Jamaica Observer "Outs" drag queen irresponsibly

According to the Jamaica Observer a drag queen was the centre of attention in central Jamaica after being caught in a car with a man in a compromising position. The police who took both persons in for questioning didn't realise the drag diva was in fact so. The individual whose photos appears in the article as far as I am concerned is now in danger by virtue two full faced images revealing her identity, the man who was also in the car was not shown.

Here it reads:

A male cross-dresser who police said was caught in a compromising position in a car with another man early Friday morning, created a lot of chatter in May Pen yesterday as news of the incident spread throughout that town.

The police say they noticed the two involved in a dispute in a Toyota Mark II motorcar parked at a lonely spot near a petrol station along Manchester Avenue.

The police took both persons to the May Pen Police Station where it was discovered that the 'woman' was actually a man dressed in drag.

Police say they suspect that the cross-dresser is a prostitute and had sought to sell his wares to the unsuspecting male customer, who was riding a bicycle on Manchester Avenue when he was approached by the prostitute.

The man was reportedly beside himself with rage upon discovering that he was intimately involved with a man and a heated argument developed.

His suspicions were confirmed when the police inspected a driver's licence and voter's ID belonging to the suspected prostitute and discovered that he was in fact a man who hailed from a Gregory Park, St Catherine address.

As news spread like wildfire throughout the town, a large crowd converged on the station to catch a glimpse of the drag queen who was clad in a tight-fitting blouse, jeans shorts, high heeled shoes, loop earrings and a wig.

The cross-dresser sported false eyelashes and neatly shaven eyebrows.

The police say they admonished and discharged both men.

ENDS

My two cents

The Observer however again has shown callousness in this matter by showing a photograph of the individual thus exposing her to all, do they not realise the danger this could pose to her person? Yes, report the story but don't expose the accused in this manner, I am sure a rape victim or any other charged citizen whose life may be at risk if exposed in such a manner the responsible Editors would not and in some cases could not allow their identities to be revealed so openly.

Luckily the incident did not descend into chaos and the police apparently from all reports took control of the situation pretty early despite the news reaching the public outside the precincts of the station.

There are no laws that speak to cross dressing etc but they may have been charged with gross indecency since they were allegedly in a public place as the police indicated in a compromising position.

It has been reported that many outside the station were laughing or saying they couldn't believe what they were saying and how "she" looked good others were scaving in their remarks including some of the officers who were visibly upset as expected and condemned "her" and the male partner with fire and brimstone, the crowd also had some Rastafarians present as well.

It was only recently the police had issued warnings in certain areas especially of outdoor shenanigans and advised the public of the relevant charges that may apply for soliciting and outdoor sexual activity.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Miami Commission Chairman Voices Strong Opposition to Performer Buju Banton's Violent Anti-Gay Lyrics

MIAMI - City Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez issued a statement today denouncing the violent anti-gay lyrics of performer Buju Banton, who will appear as part of a reggae show October 31 at the City-owned James L. Knight Center.

“I cannot believe in a time of world economic, poverty and hunger crisis – when we all need to bond together as one human family to uplift our brethren – we have an `artist’ who encourages violent acts against gay people in his venomous lyrics.

Banton’s 1988 song Boom Bye Bye advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. Several of Banton’s shows in America have been protested by gay activists and some performances have been canceled.

“The First Amendment gives this man the right to spew his hatred from the stage. If we tried to ban him from using a City facility because of his message, we would endanger the very right to free speech that empowers us to speak out against homophobic ‘performers’ and others who ignorantly and viciously attack the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community,” said Sanchez.


“Rather than trying to cancel the show, I think all people who believe in equality should use this as a rallying point to remind us that hatred still exists,” Sanchez said. “I encourage people to answer Banton’s violent and hateful lyrics with a peaceful, civil protest to show that our commitment to fighting hate is stronger than his words of evil.”

SFCN

Ugandan coalition speaks out on Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Here is the statement:

Anti-Homosexuality or Anti-Human Rights Bill?
Statement from the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law
Hon. Bahati's Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was tabled in Parliament on October 14, 2009, and is currently before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament covers much more than the title alone proclaims. A much better title for this bill would have been the 'Anti Civil Society Bill, the 'Anti Public Health Bill,' or the 'Anti-Constitution Bill.' Perhaps more simply it should be called the Anti Human Rights Bill. As a matter of fact, this bill represents one of the most serious attacks to date on the 1995 Constitution and on the key human rights protections enshrined in the Constitution including:

Article 20: Fundamental rights and freedoms are inherent and not granted by the State
Article 21: Right to Equality and Freedom from discrimination
Article 22: The Right to Life (the death penalty provisions)
Article 27: The Right to Privacy
Article 29: Right to freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association (this includes freedom of speech, Academic freedom and media freedom)
Article 30: Right to Education
Article 32: Affirmative Action in favour of marginalised groups and
Article 36 on the Rights of Minorities

Let us think for a moment of who-quite apart from the homosexuals it claims as its target-this bill puts at risk:

- any parent who does not denounce their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities: Failure to do so s/he will be fined Ush 5,000,000/= or put away for three years;

- any teacher who does not report a lesbian or gay pupil to the authorities within 24 hours: Failure to do so s/he will be fined Ush 5,000,000/= or put away for three years in prison;

- any landlord or landlady who happens to give housing to a suspected homosexual risks seven years of imprisonment;

- any Local Council I - V Chairperson or Executive member who does not denounce somebody accused of same-sex attraction or activity risks imprisonment or a heavy fine;

- any medical doctor who seeks to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through working with what are known as most at risk populations, risks her or his career;

- all civil society leaders, whether in a Community Based Organisation, NGO, or academic institution; if their organisations seek to have a comprehensive position on sexual and reproductive health, they risk seeing their organisations closed down;

- any human rights activist who seeks to promote an understanding of the indivisibility and inalienability of human rights would be judged to be promoting homosexuals and homosexuality, and be punished accordingly;

- any religious leader who seeks to provide guidance and counselling to people who are unsure of their sexuality, would be regarded as promoting homosexuality and punished accordingly;

- any Member of Parliament or other public figure who is sent a pornographic article, picture or video will become vulnerable to blackmail and witch-hunts;

- any media house that publishes 'pornographic' materials risks losing its certificate of registration and the editor will be liable to seven years in jail;

- any internet café operator who fails to prevent a customer from accessing a pornographic website, or a dating site, could be accused of 'participating in the production, procuring, marketing, broadcasting, disseminating and publishing of pornographic materials for purposes of promoting homosexuality'; their business licence could be revoked and they themselves could land in prison.

