In The Life: Finding Home ... Homeless Awareness Month

This month's In The Life series I could not be late with posting it as it touches an issue that is close to me as you may have gleaned from the previous homeless posts and concerns shared, featured is the new True Colours home launched by Cyndi Lauper lending her support via celebrity and song of course her biggest smash "True Colours" Our poor advocacy on this issue and the use of the population as involuntary martyrs is just so unethical and smacks a kind of apartheid system well oiled and self protective systems. Lets look at best practices and see what we can get from this. November is Homeless Awareness Month as made known to us via this clip and is a recognition being used worldwide now in looking at this problem. A small shelter or at best a drop in centre would be a start for this fledgling group of mostly men, one hardly hears of same gender loving females fully homeless but maybe displaced for temporary periods.

There are an estimated 1.6-2.8 million homeless youth in the United States, up to 40% identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. IN THE LIFE examines the plight of LGBT youth experiencing homelessness.

True Colors Residence (00:09:15)

 Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Residence is the first permanent, affordable housing for at risk LGBT youth in New York City. IN THE LIFE meets the young people who are making it home

 Kicked Out (00:15:23)

 IN THE LIFE travels from New York to Illinois and California for a stark look at LGBT youth who are kicked out of their homes.

here is the Youtube version

also see: From The Pen of one of our homeless brothers

and

Please also see:
Hypocrisy, Continued damage control via stands or a genuine call for inclusiveness in western Jamaica?

The dark side to the homeless issue .............

3 more brothers displaced teetering on homelessness

Hypocrisy, Continued damage control via stands or a genuine call for inclusiveness in western Jamaica?

Some background to the homeless issue
As we continue to highlight a dark chapter in our LGBT history that on the face of it some would rather kept hushed this matter of homelessness among our same gender loving males and teens has created deeper rifts between supporters of the established LGBT organizations Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays its parent Jamaica AIDS Support (for Life) and others in the trenches both NGOs were set up originally to deal with and included in their mission aspects of front-line activism for seriously marginalized individuals or groups, sadly the systems have seriously fallen down in that department with a glaring absence of psycho social interventions and at least a resident social worker to deal with the psychological and behavioural problems that has beleaguered the aforementioned NGOs from the men but what does one expect if there are no behaviour change mechanisms in place? 

see related posts on the subject as well.

Settle the Score on CVM TV’s Live @ 7 (26.08.11)…the JFLAG ad campaign

Attempted censorship from the advocates towards views on the JFLAG Ad campaign??

Rowdy gays banned by J-FLAG, JASL ………. (Jamaica Observer)

Blow to gay ad – TVJ rejects J-FLAG’s PSA ……. J-FLAG says rejection of PSA unfortunate

Doing ‘business’ in New Kingston … Jamaica Observer on MSM Homelessness ….. JFLAG should be ashamed

Complaint of “Freaky Gays” Harassing New Kingston Residents ……..

The Quietus (Safe House Project Closes) (from 2010)

Gay Ad angers Clerics 

JFLAG/AIDSFREEWORLD unimpressive show at community meeting

Very few of our homeless brothers since the civil disobedience action in August 23 and 24 2011 have been able to survive sensibly, there are some small inroads made in terms of some cash and one or two have found a job but otherwise they are still struggling, only Wednesday evening I was approached by a few at a meeting on sexuality at a popular bar where they expressed their struggle, small pocket change dole out is NOT enough. The behavioural problems also continue to be of concern.

Peace and tolerance

H

CVM TV's Live @ 7 on the UK AID Withdrawal threat & responses .......

As the debate intensifies on the United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron in a television interview after the commonwealth heads of government conference in Australia expressed concerns that commonwealth countries receiving aid but who are still carrying anti sodomy acts will lose said aid, buggery or sodomy laws which are mistakenly described as anti gay/homosexual laws when buggery is not homosexuality which I think is  clouding the debate and creating more unneeded anger and rage with homophobia. Mr Cameron said that Britain is one of the primary aid givers in the world, "We want to see countries that receive our aid adhering to proper human rights and that includes how people treat gay and lesbian people."

Live at 7 host Elon Parkinson had convener of Families Against State Terrorism (FAST) Yvonne McCalla Sobers and Human Rights Lawyer Lord Anthony Gifford who challenged a similar law in Ireland some twenty years ago. Both have made appearances in the previous outdoor stands in New Kingston earlier this year. 

