Stand Up To Same-Sex Lobby says Paul Kokoski .....................

So foreign influences who are opposed to homosexuality continue to get air time and space in local media spewing their neatly worded diatribe and coining or reusing so called terms like theophobia which speaks to a fear of gods or God's wrath or religion but here the writer tries to paint a picture of anti - Christian moves by the gay lobby as if to ask for or promote same sex rights will some how affect existing rights for other persons.


Have a read of the letter and see:

 

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Recently there has been an orchestrated effort on the part of homosexual activists like Dr Stephen Moreton to legalise homosexuality and homosexual marriage throughout the Caribbean. Most of these people are not from the Caribbean but are trying to impose their sordid lifestyle on the Christian Caribbean islands.

People should be made aware of the fact that there is no 'gay gene' and no scientific proof that homosexuality is innate. Homosexuality is, in fact, an abnormal behaviour. Ironically, the homosexual lobby often tries to project their own disorder on heterosexuals by prejudicially labelling them 'homophobes'.

Dr Francis Collins, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work sequencing the human genetic code, has stated that homosexuality is not genetically "hardwired". Homosexuality, like contraception, is contrary to natural law because it thwarts the natural generation of life.

Marriage is an institution that predates civilisation, ordained by God, and exclusive to one man and one woman who are given the responsibility to procreate the human race, and to nurture, educate, and pass on shared values and mores to their offspring.

To redefine marriage to include same-sex couples is to strip marriage of an essential component, namely, the ability and obligation to procreate. This would render marriage meaningless and open it up to endless revision and redefinition.

Gay marriage is a threat to religious freedom and conscience rights. There are already incidents in Canada and the United States of religious adoption and foster-care agencies being pushed out of work, and small business owners being fined or sued for not accommodating same-sex couples.

Town clerks and other officials with objections to participating in same-sex union ceremonies or to the granting of same-sex marriage licences have been told to find other jobs.

Once a state recognises same-sex partnerships as marriages or the equivalent, naturally the argument is made that in family-life classes in schools, this has to be taught to be a valid partnership. Religious parents who do not want their children to be indoctrinated in beliefs contrary to their will be out of luck. They will be branded and labelled as bigots. This is already happening in Canada.

Christians and other people from traditional faith communities are being called in a new way to have courage. The problem today is not homophobia but theophobia - a hatred by some of God, faith, religion, and the Church. The public affirmation of this prejudice is the hallmark of ideological totalitarianism.

PAUL KOKOSKI

pkokoski@shaw.ca

ENDS

This dishonest premise where he repeatedly puts forward in his letters to newspapers all over that "Gay marriage is a threat to religious freedom and conscience rights" coupled with the disruption of the family is a lie in my view as it does not take away from any existing rights for heterosexual couples. In fact I dare say if gay couples marry, adopt and raise children it in no way damages or blights their growth, we have seen undisputed evidence of this where same gender loving couples raise hetersosexual children. Maybe we could adopt some of those abandoned or homeless ones locally left behind by procreation indiscretions or "accidents" 

When LGBT groups or human rights entities ask for gay marriage rights as far as I am concerned it is about the state recognizing the union so as to effect benefits already allotted to heterosexual married couples such as pension benefits, state insurance (where allotted), death benefits, legal divorce proceedings, probate of wills in case one half of the pair passes away, wealth and assets sharing after death or divorce as per relevant state statutes etc. Anti gay lobbyists such as this letter writer make it seem as if heterosexual couples are going to be denied any of those rights and benefits they already enjoy when they sign on the dotted line of a marriage certificate as literally it is at that time and subsequently the registering of that marriage/union at the local registrar office or similar structures that puts into motion all those state benefits and legal coverage for wedded persons.

To present this farce or create hysteria of gay marriage affecting humanity or procreation while making gay lobbyist to be anti Christian principle is a an outright dishonest practice and is what ticks persons off and maybe in fact lead them to become such in order to avoid any confrontation, so they dismiss both the so called Christian individual who is fanatically obsessed as this letter writer is and all that (s)he espouses (we have our local ones too) or stand for including God and sadly many LGBT individuals do not bother to separate them and have become weary of the diatribe, in effect giving atheists and by extension radical anti Christian persons gay or straight more ammunition, believe it or not there are gay Christians who are progressive thinkers and persons like me who were in the church but struggled with the question of my orientation versus my status with God, finally realising God loves me no matter what my orientation is and the need to revisit spiritually and theologically this matter of homosexuality and Christian life.

The question of sexual practice and choices can be argued hereinafter, do we for example continue in celibacy or explore life and love with one faithful partner and not go down the road of multiple partners? Those are the questions fanatics like Paul Kokoski should consider instead of worrying about marriage rights denial for same gender loving folks. Did Paul for example really have an issue with homosexuality while working Rome? a question that was looked at on a previous post on my sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch: 

Did Apostle Paul actually accepted Christian homosexuals?

The notion that marriage must not be re-invented is a farce as marriage to day in all its aspects has been reinvented and reshaped repeatedly be they the romantic elements, the financial, the spiritual, gender roles/partner responsibilities as per societal norms and even how states recognise unions and accord benefits have changed radically over time, there were days when in Palestine and those parts where women were and in some cases still are subservient to men, couples do not exchange vows but a woman is pegged to her husband for life while he can have as many wives as he sees fit. Dowry practices still exist in India and other societies. Even in biblical days David the Psalms writer had concubines, Solomon had concubines yet married as well yet those men were used by God for his glory, what about the controversial love between David and Jonathan while carrying out the instructions of God for leading his people? What about the inappropriate relationship between David and Bathsheba? we do not hear these anti gay pundits bringing related pointers in their arguments or pronouncements.