- any Person alleged to be a homosexual is at risk of LIFE IMPRISONMENT and, in some circumstances, the DEATH PENALTY.

In short, this bill targets everybody, and involves everybody: it cannot be implemented without making every citizen spy on his or her neighbours. The last time this was done was in the Amin era, where everyone very quickly became an 'enemy of the state'. It amounts to a direct invasion of our homes, and will promote blackmail, false accusations and outright intimidation of certain members of the population. Do Ugandans really want to mimic the practices of the Khartoum regime? Have we already forgotten the sex police of Apartheid South Africa, who smashed their way into people's bedrooms in an attempt to prevent inter-racial sex?

As Civil Society organisations we condemn all predatory sexual acts (hetero or homosexual) that violate the rights of vulnerable sections of our society such as minors and people with disabilities. However, the Bill lumps "aggravated homosexuality" together with sexual acts between consenting adults in order to whip up sentiments of fear and hatred aimed at isolating sexual minorities. By so doing, the state fails in its duty to protect all its citizens without discrimination.

The bill also asserts Extra Territorial jurisdiction. In other words, all of the offences covered by the bill can be applied to a Ugandan citizen or permanent resident who allegedly commits them outside the country. Thus homosexuality and/or its 'promotion' are added to the very short list of offences which fall in the 'political offences' category. It joins treason, misprision of treason, and terrorism as offences subject to extra-territorial jurisdiction. Clearly, this is out of all proportion in relation to the gravity of the act.

On top of these day-to-day considerations about everybody's safety and security, let us consider what this bill will do for civil society organisations in Uganda which seek to have a critical voice and to engage in issues of global concern. One of the objectives of the bill is to prohibit the licensing of organizations which allegedly 'promote homosexuality.' Thus, for example, any organisation which talked about anal sex as part of a campaign of HIV prevention can be affected. Had this bill been in place earlier this year, no Ugandan could have participated in the World AIDS meeting held in Mexico to discuss HIV prevention.

And what about our standing in the eyes of the world? The Bill calls for Uganda to nullify any international treaties, protocols, declarations and conventions which are believed to be 'contradictory to the spirit and provisions' of the bill. In reality, this would involve Uganda withdrawing from:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its protocols;
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women;
The Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

We note that Uganda is current Chair of the UN Security Council which operates with the UN Charter and UDHR as guiding principles. It is also current Chair of the Commonwealth and a signatory to the African Union's Constitutive Act which has as its premise the promotion and respect of human rights. In 2009 and 2010 it is hosting AU Summits. What will happen to Uganda's hard-won role on the global stage if it nullifies its international and regional humanrights commitments? Uganda cannot wish away core human rights principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination, and all Ugandans will pay a heavy price if this bill is enacted.

We will have bargained away our hard-earned rights and freedoms as well as our right to challenge the State and hold it accountable for the protection of these rights. In sum, the Bahati Bill is profoundly unconstitutional. It is a major stumbling block to the development of a vibrant human rights movement in Uganda, and a serious threat to Uganda's developing democratic status. If passed, this law would not only prove difficult to implement, it would also consume resources and attention which would be better directed at more pressing issues of human rights abuse, corruption, electoral reform, domestic relations and freedom of the press.

Regardless of our personal moral beliefs and values, we the undersigned organisations are standing up in defence of Democracy, our Constitution and its enshrined principles of human dignity, equality, freedom and justice for all.

Kampala, 23 October 2009

African Women's Development Fund (AWDF)
Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA)
Advocates for Public International Law in Uganda (APILU)
Center for Land Economy and Rights of Women (CLEAR-Uganda)
Centre for Women in Governance (CEWIGO)
Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA)
East & Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-U)
Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE)
Human Rights Awareness & Promotion Forum
Human Rights & Peace Centre (HURIPEC), Faculty of Law, Makerere University
Integrity Uganda
International Refugee Rights Initiative
Mentoring and Empowerment Programme for Young Women (MEMPROW)
MIFUMI Project
National Association of Women's Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU)
National Coalition of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA)
Refugee Law Project (RLP), Faculty of Law, Makerere University
National Guidance & Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NGEN+)
Spectrum Uganda
Uganda Feminist Forum
• Women's Organisation & Network for Human Rights Advocacy (WONETHA)

For further information please contact the coalition at kalendenator@gmail.com

Up North - Anderson Cooper discourse on Hate crime bill

Please bear in mind that President does not support gay marriages but he says he would not reverse states that have already passed or allowed marriage rights to same sex couples.

Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed in the US

also see Local Charter of Rights Bill a hit with US Embassy, even without LGBT rights included

Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (Introduced in Senate) (bench photo)

S 909 IS
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 909
To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 28, 2009
Mr. REID (for Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, Ms. SNOWE, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. REED, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. KERRY, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. DODD, Mr. BAYH, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. BROWN, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. CASEY, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Ms. LANDRIEU, Ms. CANTWELL, and Mr. AKAKA)) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem.

(2) Such violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of communities and is deeply divisive.

(3) State and local authorities are now and will continue to be responsible for prosecuting the overwhelming majority of violent crimes in the United States, including violent crimes motivated by bias. These authorities can carry out their responsibilities more effectively with greater Federal assistance.

