On female masturbation as natural

Prepared by Dr Shelly Ann Weeks

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

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

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

She is lonely and no one wants her

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

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

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

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

Her partner is not satisfying her properly

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

It's nasty

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

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

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

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

Government Prepares To Tackle Transgender, Other Sexuality Concerns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PANEL DISCUSSION

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

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

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

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

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

SHOWING RESPECT

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

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

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

ENDS

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

Previous announcements of aspirations that have not materialized:

Government of Jamaica Committed to the Eradication of Gender Based Violence 

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

Peace & tolerance

H

Transgender Plea For Rights in Bahamas

Got this sent to me on Facebook recently on the Bahamas Trans developments:

Source: Tribune 242

Tori Culmer, right, speaking at the Transgender and Inter Sex Community press conference at the British Colonial Hilton. Also pictured is, left, Alexus D’Marco and Phylicity Smith. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By RICARDO WELLS

BAHAMAS Transgender, Intersex United (BTIU) yesterday launched its multi-level equality campaign, “Bahamian Trans Lives Matter”, which seeks to secure equal rights for transgendered Bahamians as the debate about the upcoming gender equality referendum continues.

During a press conference at the Hilton on Tuesday, BTIU representatives called on the Christie administration to ensure that the fundamental rights of all genders of Bahamians - male, female and transgendered - are protected. However, the group stressed that it is not trying to shift the focus of the gender equality referendum.

The group is calling for equal access to healthcare, education and employment without discrimination.

Lead spokesperson for the group, Alexus D’Marco affirmed that members of BTIU, and to a greater extent those in the wider lesbian, bi-sexual, gay and transgender (LBGT) community, are forced to live in unwarranted circumstances due to the confines of socially accepted behaviours in The Bahamas.

According to the self-proclaimed “first lady” of the LGBT community, scores of transgendered and intersex men and women are being discriminated on their jobs, in schools and in other social groupings because of this “well-endorsed” stigma.

“The conversation needed to come about, because discrimination (exists) on all levels. If we are talking about equality we have to go across the board for all Bahamians,” Ms D’Marco said.

“The word equal, that’s the key word. Why are you going to discriminate against one set of people and another set of people get all the privileges? That’s discrimination. I am glad the topic (of the) referendum and all of that has come about because we live in ‘la la land’ in this country. Unless we come forward as humans and Bahamians and stand up for our own rights, things will (never) begin to move forward and change.”

Ms D’Marco labelled those opposing the rights and privileges of transgender and intersex Bahamians as modern-day oppressors.

She said naysayers are opting to hide behind outdated research, refusing to acknowledge transgender and intersex for what it is – a medical condition and not as a sexual orientation.

“Just how they can pick up their collegiate math books and biological books, they can pick up and study (transgender). But, we want to live in ‘la la land’ and keep oppressing people, keep oppressing Bahamians when equality should be across the board,” she said.

Ms D’Marco said the group now has the moral support and backing to come forward and demand what it rightfully deserves - “equality.”

Question four of the upcoming referendum will ask voters to eliminate discrimination based on sex in the Constitution by inserting the word “sex” into Article 26.

Those opposing the bill think that this could one day lead to same-sex marriages, but the government has denied this as a possibility and stressed that the focus is solely on gender equality.

Addressing this particular point, BTIU representatives said they aren’t looking to shift the focus of the equality bills, but they want to use the national conversation on equality to be all encompassing.

BTIU stressed that there are no laws to protect transgender and intersex Bahamians.

Rights

Torri Culmer, a member of the BTIU who is advocating for legal protection for transgender and intersex persons against being terminated from their jobs, stressed that her story proves that the rights of these persons aren’t respected in the Bahamas.

Currently unemployed, Ms Culmer said she was fired from at least four jobs in recent years after it was discovered that she was a transgender woman.

She admitted that when she applied for those jobs, she would do so using her female persona with only her passport and other identification documents indicating that she was born a male.

According to her, there were no issues with these jobs until co-workers or customers that had prior knowledge of her transgender state made a point of it.

“(Employers) find it easier to just let me go, to let a transgender woman go,” she stated.

Furthermore, BTIU lodged concerns for its fastest growing age group - trans youth.

BTIU representatives said trans youth are subjected to bullying in schools and often given religious conversion counseling instead of psychological services specific to transgender and intersex people.

Felicity “Peaches” Smith, an 18-year-old transgender youth, said once she and those around her identified her feminine preferences were not a phase, she was ostracised and ridiculed instead of supported.

Ms Smith said she was run out of high school in the 11th grade.

“I didn’t have anybody to talk to just because of who I (am).

“At the end of the day, no matter who I am, I should not be discriminated (against),” she said.

BTIU contend that youth, once pushed out by family members, are left without homes and unable to finish school.

Officials said these kids often take to street cultures for protection and guidance; and therefore, are preyed upon by older men in both the homosexual and heterosexual communities.

Additionally, the group indicated that access to proper medical care is limited, with many doctors encouraging transgender and intersex people to travel abroad to receive needed medical care.

“There are some things that we need that doctors find themselves discriminating against,” stated Ms D’Marco. “For example, there was one transgender girl, who when another issue going on with her, they asked what medications are you on and she said hormones . . . the doctor looked at her and said ‘What? Who gives you that here?’

“These are the types of things that they face here in this country when they go to the doctor. Everyone can’t afford to hop on a flight to Miami. There are things in the public service sector that we need - healthcare, education and equality,” she added.

LGBT rights advocate Erin Greene said BTIU members should have the right to voice their concerns within the confines of democracy.

“It is very important that other Bahamians, (those) that do not identify with this community take the time to assess what their responsibilities are to this vulnerable minority in the country,” she said.

Ms Greene called on Bahamians to engage the LGBT community respectfully as the matters related to the constitutional referendum play out.

