT youths with guests, issues to do with passing in public, honesty & integrity about one's real gender scream for attention in this presentation which warrants better programs from LGBTQ advocacies & interventions specific to transgender individuals navigating public life in Jamaica as misdirected homophobic violence can lead to more incidents such as the tragic murder of Gully Queen,

H

'Don't come back here' - Maxfield residents warn gay man after publicized eviction (Star News)

Sadly as we watch with sadness the plight of our homeless brothers (and sisters in transwomanhood) play out before our eyes for over four years with very little care from the more well to do amongst us, what hypocrisy that we are asking the nation for tolerance towards homosexuals but fail to demonstrably show it with the least amongst us that it has to reach this stage. Let us not forget it was August last year we saw a similar eviction on Cargill Avenue as well but first here is the Star News Account of the happenings within the last two days and my comments and links to other blog posts on the subject matter.

The house from where the gay men were evicted on Millsborough Avenue, St Andrew, being demolished yesterday. - Norman Grindley

Residents of a Maxfield Avenue community and relatives of a self-professed gay man who appeared in a newscast during an eviction on Wednesday say he is no longer welcomed in the area where he grew up.

The residents are adamant that it will be "hell and powder house" if he is seen anywhere near the place he once called home. They say he has brought disgrace and condemnation on the community.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the Kingston 13 community yesterday, the major talking point was Wednesday evening's operation by the security forces to evict a group of approximately 16 gay men from a property on Millsborough Avenue, upper St Andrew.

"Bout him a tell people say a Maxfield him come from and him can't go back home ... Bout him name 'Rihanna' and sometime dem call him 'Ginger'. Him better find some weh go, not even him family dem want it back round ya, him bait up di place," one resident said. "A garrison this enuh and dem ting deh jus' a hold down the community ... "

similar sentiments

THE WEEKEND STAR was told also that a crowd had converged after the showing of the local news, and everyone shared similar sentiments about their resentment for 'Rihanna' coming back there.

A woman said: "That not right fi him come back here because we don't support dem lifestyle deh. I have my little son living here and I don't want him to grow up thinking it's ok for boys to behave in that manner".

It was revealed that Rihanna's father is a well known community figure serving time in prison, but who disapproves of his son's homosexual lifestyle.

"Him fada deh a prison how long and send message to him say when him come out what and what him ago do to him and him mek back talk say him fada can't do him nothing and anything a anything if a gunshot a gunshot," a source said.

Rihanna is heavily bleached and dressed in a pair of black fishnet stockings. He wore false eyelashes and was clad in a woman's wig. He told reporters that his cover was blown unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, the abandoned house in the upscale community which was being occupied by the men was demolished yesterday.

ENDS

More on video:

more on Gay Jamaica Watch (subject to updates)

Kingston’s Homeless MSM challenges scream for proper attention

The Public’s separation of homo-negativity and homeless LGBT welfare issues

Anal sex does not complete us as male homosexuals

After hearing of my premature demise on Facebook by someone who started a rumour that I was deceased by drowning when in fact it was someone else and my apparent lack of status messages/posts updates for some days after made busy doing some work out of town and also tracking the eviction of the homeless men from the Millsborough house in Barbican this time around in recent days I had to listen to a stupid discussion on a radio show on one of those new radio stations that are popping up on the Jamaican radio frequencies in recent times. I may have to send an edited version of this post to the station in question; I doubt they would respond as usual when other stations are contacted from previous similar rhetoric by their respective hosts and programmes. The topic I eventually surmised was about homosexuality in Jamaica as I missed the introduction but some stupid questions were asked by the hosts who clearly were ignorant to the facts of the legal challenges now in sway and that in fact homosexuality is not illegal but an aspect of sexual play as practiced by most men who engage in penetrative activity otherwise called buggery; although there are some men who do not always engage in such sexual play or even find same repulsive believe it or not yet everyone else readily associates anal sex with male homosexuality right off the bat, in fact it is not the way we have sex only that determines our orientation so the notion that lesbians and gays ate about sex twenty for seven is a foolish one or that we are more oversexed that anyone else. If the questions posed were really a genuine search for truth or enlightenment I would not have needed to write this entry but clearly the effort by the hosts was to set up the scenario so to later on present their ignorance and hate masked as something else.

Different relationship types of course will have differing ways of sexual expression; take for example more exploitive gay hook-ups that are purely physical (including substitutional sex in prisons or similar institutions or behavioural bisexuality which are for the most part outside of the realm of sexual abuse although aspects of them may be found in individual cases) those hook-ups usually have no emotional connection between the parties so it amounts to animalistic release or pure eroticism where in some instances there is a reward at the end or not as in the case of an outdoor cruiser or just a man looking for a one night stand. Same sex urges are usually felt way before the actual settling into ones comfort zone sexually speaking where practices are perfected based on ones likes or dislikes or situation at the given time; a married man for example who had to marry into a hetero-normative relationship construct to deflect scrutiny from his family or friends or for upward social mobility is not going to necessarily have a full same sexed romantic liaison outside of his marriage as that may cause problems with his straight spouse especially owing to the fact that he will not disclose unless some extra ordinary event that exposes such hidden information which calls into question trust, deception and reasons for the cover up. Persons are surprised at times to find that there are monogamous unions lasting for years in some cases which are stable and fulfilling for the parties involved the converse is true that there are promiscuous homosexuals but that does not exclude that promiscuity is present in heterosexual relations as well or some persons have convenient amnesia when critiquing perceived aspects of homosexual life due to their limited scope.