(4) Existing Federal law is inadequate to address this problem.

(5) A prominent characteristic of a violent crime motivated by bias is that it devastates not just the actual victim and the family and friends of the victim, but frequently savages the community sharing the traits that caused the victim to be selected.

(6) Such violence substantially affects interstate commerce in many ways, including the following:

(A) The movement of members of targeted groups is impeded, and members of such groups are forced to move across State lines to escape the incidence or risk of such violence.

(B) Members of targeted groups are prevented from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, or participating in other commercial activity.

(C) Perpetrators cross State lines to commit such violence.

(D) Channels, facilities, and instrumentalities of interstate commerce are used to facilitate the commission of such violence.

(E) Such violence is committed using articles that have traveled in interstate commerce.

(7) For generations, the institutions of slavery and involuntary servitude were defined by the race, color, and ancestry of those held in bondage. Slavery and involuntary servitude were enforced, both prior to and after the adoption of the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States, through widespread public and private violence directed at persons because of their race, color, or ancestry, or perceived race, color, or ancestry. Accordingly, eliminating racially motivated violence is an important means of eliminating, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery and involuntary servitude.

(8) Both at the time when the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States were adopted, and continuing to date, members of certain religious and national origin groups were and are perceived to be distinct `races'. Thus, in order to eliminate, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery, it is necessary to prohibit assaults on the basis of real or perceived religions or national origins, at least to the extent such religions or national origins were regarded as races at the time of the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

(9) Federal jurisdiction over certain violent crimes motivated by bias enables Federal, State, and local authorities to work together as partners in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.

(10) The problem of crimes motivated by bias is sufficiently serious, widespread, and interstate in nature as to warrant Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME.
In this Act--

(1) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given that term in section 16, title 18, United States Code;

(2) the term `hate crime' has the meaning given such term in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note); and

(3) the term `local' means a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.

SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

(a) Assistance Other Than Financial Assistance-

(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of State, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that--

(A) constitutes a crime of violence;

(B) constitutes a felony under the State, local, or tribal laws; and

(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or tribal hate crime laws.

(2) PRIORITY- In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

(b) Grants-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General may award grants to State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

(2) OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS- In implementing the grant program under this subsection, the Office of Justice Programs shall work closely with grantees to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties, including community groups and schools, colleges, and universities, are addressed through the local infrastructure developed under the grants.

(3) APPLICATION-

(A) IN GENERAL- Each State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by or containing such information as the Attorney General shall reasonably require.

(B) DATE FOR SUBMISSION- Applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted during the 60-day period beginning on a date that the Attorney General shall prescribe.

(C) REQUIREMENTS- A State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency applying for a grant under this subsection shall--

(i) describe the extraordinary purposes for which the grant is needed;

(ii) certify that the State, local government, or Indian tribe lacks the resources necessary to investigate or prosecute the hate crime;

(iii) demonstrate that, in developing a plan to implement the grant, the State, local, and tribal law enforcement agency has consulted and coordinated with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs that have experience in providing services to victims of hate crimes; and

(iv) certify that any Federal funds received under this subsection will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subsection.

(4) DEADLINE- An application for a grant under this subsection shall be approved or denied by the Attorney General not later than 180 business days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the application.

(5) GRANT AMOUNT- A grant under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 for any single jurisdiction in any 1-year period.

(6) REPORT- Not later than December 31, 2010, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report describing the applications submitted for grants under this subsection, the award of such grants, and the purposes for which the grant amounts were expended.

(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Authority To Award Grants- The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice may award grants, in accordance with such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe, to State, local, or tribal programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice, including the Community Relations Service, for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012 such sums as are necessary to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of section 249 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 7 of this Act.

SEC. 7. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN HATE CRIME ACTS.

(a) In General- Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 249. Hate crime acts

`(a) In General-

`(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

`(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(i) death results from the offense; or

`(ii) the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (3), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--

`(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(I) death results from the offense; or

`(II) the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(B) CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances described in this subparagraph are that--

`(i) the conduct described in subparagraph (A) occurs during the course of, or as the result of, the travel of the defendant or the victim--

`(I) across a State line or national border; or

`(II) using a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce;

`(ii) the defendant uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A);

`(iii) in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A), the defendant employs a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device, or other weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce; or

`(iv) the conduct described in subparagraph (A)--

`(I) interferes with commercial or other economic activity in which the victim is engaged at the time of the conduct; or

`(II) otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce.

`(3) OFFENSES OCCURRING IN THE SPECIAL MARITIME OR TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES- Whoever, within the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States, commits an offense described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be subject to the same penalties as prescribed in those paragraphs.

`(b) Certification Requirement-

`(1) IN GENERAL- No prosecution of any offense described in this subsection may be undertaken by the United States, except under the certification in writing of the Attorney General, or his designee, that--

`(A) the State does not have jurisdiction;

`(B) the State has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction;

`(C) the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence; or

`(D) a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice.

`(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of Federal officers, or a Federal grand jury, to investigate possible violations of this section.

`(c) Definitions- In this section--

`(1) the term `bodily injury' has the meaning given such term in section 1365(h)(4) of this title, but does not include solely emotional or psychological harm to the victim;

`(2) the term `explosive or incendiary device' has the meaning given such term in section 232 of this title;

`(3) the term `firearm' has the meaning given such term in section 921(a) of this title; and

`(4) the term `gender identity' for the purposes of this chapter means actual or perceived gender-related characteristics.'.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment- The analysis for chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`249. Hate crime acts.'.

SEC. 8. STATISTICS.

(a) In General- Subsection (b)(1) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting `gender and gender identity,' after `race,'.

(b) Data- Subsection (b)(5) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting `, including data about crimes committed by, and crimes directed against, juveniles' after `data acquired under this section'.