Hey gays! Women matter too!

I had to laugh then feel some pity for some when I saw an article (as re-captioned) from the Gleaner’s In Focus April 24, 2016 and my subsequent entry on his previous piece the Sunday before. The implacable opponents to change continue to respond as expected, Dr Orville Higgins stroke again and he enjoys the thrill as it gets callers to the RJR hotline show he hosts; he insisted on calling those who don’t agree with him as ‘gay bigots’ but I am not surprised as he has been one of those voices who live on the perception of Jamaica being (mis)labelled as the most homophobic thanks to a Time Magazine article; albeit the title of the article was a question and not a statement of fact. 

It is not surprising his ankhs on anything to do with homosexuality. He also chose again as he did last week to use his voice via radio on his show on RJR’s hotline to push the ridiculous position he has taken on women being left out or made invisible towards LGBT rights. There has been a wave of fear-mongering and praying on the public’s ignorance in recent weeks since the JLP has come to office as all kinds of antigay voices crawl out of the woodwork and Dr Higgins is no exception. Then again on our side the mishandling of matters on several fronts in advocacy has left all kinds of negative perceptions of dishonesty which feeds into such opinions formed by Taylor et al.

here is the article in question:

Two bona fide friends read the string of comments after my column, as well as the 'Gay for a day' article by gay-rights advocate Maurice Tomlinson. Of course, the learned attorney, without reading my column, was accusing me of saying being gay was a choice and other unfounded criticisms. Indeed, some of the he-mails bordered on his-teria.

Still, whatever great pains they took to sit on the hard facts, the gay bigots seemed to have forgotten that I was looking on the study that was commissioned by their advocate organisation, J-FLAG.

Nonetheless, I tried long and hard to understand what was 'homophobic' about anyone saying that they were repugned by two men having intimate contact or two women doing same. Not to mention the petty grade-schoolgirl name-calling which cluttered my mailbox afterwards.

Yet, eliciting a second opinion from my aforementioned friends, I canvassed their views, along with others. Much to my surprise, they were even more strident than I am about how repugnant male-male intimacy was. In fact, in a study I am currently undertaking, it was quite a revelation. And herein lies the surprise. My two friends, who use words like 'disgust', 'repulsive' and 'sickening', are female and gay.

Yes, a very large number of gay females just cannot bear the thought of sex involving men. Expressed succinctly by a dear friend of mine, who rolls in the grass at the cheap androcentric attempts to label dislike as hate and homophobia, she declared, "If I cannot stand the idea of a penis involved in sex, how in hell am I going to enjoy or like seeing two?"

Tomlinson, by his own admission, stated that he never liked the idea of heterosexual sex. Therefore, during his brief excursion into male-female wedlock, in order to successfully make love to his wife, he "had to fantasise about men". Is he, therefore, a heterophobe? Does he want to carry out acts of violence against straight couples and want them to disappear off the earth? Does it imply that he wants the legislature to outlaw sex between men and women? I think not. Dislike and hatred are not the same, and that is the main point of my last week's article; and he should have read it.

As regards the fight against HIV/AIDS, I wonder just how committed the 'penilecentric' and 'anuphile' gay advocates are to the protection of the majority of their community. Yes, another inconvenient fact: there are more females than men in this society and the USA, and bet your bottom dollar that there are more gay females than men who have sex with men (MSM) in Jamaica.

Never mind Diana King's shameless attempt to exaggerate and blatantly lie that this society vilifies rapists and abusers of children less than homosexuals. While her revelation about her sexuality did not create the impact and widespread attention that she might have hoped, this utterance barely had an impact on anyone but a Shy Guy. Just check what happens to rapists and paedophiles in prison, and ask the gay prisoners who run large parts of the correctional institutions if I am wrong.

RIDICULOUS

Why is it that female-female sexuality is so unimportant to the male gay voices? In the national database on HIV/AIDS, the data are not collected or presented to reflect transmission among lesbians. This is true for the statistics in the USA and even UNAIDS. It is only now that a small subgroup within Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) is attempting to gather information, more than 30 years since the virus was first detected in Jamaica.

And as ridiculous as this might sound to the 'gay-from-birth theorists/activists', there are indeed some women who thought that they were gay while in boarding school and college. Some are bisexual and some have, in a manner of speaking, turned their backs on their gay past.

Another subgroup of women (and some men too) engage in transactional sex. Called female sex workers by UNAIDS but judgementally labelled 'prostitutes' by the USA and 'promiscuophobic' Jamaicans, these vulnerable women are a high-risk group.

First of all, being women, they are more prone to being victims of violence. Second, because of the lower status of women, they are less able to negotiate the terms of their sexual engagement, inside and outside of their consensual sexual unions.

Third, their vulnerability adds the risk of human trafficking - a big problem in the USA and a noticeable one in Jamaica.

Finally, perhaps men, who might never have experienced the dynamics of sex with women and natural lubrication, are ignorant, or don't care, that copious amounts of potentially virulent body fluids get produced by aroused females. As a matter of fact, female sex workers also complain of harassment and extortion by a small group of corrupt cops, and other human-rights abuses.

Yet, with sheer hypocrisy and selfishness, male gay advocates argue that the illegality of anal sex (with men and women, too, by the way), or buggery, prevents them from telling their constituents, 'don't bend for a friend without rubber on the end'.

However, hardly anyone, in seeking to protect 'at-risk' groups, seems to think that decriminalising prostitution, which includes women going to other women on 'Back Road', in massage parlours and strip clubs, is as big a deal. I might have only passed through the law school a few times, but the infinitesimal big of law I know tells me that if telling MSMs to 'rubber up' is aiding and abetting the commission of a crime, condom-ing a prostitute is also condoning her crime.

