Tanya Stephens gives confident lecture at UWI

A confident looking Tanya Stephens stood behind the podium at the University of the West Indies' Assembly Hall yesterday speaking in a lecture on the topic 'Music, the Power to Shape Societies'.

Her delivery was just as confident as she clearly brought across her points to the audience.

She touched on several fitting issues, among them, the social responsibility of entertainers, lyrics which objectify women, and the issue at hand, the power which music holds to shape societies. Where the latter was concerned, Stephens gave some excellent examples of how this was easily done, but did not accept responsibility for the negative impact that music has been said to have on society.

Stephens, however, did not place all the blame on music, saying, "... while music didn't create the problems, it is helping to propagate them."

She spoke of marketing strategies used by some artistes and how it helps them and at the same time influence how members of society and avid music lovers accept 'brand names'. The endorsement of liquors such as Cristal, Moet and Hennessy by entertainers is one such example she noted before going on to point out the clothing fad of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more recently Clarks.

She also spoke of the lyrical content of female artistes which objectify women saying that they were sending the wrong messages to a 14-year-old girl who is trying to find her identity.

Dancehall vs homophobia

She did not bar herself from her missiles, however, as she admitted to having content which did the same, but none recently.

'Dancehall vs homophobia' was another of her topic which was welcomed with applause as Stephens pointed out that oftentimes artistes who wear the 'humanitarian' and 'cultural' cap were the ones who blatantly hit out against homophobia and in doing so influenced the masses.

She said that the first time she performed Do You Still Care?, a song which addresses racism and anti-homosexuality, was before a group of journalists in New York, many of who were from Jamaica.

"I was warned that when I released the track I would have to move from Jamaica," she laughed.

She later turned the lecture into a conversation as she answered questions from members of the audience before performing Do You Still Care?, These Streets, It's A Pity and Cherry Brandy at the request of the audience.

Here is her song questioning prejudice towards persons recorded live some years ago

Dr. Carolyn Cooper, the main facilitator/organizer of this event, has indicated that Stephens’ lecture marks the revival of the public forums on ‘Women in Reggae’ that were previously hosted by the Reggae Studies Unit at UWI (to mark International Women’s Month). The first forum was held almost a decade ago, in March 2002. Artistes Judy Mowatt, Cherry Natural, Lady G, Lady Saw, Angie Angel, Queen Ifrica, Pam Hall, Sabrina Williams, Jana Bent, Shirley McLean, Italee, Crissy D, Ce’Cile and Nadine Sutherland have all spoken at/participated in previous UWI Women in Reggae forums.

In The Life: Backlash or Evolution?

Another instalment from In The Life media as we continue to watch happenings up north.

2011 is poised to be a pivotal year in the movement toward marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples, with both sides of the debate encouraged the pendulum will swing their way. IN THE LIFE travels to Iowa where social conservatives use unprecedented tactics to repeal equal marriage rights in a campaign with national implications. Then, as progress and conservative backlash enflame the marriage controversy at the State and Federal levels, we take a step back to look at a country divided.

The Importance of Being Iowa (00:14:57)

Iowa poses an important question to the rest of the country: Should voters be allowed to decide whether gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry?

"We felt the case was going to be successful because people here realize that those are my neighbors or those are my friends, and they're good people."
-Jen BarbouRoske

Backlash or Evolution? (00:09:46)

As victories and defeats ebb and flow state by state, public support for marriage equality is edging upward.

"The gay community has a good opportunity, better than ever, to pass gay marriage in New York this year. I would vote against it, but realistically, it's a good possibility."
- State Senator Rubin Diaz (D-New York)

Creating a Safer World
February 2011 (00:06:00)

"I was literally a punching bag at school and at home. I decided that I couldn't take it anymore." -- Evan Bornacelli

The YES Institute works to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation.

CLICK HERE to see "You are Not Alone" our February broadcast featuring a segment on Bullycides, the national health crisis of young people taking their own lives as the result of bullying.




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

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

International Transgender Day of Visibility ......

Today is the third annual International Transgender Day of Visibility. The event started the year before in 2009 when one Rachel Crandall, head of Transgender Michigan, was inspired to create a day that celebrated transgendered people, to balance the more somber Transgender Day of Remembrance that focuses on those in the transgendered community who have died.


Visibility can be a double-edged sword for the transgendered. Certainly, the more transgendered men and women are public and open about their situation, the more exposed others will become to the issue and hopefully the more understanding and accepting they will become. However, this visibility, while great for the cause at large, can come at a great personal risk.