Sexual orientation is where it all starts usually from as early as aged four or five prior to acting on urges but when one hears some of the garbage coming from uninformed radio talk show hosts who because they have a microphone misuse such privileges and play to the ignorance by reinforcing falsehoods and misnomers. It would have done the hosts last night on that show to also have on the panel a member of the LGBT community to dispel some of the speculation of such oriented persons but nooooooo it is easier to continue to perpetuate the misnomers as it sends radio ratings and listenership up and sadly many in the modern world of information at our fingertips still subscribe to the homo-negative constructs. The fallacy as perpetrated by American groups such as NARTH were used in the radio show which postured that gay persons for example lack a father figure hence their desire to have same sex relations to compensate for that loss or correspondingly that lesbians also lack such father figure so they make up for it by wearing men’s clothes; I cannot believe that in our modern world persons still subscribe to this belief then what would explain the more feminine sisters who are same gender lovers? As if those persons who displays non typical gender expression are abnormal or are out to get everyone else who are supposedly “normal” into some loop.

There are those also who are very circumspect about their sex lives and by extension partners and have deeper non sexual intimate connections with other same gender lovers prior to any full commitment sexually or otherwise yet the veracious sexual appetite is the overarching belief that we are about just by virtue of the fact of being gay. We hear that same belief coming through repeatedly from the anti gay religious right movement when they describe their opposition to the “gay lifestyle” yet they stay clear of using or recognising sexual orientation as their claim is there is no definitive evidence that homosexuality is innate; with side lining sexual orientation they feel justified in applying the homo-paedophile construct to male homosexuality so as to push the protection of the vulnerable imperative, such protections are indeed needed but not at the expense of hatred towards a group that they and others do not understand. LGBT people are not just about sex and how we have it especially transgender folk who in some cases are asexual (not interested in sexual contact or arousal) or demisxeual (sexual arousal comes after prolonged social contact with another party) Transgender persons are not comfortable with their biological sex versus their brain sex in other words they feel they are born in the wrong body hence sexual interest can be impaired for some persons who are so disposed as they have a hard time living their own truth. The continued conflation of same gender sex and abuse is also a major factor that has led to the hardened positions by some religious anti gay voices but it is worth repeating sexual abuse is abuse and the perceived orientation of the perpetrator is immaterial as any adult who has any form of sexual attraction to a children or prepubescent persons that attraction is a diagnosable disorder, homosexuality on the other hand is not a disorder and cannot be diagnosed or treated as such. Homosexuality was long removed from the diagnostic criteria for sexual disorders way back in 1973 yet if we follow some of these religious psychologists and anti gay voices they want to overlook the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM which delineates the criteria for such disorders and how they ought to be addressed.

The recent episode of misinformation gone un-rebutted as has happened repeatedly over the years shows that the public education campaigns from a LGBT standpoint are woefully lacking and need urgent sprucing up but where are the corresponding changes from the lobby to meet the changing issues over the years and the leadership to guide such is the fundamental question to ask; given the times we are in with legal challenges, high visibility of advocates one would have thought that the corresponding informative campaigns would flow but such is the limp wristedness that continues hence the unneeded heat that can be tempered with strategic informational materials.

We are professionals, your brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, uncles, daughters, aunts, fathers, mothers and cousins plus extended family in other arrangement how we have sex though an integral piece of the legal aspects of the struggle that in decriminalizing buggery and consent tiered with privacy that is not only what we are about, problem is too that the lobby over years have not highlighted the humanistic side of LGBT life and more so narrowed the agitation to anal sex/buggery law repeal or decriminalization and by extension HIV prevention in the men who have sex with men category especially hence the perception in some sense that it is a gay disease hence the disease control prevention imperative by the anti gay groups and voices in a kind of provision of ammunition for their opposition. The holistic presentation of LGBT people has to be the centrepiece of the thrust not just from individual voices which is good but that does not show a true picture of the mix of persons that exist under the LGBT umbrella. Persons need to stop seeing us as how we have sex but appreciate that we are persons too and the only difference is orientation, besides why should how persons choose to express themselves sexually in a private space bother anyone?