By the way, is anyone following the war in the USA regarding the right of transgender people to use bathrooms of whichever sex/gender they identify with? As horrific as it might be that a man with a functional penis, but dressed as a woman, is using the bathroom with your 10-year-old daughter, can you imagine a female transitioning to male but with an intact vagina surrounded by a bathroom full of 'rusty-back', horny men at a stage show?

I end with the gay for a day challenge, which I graciously decline, because once you go back, you can't turn back.

- Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in sociology at the UWI, a radio talk-show host, and author of 'Broken Promises, Hearts and Pockets'. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and tayloronblackline@hotmail.com.

While I agree in part that LGBT/HIV advocacy on a whole has certainly left out same gender sex practicing females out of the data collection, programs development and so on Dr Higgins a Sociologist I might add seems to forget that the epidemic hit men first and more dangerously than females but in the same breath more women seem to be testing positive based on the figures we have seen. And that women who have sex with women, WSW are at lesser risk than males who engage in unprotected anal sex. Then to try to use the abhorrence by same gender loving women towards anal sex between men to justify the rift in his eyes is downright dishonest and shows us the measure of the man we are dealing with. I am on record on this blog and elsewhere as to overlooking of same gender women in HIV prevention but not for superfluous reasons as Dr Higgins seems to be doing.

Want more dishonesty the old argument of gay advocates in HIV work claiming they cannot tell gays to use condoms is so dead it shows how behind Dr Higgins is or purports to be in order to give credence to his argument. Then why would there be an adjustment to the push from a full repeal to an amendment while stressing consent? Oh boi. Then he tries to put Diana King’s coming out as public relations tool to gain popularity while overlooking the hypocrisy she was trying to highlight recently with her twitter blast on paedophiles and child abusers.

Yet this is the man who is lecturing to University students who are to become future leaders, intellectual ghetto-ing indeed, Wilmot Perkins was right years ago when he warned us about some of these people with titles but cannot think to save their own skins.

Peace & tolerance

H

IPV with sexual assault; a potent mix

April is observed as Sexual Assault Awareness Month on this blog and in the US and the stories and issues come flying out it is unbelievable at times. Been a little busy as of late with workshops and such and some upcoming changes that directly impacts my operations but here we go; a Facebook group discussion for example brought front and center the issues to do with intimate partner violence wrapped up in misogynistic attitudes but displayed by same gender loving female partners. The issue of butch identified women who seem to adopt assigned male attitudes negative towards women in terms of belittling them, making demands of them sexual which are to be met, power differentials that play out in rigid incorporation of hetero-normative role playing (demanding man versus submissive woman) while buying into gangsterism as defining misogyny.

The recent standoff at a popular strip club between two women I witnessed and the almost boxing ring-like cheering by other men who saw the fracas as an exciting event complete with blow by blow shouts and learned commentary to boot; that incident alone in my mind denotes the challenges and the obvious need for self expression but masculine acting women feel in order to validate their masculinity act like, adopt or project strength via bravado as in the case of marginalized men in Jamaica. This is in the context as well of recent discussions locally and internationally on non binary persons and the changing expressions out there other than the standard LGBTQ and I.

Confirmed and unconfirmed reports still abound and a recent case involving the police sites the challenges that continue to occur.

Sex on demand whether one consents or not

Then there is ‘as you see me give me’ mantra as supported by popular music and indirectly legitimises sexual assault if ever so tendentiously; a woman or even men who are seen as weaker in gay liaisons is obligated in the minds of more aggressive types and there must be no resistance to same. Co-dependencies in liaisons also plays a role I have seen over the years, one party maybe unemployed or lesser powered and is cohabiting with another who is financially stable but sexually starved or preoccupied and seeks to fulfill such needs and tension in a union of sorts. The reciprocal need to please or satisfy the other while supposedly not ruffling feathers causes all other kinds of challenges as well. So because the lesser powered individual is under ‘my roof’ that individual is obligated to open their legs in order to remain in the home if not it’s the highway and this kind of arrangement tends to pop up in so called couch surfing assistance for forcibly evicted or displaced persons who seek or get help under the guise of genuine assistance. This kind of assault issues are not limited to lower-socio economic classes as time has shown that many cases go unreported and often is spoken of (the ones that do get released) years after the fact when persons have moved on and feel more comfortable when there is a feeling that their already lessened powered position won’t be further threatened.

Ignorance plays a role as well on the part of the impacted individual as they may not be able to pick up the signs of a grooming preparatory phase before the onslaught or demands for sex without getting the required consent. Now we hear the education minister raising figures of abuse from the Office of the Children’s Registry, OCR and CISOCA from 2007 to 2015 as 16,000 plus such cases but he never said how many were solved versus unsolved. Why are seeing this scourge becoming such a rampant feature?

Despite campaigns, interventions millions of dollars spent and grants disbursed the situation seems unmoved if not unsolved by such attempts. As visibility of LGBT life continues especially since 2012 on social media and such the issues that were once either hidden or under-reported and still are to a certain extent (I have no doubt) those attendant matters come forth. Is the oppressed while changing its position to holding some power adopting the elements of the oppressor? A recent radio discussion looked at the chicken and egg situation regarding dancehall music for example and whether the influences can be tagged there; but dancehall is merely mimicking life I say on the other hand, subject matter from the genre or out of it don’t just fall from the sky I imagine.

Matters of self worth, self esteem and so on has a lot to do with it my experience has taught me, if one is not confident in who one is then there are close links to the aforementioned co-dependencies which suggests changes in systems in education, raising of children, behaviour change (ongoing but seem ineffective) and mindset change first and foremost, but where is one to begin? With the obvious backwardness as displayed recently at the anti gay group Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society JCHS of so called concerns on sex education in schools and a call for a kind of purging of same albeit in an information age then it is no wonder some of our challenges continue; thinking hiding information from minds when said info is a literal finger swipe away on a device (maybe the JCHS may want to censor the internet later) then they are fools frankly.