Transgendered people who are out (voluntarily or not) can face bigotry, violence, and harassment. They are often discriminated against in the workplace, abandoned by friends and family, and even barred from public places. Further, they have to deal with people who never accept their gender identity, believing instead that the gender a person was assigned at birth is the only real truth. Some even goes as far as to equate being transgendered with being dishonest.


Transphobia leading to invisibility and transphobia by default similar to the biphobia by default from our own limp wristed JFLAG advocates is another matter all in itself with a small number of them self identifying as trans in fear if ridicule and being misunderstood.

We have our share of violence towards trans persons where a preoperative Male To Female (MTF) individual's throat was slashed and she was beaten when men approached her thinking she was female only to discover her male genitalia still in tact and inflicted their version of punishment describing her as a battyman. JFLAG's acronymn although covering trans and allsexuals only give lip service to the name to sound good and this has been only happening in recent times following the attention paid to trans issues from bloggers like myself.


There are Transgendered persons who wish to conduct their treatment and surgeries but very little help is known to have been extended to these persons worse yet no financial assistance at all in some cases one major trans figure was homeless at one point for several months and her counseling sessions were discontinued by the powers that be sighting her uncooperativeness in effect.

Then there are the more visible issues of possible transgendered persons living homo-normative lives probably really unaware of their own identity and caught up in the burlesque world of drag, forced or rigid feminization with no psycho social help to bring them over into their rightful place, but not to bore you with a litany of woes let us as Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people from the other parts of the umbrella group also respect the right to life for our transgendered friends and be tolerant of them too as they have their own issues that they need to sift through as we have ours.

Be yourselves my Trans peeps.

Peace and tolerance

H

85 Nations Endorse UN Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Eighty-five nations endorsed the UN Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identitypresented by Colombia to the UN Human Rights Council, an inter-governmental body within the United Nations made up of 47 states. The statement was signed by the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Seychelles. Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council, made the following statement:

“We are proud to have taken a leading role on the statement issued today at the Human Rights Council, signed by 85 countries, entitled “Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.” Human rights are the inalienable right of every person, no matter who they are or who they love. The U.S. government is firmly committed to supporting the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to lead productive and dignified lives, free from fear and violence. We look forward to working with other Governments from all regions and with civil society to continue dialogue at the Council on these issues.“

The Washington Post interviewed Suzanne Nossel about the lead role the United States took on the resolution:

“We are very concerned that individuals continue to be killed, arrested and harassed around the world because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Suzanne Nossel, deputy assistant secretary of state for international organizations. “This statement sends a strong message from across the globe that such abuses should not be tolerated.”

The U.S. document calls for nations to end any criminal punishments against lesbians, gays and bisexuals, and asks the global body to review how governments treat them in the U.N.’s human rights assessments. It acknowledges that “these are sensitive issues for many,” but the document insists that people must be freed from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.

Ms. Nossel said the United States was proud to be taking a leading role in promoting the idea that gay rights are human rights — among the sharper foreign policy redirections that occurred after President Obama took office.

The following nations endorsed the resolution:

Delivered by Colombia on behalf of: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

the former-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanautu and Venezuela

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review on Jamaica and the Charter of Rights .....

The Human Rights Council on March 17, 2011 adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review on the Marshal Islands, Croatia and Jamaica.

Phillip Muller, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations, said the Government accepted the recommendations on ratification or accession to the main international human rights treaties and underlined the serious need of technical and financial assistance in properly implementing them. Lack of resources was the reason why the establishment of a national human rights institution was not being considered at the moment. The Marshall Islands also accepted the recommendations on the promotion of human rights, addressing domestic violence and other issues affecting women, children’s rights, socio-economic development and climate change. The Government was disappointed that only one nation in the Universal Periodic Review had responded to issues raised regarding climate change impacts.

Wayne McCook, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that in the implementation of the recommendations Jamaica was guided by the interests of all Jamaicans which in some cases meant that it would be best to reinforce existing mechanisms rather than to establish new ones or to undertake new international obligations. Jamaica had worked to adopt an overall strategy to eliminate practices constituting discrimination against women. While there was no single institution in Jamaica dealing with the issue of human rights, the mandates of several entities were established with portfolio responsibilities to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights and were strong and effective. The Government recognized the urgent need to address conditions in prisons and lockups and had pursued efforts for the construction of new prison facilities and privatization of prisons.