Homosexuality – a biological reality

Homo (negativity) phobia – a learned vice

Peace and tolerance

H

More forced evictions reported for 2013

With regret I find myself having to pen another post on matters such as these the trouble is often times when scenarios are presented to me or other influentials in the community circle they are hard to verify especially given the mobility issues attached and the refusal at times also by the alleged victims involved to either formally report their cases to the relevant authorities or discuss their challenges with someone towards some networking or solution somehow or provide proof that what has been reported is actually so. The under reporting of such matters creates the impression that there are lesser incidents occurring in the end which may lead to a false sense of security yet older more experienced parties and advocates indeed community influentials know that when there is high visibility of LGBT matters or the agitation strategy becomes more aggressive there is usually a corresponding spike in the homo-negative and homophobic cases on the ground and that includes same gender loving women facing previously lesser backlash then doing meeting those. The other side of under reporting is the same gender loving female challenge where women especially those who face sexual assault or corrective rape (several of those this year thus far) deliberate under reporting is needed in some sense as the sensitivities involved with the clients a public report or blog entry too close to the time of the trauma may be deemed inappropriate and a victim may also see such report and relive the ghastly episode mentally all over again so care must be taken in sharing such data and the timing in such. But under reporting from a client perspective due to mistrust of the systems involved and a male dominated advocacy where abused women do not necessarily want to retell their story to a man.

With the increase mobilizing efforts of the sections of the anti gay religious communities in response to several legal challenges in the courts pending and the messages of martyrdom as if those are to somehow scare the agitators into silence secular or non Christian populations have been also taking the Leviticus line of course in their condemnatory biblical wisdom to pass judgements on suspected LGBT persons, what is also becoming apparent is the class divide that the homo-negative streak is taking one such forced eviction matter was brought to my attention via Facebook in a detailed account by a young man whose family is quite well off but his father suddenly decided to take an investigative approach towards his son’s apparent lack of a female romantic interest and his mode of dress as well. Aesthetic components as markers seem to be making a comeback despite the “metrosexual revolution” as seen in masculine dress as the taboos once so rigidly enforced were broken down, case in point sagging or pants at the hips complete with boxers or buttocks exposed and what appearing to be unisexual shirts and T-shirts. So despite all those general changes and a relaxation of taboos persons are still being judged by certain markers as part and parcel for justification for stigma and discrimination.

What does this reflect?

I think that the false sense of tolerance we have aided and abetted by studies endorsed by LGBT groups is in some way a misnomer, on one hand we have some tolerance in terms of visibility and more affluent individuals being open and coming out thanks especially to social media and exposure sometimes in real time to matters surrounding LGBT life but on the other hand pressure is still being brought to bear on some LGBTians not so fortunate to be insulated by class and privilege, that does not exclude such persons however to be victims of stigma as well but it tends to present itself in loss of material wealth, standing and privileges seeing those are the markers for acceptance and supposed love. For instance a forced eviction scenario maybe limited to boundaries set on a property or the family home, removal from a will, reduced trust fund or other financial instruments by one or both parents or family members, subtle ostracism in the home which can have disastrous consequences psychologically. Those not so harsh in their initial feel when enacted can be most egregious for the parties involved and hence reports of attempted suicides (wrist slitting or pill overdose) depression and so on come through. Others are fortunate to migrate to other lands.

Do not for one minute feel all is well the problem is the under reporting either from embarrassment, shock and or helplessness and ignorance to the few avenues available for redress.

The conditional tolerance that abounds is only such until some public matter stir up emotions and that hidden, suppressed or buried homophobic or homo-negative construct is stoked and reawakened from the subconscious by the campaigns or public discourse on the matter of homosexuality or as in recent times the possible repeal of the buggery law. Homosexuals especially men have been viewed as weak, unable to defend themselves thus are a point of least resistance in society hence we are prime targets for abuse and stigma and despite high visibility of certain types of more privileged homosexuals the abuse and perceptions seem intact none the less added to that is the already negative conclusion that it is some privileged homosexuals who are operating on a predatory construct in a supposed bid to recruit or change others including prepubescent individuals in what seems the never ending conflation between same gender sex and abuse; the paedophile problem.

St Catherine my resident parish has been seeing a such a spike and my ability to get direct information is easier as my proximity to some of them reveals at least three such forced evictions have been confirmed thought it took some time and digging to find and contact the parties involved, thanks to the crisis intervention interviewing skills perfected over some years myself and others are able to at least talk to some of the these victims and if at least offer some words of encouragement. A suspected lesbian was given the boot by her relatives in a not so hostile manner as has happened with others but she has an ultimatum to meet and is considering her options. There has been some profiling taking place with her siblings as they would repeatedly question her mode of dress and style (tattoos and piercings) and her apparent lack of a regular male partner, heated arguments over time and a tense situation developing has climaxed in the ultimatum given to separate from her long time family home.

Another forced eviction report that has been confirmed occurred in March of this year where a man who also resides in the family home which is usual these days so as to save money and consolidate household expenses was also asked by his parents to leave similarly to the aforementioned case he too was profiled for some time, the constant questions and curiosity about the missing female life partner among other things has led to the call for the separation. In this case I was able to glean that the whole public campaign on tolerance and so on has been used against him as one of the tag lines in the argument that gays are becoming too brazen or open in their assertion of themselves and ideas to that effect.