In her response she reinforced basically what she had said at the press conference at the launch of the challenge to the buggery law at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. She contested that the British exported the laws to other states at the time to all of their colonies, she noted that Cuba has no sodomy law. "As I see it I do believe we have enough common sense here to decide for ourselves to examine our situation and to say this needs to go or this needs to stay."
But with host Elon reminding here that the public is incensed by the thought she changed her tone to suggest we may not have the common sense after all. In answering host's Elon Parkinson's question:
"Are we missing something here when David Cameron indicated that look this is not just an issue regarding the removal of the anti gay laws but also a human rights issue under the broad scope of human rights we have known especially first world countries have withheld aid on the basis of human rights violations in several states?


Miss Sobers responded: "Many of us in this country supported the embargo against South Africa for instance so this measure has been taken in the past now the issue is why is it that it needs to worry us that much if the UK decides to withhold its money as it has a right to do for instance Barbados who has produced their way out of whatever economic situation might have come close Barbados has no problem with aid they don't get any UK aid so on the one hand it is possible to be independent on the other hand to get there perhaps as part of our development we need to take an approach that respects the right of all, we don't stop and think how much we loose in the brain drain, persons gay persons who migrate take away their skills take away their assets from this country we may need to just think again. If we think of the harm that is done to persons living here and I'll just speak on the harm done to actually straight persons as well with this kind of law because it skews the way in which a man is perceived."


She continued on the point of the downlow phenomenon, poor condom and sex negotiations with HIV/AIDS infection rates directly affected. There are repercussions in maintaining this law. The buggery law she continued that it fuels health issues and corruption - "One of the pluses for a corrupt police officer is an unenforceable law and this is one." The fear of being charged in connection with this law creates opportunities for payola and corruption, persons who maybe innocent have been accosted." she said Britain has no moral authority to do this action.

Lord Anthony Gifford


Said that the way the UK is going about the issue has rubbed Jamaicans the wrong way, he does not think the threat will be carried through, the real issue of him is a needed debate on love and tolerance in the nation and the explanation of the law, he said the law is inciting hate as its text itself is encouraging homophobia, the words are inflammatory as it describes buggery as an abominable crime yet it does not describe other crimes as such. He also added that it is a fundamental rights issue that suppresses the minority. On the matter of homosexual rights being secondary he responded that we need to get the issues into perspective and we have almost perfected other rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association that we can teach the world. He repeated his original call that the UK government is going about it the wrong way. He hinted to the reparation commission as a means to repair damage he sees that UK has done by passing old laws such as the sodomy ones where symbolic gestures and financial payouts can be made. He agreed with Elon Parkinson that it maybe a kind of colonial hypocrisy as the former colonial master wants states to remove the laws when they were handed to us.

Meanwhile Justice Minister Delroy Chuck in a separate CVM newscast on the same station some days before said that any such legislative change must be driven by the public interest, “It is a matter that parliament should have the opportunity to debate, looking at the pros and cons just like the capital punishment individual parliamentarians can take a position as to whether or not it should be changed that is it should be repealed or modified as the case maybe,” he continued ” I am not too sure that the homophobia is caused from the laws, these laws have been in existence from time in memorial I think it is fear to say that um Jamaicans do not consider homosexual behaviour to be acceptable the question is whether these views can be changed over a period of time.”

Of interest the opposition People's National Party has been silent are they afraid as the election season approaches to be siding with gays may be political suicide ?

My original response when the story broke on October 10, 2011 on a post on sister blog GLBTQJA Wordpress. My two cents then

But what will that do though in the long run if most states and including Jamaica outside of the region mentioned in the article have a strong beliefs or perception that homosexuality is an import and that actions such as this are forcing the hand of countries with “christian principles” and “high moral values” to capitulate to the powerful gay lobby from first world nations yet The Prime Minister David Cameron is not gay but could be viewed as a puppet in the scheme of this with the pressure coming and positions from the European Union side of things and other bodies such as the United Nations on sexual orientation.

Is forcing countries to comply the way to go?

Or hitting them economically?

I don’t think so, certainly other diplomatic methods can be employed but what about the notion that anti gay forces in the United States are in effect exporting homophobia and funding anti gay and religious fanaticism especially in parts of Africa in recent times. What does Mr. Cameron et al have to say or do about that?, these powerful backers behind such moves are said to be numerous and are some of the biggest companies and individuals allegedly. Will the UK also criticize those backers and demand they stop this kind of clandestine support or be made to stop? Can or will the UK Prime Minister stand up to the police man of the world and call it for what it is? Are we going to solve the issue of tolerance this way folks? I don’t think so, the hitting of the economic prosperity of these non compliant states as it were may only serve to bring more harm to the voices and populations on the ground who are made to pay the price as involuntary martyrs for this kind of pressure.