Where are these voices like JCHS when the very sexual assault and related fears turns up in churches of all places or carried out by pastors on church sisters and the age old issue of clerical abuse via priests? Then comes the rubbish frankly by Dr Wayne West chief protagonist of JCHS that “I don’t want to peep in your bedroom” claiming that the fight is not about consenting adults, then if it is not about peeping into bedrooms so to speak and the false dichotomy about freedom of speech then where else would buggery be mainly committed by said consenting adults?

It is this backwardness and supposedly protecting children in a misguided attempted to purify minds that have kept many in ignorance and hence the sometimes ridiculous debates, accusations and counter accusations of sexualizing children. Does not this same group really sit down and listen to the dancehall lyrics that play on open radio every day? The very violence, sexualization and such are promulgated by the very religious right groups on some moral quest yet find it convenient to deliberately continue to conflates abuse with same gender sex in the continuous efforts to ‘other’ those who are not as they are. With pressures such as this from fanatics and a unaturalizing of same gender loving relations then it is no wonder to me that to gain some legitimacy by adopting negative constructs seen as acceptable elsewhere.

More anon.

Peace & tolerance

H

Schoolgirl booted for taking same sex kiss with another girl, ignorant school officials ......

A ST JAMES schoolgirl who was photographed kissing another female cannot be sanctioned for her actions, the school's principal has said. Apparently it was a joke but also a dare to show she is secure about where she is going, if not experimentation. Teenagers often experiment with same gender sexualised behaviour of some sort and then move on as they age. 

the related photo

A photo has been circulating on social media which shows the girl, in school uniform, lip-locked with another female, who was in casual clothes.

The principal told THE STAR that any student found guilty of bringing the school's image into disrepute could be suspended. He, however, said that the uniformed female in the photograph was no longer a student at the school which he heads. He said the child left the school more than a year ago, but did not state the circumstances of her leaving. So if it is not disciplinary reasons or poor academic performance that caused her expulsion from the school then we can safely say it was because of misplaced homophobia, indeed lesbophobia then.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education told The STAR that its policy has always been that "we do not condone or promote sexual activity among adolescents, whether the behaviour is of a homosexual or heterosexual nature". A kiss is seen as 'sexual activity' by the Ministry! this just shows the phobia inside that organization as the experimentation bit in my opening suggests; a kiss does not neccesarily needs to full on sex gay or not. But I am not surprised as the minister himself has expressed said fears of 'grooming' and other such nonsense.

"Through the Health and Family Life Education Curriculum and guidance programmes, abstinence from all forms of sexual activity is emphasized," the ministry said.

The ministry said that adolescents found engaging in sexual activity should be referred to the relevant guidance counsellor for further guidance and counselling and external referral, where necessary. Problem is these sessions have a reparative ambit as opposed to a delay or abstinence thrust as if to 'change' the students from exploring or growing into their sexuality.

"Where these issues are identified in schools, targeted interventions are also implemented to address the issue of the inappropriate sexual behaviour," the ministry said. Just because of a kiss! the most that should have happened here is warning to her not to go so public as there maybe legal implications; as well as abstinence messages and refer her to the relevant outfits for follow up.

Sad another case of a teen's growth impacted by ignorant adults; living in a world they did not make and left taught stigma & discrimination.

When can we move forwards on this issue of sexual orientation?

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Livin' in a world they did not make: A second student rescued from homophobic attack at school

Parents' Month under the theme 'Parents: Today you guide. Tomorrow they lead' .... as for Gay 2010

3 Schoolboys face the court for beating other male student allegedly for calling them "battybois"

Viewers condemn kissing female students ...... yet again

Early initiation, gay sex, comprehensive sexual education and the real world

Girls Now Charged for Having Sex with Minors as Boys, Do Adults Ever Speak to Them?

The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics 

Teen boy love, getting caught & exploration

Teen forced to change schools following outing incident

Male student accused of spying in boy’s bathroom attacked

Effects of childhood bullying on mental health of adults

Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally

Sex-ed does not say have sex — NFPB head

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s a 'minority' matter.

Ronnie Thwaites’ rubbish on flying rainbow flags grooms children into “particular lifestyle”

Funding for Programme to Reduce Aids-Related Deaths

The Ministry of Health will continue its implementation of a programme to reduce AIDS-related morbidity and mortality this year, through effective biomedical and supporting interventions.

A sum of approximately $624 million has been allocated in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives on April 14, for the project.

The project, titled ‘Support to the National HIV/AIDS Response in Jamaica’, is also aimed at reducing new HIV infections among key populations, through behavioural and structural interventions.

It is funded by the Government, with support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The project, which started in January 2016, is expected to run until December 2018.

Among the anticipated targets for this fiscal year are: the delivery of the HIV Prevention Programme’s defined package of services for 10,000 men-who-have-sex-with men (MSM) and 2,500 transgender; and the delivery of HIV and syphilis test results to 4,000 MSM and 1,800 transgender.

Some 3,247 MSM will also be reached with HIV prevention activities, while over 18,000 female sex workers will either be reached through the HIV prevention programme, or receive HIV or syphilis test results.

A total of $361.58 million has been earmarked for a project aimed at promoting safer sex practices among groups at high risk for HIV transmission.

The allocation, to the HIV prevalence in Most-at-Risk Population Reduced Project in the Ministry of Health, is contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The initiative, which started in 2009, was initially scheduled to end in 2014, but has been extended to 2017.

It seeks to increase safer sex practices and improve attitudes and behaviours among vulnerable groups; reduce HIV transmission by delaying sexual initiation, promote abstinence and increasing condom use among sexually active adolescents; reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS; and finalise and disseminate the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy.