What is uncertain is if these displacements may eventually go on to homelessness for the persons involved and as those numbers increase disturbingly nationally and no serious sustained response at this time what are such displacees to go or do in the meantime? It was some time ago for example that a tabloid newspaper carried an eviction story thankfully devoid of the usually sensationalistic style of writing where a more humanitarian look was given to the circumstance.

This just gives us an idea of some of the challenges persons face across the island that self identify as LGBT. What about the umpteen other similar cases that go unheard of or unreported and those lives involved?

A lot to ponder on

Peace and tolerance

H

Difference Between Bi-sexual and Pan sexual

There is some overlap when defining bisexual and pansexual orientation; however, there are important differences between the two identities.

Bisexual people are attracted sexually and romantically to both males and females, and are capable of engaging in sensual relationships with either sex. Despite being able to form meaningful, lasting relationships with both sexes, bisexual individuals may, to a small or large degree, have a preference for one sex over the other.

Similarly, pansexual people may be sexually attracted to individuals who identify as male or female; however, they may also be attracted to those who identify as intersex, third-gender, androgynous, transsexual, or the many other sexual and gender identities. The latter distinction is what draws the line between pansexuality and bisexuality.

People who self-identify as pansexual do so with purpose, to express that they are able to be attracted to various gender and sexual identities, whether they fall within the gender binary or not. Recognition of the existence of different genders and sexualities is a major aspect of pansexual identity. Pansexual people are bisexual, in-fact; however, bisexuality does not place the same emphasis on sexual and gender identity awareness, but more simply indicates attraction to the two (generally accepted) biological sexes.

The differences between the two sexual identities are undermined by the fact that some people who consider themselves pansexual identify themselves as bisexual out of convenience, as it’s a more widely known sexual identity. In addition, some people who consider themselves bisexual may be open to dating someone who falls outside the gender binary.

Self-perception, rather than objective sexuality, determines which sexual identity an individual chooses to embrace. Simply being attracted to both biological sexes does not mean one considers oneself bisexual. In fact, many people at one time or another will have some romantic or sexual experience or feelings toward each sex, though, most would not embrace the bisexual label. 

Similarly, being attracted to people who embrace varied identities does not mean that individual will identify as pansexual. There are few organizations which are geared solely for those who identify as pansexual, and many bisexual organizations include alternative identities such as: pansexual, omnisexual, multisexual, and other non-monosexualities, so representation and visibility likely also play a part in how people choose to self-identify.

There is some controversy over the two labels, as some in the bisexual community feel as though the pansexual label is a form of bisexual erasure and that the bisexual identity is already inclusive of those who have an attraction to those who fall anywhere along the gender continuum and outside of it. There is a feeling that pansexual people are simply avoiding the bisexual label due to the stigmas associated with it (that bisexual people are simply greedy and promiscuous, and spread disease among both the heterosexual and homosexual communities). Conversely, many in the pansexual community feel as though these beliefs are forms of prejudice and pansexual erasure.

Not only those who identify as biologically male or female identify as bisexual, the gender identities of people who use and feel comfortable with this label vary. 

The pansexual label; however, is more accommodating for those, regardless of their own gender identity, who sometimes do not fit neatly into the male or female genders, for example, when people who are engaged in a homosexual or heterosexual relationship and their partner transitions from male-to-female or female-to-male. 

Although, some choose to take on change their sexual identity according to the gender to which their partner has transitioned, an increasing number have chosen to self-label as pansexual, queer, or one of the other non-monosexual identities. The pansexual identity is much more accommodating to the coupling of individuals who embrace various sexual and gender identities.

Many people strongly identify as either bisexual or pansexual, and never use the labels interchangeably. Each community is represented by its own flag, set of colors, and general ideologies. The bisexual pride flag is striped with the colors royal blue, magenta, and lavender, representing same gender attraction, opposite gender attraction, and attraction to both genders, respectively. The pan-sexual flag is striped with the rose, blue, and gold, representing the female gender, male gender, and third-gender, respectively. 

The third-gender includes those who are intersex, genderqueer, transsexual, androgynous, and other who identify as being both genders. Each flag is representative of the overarching ideologies underlying the bisexual and pansexual identities, with bisexuality indicating the capacity to be sexually attracted to and engage romantic relationships with both sexes/genders, and pansexuality indicating the ability to have romantic attractions and relationships with people of various genders and sexualities.
Bisexual is being sexually attracted to both genders, male and female, while pansexual is being capable of having romantic feelings and attraction to males, females, and third gendered individuals.

Bisexual identity more so establishes attraction to both genders, whereas pansexual identity more so recognizes the existence of other genders (third genders) and the capacity to be sexually attracted to individuals identifying as these various genders.

The bisexual and pansexual communities have their own flags, colors, and ideologies.