In the discussion on Jamaica, speakers looked forward to continued progress on reforming the justice sector with an emphasis on increasing respect for the rule of law and human rights among the police forces. Also, speakers welcomed the efforts to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and urged Jamaica to repeal sections of the law that criminalised same-sex activities. Speakers noted the progress made in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, poverty reduction, education, access to public and reproductive health, malnutrition and hunger and their progress in the protection of children against ill treatment and exploitation. A speaker was disappointed that Jamaica had rejected the moratorium on executions, the commutation of all death sentences to prison sentences and the abolishment of the death penalty.

Speaking in the general debate on the Universal Periodic Review of Jamaica were Algeria, Morocco, Cuba and the United States. The non-governmental organizations that spoke during the discussion were COC Nederland and Amnesty International.

The Council then adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review on Jamaica.

In his concluding observations Mr. McCook thanked the delegations and stakeholders groups that had spoken and those delegations that had recommended the adoption of this report and those who mentioned other advances and progress in the Millennium Development Goals. Jamaica reiterated its position as stated in its national report: there was no legal discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation, and the Government of Jamaica condemned such discrimination.

They underscored the provisions of their constitution which addressed the guarantees of any citizen and the possibility for them to appeal violations in court. Concerning the justice and law enforcement reform, they were improving prison conditions and the training of officers in these institutions. They had also increased the training in law enforcement. Moreover the Government had established an independent commission on investigations that investigated abuses. Jamaica thanked the members of the Council for the attention paid to the review of Jamaica and wished to remind them that the list of recommendations in the numerical count may be misleading as some recommendations were repeated. Jamaica recommended that recommendations be clustered in a thematic way. Jamaica had clearly indicated those recommendations that they rejected and those accepted.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review on Jamaica

WAYNE McCOOK,

Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Office at Geneva,

said Jamaica attached great importance to the Universal Periodic Review process and it took note of the positions and views of many stakeholders summarized by the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in documentation presented at the Working Group stage of Jamaica’s review.

Jamaica had implemented or was in the process of implementing many of the goals reflected in the recommendations and was guided by the interests of all Jamaicans which in some cases meant that it would be best to reinforce existing mechanisms rather than to establish new ones or to undertake new international obligations. Jamaica was reviewing the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment with a view to taking a decision on its ratification.

Consideration was also being given to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, the United Nations Convention related to the Status of Stateless Persons and to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Jamaica took its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women seriously and had worked to adopt an overall strategy to eliminate practices constituting discrimination against women.

The Government was not in a position to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Jamaica accepted the recommendation on timely submission of reporting obligations to United Nations treaty bodies but it was important to note that human and resource constraints impeded the timely submission of reports by developing countries.

Extensive work had been done with regard to the amendment of the Constitution to provide for “A Charter of Rights and Freedoms” and the Government remained committed to the implementation of this important instrument which would be submitted to the Jamaican Parliament on 29 March 2011. While there was no single institution in Jamaica dealing with the issue of human rights, the mandates of several entities were established with portfolio responsibilities to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights and were strong and effective.

These bodies included the Office of the Public Defender and the Independent Commission of Investigation. Institutional mechanisms, such as the Bureau of Women’s Affairs and the Child Development Agency, already existed for advancing the special concerns of women and children.

The Government recognized the urgent need to address conditions in prisons and lockups and had pursued efforts for the construction of new prison facilities, including the issue of privatization of prisons, but noted that these initiatives might be constrained by the severe economic and financial conditions facing the country. The Government had also developed a new regime for the management of juveniles in the care of the state and an existing facility was being renovated."

ENDS

Notes:

One wonders if the rush by the Jamaica Labour Party government to pass the almost twenty year document that is to replace section three of the constitution and which was passed with so much ease in our parliament history wasn't a diversion to meet this review and to impress the UN while by passing the sexual orientation discrimination issue both at the UN level where voted no to remove sexual orientation as a reason for judicial killings and at the local level the exclusion of any hints to the same Charter of Rights banded about above by the Permanent representative which not only excludes recognition and rights to same gender loving persons but the disabled as well.

You be the judge.