Other objectives include: supporting the capacity-building of community-based organisations, Ministry of Health staff, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

For the 2016/17 fiscal year, the project is expected to reach 1,810 men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and 3,239 female sex workers.

Some 907 HIV and counselling test results for MSM will also be returned, as well as for 1,621 female sex workers. A total of 6,334 HIV-positive adults and children will receive clinical assessment, blood count or viral load tests. An additional 1,184 adults and children are to be enrolled for antiretroviral treatment (ART).

As at December 2015, HIV preventative interventions were provided for over

1,800 persons in key populations. In addition, more than 840 persons were provided with HIV test and counselling results; and 1,845 HIV-positive adults and children received ART.

The project is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

There goes Dr Orville Taylor again! .............. Increase In Gay Hatred? Get The Fact Out!

So Dr Orville Taylor decided to go to town via RJR’s radio talkshow Hotline which he hosts on a Monday and Tuesday following his article appearing in the Sunday Gleaner regarding the recently reported on study commissioned by JFLAG on Attitudes and Awareness on homosexuality. I had only commented on one such report as to the drip drop method of sharing the study when previous such studies were released in full via PDF for public review; such a method of release as done this time around only serves to raise the very cynicism and stigmatization that JFLAG et al are supposed to be counteracting, oh how the ammunition is so easily handed to the opposition. Other public commentators have said or asked where is the full study so as to compare it to the previous two and sometimes I wonder if the goodly folks at the J are really thinking and that their actions are closely scrutinized for any flaw.

Dr Taylor did not go down his regular route as he normally would by opposing the efficacy of reports of homophobia or the perception that lobbyists are lying by riding the wave of the Time Magazine article questioning whether Jamaica is the most homophobic place on earth; but instead he went after public displays of affection while pretending he is against violence towards LGBT people but declaring days later on Hotline if a man calls to him he would just say to him no but if he got physical then that would be another matter.

The feedback via text messaging and call in were clear as usual as such topics evokes far more attention and ratings than other subjects do.

Here is the article published on Sunday April 17, 2016 in the Gleaner, see what you make of it:

Increase In Gay Hatred? Get The Fact Out!

I don't like beef, chicken, goat and pork. Cheese and milk make my stomach sick. Eating hot dogs is nasty, and I would never put even a Vienna sausage in my mouth. And yes, seafood is a big source of protein for me, but swallowing slimy oysters is gross and no one can make me suck the conch from its shell.

So, what does that make me? And I make black jokes, and fun of Jamaicans, Chinese, Africans, Indians, women, men and almost anybody or anything on creation. Indeed, I even offered my blind friend Floyd Morris my car keys. And, of course, I make gay jokes, too.

True, it is a thin line between humour and humiliation, but I'm an equal-opportunity satirist. By the way, I tell the Ras to remove the cloth from his head and stop smoking that nasty-smelling bush weed. So what if smoking the 'ishen' is an integral part of the 'livity' (lifestyle) of Rastafarians? It is hazardous activity and carries a small but significant risk of mental illness and lung disease.

So tell me. Do I hate eaters of meat or the animals themselves? And am I Rastaphobic simply because I disapprove of a something that the Natty Man does?

Last week, one of my colleague reporters cited a study carried out by the reputed Don Anderson-led Market Research Services Ltd and published a story with the headline that began, 'Study says Jamaicans hate gays ... .' However, they can be converted. The major finding reported that since the last study done in 2011, there was a 50 per cent increase in 'hate or rejection' of gays in Jamaican and, therefore, that community should expect higher levels of intolerance in the near future.

This story was very disturbing because, growing up in Catholic schools and with a father who acted as a consultant to God, I was taught that one should never hate any other human. 'Hate', a verb, is 'to feel extreme enmity towards or to have a strong aversion to.' Christians take comfort in saying that they hate the sin but not the sinner.

SIMPLY DISINGENUOUS

Being repugned or repulsed by people of the same sex 'doing the nasty' cannot mean that one hates them. It is simply disingenuous to conflate dislike for homosexual activity with hatred of gays.

As a member of the Gleaner fraternity, I got a small glimpse of the survey and saw nothing to convince me that we 'hate' gays any more than we did. Some of the findings are not surprising. Around 90 per cent of Jamaicans believe that anal sex between a man and woman is wrong. Similar numbers report the view that homosexuality is a sin. It, therefore, is not unexpected that 75 per cent of us believe that homosexuality should be outlawed. However, it is significant that the same three-quarters of Jamrockers believe that two women to one man sexually is also wrong. So what do we call this nominal disapproval of multiple partners? 'Promiscuophobia?'

Let's be honest: Hatred and dislike are not the same. Hatred must be accompanied by a feeling that something material should be done to the persons. In law, that is called malice, even if without the 'cut eye'.

In fact, there might be more evidence that we are a much more tolerant society towards gays than is being portrayed. More than 60 per cent of Jamaicans do not make any effort to avoid gays; almost 60 per cent say they would not respond violently to being approached; 82 per cent do not tease or make fun of gays; around 80 per cent do not speak bad things about them; 93 per cent have never threatened to damage property of gays; and 86 per cent say they would never stop talking to our friends if they found out that they were gay.

SCIENTIFICALLY DISHONEST

By the way, Jamaican employers are even more tolerant, and 64 per cent of them indicate that they have in place anti-discrimination policies at the workplace. Indeed, how often do you hear that people are dismissed based on sexual orientation? For good measure, in more than 30 American states, one can legally fire workers for being gay. Surprised?

So, tell me where is the hatred? In social research, we recognise that flawed concepts and definitions give incorrect and spurious results. The survey includes the faulty Riddle Homophobia Scale, which equates rejection of homosexual relationships with hatred of them. This is academically and scientifically dishonest.

Regarding the buggery law, less than 40 per cent feel that it either should just remain, or they were unsure or had no opinion. It would have made much more sense if we knew what actual percentage opposed its repeal.