Pansexual identity is more accommodating for individuals who engage in relationships with people of varying genders and sexualities.

Peace and tolerance

H

What goes on in the minds of the overly religious?

Sometimes I wonder what goes on in the minds of some overly religious people. Do their minds function like regular people or having been addled by the constant bombardment of religious drivel, it functions like that of a person flirting with insanity?

I don't say this to be unkind, it's what I honestly feel because I find that the greater the religious indoctrination, the lesser the ability to reason rationally. Take for example, that Pat Robertson guy on television. The things that come of out his mind sometimes make me wonder if he should be locked away in a padded cell somewhere.

Closer to home there are columnists and men of the cloth who believe that legislation currently before Parliament - the anti-buggery law, legislation of abortion and the seven-day flexi-week - are signs of an all-out attack against the Church. For an organisation that is rapidly losing relevance in today's society, who really needs to attack the Church?

The Church gets all riled up over issues that don't concern them - what happens in the bedrooms of consenting adults and what a woman chooses to do with her body. And what exactly does giving someone the option of working longer hours over a longer period of time have to do with Church?

And why has the Church been silent on those pastors who want to have their way with the women in their congregations?

The Church has become irrelevant primarily because of its inability to make an impact on a society where people are fed up of the rhetoric; the fire and brimstone and the ever-returning Kingdom of the Lord, not to mention its constant thirst for money and its frightening silence on serious issues that affect people in the communities in which they operate.

For example, people are being beheaded left, right and centre in Jamaica. The economic situation has many Jamaicans terrified of what the future holds as the dollar continues to slide and jobs are hard to come by. But the Church gets all riled up over gay issues and casinos. You want to see the Church excited, mention homosexuality or gambling and what happens next is like watching piranhas in a feeding frenzy.

Part of the problem is that the Church has become as polarising a force when they should be a force for understanding and healing. The recent gay marches are an example of that. I don't pretend to be knowledgeable of anything biblical but I am sure that if Jesus was alive today to see how churches are against gays he would go nuts.

The Church should be teaching us how to get along even though we disagree on these social issues, teaching us tolerance, teaching us how to care for our neighbours, but it chooses to teach hatred and segregation and encourages this society to discriminate against people who are different, just because they are different.

That to me is counter to what anything that Jesus would have taught back when he was here on earth more than 2000 years ago. If anyone is on the attack, it's the Church that is.

The flexi-week thing is just ridiculous. What, are people only allowed to worship on a specific day? What is the Church saying that if you are a Christian and get on your knees each night to pray and worship, that doesn't count? What if you choose to do your worshipping at night, now that you have more time as you don't have to work eight hours a day five days a week? Doesn't that count?

I mean, I often wonder if many of these religious types really think about the message they are sending to people out there. Madness doesn't attract people, it scares people and that is why the Church struggles to get people.

Send comments to levyl1@hotmail.com

ENDS

Meanwhile in case you missed it

Photo not included in original piece, see more here: 

Betty Ann Blaine’s arrant nonsense request of Peter King Tapes

Scottish Trans and Intersex people no longer must divorce before legally transitioning .............

In the same week as the 35th anniversary of the rainbow flag, stonewall riots 44th anniversary, the US Supreme Court strike down of DOMA, Australia's passage of a Intersex inclusive bill (1st ever) comes news for the transgender community in Scotland.

Scottish transgender people who wished to change gender markers legally were first required to divorce and resubmit a application for a civil partnership which was reserved for same sex couples. This process was stressful, costly and time consuming.

Under the new The Equal Marriage Bill, to be published today transgender people wishing legal gender recognition will no longer be forced to divorce first, however if a trans person wishes to divorce a interim certificate would be issued during the process. The full Gender Recognition Certificate(GRC) will not be issued until the divorce process is complete unnecessarily delaying transition.

The Scottish Transgender Org. posted to facebook voicing their objection to Gay Star News misquoting them about the bill writing "We have NOT "applauded the bill for being tight and clearer" and have asked Gay Star News to remove that erroneous line. 

The Alliance commented almost immediately "Gay Star News have just apologized to us and confirmed they will correct the article. Gay Star News has always made some erroneous lines in their rush to report and ingratiate themselves in the LGBT news business. They did so with the homeless MSM issue here in Jamaica aided and abetted by local voices 

some time ago and after several concerns expressed the article remains up to date. Other advocates and voices worldwide have been expressing some concerns about the efficacy of the GSN see more HERE for that, in the meantime

The article now reads:

Nathan Gale, a Development Worker for STA, said: ‘We are delighted that the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill has been launched today.

‘We are particularly pleased that transsexual people will no longer be forced to divorce in order to have their gender legally recognized.

‘There are some outstanding issues for transgender people which we will continue to press with the Scottish Parliament and Government. But this is a substantial step towards equal marriage rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.’