Peace and tolerance

H

Internalized Trans-Phobia

As we continue to put together the references to Transgender health and related issues here is a piece by Psychotherapist and Gender expert A. B. Kaplan officially a Licensed Psychotherapist practicing at

113 University Place #1008,

New York, NY 10003
(212) 358-1884

info@amikaplan.net
Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis

Some areas of specialty Include:

● issues of assertion
● overcome fears about speaking up
● change entrenched roles in relationships
● be able to put your agenda out there
● gay, lesbian issues and transgender issues
● relationship help, couples problems

Training

New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW
MSW from New York University
Post Graduate Psychoanalytic Training: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center Graduate.

Affiliations
Clinical Director of New York Psychotherapy Collective .
World Professional Association for Transgender Health

A.B. Kaplan

What is it and how do you get it?

Internalized trans-phobia refers to feelings some people have inside about their being trans that they might not even be aware of. It refers to how some people hate that part of themselves and are ashamed of it. The phrase comes from the similar experiences of gay folk who sometimes have “internalized homo-phobia”.

How does this happen? This happens because of discrimination, ignorance and stigma in society against people who display gender non-conforming behavior. In other words against men and boys who appear feminine or girls and woman who appear masculine or “butch” or people who are more gender-queer and don’t appear to be completely male or female.

Historically, trans-folk have been the butt of jokes, been made fun of, laughed at, been misunderstood and have been the object of derision and violence. Transgendered people have been seen as “less than”.

This attitude has been widespread and so to finally arrive at the idea that this could be you; that you could be a member of this hated group can be very scary. Not only that, but by growing up in a culture and society where this attitude is common, you take it in and part of you believes it whether you want to or not. This can happen because we often learn the attitudes and beliefs of those around us before we become self-aware enough or wise enough to start questioning them. We often learn these things from trusted people around us – parents, teachers, church leaders, etc. so that we tend not to question them. We learn that a certain group of people can be mocked before we know that we are in that group – and then we are stuck in the position of hating something about ourselves.

Sometimes the messages or feedback we get from parents and teachers when we are very young contribute to feeling bad about being gender variant. Like a parent disapproving of acting too “boyish” or “girlish”. These messages can be very quick and subtle, like a Mother telling her young son not to “stand like a ballerina”.

This is what causes internalized trans-phobia.

What are the effects of Internalized Trans-Phobia?

Feelings of hate and shame for yourself which you might not even be aware of can result in low self-esteem and depression. They can cause you to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed and inferior, even unlovable. They can make you feel like hiding a big part of yourself or pretend to be someone else. They can make you to not want to be around people, to withdraw or be a loner. These feelings can certainly make you feel very unhappy and angry. Some people take a long time to come out as trans because they have so much internalized trans-phobia. It can hold you back in life, not only in terms of finding a way to be the gender you are, but in many areas of your life such as forming deep and satisfying connections to others.

Sometimes internalized trans-phobia can keep you from connecting with other trans-folk. When one has a deep hatred of the gender-queer inside it can get confusing to be around other trans-folk. You may see them in the way you learned early on – as freaky, or not good-enough in some way. The negative feelings can get pushed outward in this way.

What can you do about it?


The first thing to do is to try be aware of it. Try and acknowledge it if you have it. This is hard to do because we usually automatically try to avoid things about ourselves that we are embarrassed about. One can feel ashamed of being ashamed! It gets complicated so it really helps to have a therapist who is knowledgeable about gender issues to do this work with, but a supportive friend or a support group can work too. It helps to have lots of people in your life who are supportive and positive about your being trans. It takes time to “undo” deep down beliefs about gender-variant people, just like it took time to get them.

More

Internalized transphobia is quite common in the transgender community. That is why even transgender people are more comfortable with “passable” than “non-passable” individuals. Until we can accept our own transgender feelings, we will not be able to accept others with transgender attributes.

The Pink Report on JFLAG's handling of the Charter of Rights issue

The Pink Report on March 27th published it's opinion on the handling of the Charter of Rights issues since recent days as it was passed by the Parliament with an overwhelming vote of 51/60 with one abstention and 9 members of Parliament absent during vote as the Bill moved across the floor. I don't normally republish stuff from the Pink Report but I found it refreshing to see their seeming stepped up agitation on advocacy issues which makes me hopeful of things to come, here is the piece in full or follow the link to their blog on Wordpress.

J-FLAG Response Disappoints

By PINK Report

In response to questions posed by the Pink Report concerning J-FLAG’s Advocacy Programme, The Executive Director of the entity has responded by saying “with respect, it’s the PINK REPORT” on JFLAG’s own Facebook Group page. We here at Pink are not sure of the meaning behind the statement, however, do note that it came after questions were raised about the credibility and thus veracity and accuracy of the Report’s Saturday publication entitled Under Attack Part II: Parliamentary Committee Briefs raise questions about JFLAG’s Advocacy by one of its (JFLAG’s) own volunteers/employees.