The particular tranche of aid that maybe affected is a bilateral one known as general support,the aid was vital as it was used to rehabilitation programs for deportees who are helped to rejoin society, training and support. National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said on a radio interview that if aid was cut Jamaica could not afford to run such a program at this time. The comments as usual were anti gay as Elon read a few from the program's Facebook page.

Also see more responses from the aforementioned persons and State Minister Miss Malahoo Forte on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch Reactions continue to come in on the UK's stance on AID to anti gay laws hosting nations

 Homosexuality is Not Illegal in Jamaica .... Buggery is despite the persons gender 12.11.11 by glbtqja6

Peace and tolerance

H

Shirley Richards on Truth On Sodomy And Sex Diseases

After another hiatus Miss Richards of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship strikes again of course following on the recent news and ari time the Gay community has been getting in the challenge launched by a coalition of rights activists and AIDSFREEWORLD, The LCF were the ones who basically got the Buggery Law kept on the books in the late nineties when a more active Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays JFLAG made a parliamentary submission. 

Here is her letter to the Gleaner published today:

Truth On Sodomy And Sex Diseases

THE EDITOR, Sir:


 At the recently held Common-wealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia, among the issues was a call for all member states to repeal sodomy laws. The laws being referred to are found in 41 of the 54 member states. While the report calls for the repeal of these laws, it frames the issue as one of disease control, stating that such laws "impede the effective response of Commonwealth countries to the HIV/AIDS epidemic". The Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group is reported to have "blamed the British influence on the former colonies for high rates of HIV/AIDS.


Most of these countries outlaw homosexual practices, which the rival French empire legalised in 1791". The reference to France in this context is interesting, for if what I have been told is correct, in France, there is full access to all the antiretroviral drugs. Moreover, such drugs are free. One would expect to find that HIV/AIDS is a non-issue among homosexuals there. Spread among msm Instead, French researchers reported in the Lancet Infect Dis (October 2010): "HIV transmission seems to be out of control in the MSM population." Reports in medical journals indicate that this is generally the situation in Europe as well as Australia.


 In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports: "The sexual health of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the United States is not getting better despite considerable social, political and human rights advances. Instead of improving, HIV and STIs remain disproportionately high among MSM and have been increasing for almost two decades." In light of the foregoing, it is inexplicable that leaders of countries which are experiencing these challenges would be trying to foist them upon other members of the Commonwealth. Should it not be the reverse?


 S. RICHARDS
 Kingston 10

ENDS

- Miss Shirley Richards 


Why are you still linking HIV/AIDS to be a gay disease?


Antiretroviral therapy does not cure or definitively control the viral loads of infected persons even when they have found the comfortable cocktail mix or HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapies) that work for each person, strict adherence is also a KEY requirement. ARVs are not like diabetic or high pertension drugs where the three or four standards ones available for e.g Metformin can apply to almost everyone while it's just a matter of dosage levels and timing or where someone can miss some doses, it is far more complex than that with HIV. To simply suggest as you have that ARVS should fix the infection problem in MSMs is disingenuous. Access to ARV or HAART alone in your argument is after the fact where someone is positive already if you want to argue about ARVs as a prevention method which coincidentally is a debate raging in the certain parts of the research community about using ARVS for HIV negative persons to take prior to sex so as to mitigate a person contracting the virus then properly do so and get the facts before you pen these letters pleaase. 


 Men who have sex with men not only practice anal sex as you would like to believe but there are outercoursal practices as well though possibly lesser done in our highly sexualised society such as mutual masturbation and intercrural sex aka gay missionary which the penis is NOT inserted in the excretory orifice but placed between the legs as is commonly known on the streets as "leggins" which is also practiced by HETEROSEXUAL couples when the female is seeing her "monthly" but her male partner wants some sort of sexual play, this is then used as an alternative. 


 Yes the infection rates are high in the MSM populations locally and are expected to climb this year after a recent study but there are many interventions that are tackling that and also literally over the counter items and cleansing agents that can help to mitigate that which may include in the near future microbicidal technology that like some spermicides on condoms can kill viruses before during and after the sex act despite sexual orientation. Vaginal microbicides for example are already being tested and proven to a certain extent in the US and Africa which include elements of some of ARVs you alluded to (tenofovir). 