According to the Scottish Transgender org mailer:

What the bill means for married transgender people where they and their spouse wish to continue their marriage:

• An application to the gender recognition panel is made

o To confirm that the couple wish to remain married, a statutory declaration will be submitted by the trans person’s spouse stating that they consent to the marriage continuing after gender recognition

• If the application is successful a full Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) will be issued

• The Gender Recognition Panel will send a copy of the GRC to the Registrar General for Scotland

• Regulations will be made by the Registrar General for issuing a suitable additional revised marriage certificate to the couple (showing new name and gender)

What the bill means for married transgender people where either/both they and/or their spouse do not wish to continue their marriage:

• An application to the gender recognition panel is made without any statutory declaration from the spouse

• If the application is successful an interim Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) will be issued

• Either the transgender person or their spouse can initiate divorce using the interim GRC

• Once the divorce is completed the interim GRC is replaced with a full GRC

We are concerned that this process could lead to unreasonable delay in the granting of a full GRC if the spouse is uncooperative and seeks to delay the divorce process.

We will be pushing to prevent such unreasonable delays being possible.

What the bill means for civil partnered transgender people:

There will be two recognition routes for civil partnered transgender people to select from.

First option:

• An application is made to the panel and an interim gender recognition certificate is issued

• The couple either change their civil partnership into a marriage or dissolve their civil partnership

• The interim gender recognition certificate will be replaced with a full GRC

Thanks also to planet transgender for the heads up.

J-FLAG finally shows open Support for the Constitutional Challenge to Buggery Law by Javed Jaghai

Why oh why has it taken so long for JFLAG to respond to repeated calls from frustrated community influentials to show their open support for the challenge by their own Education Officer Javed Jaghai is a mystery to us all objective thinkers but here comes a press release from them, too little too late if you ask me as it looks as if it is Javed and his team on his own doing this. It is unbelievable the step-n-fetch it modus operandi of JFLAG they always seem to be catching up with the rest of the community. 

Word of this case and that of Mr Tomlinson's tolerance ad matter have been in the public domain forever and it is now that JFLAG finally comes with a release, where is the leadership and taking the reigns? The limp-wristedness continues it seems. The release read as follows:

J-FLAG Supports Constitutional Challenge to Buggery Law

J-FLAG supports the constitutional challenge to the ‘buggery law’ by our Education & Outreach Officer, Javed Jaghai.

As Executive Director, I accompanied Javed to court on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 in order to get a first-hand account of the proceedings and also to explore the possibility for J-FLAG to formally join the proceedings in this landmark constitutional challenge. We will soon update you on the progress of this endeavour.

We were advised by our legal representative that the Chambers of Justice Carol Edwards would be too small to accommodate all interested parties and their lawyers, and as such we should try to limit the numbers of our supporters. This turned out to be true, and we had to move to a court room in order to accommodate the almost two dozen lawyers, including three Queens Counsels, and their clients.

The outside of the Supreme Court was full of media personnel who were eager for coverage of Javed and his team as they entered and exited the court. There was also a small but vocal group of women who expressed their opposition to any changes being made to the buggery law.

At last count there are eleven (11) interested parties opposing the claim who will be joining the Attorney General who represents the Government of Jamaica in constitutional matters such as this.

To this date they are:

1. Lawyers Christian Fellowship (LCF)

2. Hear the Children’s Cry (Betty-Ann Blaine)

3. Citizens for Truth and Justice (Catholics)

4. Love March Movement

5. Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS)

6. Jamaica Association of Evangelicals

7. Ethiopian Orthodox Church

8. Independent Churches (Bishop Adegold)

9. Holiness Christian Church

10. Christian Brethren Assemblies of Jamaica

11. Church of God in Jamaica.

Note: The Marcus Garvey Movement has applied to be joined as well but that application has not yet been served.

Lead Attorney for the claimant, Maurice Tomlinson, agreed that the groups should be allowed to join in the matter since the case is of national importance and therefore all views should contend.

Essentially, Justice Edwards collapsed a number of the groups into one and called them ‘The Church’. Only LCF, JCHS and Hear the Children’s Cry will be heard separately.

The content of Javed’s affidavit was brought into question as aspects were said to be hearsay and were therefore deemed offensive to the rules of evidence. The judge requested that the affidavit be amended to remove the offending parts and re-submitted to the court by Friday July 5, 2013 . Another 3-hour case management session has been set for Friday October 4, 2013 to address the substantive administrative matters regarding the proceedings.

This is an exciting time for J-FLAG and the Jamaican Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) community in general as this case seeks to determine that the retention of the anti-buggery law in its current form is a contravention of our constitutional rights to privacy and equality before the law. The buggery law criminalizes certain sexual acts of consenting adults in private and this is something that J-FLAG and many of its partners in civil society finds to be an injustice and offensive to the concept of social equality.

We look forward to the resumption of this case and by our participation we expect to make an important contribution to the improvement of the quality of citizenship and life of LGBT Jamaicans.

ENDS

meanwhile here is the ED on radio last evening, an interview I missed with the new President of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship

The Rainbow Flag is 35 today

A milestone indeed for the symbol of LGBT prowess worldwide.