Seven years ago, when I completed a study and made recommendations to the Government regarding protection of Jamaican workers from discrimination based on HIV status, my position was that the emphasis should be on action and not attitude. Trying to 'normalise' anal sex, which is the most efficient means of transmitting HIV (which infects 33 per cent of gay men), is a waste of good resources. True, it got my colleague Brendan Bain fired, but fact is fact. More important is to prevent discriminatory acts.

Nevertheless, the buggery law is stupid and an ass. Two men can legally do all manner of sexual repugnance, including fellatio, as long as there is no penetration. However, if a freaky pastor decides to procure entry via the alternative route, he is guilty of a crime, although it is not a sin. And lesbians are scot-free under the sheets and the law.

By the way, another major finding is that most Jamaicans believe that gay people can be changed. In another article, I will address the 'born gay' argument, but let me ask my gay friends: When you proposition someone who has been straight all his/her life, aren't you also accepting that sexuality is changeable?

- Dr Orville Taylor, senior lecturer in sociology at the UWI and a radio talk-show host, is the author of 'Broken Promises, Hearts and Pockets'. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and tayloronblackline@hotmail.com.

ENDS

So much for changing hearts and minds with persons like Dr Taylor lecturing at one of our major Universities.

Sigh

previous related entries with Dr Taylor:

UWI Sociologist on Buggery And AIDS: A Lot Of Bull (GJW)

J-FLAGging A Dead Horse? (Gleaner article) 2013

Fish, Foul Swimmer And Scammers ...... 2012

Jamaica tolerates rape and child abuse but not homosexuality - Diana King

Though she is known for her hit song, Shy Guy, she is far from shy and never refuses to let the world know exactly how she feels.

Diana King, has found herself in hot water on social media because of a slew of posts she made in regards to Jamaica’s attitude towards homosexuals.

“JAMAICA is TOLERANT of RAPE & SEXUAL ABUSE of CHILDREN even INCESTS but NOT of SEX between CONSENTING #LGBT ADULTS,” King wrote.

That post infuriated social media users who vehemently denied her accusation of rape and sexual abuse being accepted among Jamaicans.

One user berated her for post.

“@DIANAKINGDOM this is nonsense--rapists and child molesters get beheaded before the cops come get them--nonsense--don’t speak ill of JA.”

Another user questioned King’s method of speaking on Jamaica’s attitude towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"@DIANAKINGDOM your way of speaking out on a issue is to attack the entire country to gain what? hostility, more resentment toward LGBT?”

Tweets laced with expletives, were used to bash King for her perceived attack on Jamaica.

The 45-year-old was not phased by the persons who denied her allegations.

“I DON'T NEED SURVEYS • IF U CONSCIOUSLY OBSERVE U WILL SEE the TRUTH • ITS UP to U IF U CHOSE (sic) to ACCEPT IT or DENY IT,” she tweeted clearly not deterred social media users.

In 2012, King declared on her Facebook page that she was a lesbian, much to the attention of Jamaicans, with a number of persons reacting in a positive manner.

She is the first Jamaican artiste to publicly declare a same sex preference.

She also replaced Beenieman in November 2015 in New Zealand.

also see: Beenie Man off lineup, replaced with lesbian singer.

Gotta keep pushing on. While I understand there is a need to vent and the comments sometimes tests anyone's patience Miss King needs to also be mindful that she is in a position to teach; given her reach and visibility. 

Peace & tolerance.

H

An uneasy reintegration; time will tell

Hope remains while company is true.

The old definition of re-integration but as times change and more and more LGBT people in Jamaica find themselves outside looking in after being kicked out for either coming out or outed things have to change.

It is not very often from the myriad of reports and cases or forced evictions or voluntary exile by persons due to homo-negative reactions, stigma and sheer ignorance that comes impacted person’s reintegration news which suggest all is not lost. My experience has taught me that same gender loving women tend to be more successful than their male counterparts as the trade off of a higher tolerance of lesbianism if you will is way higher; all one has to do is visit the gentleman’s clubs all over the island and see the appetite for women whether lesbian or not mimicking such acts on stage with much cheering from the penny section and sometimes huge tips in the form of money rained on the stage. This has been seen by some experts as a clear sign of the kind of misogyny that pervades our society.

Same gender loving women who are impacted by forced evictions tend to find alleviation easier as trust seems more present, they do not have the spectre of being trouble makers such as their male and transgender displaced or homeless counterparts by virtue of the reporting over the years. Even in general homelessness it is more males than females that dot our suburban thoroughfare as opposed to women.

This latest case involves a then 18 year old bisexual woman who presents as stud she says and who was forced out of home by her mother in Portmore St Catherine in 2013. Thanks to her for sharing this and for the operative who reached out to me by via email in discussing the matters; she was concerned about the reporting on homelessness predominantly on males (the old lesbian oversight or invisibility hints) and hardly any reintegration highlights so she asked if she could make the link to which I replied and hence this post. I am grateful for the number of respondents in recent times to the posts and the sharing of issues freely.

Things however got tense form some time for the bisexual lady and her mother in particular as the relationship became tenuous between the two; arguments dotted with condemnatory remarks, the occasional lockout or ever changing appearing curfews and house rules. Arguments got louder in decibel range, other siblings were encouraged to support the mother’s anti-lesbian stance to which some did and others did not and asked her to ‘cool it’; especially coming from younger family members but older ones held on to a Leviticusal typed mantra in reminding the bisexual woman that Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality.

Things came to a head in December 2013 when she was forced to remove despite the tense agreement that if she found a job she would go for a peaceful life. These kinds of tense moments as in other cases often have tied up in the resistance by family members a lack of employment and economic stability or a job as mettle for justifying the pushback or forced evictions towards LGBTQ persons; the young lady was job hunting as she pursued a course at a nearby Community College. Thanks to friends who offered temporary shelter as she requested and has been riding the waves comfortably despite the challenges.