SEC. 9. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 10. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

For purposes of construing this Act and the amendments made by this Act the following shall apply:

(1) RELEVANT EVIDENCE- Courts may consider relevant evidence of speech, beliefs, or expressive conduct to the extent that such evidence is offered to prove an element of a charged offense or is otherwise admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence. Nothing in this Act is intended to affect the existing rules of evidence.

(2) VIOLENT ACTS- This Act applies to violent acts motivated by actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of a victim.

(3) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.

(4) FREE EXPRESSION- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual's expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual's membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

Buju's damage already done (Gleaner letter 23.10.09)

The Editor, Sir:
I noted with interest your Gleaner Online poll which shows that 88 per cent of persons polled think that gay activists have gone overboard in their campaign against Buju Banton. Not only do I disagree with the majority, I think we could all learn something from the gay community.

Discrimination against minorities remains one of the USA's biggest social issues. The gay community in the USA has every right to take steps to ensure that someone who supports discrimination against gays has a difficult time in gaining popularity in their country. Jamaicans would probably put up stronger opposition if an openly gay artiste had the nerve to schedule concerts here in Jamaica, regardless of the content of the music.

'Informer fi dead' culture

What I don't understand is why, in a country like Jamaica where violent crime is the biggest social issue, we don't demand that artistes like Buju do more to destroy the 'informer fi dead' culture that they helped to create. Lest we forget, at the same time that Buju was singing Boom Bye Bye, he also proclaimed that "gunshot fi buss up inna informer head". It's not enough for Buju to clean up his lyrics now that he's famous. The damage has already been done. Buju's example is seen in the Which Dudus song now covering the airwaves that warns of Madden's Funeral Home being filled if Dudus is extradited.

Perhaps Buju is afraid to be part of the minority of Jamaican artistes who support cooperation with 'Babylon'. Maybe our memories are too short to sustain public and economic pressure on social issues such as this. While we may not agree with the views of the gay activists, imagine how much better our own communities would be if we had the courage and resilience to go overboard for what we believe to be right.

I am, etc.,

GAVIN GOFFE
ggoffe@gmail.com
Kingston

GLEANER EDITORIAL - The PNP's grasp at decency

She did so in an opaque and convoluted fashion, but Portia Simpson Miller, the Opposition leader, eventually exerted her authority and caused her People's National Party (PNP) to exercise good sense.

So, the debate on the Charter of Rights is proceeding, with an unequivocal pledge this week from Mrs Simpson Miller that "the Opposition will support this bill".

That, in the final analysis, is good enough for us, even if we did not quite grasp the argument and logic by which she arrived at this position. But, as they say, all's well that ends well.

We consider Mrs Simpson Miller's position important for another, more fundamental reason. It is a declaration that political action doesn't have to be founded only in opportunism, and that what is important in the end is doing what is right.

And, by any measure, the Charter of Rights is right. It is an attempt to codify and enumerate in relatively simple language the rights and freedoms that are constitutionally guaranteed to the Jamaican citizen, and to narrow the capacity of the state to abrogate those rights.

17 years of talking

It has taken 17 years of talking and debate, mostly between the political classes and the intellectual elite, to reach this stage of having the charter debated by the legislature. When the bill is passed - it requires the support of two-thirds of the members of Parliament - it will require another three months, as is the case with all amendments to entrenched provisions of the Constitution, before it becomes law. All of this is after having to wait three months after the bill is laid before it can be debated.

Yet, for something that the PNP considered important to advancing the rights of the Jamaican people, it was willing to play fast to gain a puny political advantage. The party's spokesman on justice, Mr A.J. Nicholson, sought to link support for the bill to another constitutional amendment to extend the five-year window, imposed by the Privy Council, for the execution of someone convicted of a capital crime before the verdict becomes cruel and inhuman punishment. Then there was that cynical and opportunistic echo in the House by Mr Robert Pickersgill, the party's chairman, that threatened to derail things.

Expecting fulfilment

The party has now retreated, accepting, Mrs Simpson Miller suggested, that the prime minister will fulfil his undertaking at the time when Parliament voted to retain capital punishment, to find a mechanism to deal with the practical problems imposed by the five-year deadline for executions imposed by the law lords. This important element of the business can proceed, and not be subject to tawdry barter.

The cynics might claim otherwise, but we prefer to believe that Mrs Simpson Miller has come to recognise that leadership is not only about petty political calculations, or giving your opponent a bloody nose.

It, first, ought to be, especially for those who would assume the management of the State and wield great authority over people's lives, about promoting the interest of those they pledge to serve.

Having recovered from a sorry lapse and a display of poor judgement, Mrs Simpson Miller and her party have hopefully learned a salient lesson.

Still more lgbt protest on Buju's tour

scenes captured by the Dallas Observer

Scenes from protest action in Palm Beach on Tuesday night, October 13, 2009

also see Buju Banton's show at Trincity/Palm Beach Club faces opposition from GJW

and full coverage from The Dallas Obsever

Buju and the "Faggot" word issue:

...........The use of the derogatory term, however, was harder to explain. The group outside of the club, mostly from the Caribbean, admitted that Jamaica was more or less a "homophobic island."
In fact, during a conversation with the evening's Disc Jockey, the word came up again. When asked why he chose to use the term, the man seemed confused.

"So, they are not?" said the DJ. "Oh, I didn't know faggot was bad ... In Jamaica it's norm. Here, I didn't know it's offensive to them."

And this is the same explanation Morgan gave for his touring partner Banton.

"[Banton] had a meeting with his manager and some other people and he was educated about the word," said Morgan. "He said, 'I didn't know it offended them.'"

Who is Buju fooling???