The prevention messages and interventions on the ground are impeded by the law presently on the books simply because of the act of buggery the outreach officers, social workers and agencies cannot directly handle some of the advocacy issues that attend to these populations coupled with the stigma associated with the law and the Leviticusal rhetoric the religious fanatics throw at the same gender loving community, the difficulties encountered by individuals to access care and treatment despite some enlightenment .... theocracy has no place here Miss Richards. If we are out of many one people as a nation then let's live it instead of trying to cock block me or any other man (including non gay men who practice anal sex with men and other women) who wants to practice or live as a homosexual providing he is not interfering with others rights and privileges. What are you afraid of, do you think gay men in particular are somehow going to penetrate every butt they see or go after children especially boys when you know fully well that paedophilia is NOT the same as consenting same sex adults attracted to each other.? 


 Some people are gay ............. Get over it .............. 


 When last I checked however Jamaica was not named as one of those possible states to loose this funding avenue that the UK Prime Minister Mr. Cameron has proposed or threatened to remove. It seemed more targeted at African states and while it may seem as an imposition take a look at it seriously, the umpteen asylum seekers from that continent due to persecution because of stigma and homophobia, the violence in some instances far more pronounced and graphic than ours and to talk about imposition the use of powerful religious figures there funded by American conservatives to push the anti gay messages while reinforcing hate and then they like you say you are Christians, your purpose as far as I see it when one publicly accepts Christ is to win souls for the kingdom not pry through my keyhole or cockblocking, the particular "Sin" of the temperal body for that soul is not your concern, leave all judgement to God. I also suggest you do some proper research and analysis of the difference between a paedophile and hebephile and an adult male homosexual disinterested in boys or pre-pubescent persons or hire a non partisan expert in the social sciences or psychological fields to guide you and your team at the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship. 


 Peace and tolerance 


 H

LGBT History Month: Allies – Posthumous Recognition ’11 Part III

In remembering some of the Allies of the community and outside the community as well this LGBT History Month folks we lost in this year and times before, here are some individuals who were fearless in their own right and contributed much over time in their various forms or just lived life to the fullest. In Part 1 as posted on sister blog GLBTQJA Wordpress we had an interesting mix of persons who left us this year plus unsung heroes from decades before. In Part II I continued with some popular figures on the social scene including a transgender sister who was murdered this year unfortunately by her lover after a heated argument. 

There were brief snippets on them and what they meant to the community which is a far cry I must admit in some instances to what they are worth but it is a start in archiving our history, some of the information maybe lost in time forever.
This round in part III let us continue to look at the mix of persons who made their mark or left a trail for us. For now let us settle for posthumous tributes until we can safely highlight those who are alive and serving barring repercussions or forced outings. 

Paul Phillips passed in late 2010 after a brief illness, wonderful soul, warm personality, old world charm and an advocate in his own private capacity. Many can attest to it.

Howard Daly, Rastafarian of Guyanese extraction 

Jamaica AIDS Support, JFLAG Executive, Choreographer, Author, Life Coach, The Voice of Reason he passed away on September 4th 2010 from Complications due to Colon cancer.

Here is an original entry on GLBTQJA Wordpress at the time when he passed 

Ransford "Ranny" 

Long Standing advocate and employee at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life unfortunately he too succumbed to complications of the disease with which some say very little assistance from his former employers up to his promotion to glory. Volunteered with several HIV/AIDS initiatives, a former member of JamQuest a short lived sporting outfit that included male netballers, footballers and table tennis athletes who were LGBT people. His trademark locks were his identifying marker and at one point he trimmed them away much to the shock and dismay of coworkers and friends but he eventually regrew them. I have very little else on Ranny but this pic came from an old trip he was on with the group back in the day.

RIP Ranny

the beautiful Mi'Que all dolled up, transgender figure and party animal as hinted to in the introduction above see more here on Gay Jamaica Watch on her passing earlier this year

Remembering Donahue Jimmy Bulgin: April 11, 1966 - April 14, 2005

Thanks to a fellow DJ/Queen from Toronto DJ Relentless I was reminded of this awful event in 2005 and like me Relentless also made a decision to desist playing certain dancehall tunes in protest against murder music, since I hardly spin dancehall but more dancemusic for the club kidz, here is one of many poems that were dedicated to Bulgy as he was also known at the time of his murder in western Jamaica.

Thanks Relentless for this.

There ends 2011 entries for LGBT History Monthy, I do hope they are some source of inspiration to you, please seek expressed permissions for use of photos or hotlink any third party sharing to this and other posts if you used the materials therein

Peace and tolerance

H