We here at the Pink Report would like to point out to our readers that the information provided in the above publication was taken from the official report of the Parliamentary Committee on the Charter of Rights and from JFLAG’s own website (which incidentally was emailed to us by the Executive Director). As a consequence if JFLAG is raising questions about the truthfulness and credibility of its own information and that of the Parliament of Jamaica, Pink in no way can be held responsible for that. Indeed the very accusation by JFLAG and its agents may take us down the dangerous path of second guessing every piece of information and literature coming out of JFLAG, a path that we are not remotely interested in contemplating. Rather we will take the statement as an unfortunate emotional reaction that even without the request of forgiveness, we shall like good Christians turn the other cheek forgive, forget and move on! Notwithstanding we would like to submit to JFLAG that a Warmingtonian response to questions is not in the best interest of the organization or any Human Rights lobby group for that matter.

The specific instance of which we speak pertains to a Facebook conversation regarding a JFLAG poll question “Do you agree with the question/statement: why discussions in its Group Page on Facebook have focused mainly on requesting information regarding Human Rights abuses but no articulation of what those Rights are or what JFLAG intends to do with the information if and when given!” Please note the text of the following conversation:

RY: DB (JFLAG representative), I actually thought that to myself… I just never expressed it. All I ever see is request for information.

DB: Scroll down on the wall

RY…take a look at the discourse about the constitution and charter of rights…I myself made suggestion on how particular persons may apply for redress based on their violation/abuses. There are contacts for agencies who can assist. When you have that, then tell me that all you have seen is request for information.

The response from the JFLAG representative has the same material effect as Shut UP, and might we add GO TO HELL. Pink views this is as remarkably abusive and raises questions as to whether the entity genuinely cares for feedback from its own constituents. We publicly implore JFLAG to reign in and train its volunteers/employees on appropriate etiquettes as it regards treatment of clients. We also kindly request adressing the issues raised in the Saturday article in a forensic and professional manner. We still do hope for a response to the questions raised! We had hoped that by raising these questions, JFLAG would have responded by highlighting the work they have been doing behind the scenes. Indeed the opportunity was theirs to point out that they have been coordinating responses with other Human Rights organizations due to the very present dangers of being the public face of homosexuality.

They could have even indicated that that there has been an attempt to get a newsletter off the ground, the efforts of which the PINK Report was to be a part of but has failed to live up to its commitment in this regard and that activities are being planned to ensure that content is added to their website to ensure that community members are better informed about activities they undertake. It is to be noted that Pink regards the 2001 written submission as conforming to the highest standards of advocacy on the matter of Rights. What confuses us is, what could have possibly occurred such that the Committee could have been left with the impression that JFLAG was willing to barter inclusion of rights protections for minorities with repeal of buggery and related laws and what has been done since 2001 to educate members about inter alia the Charter and Rights in general. We ask not for mendacity or barbed attacks but a proper distillation of the entity’s work programme, JFLAG will note that it is not the questions that will embarrass us but the answers.

Looking to the Future At the core of the debate is the Charter of Rights! The Bill is now at the floor of the Upper House, the Senate. Whilst the Leader of Opposition business in the Senate, Senator A.J. Nicholson has already indicated the total support of the PNP benchers he has called for a complete discussion on the Bill’s provisions among the Senators. This delay represents the last real opportunity that JFLAG and the wider Gay community has for initiating amendment to the Bill, which we are aware of. We humbly submit that the time has come for all members of the community to unite behind whatever initiative that JFLAG chooses to engage the Members of the Senate. We propose that a Great Email Campaign be done where persons directly email senators with content to be provided by JFLAG.

In another matter, we here at Pink do sympathize with the young lady from the UWI who was the victim of a cartoon attack. We, however, congratulate her on her fine electoral victory nonetheless. We hope that she will view this challenge not as a set back but as an opportunity to use her time in office to sensitize persons about respect and tolerance for persons of minority orientations including that of gender classifications. We note that the report indicated that the young lady in question was open and out prior to her election and as such her victory possibly marks the first time in Anglophone Caribbean History that an openly homosexual person has been elected to office. This is yet to be substantiated, however, it should be celebrated.