H

PNP 2006, No plans to Legalise Same Sex Union (FLASHBACK)

Published originally February 17, 2009, 

Ministry of Justice (formerly National Security & Justice) under the People's National Party Administration. This was a statement by the then Attorney General signed below after hearing the submissions from the right winged Christian legal group, Lawyer's Christian Fellowship who among other things contested the sexual orientation sections of the proposed bill, this was where the gay marriage discussion was thrown in the mix and vigorously debated and opposed by the group.

see more on the Joint select committees' reports from GJW:
The Joint Select Cmt 2006 on The Charter of Rights - Consenting Adults (Male)

The Joint Select Cmt 2006 on The Charter of Rights - Freedom From Discrimination

Not Much has changed since eh....Charter of Rights Bill Deliberations from here

No plans to Legalise Same Sex Unions (2006 Official Statement - Attorney General)

"There is no intention whatsoever on the part of the Government or the Joint Select Committee of Parliament that any door should be opened by provisions in the proposed Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or otherwise, to decriminalise homosexuality or to pave the way for same-sex marriages to be accepted as lawful in Jamaica.

In seeking to make submissions to the Joint Select Committee at this eleventh hour, the church representatives and the group of lawyers who complain about certain provisions of the Charter, concerning the protection of the right to privacy, need to be reminded of the history and purport of those provisions as they were developed.

First, those provisions are to the same effect as those that are contained in the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission of the early 1990s, under the chairmanship of Dr. Lloyd Barnett, in their draft Bill on the Charter

Second, the Joint Select Committee that sat for a long time to consider the Charter provisions, in the late 1990s, heard presentations from groups who take a completely opposite view to that taken by the church representatives and group of lawyers. Those entities, including J-FLAG, even though approaching the matter from the base of a different provision in the Bill, were of the view that the Charter should move away from the recommendations of the Constitutional Commission on this score and that there should be no discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation.

The Joint Select Committee did not agree that such a recommendation should be made to Parliament since it saw such a measure as opening the door to the legalisation, or at least, the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Third, the Parliamentary Opposition tabled a Charter of Rights Bill in the name of its former leader, in which the provisions of which the church representatives and group of lawyers now complain are in the same terms as those recommended by the Constitutional Commission that was chaired by Dr. Barnett.

The church representatives and group of lawyers ought to be mindful of the following:

• It is not possible to have a policeman placed in every bedroom in Jamaica. So that, within the confines of a person’s home, this particular mischief cannot be prevented or punished except, of course, someone complains.

• Every provision in a law or a constitution is subject to interpretation by judges. Interpretation of laws, however narrowly or broadly drafted, is always coloured by the experience, culture and prevailing circumstances by which the interpreter is guided in coming to a conclusion. That is one of the reasons why the final interpreter of a country’s laws and constitutional provisions should be exposed to and be keenly aware of the socio-cultural imperatives that must guide his decision."

Senator A.J. Nicholson, Q.C.
Attorney General & Minister of Justice

ENDS

Question is when did anyone ask for Gay Marriage rights and recognition when we cannot get passed understanding sexual orientation?

United Nations Day is October 24th

October 16 - 24, 2009

The Millennium Development Goals

In September 2000, building upon a decade of major United Nations conferences and summits, world leaders came together at United Nations Headquarters in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals. 2007 marks the midpoint in measuring progress toward achieving these goals by 2015 and you can view the 2007 Report at http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/mdg2007.pdf

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by reducing by half the number of people living on less than $1 a day and reducing by half the number of people who suffer from hunger;

Achieve universal primary education by ensuring that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary schooling;

Promote gender equality and empower women by eliminating gender disparities at all levels of education;

Reduce child mortality by reducing by two-thirds the mortality rate of children under five;
Improve maternal health by reducing by three-quarters the maternal mortality ratio and achieving universal access to reproductive health;

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases by halting and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all who need it, and halting and beginning to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases;

Ensure environmental sustainability by integrating principles of sustainable development, reducing by half the number of people living without sustainable access to clean drinking water, and improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers; and

Develop a global partnership for development by developing further an open trading and financial system that is rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory, and includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction— nationally and internationally.

'Respect our views' - Simpson Miller calls for understanding from international community

Edmond Campbell

OPPOSITION LEADER Portia Simpson Miller yesterday urged Jamaica's international partners to respect the majority views of Jamaicans on issues such as the death penalty and sexual preferences.

Making her contribution to the debate on the Charter of Rights Bill in Gordon House, Simpson Miller argued that on such highly sensitive matters the views of the majority must be taken into consideration.

She said several committees on the Charter of Rights Bill which received submissions from members of the public had agreed that a provision to restrict marriage and common-law relationships to one man and one woman should be final.

The Opposition leader wants Jamaica's overseas partners to understand the country's position, noting that a departure from this consensus could lead to deep disagreement among citizens and the authorities, leading to chaos within the State.

Pleased with ccj decision

Simpson Miller also said she was pleased with a recent decision by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to review his administration's earlier position on the Caribbean Court of Justice as the country's final court of appeal.

"That is what we were asking for, that the move to put the legislative foundation in place for the Charter of Rights and the Caribbean Court of Justice should be undertaken at one and the same time," she said.

And the Opposition leader also hailed two former prime ministers for their work in advancing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Bill, which is now being contemplated for passage early next year.

"We are dedicating this exercise to former prime ministers, The Most Hon P.J. Patterson and The Most Hon Edward Seaga, for their extraordinary contribution to this process in which we are engaged, and in which the end is in sight for this Parliament, to give its stamp of approval," said Simpson Miller.

Both former prime ministers had expressed the desire to have the charter debated and passed before they retired from representational politics.

The Butch Femme dynamic ........