The rainbow flag, sometimes LGBT pride flag or gay pride flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride and LGBT social movements in use since the 1970s. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community, and the flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride in LGBT rights marches. It originated in California, but is now used worldwide.

Designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, the design has undergone several revisions to first remove then re-add colors due to widely available fabrics. As of 2008, the most common variant consists of six stripes, with the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The flag is commonly flown horizontally, with the red stripe on top, as it would be in a natural rainbow.

The original gay-pride flag flew in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. It has been suggested that Baker was inspired by Judy Garland's singing "Over the Rainbow" and the Stonewall riots that happened a few days after her death. The flag also strongly resembles the ribbon colors of the WWI Victory Medal, though no connection is evidenced. Another suggestion for how the rainbow flag originated is that at college campuses during the 1960s, some people demonstrated for world peace by carrying a Flag of the Races (also called the Flag of the Human Race) with five horizontal stripes (from top to bottom they were red, black, brown, yellow, and white). Gilbert Baker is said to have gotten the idea for the rainbow flag from this flag in borrowing it from the Hippie movement of that time largely influenced by pioneering homosexual activist Allen Ginsberg. The flag consisted of eight stripes; Baker assigned specific meaning to each of the colors:

hot pink: sexuality

red: life

orange: healing

yellow: sunlight

green: nature

turquoise: magic/art

indigo/blue: serenity/harmony

violet: spirit

Thirty volunteers hand-dyed and stitched the first two flags for the parade.

Original eight-stripe version designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978

Version with hot pink removed due to fabric unavailability
(1978–79)

Six-color version popular since 1979. Indigo changed to royal blue.

After the November 27, 1978, assassination of openly gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk, demand for the rainbow flag greatly increased. To meet demand, the Paramount Flag Company began selling a version of the flag using stock rainbow fabric consisting of seven stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and violet. As Baker ramped up production of his version of the flag, he too dropped the hot pink stripe because of the unavailability of hot-pink fabric. Also, San Francisco-based Paramount Flag Co. began selling a surplus stock of Rainbow Girls flags from its retail store on the southwest corner of Polk and Post, at which Gilbert Baker was an employee.

In 1979 the flag was modified again. When hung vertically from the lamp posts of San Francisco's Market Street, the center stripe was obscured by the post itself. Changing the flag design to one with an even number of stripes was the easiest way to rectify this, so the turquoise stripe was dropped, which resulted in a six stripe version of the flag — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

In 1989, the rainbow flag came to nationwide attention in the United States after John Stout sued his landlords and won when they attempted to prohibit him from displaying the flag from his West Hollywood, California, apartment balcony

For the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1994, flag creator Baker was commissioned to create the world's largest rainbow flag. It took months of planning and teams of volunteers to coordinate every aspect. The flag utilized the basic six colors and measured thirty feet wide. Foot-wide sections of the flag were given to individual sponsors as part of a fundraiser for the Stonewall anniversary event once the event had ended. Afterwards additional large sections of the flag were sent with activists and they were used in pride parades and LGBT marches worldwide. The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed it as the world's largest flag.

In 2003 Baker was again commissioned to produce a giant flag. In this case it marked the 25th anniversary of the flag itself. Dubbed "25 Rainbow Sea to Sea" the project entailed Baker again working with teams of volunteers but this flag utilized the original eight colors and measured a mile-and-a-quarter (2 km) across Key West, Florida from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast Sea. The flag was again cut up afterward, and sections sent to over a hundred cities worldwide.

Variations

Many variations of the rainbow flag have been used. Some of the more common ones include the Greek letter lambda (lower case) in white in the middle of the flag and a pink triangle or black triangle in the upper left corner. Other colors have been added, such as a black stripe symbolizing those community members lost to AIDS. The rainbow colors have also often been used in gay alterations of national and regional flags, replacing for example the red and white stripes of the flag of the United States. In 2007, the Pride Family Flag was introduced at the Houston, Texas pride parade.

In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, AIDS activists designed a "Victory over AIDS" flag consisting of the standard six-stripe rainbow flag with a black stripe across the bottom. Leonard Matlovich, himself dying of AIDS-related illness, suggested that upon a cure for AIDS being discovered, the black stripes be removed from the flags and burned.

Other countries' LGBT communities too have adopted the rainbow flag. South Africa with one of the most liberal constitutions in the world, has recently adopted The LGBT flag of South Africa at one of the world's biggest costume parties the Mother City Queer Project 2010 to a crowd of 10 000 party goers. The creator Eugene Brockman said "the flag honors every Gay Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender person as they make the Rainbow Nation dazzle".

Scenes from anti gay Lovemarch at Heroes Circle

It seems the Lovemarch edition of today's planned anti gay/pro buggery review public event brought out a small crowd at Heroes Circle in capital city Kingston, I was expecting far bigger numbers given how the events this and other in Montego Bay for 6pm were touted and the amount of free air time they got via interviews and talk show attention.