Two senior female community influentials are also involved in providing guidance and keeping close to the situation as well. I do wish there are more influentials like those who are not into fluff but real people and engagement. The impacted woman has been approached by her mother surprisingly and she asked for regular visits to the old home but insisting on lesbian business as it were; the woman had agreed at the time but exchanges in previous visits so far have been tense and guarded she indicated on both fronts. Where it will lead only time will tell but the influentials have encouraged both parties to commence some sort of counselling/talk therapy to deflect any future conflict with a view to mend the relational differences.

I hope this one ends up in a good place and that mutual respect and understanding can come forth out of all this.

Peace & tolerance

H

Joint tenancy versus tenants in common ..........

On the strength of a radio discussion this morning on religious radio Love 101FM on property transfers with two guests from the Administrator General's office; they discussed the numerous complaints of probates and wills not being dealt with but monies are collected. Host Rev Marvia Laws asked about the captioned subject and interested parties including non relatives which struck me. With so many more Jamaicans seeking a steady monogamous relationship I thought I'd share this as it can be a way to distribute property until such rights and legal changes come.

from the Gleaner:

QUESTION: I've just read an article you wrote in The Sunday Gleaner on May 8, 2011 titled 'Transfer of Property to Living Trust' and I would appreciate your counsel on a similar matter. My mother and aunt are joint tenant property owners for land in Old Harbour, St Catherine. My aunt wishes to transfer her share of the property to me via inter vivos gift, thereby making my mother and me joint tenants.

What are the steps to be taken in order to effect the transfer? What documents would be needed in order to effect the transfer? What are the fees, considering that the transfer is a gift? Thanks in advance for your time. I look forward to your expert advice.

Bryan

FINANCIAL ADVISER:

If two or more persons hold an estate or interest in land, they are required to state whether they hold the estate or interest as joint tenants or tenants-in-common. It is very important to understand the difference between the two as how property is owned has serious implications for the ability to transfer it.

Due care should be taken when two or more persons are coming into ownership of property to understand the difference and thus register their ownership in a way that will not cause undesirable complications in the future.

Let us examine the two types of ownership.

Joint tenants have a right of survivorship. This means that if John and Celia own land as joint tenants and either of them dies, the interest of the deceased joint tenant automatically passes to the survivor. So if John dies, his interest passes to Celia, who then becomes the owner of all of the property. If the property is owned by three persons, the death of one joint owner/tenant would result in his or her share effectively passing to the two survivors.

What is the meaning of this? It means that the joint tenant does not have an interest in the land that he or she can leave in a will unless he or she is the sole surviving joint tenant. In our example, upon the death of John, Celia is able to bequeath or gift the property to whomsoever she wishes. If there is a third joint tenant, only the last surviving joint tenant, two having died, can bequeath or gift the property to another person.

When a joint tenant dies, the death is noted by the filing of an 'Application to Note Death'.

To create a joint tenancy, the following rules must be satisfied:

n All the joint tenants must acquire their interest in the property at the same time and from the same transaction; and

n The interest must be identical in nature and each tenant enjoys an equal right to the whole or any part of the property but not an exclusive right to possess any part.

Unlike joint tenants, tenants-in-common do not have the right of survivorship. When a tenant-in- common dies, his or her interest in the property passes under the terms of his or her will, or if he or she dies leaving no will, the interest is distributed under the Intestate Estates and Property Charges Act. In this case, with John and Celia as tenants-in-common, John's share of the property passes to whomever he wills it to.

EQUAL RIGHT

The tenant-in-common has an undivided share and interest in the property. He or she has an equal right to the possession of the whole of the property but not a right to possess any part exclusively. A tenant-in-common may deal with his or her share of the property as he or she sees fit, such as giving it as a gift.

Tenants-in-common may also hold unequal shares in the property. If no share is stated, the presumption is equal shares, that is, 50/50 if there are two tenants-in-common or 25% each in the case of four tenants-in-common.

Although your aunt is not now able to transfer her interest in the property to you, you can become its owner, in its entirety, if you outlive the current owners and if it is the desire of the survivor to pass it to you. As soon as either your mother or aunt dies, it would make sense for the survivor to make a will stating very clearly who the beneficiary should be you alone or you and others.

Alternatively, given the uncertainties we all face, it would be prudent, if their current wills do not have a residuary clause, for them to make new wills with such a clause to facilitate the disposition of assets not mentioned in their wills. They may also amend existing wills but certain procedures must be followed.

You could still get your inter vivos gift if you outlive one of the current owners. The survivor could choose to gift the property to you - in part or whole - upon becoming its sole owner.

Oran A. Hall, the principal author of 'The Handbook of Personal Financial Planning', offers personal financial planning advice and counsel. finviser.jm@gmail.com

also check out my favourite host for Land Solutions:

Bahamas PM says no to same sex marriage

Sounds so familiar eh? oh boi these Caribbean leaders and holding on to outdated so called traditional values.

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — Prime Minister Perry Christie says the proposed referendum to amend the constitution will not allow for same sex marriages to become legal in the Bahamas.

Christie launched the YES Bahamas Campaign “Equal Rights for our Sons and Daughters” on Sunday, telling his audience that the Bahamas will only recognise marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The referendum will be held on June 7.

Observer's cartoonist Clovis took a swipe at the matter 

“I repeat: this referendum will not cause same-sex marriage to become legal in the Bahamas. Marriage in the Bahamas will be legal only if it is between a man and a woman, and male and female are determined at birth,” he said.

“I am so emphatic because it is so important for Bahamians to vote on what is really at stake – equal rights for our sons and daughters – and not let false rumours or incorrect information hold sway.