Butch identified women are certainly more visible in Jamaica these days and as I hinted in a post before many are accepted as "one of the guys" in our male dominated social scenes. Jamaican men while homophobic are homo social in their get-togethers so butch identified women especially those who smoke weed and do the "gangsta thing" are looked upon as one of the guys in as far as that section of the social strata and integrate fairly well in some instances. Many judge hip hanging male jeans and clothes with corn rowed hair and are revered in some instances due to their connections in some quarters.
There are persons who say they feel intimidated to a certain extent by the presence that butch women project in public, their in charge, strong and no nonsense aura that they have about them.

Our society in general is still not accepting of same sex couples who display the heterosexual dynamics of a man and a woman in public and of homosexual public displays of affection in general.

Lesbians however have been able to live it down in a sense over the years they are not targeted as much as gay men in the murder music by dancehall acts and the rates of homophobic violence were far lower until late 2007 where there has been an slow and steady increase from beatings, illegal and forced evictions, armed assaults and corrective rape type crimes.

Butch identified women in particular have seen their lives despite the acceptance in male circles threatened in some way as well. Of note there was a butch lesbian earlier this year who was attacked by men in her area as described by her when they the attackers, 5 men could not "manage" her as in to overpower her they encircled her and decided to treat her as a man by beating her as in many inner city communities whenever thugs or gangstas run afoul they are punished by beatings by other men in the community as an example to everyone else. As in her case her lesbianism and or infringing on the male roles in the community was the supposed reason for her punishment.

Taboos and patterns

The taboos in the lesbian community still exist though, two butch lesbians do not date as that would not be accepted or may be frowned upon by other lesbians seeing this occur it may be done privately without the other members of the clique or group knowing.
Most lesbian relationship tend to pattern the heterosexual dynamic that of a dominant and a passive partner as there not many long term lesbian relationships that display femme femme or non butch dynamics or softer women being together to draw on as examples.

There some lesbian couples who in order to avoid the glares and remarks present publicly as a heterosexual couple of course that's those butches who are very masculine and can carry off the aesthetics well. This has been noticeable in clubs across town as lesbians by virtue of their status of their higher level tolerance in Jamaica they socialise in open public spaces. This however was threatened for a while when a shooting incident at one of these clubs in 2008 placed on damper on the network and many ladies kept a low profile until the smoke cleared. The particular butch apparently was upset that she was hit on by a man who hurled lesbophobic remarks and threats and then physically encroached on her person so she allegedly took matters in her own hands. It was also alleged that signs were placed at the gate of the club for several weeks instructing no lesbians were allowed to enter after the incident. The gunshot victim however survived the incident and I gather the ladies have slowly returned to patronise the club with new security measures put in place by the management.

Butch women in Jamaica have been visible on the landscape since I was a child and do not get the kind of cynicism and stigma as opposed to effeminate men who run the risk of attacked and beaten if they "show themselves" in public. In the gay setting in socialization there is a clear butch femme dynamic, during parties certain dance songs attract femme who dance together sometimes and are more jovial the butches however tend to be more reserved and hang together in some instances and dance to gangsta type songs that are more mechanical and masculine in nature.

Role play

In relationships generally where there is a butch and femme involved the roles are similar to the heterosexual dynamic, the dominant partner takes care of the financial responsibilities in most instances although there have been equally shared responsibilities as well in some unions to those women I managed to speak to on the issue.

Androgynous women are not very popular in the Jamaican context just the clearly defined femme and butch roles or "high femme" images that are more visible, there are some femmes however who do not want to be labelled as femme as it presents them as weak, helpless or too soft.

More on these dynamics to come.

H

HIV vaccine: doubts over trial

Just a few weeks ago, some scientists thought they were one step closer to finding a vaccine for HIV/Aids.

In the large-scale trial in Thailand, a combination of vaccines seemed to give volunteers a protective effect of 31%.

However, new data, being published at a conference in Paris, is believed to question that assertion.

The BBC's Matt McGrath reports from Paris.

Malcolm X was bisexual?

A diversion of sorts to look at an article by Peter Tatchell as controversial as he gets appearing in the Guardian newspaper.

Peter Tatchell - Malcom X was bisexual, get over it

October is Black History Month in Britain – a wonderful celebration of the huge, important and valuable contribution that black people have made to humanity and to popular culture.
It is also worth celebrating that many leading black icons have been lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), most notably the US black liberation hero Malcolm X. Other prominent black LGBTs include jazz singer Billie Holiday, author and civil rights activist James Baldwin, soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, blues singer Bessie Smith, poet and short story writer Langston Hughes, singer Johnny Mathis, novelist Alice Walker, civil rights activist and organiser of the 1963 March on Washington Bayard Rustin, blues singer Ma Rainey, dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, actress, singer and dancer Josephine Baker, Olympic diving gold medallist Greg Louganis, singer and songwriter Little Richard, political activist and philosopher Angela Davis, singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman and drag performer and singer RuPaul.

Few of these prominent black LGBT achievers are listed on the most comprehensive UK Black History Month website, which hosts biographies of notable black men and women. In the section on people, only Davis is mentioned and her lesbianism is not acknowledged. The website fails to identify the vast majority of black public and historical figures who are LGBT. The Official Guide to Black History Month UK is equally remiss.

Why these omissions? Black people are not one homogenous heterosexual mass. Where is the recognition of sexual diversity within the black communities and black history?

In contrast, LGBT History Month, which takes place in the UK in February, devotes a whole section of its website to the lives of leading black LGBT people and links to the websites for Black History Month. Disappointingly, this solidarity is not reciprocated. On the Black History Month websites I could not find a LGBT section or a LGBT History Month link.
Perhaps it is unintentional but Black History Month sometimes feels like Straight Black History Month.

Famous black LGBT people are not acknowledged and celebrated. Either their contribution to black history and culture is ignored or their sexuality is airbrushed out of their biographies.

A good example of this neglect is the denialism surrounding the bisexuality of one of the greatest modern black liberation heroes: Malcolm X. The lack of recognition is perhaps not surprising, given that some of his family and many black activists have made strenuous efforts to deny his same-sex relationships and suppress recognition of the full spectrum of his sexuality.