.... so they want to keep the buggery law? ..... so men can remain down low in the church and hide to regularise themselves I suppose. They want to continue police the use of my anatomy in a private space at that and with consent I am still being cock blocked, sheesh.

They want the buggery review to go on not be stopped as their message and that of others before the announcement from government that it is coming soon

A poor attempt as masking their real goal here which is the buggery law's retention yet barely looking at the real societal ills of the day that are far more egregious and visible, they were silent for example when four young girls were murdered in 48 hours at different points on the island.

In 2012 when a pregnant woman was shot by a male police man in Portland not a word came from them or the other anti gay groups out and about today but they are loud when it comes to homosexuality. 

How selective on the things of private matters between consenting adults but numb on the gruesome atrocities right before our eyes everyday. Oh yea hypocrites

Crowd looks rather small I was expecting more persons or are the public too caught up in their own personal issues to be bothered with this?

Is it that persons feel the buggery review is a done deal or it will be at least decriminalized at best repealed?

A prominent attorney-at-law is urging that the conscience vote for the review of the law be done with the views of the members of the constituency taken into consideration, rather than the vote solely being made by the parliamentarians.

Shirley Richards of the anti gay parent group to Lovemarch wants the voting to be done with the views of the constituency and that these votes should be made public.

"They (parliamentarians) shouldn't be voting on their own conscience. They are representing the people. We want to know how the representatives in parliament vote on this issue. The people should know how their representatives vote," she said.

Referendum

Another legal luminary, Bert Samuels, explained that it certainly will be interesting to see how the parliamentarians vote on this issue. He also said that having a referendum on this matter would represent the highest form of democracy.

"I think there will be a toss-up between fundamentalist Christian values on one side and the liberals on another. Having a referendum on this matter would display the highest form of democracy," he said.

Seventh Day Adventists absent from both marches?

So it seems as The Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDAC), Jamaica's largest single denominational group will not be participating in the anti-gay peace march that the partnership prayer ministry — Prayer 2000 as reported by perpetual post a SDA linked blog. Nigel Coke, Communications Director for the Jamaica Union of Seventh-Day Adventists, told Perceptual Post that the church was not consulted on the matter hence they will not be participating.

In October of 2012, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church reaffirmed its stance against members of the LGBT community, but also softened the denomination’s position statement to offer compassion toward gays and lesbians.

The Church's Official Statement on Homosexuals states that "Jesus affirmed the dignity of all human beings and reached out compassionately to persons and families suffering the consequences of sin. He offered caring ministry and words of solace to struggling people, while differentiating His love for sinners from His clear teaching about sinful practices. As His disciples, Seventh-day Adventists endeavor to follow the Lord’s instruction and example, living a life of Christ-like compassion and faithfulness."

Here is one of their leaders Daniel Thomas with some appeal to pray:

photos courtesy of Kaneal Gayle on Twitter

Splintering in the church camp regarding this issue or the usual territorial-ism between denominations where some feel they are too good to do certain things or it is beneath them to be seen in certain activities? let me play devil's advocate here; was the SDA not asked due to the perception that there are many down low members in that section of religiosity?

Much to come as this plays out I can assure you.

meanwhile downlow activity in the church revealed as an usher is booted following some hanky panky. According to a tabloid paper, strange these stories are suddenly making their way out now:

A male usher from a Clarendon church was fired from his job and booted from the church recently, after he was reportedly caught having sex with another man at his work place, THE STAR understands.

The usher was fired more than two weeks ago but was unceremoniously dismissed from the church two Sundays ago, after turning up for divine worship.

Reports reaching THE STAR are that the usher, who also sings on the choir, joined the church two years ago from another congregation, some of whose members had suspected him of having homosexual tendencies.

He was reportedly caught by his boss recently with one of his co-workers having sex in a bathroom.

It was learnt that his boss made an alarm and other workers in the establishment decided that they were not going to work with both men again, as they felt uncomfortable having them around. This forced their boss to dismiss the two with immediate effect.

THE STAR understands that the boss got word to the leadership of the church informing them of the homosexual act, as well as informing them that he was fired. Word is that the usher turned up for ushering duties on Sunday but was told not to work as his service was no longer required.

It is also learnt that a church members meeting was called and a letter was read out to the usher informing him of the report from his boss and that he was no longer a member of the congregation, as no one with homosexual tendencies can be allowed to be a member of the church.

Word has since spread in the community where the church is located that the former usher was sent packing from the church because of his homosexual act.

ENDS

Yet these same churches by their actions would want us to believe that are infallible. Below see TVJ's coverage of the Montego Bay leg of the anti gay marches:

Now this?!

Betty Ann Blaine’s arrant nonsense request of Peter King's Alleged Sex Tapes (the murdered gay Ambassador)

also see: Shame On Church - Clergyman Charges Christians To Focus On Serious Crimes, Not Anti-Gay Protest
Peace and tolerance 

H