“This referendum does not seek to change Bahamian society or our traditional values – instead it seeks to change the Constitution so that it more clearly reflects those values, and our shared belief in fairness.”

Prime Minister Christie said that the YES Bahamas Campaign will be relying on Bahamians, young and old, for their creativity and enthusiasm, visiting each of our islands, and providing information to Bahamians on each of the amendments.

He said that the Constitutional Commission will continue a very intense schedule of information sessions leading up to the June 7 referendum, adding in carrying out its work, the Commission will continue to operate independently and with neutrality.

“Its job is to educate not to advocate for a Yes or No vote,” he added.

Prime Minister Christie said that the referendum was necessary to change the 1973 Constitution, which prevented Parliament from passing laws which would discriminate based on race or creed or place of origin.

But he said that the framers of the Constitution “did not include sex, that is, they did not insert any language in the Constitution which would prevent Parliament from passing laws which discriminate against men or women.

“This referendum is simply about bringing our Constitution up to date to reflect our shared values as a society. Men and women will always be different, and no law or change to the Constitution could or should ever change that – in fact, we celebrate our differences – but we do believe that as citizens who share the same responsibilities, the time has come for men and women, our sons and daughters, to share the same rights.”

Sexual assault of a same sex nature part 2

also see part 1 from 2013 HERE

As April is observed on this blog as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and also recognized in the United States where many of my readers hail and who encouraged me to mark the activities locally; some responses have come in via social media and by phone (the number located on the blogs 1-876-799-2231). Two respondents have shared their issues less than twenty four hours after the previous post to mark the awareness activity for 2016. I reminds me of the need for trustworthy spaces to air such issues as persons seek outlets to share and find if ever some emotional release.

Both respondents also granted permission to share the central issues from their experiences on here as well to whom I am very grateful, while observing the sensitivities involved I think it is important to raise the issue to indicate they are happening and out of sight is not necessarily out of mind; and that they read the original post on the subject for this year. Many suffer in silence or feel they have nowhere to really vent or share their concern. There is also deep mistrust indeed under reporting of such matters and even as more visible advocates are out there these days while commendable some persons see such advocates as unapproachable; a sentiment ringing out more and more in recent years and is as old as the life of advocacy itself since the nineties. Some persons are seen as cocky and standoffish and too ‘up there’ to identify with such issues or give a listening ear. Both respondents expressed such sentiments; I guess image is everything that is something that really needs to be addressed; the vain displays via social media can be a turnoff to many who want to reach to real people and not superficial appearing individuals via their social media profiles.

In each case the assault if not abuse was of a same gender nature and stemmed from a date gone overboard by the perpetrator who it seems misinterpreted their friendliness and or familiarity as an open initiation to sex or entitlement. 

The first case involves a long term dating couple who had been seeing each other for some time but also had intermittent hints of subtle demands for sex as a way to end the dating cycle. After an evening out on the town with all the pleasantries a working professional in her mid twenties was ready to call it a night and was expecting a chivalrous end to the date only to have groping and insisting by the date who was described as a stud that she wants some of the ‘sweet stuff’

Upon refusal things got far more physical and the think you’re better than me’ philosophy presented itself in the conversation wrapped up in an entitlement mantra as seen or displayed by misogynistic men in Jamaica. So because the aggressor was known to the impacted woman and slightly intimate the suddenly the latter is obligated to ‘let off a ting’ or give up her body to consummate whatever the aggressor thinks is happening or they are together all of a sudden in terms of a permanent relationship. Things got really rough after a while but thankfully never went to the stage of full rape but the woman was assaulted none the less. The matter was not reported to the police but she was considering it and wondered if there was any legislation that would protect her; I suggested yes as a previous case had intimated regarding a so called lesbian who was charged for assault after using a bottle to penetrate another female. She has not seen the aggressor in person and several attempts by same to contact her via Facebook has subsequently blocked her and has gone as far as to change her number. She is even considering relocating to a new address just to avoid impromptu visits by the aggressor. I suggested if it gets really weird or stalking becomes the means to pursue her then a police report is definitely in the works if not a restraining order of some kind. She sounded more upbeat by the end of the exchange none the less and is trying to move on with her life she says.

In the second matter it is a more midterm relationship issues involving non consent or forced sexual advances. Both women cohabit in the home of the impacted lesbian for less than two years and while there was some sexual activity based mostly on consent or some light aphrodisiac resistance as foreplay things got testier as time progressed. The impacted woman shared that the partner would demand sex almost immediately via phone or social media and upon arrival at home the demand was expected to be met; when not met the aggressor goes into ‘take it’ mode with occasional struggles that do not go to a full rape. However one moment led to a full assault in her eyes as she was pinned down for a few minutes as the aggressor kissed and attempted to undo her blouse etc. Since then the women were not on speaking terms and a third party was made aware of some of the challenges who in turn offered temporary shelter until she was able to fully relocate to another rented premises. The matter was not reported to the police as usual the fear is perceptions are that the cops may not be equipped to address such matters given the sentiments on homosexuality generally and exposure to family and others.

The near misogynistic appearing practices by some women especially studs and butch identified in a kind of masculine and manly experiences in same gender loving women populations is a bit disturbing to me; they adopt almost totally the attitudes of some men in Jamaica or their bravado to project strength on their partners or prospect and the age old entitlement phenomenon sets in. There are some outlets to assist women to navigate those issues thankfully as some training have been ongoing with even non LGBT outfits for women. It seems maybe some awareness campaign is needed or fine tune the ones already out there to let women know there are such outlets with confidential operatives to share and work out solutions.

Most of us can only offer emotional support and encouragement towards moving on while addressing the concerns including safety. It is hard to measure how deep these sensitivities lie as well as I still suspect some under-reporting is still at work.

Peace & tolerance

H