Why the cover-up? So what if Malcolm X was bisexual? Does this diminish his reputation and achievements? Of course not. Whether he was gay, straight or bisexual should not matter. His stature remains, regardless of his sexual orientation. Yet many of the people who revere him seem reluctant to accept that their hero, and mine, was bisexual.

Malcolm X's bisexuality is more than just a question of truth and historical fact. There has never been any black person of similar global prominence and recognition who has been publicly known to be gay or bisexual. Young black lesbian, gay and bisexual people can, like their white counterparts, often feel isolated, guilty and insecure about their sexuality. They could benefit from positive, high-achieving role models, to give them confidence and inspiration. Who better than Malcolm X?

He inspired my human rights activism and was a trailblazer in the black freedom struggle. He can inspire other LGBT people too.

CONTINUE HERE TO THE GUARDIAN

Peace and tolerance

H

Sizzla shows cancelled in Denmark in European tour

So just as I thought the European Stop Murder Music campaigners have been bitten by the bug that the US San Franciscans have unleashed and the timing of Sizzla tour is so wrong he has walked right into this one.

Buju Banton faced a similar opposition in Denmark in 2006 see the episode here:
BANTON'S DENMARK GIG MARRED BY GAY PROTEST

The Jamaica Star writes:
Members of the gay and lesbian community are again making their voices heard when it comes to reggae artistes with anti-gay messages.

First it was a slew of concert cancellations for Buju Banton on his North American tour to promote his latest album Rasta Got Soul, as members of the gay community aggressively picketed every venue the 'Gargamel' was slated to perform. They got the upper hand as Buju conceded to a meeting with a group in San Francisco last Monday. However, Buju made no promises about changing his opinions on the taboo community.

Now fellow Rastafarian reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji is facing the latest verbal outbursts on his European tour.

Late last week, a concert venue said it would cancel his show in Denmark if he did not change his anti-gay stance.

However, the threat was later withdrawn.

The artiste, whose real name is Miguel Collins, was scheduled to perform at the Danish venue Pumpehuset last night.

The Copenhagen Post claimed Sizzla said he was a 'role model' for young people in Jamaica and stood by his anti-gay stance. He was quoted as saying he only signed the Reggae Compassionate Act so he could continue performing in Europe.

However, Sizzla replied shortly after on Pumpehuset's website saying he was misquoted.

"It is clear that what I have said has been misconstrued in an interview I had given since I have been on tour. Some who are interviewed, granted interviews in good faith, others may have other motives or axes to grind but I have none," the statement said.


equal rights and justice

It continued: "I believe in peace, equal rights and justice for all mankind and malice towards none. The Reggae Compassionate Act was signed with that belief and it will not change. Me signing the Reggae Compassionate Act is my unflinching belief and commitment towards its goals. In all my shows that I have done so far, I have not wavered from that commitment, which will stand to a lasting testimony."

When contacted, Sizzla's publicist, Olimatta Taal, confirmed on Sunday night that the concert was still scheduled for last night.

Sizzla was not available for a comment but Taal says she speaks on his behalf.

"It is evident that Sizzla and other artistes in the reggae industry are being attacked. These organisations have protested concerts and used the press as a tool to push their agenda. Many concerts have been cancelled as a result of their actions and lots of money have been lost. There is a bigger picture that I think these organisations are not looking at," she told THE STAR.

She added: "Sizzla and the other reggae artistes are all products of a strong, rich Caribbean culture with certain values and principles. They have all been moulded by environments that are a marriage of love and hate, poor and rich, Christian and Rasta, peace and violence. They use reggae music as a way to express themselves, be the voice of the voiceless and the marginalised. Most times the topics they discuss and sing about are controversial but that is the beauty of reggae music and its mother Rastafari. "

Buju Banton's meeting with the gay group in San Francisco has received mixed responses. While some said it was overdue, others questioned his moral mettle.

Buju, who recently relinquished a portion of his estate in an out of court settlement with long-time domestic partner Lorna Strachan, said in the meeting they spoke and he listened and he spoke and they listened.

One of the gay activists noted that Buju's views were shaped by Jamaica's homophobic behaviour and anti-buggering laws.

Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch wrote to Prime Minister Bruce Golding urging action to stem endemic violence against gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Jamaica.

Just last week, during the debate on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, Golding reiterated that the country's Parliament would not recognise same-sex marriage or union while he was in power.

"I make no apology in saying decisively and emphatically that the Government of Jamaica remains irrevocably opposed to the recognition, legitimisation or acceptance of same-sex marriages or same-sex unions," Golding declared at the debate last Tuesday.

Taal pointed out that Jamaica's views on homosexuality is not unique and that the gay community is being selective with its demonstrations.

"The whole world is torn around the issues of homosexuality and homophobia but reggae music is the scapegoat with reggae artistes as the targets," she said. "The lovers and supporters of reggae music must stand up and unite to protect reggae artistes and reggae music, which are misunderstood."

Cherry Bomb: "The Butch Mystique: Part 1 & 2" Vlogs

The ladies discuss the Butch identity and the reference to labels and societal norms.

Butch may be defined as a way women being defiant of social norms, a woman who does and look a way that society says she should be looking or doing.

It can be deemed as a strong way to promote gender non conformity to say I can be different and be me and be proud of who one identify's oneself to be.

PART 2

Buju Banton Protest Clips & Mutabaruka's Cuttin Edge with Buju + related commentry

Buju Banton Protest at the Rockit Room

Find more videos like this on GLBTQ Jamaica LINKUP



Interview with Aaron Baldwin @ Buju Banton Protest

Find more videos like this on GLBTQ Jamaica LINKUP



Scroll to the relevant post that matches this entry'e title or just peruse the entries.


Find more music like this on GLBTQ Jamaica Members' LINKUP


I do feel that all views must be listened to even if they are descenting ones but we must learn from each other as well if we are to move forward in any discussion to take place.

Peace and tolerance

H

Gay lobby overstepping bounds?

Here is an excerpt from a Jamaica Observer piece 18/10/09 called Prime Minister Golding has painted himself into a corner , maybe the sub heading should continue while Mark Wignall makes himself a fool and a homophobe commenting on LGBTQ issues.

Some of these articles are not worth the space and prominence they are given in columns and I wonder what drives the decision of editors but then again maybe it is a good way to show the stupidity of some persons. This to me is just so simplistic for someone like him.

Read and decide for yourself:
Mark Wignall writes

.......Homosexual lobby overstepping its bounds

"Among the items on the list of demands the gay rights lobbyists put forward was that Buju think about making statements in Jamaica calling for love toward gays; donate to the JFLAG group; hold a town hall meeting in Kingston about the need to respect gays and sing about loving gay people. All the suggestions were rejected by Buju, which is said to have infuriated the lobbyists present."

The above is an extract from an Observer article which spoke to DJ Buju Banton's recent meeting with a powerful gay lobby group.

What was that again? ".making statements in Jamaica calling for love toward gays; donate to the JFLAG group; hold a town hall meeting in Kingston about the need to respect gays and sing about loving gay people." Am I seeing correctly?

I will admit that I do not listen to Buju Banton's music because his voice 'grits' me the wrong way. But it is obvious that he has quite a large fan base. We are told that when he was 18 years old, he did Boom Bye Bye, a song which spoke about our culture of dislike for male homosexuality but which also suggested that homosexuals should be shot in the head.

We are also told that Buju Banton does not perform the song on his overseas tours. That said, the so-called gay lobby wants Banton to spend the rest of his life not just apologising to them, but to actively endorse the homosexual lifestyle in his songs.

Are these people sane? Years ago I received a call from JFLAG inviting me to a gay seminar to give a presentation. The conversation went something like this.

JFLAG: "My name is Steve and I would like to know if you could address our group in an upcoming gathering."

Me: (laughing) "Why would you want to hear from me? I don't support your lifestyle and I have written a few articles condemning the aggressiveness of the gay lobby."

JFLAG: "Well, we will be wanting to hear from people like yourself."

Obviously I did not go. If male homosexuals want to live their lives in peace, there are certain realities they have to face up to. Our culture is virulently anti-gay, plus we are a naturally violent people. That said, the vast majority of gay killings is done by gays when the relationship sours.

While I have serious problems with DJs who, unsolicited, invite hate on gays from the stage, I have to be cognisant of the educational, social and cultural realities of our people from whom DJs spring.

Banton is under pressure and the homosexual lobby wants him to hold its hand and sing, 'We're all in this thing together.' They want him to kiss and make up.

This is the epitome of a great culture clash with an added imperious schooling of the Jamaican DJ by those who believe they are more socially advanced than he is, than we are.

Buju, chose your path carefully and decide if bending over to these activists/social extortionists will be worth the extra dollar.

observemark@gmail.com

News you can use - To whom do I report the police?

John Doe said he was physically abused by a group of policemen after he refused to allow them to search his house without a warrant.
Mr. Doe says he is afraid to report the matter to the police and wants to know if there is any other agency or body to which he could report the incident.

What is the Police Public Complaints Authority?

The authority is an independent, non-police agency of the Ministry of Justice with the power to investigate allegations of misconduct filed by members of the public against members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and its auxiliaries. Investigations are conducted in an impartial and objective fashion by the authority's investigative staff, which is made up solely of civilian employees.

Who comprises the authority?

The authority consists of three persons appointed by the governor general in his discretion by instrument under the broad seal (one of whom is appointed executive chairman).

What are the legal functions of the authority?

a) To monitor the investigation by the force of any complaint or other matter to which the act applies with a view to ensuring that such investigation is conducted impartially.

b) To supervise the investigation of complaints by the force.

c) To undertake direct investigation of complaints.

d) To evaluate and report to the minister of justice from time to time on the system of handling complaints.


Who may make a complaint?

Complaints may be made by a member of the public, whether or not that person is affected by the subject of the complaint, or by any person on behalf of a member of the public so affected, but with his written consent.

What happens to a complaint after it is filed?

The complaint is assigned to an investigator who will commence investigation immediately. The investigator will gather as much information as possible about the complaint through records of the police department, field visits, interviews of witnesses, police officers and other available sources. The authority will inform you by letter of the status of an ongoing investigation. At the close of the investigation, the case is thoroughly reviewed by the authority.

Where the authority considers that a criminal offence may have been committed, the matter is reported to the director of public prosecutions for her ruling. Otherwise, it is reported to the commissioner of police with the authority's recommendation. The authority notifies the complainant by letter of the action taken.

If your complaint does not fall within the authority's jurisdiction, the authority will forward it to the appropriate agency and will notify you of the referral.

What are the possible actions that the authority may take?

The authority may decide that the complaint is:

Substantiated: The subject officer has committed the alleged act of misconduct.

Unsubstantiated: There was insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint.

Unfounded: The subject officer did not commit an act of misconduct. The incident did occur, but the officer's actions were lawful.


How long does it take before a complaint is resolved?

The authority strives to resolve all complaints in a timely manner. The exact time depends on the complexity of the investigation and the cooperation of the parties. On average, the investigation of a complaint is completed within three months.

Is there any other way to resolve the complaint?

Where the parties voluntarily agree, a complaint which, if proven, would not attract sanctions may be resolved informally. In this case the assistance of a neutral party assigned by the authority is utilised.

How and where may a complaint be lodged to the authority?

How: In person or by mail.
Where: Ground and first floors
45-47 Barbados Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica.
Tel: 968-8875, 968-1932
Fax: 960-4767
Toll free: 1-888-FOR-HELP (367-4357)