Procreation is no longer a matter of sexual relations or copulation between the opposite sexes anymore there are medical advances that allow other methods for creating, growing and carrying a foetus including surrogacy for those persons who cannot bear children naturally or as an option for same sexed couple wishing to become parents but do not want to use their own bodies. As I have said before in previous posts what a wonderful job we are already doing in terms of procreation by Paul Kokoski's standards here, ever climbing divorce rates, thousands of missing children, most born out of wedlock, hundreds of boys wiping wind-shields daily at stop lights and those same religious pundits/fanatics pass them in the vehicles with windows wound up and tinted yet we have the most churches per square miles with very little social outreach for these vulnerable populations, indeed the most churches per square miles we have yet we are having ever increasing numbers of homeless homo and heterosexual populations alike plus others in abject poverty especially the elderly per square inch on our city side walks and towns and golden aged homes who are abandoned, where are the numerous or matching social work numbers to meet these issues? yet there is this grand attempt to stop private consenting adults from having their rights with big bucks being spent in some instances to do so, lest we forget that full paged ad in the Gleaner estimated cost $JA250, 000 money that could have been used for some outreach or donated to a home. We have also seen the zeal at which conservatives fund other anti gay action in Uganda: 

In The Life Series: Coalition & Allies (anti gay conservatives & Ugandan links)

Mr Kokoski needs to take a trip to Jamaica and let us take him around to see the REAL WORLD. He needs to stop pushing this ultra conservative garbage on us from afar.

Peace and tolerance

H

Civil-Society Groups Put Pressure On Patricia House Board ........

Yvonne McCalla-Sobers (right), convener for Families Against State Terrorism, speaks to members of the media while looking on (from left) are Howard Gough, manager of Patricia House; Joyce Hewett, advocacy and legal reform, Women Inc; Jaevion Nelson and Noelle Ingledew, chairpersons, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, during a press conference on Tuesday. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer

THE BOARD of Patricia House must go. That is the demand from Jamaica's civil society.

On Tuesday, a joint coalition of Civil Society Forum of Jamaica on HIV/AIDS, Woman Inc, Families Against State Terrorism and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life called a press conference at the Council of Voluntary Social Services' St Andrew offices, to outline the gross negligence of the board of the rehab centre, which they claim was affecting clients and staff.

"The members of this board have consistently failed to protect the rights and welfare of persons who use drugs, persons living with HIV, and other minority groups. In fact, their callous actions have led to the further marginalisation of these already vulnerable populations," noted Carla Bingham-Ledgister, chair of the Civil Society Forum of Jamaica on HIV/AIDS.

The issue stemmed from an incident last year where the board of Richmond Fellowship Jamaica Drug Rehab Centre, which operates the St Andrew-based Patricia House, hired a manager who turned out to have fake qualifications and was abusive to staff and clients. They also alleged that he sexually harassed a female staff member. He was later dismissed and given a reported $500,000 severance package.

Five months of terror

The "five months of terror meted out to them by the new manager" has reportedly continued to traumatise the staff and client, Bingham-Ledgister stated.

The coalition demanded an explanation from the board, but they said, to date, there has been no response.

Based on the "neglectful manner in which they handled the matter", the coalition is claiming the board cannot be relied on to manage the welfare of the clients and staff members.

"We ask you to join us in calling on all the remaining members of the Richmond Fellowship Jamaica board to step down and allow the local representatives of the parent company to install a new board made of persons who have the interest of drug users, persons living with HIV," Bingham-Ledgister added.

ENDS

Some questions come to mind to me and a few others upon seeing this article in the Gleaner though as to the hypocrisy and selectivity of issues here, so the Board of Patricia House erred and are being called to book but what about some of these same organizations represented here at this press conference, shouldn't they be called to answer to some pressing issues as well?

Where were they when the homeless msms were locked out and left to fend for themselves last August and the subsequent civil disobedience the men had to take to get attention or when the original shelter idea was closed?

Why did anyone from this so called co-coalitionists group as it were speak out publicly against this or call a press conference seeing that the matter was made public and exposed by the Jamaica Observer?

Is it that some of the same persons present here were the ones who gave the edict to have the men banned along with a canine team at the gates of the organizations, namely Jamaica AIDS Support for Life instead of trying to deal with the group of homeless males directly?

Why is it that till this day any serious attention has been given to the men to solve the issues of bad behaviour as the reasons given for taking the banning action in the first place by this coalition or its representatives?

Do you find it strange how selective these organizations and individuals spring into action on issues when LGBT matters that need urgent attention are left to supposedly die down hoping no one will pay attention? 

Now that the main spin doctor of diversions does not reside here anymore what will be used as damage control to now divert us from this matter as it shows a clear professional hypocrisy? whenever questions are asked of groups to account to the population convenient ways are found to move us in another direction.

In regards to terror, what about the terror and homophobic violence the homeless men have had to endure while on the streets as organizations continue business as usual ignoring the men while dealing with more well to do msms instead in a grand data collection reporting exercise while our brothers who really need the frontline work are left to end up in criminal activity in some cases or commercial sex work to fend for themselves? MORE HERE from GJW

Only a few weeks ago a homeless young man (one of the many new comers to the population) was beaten in the Spanish Town area and left with a broken leg after being accused of being gay, if it weren't for concerned persons outside the community and a couple church sisters from a nearby church organization who fortunately looked passed the orientation issues and saw humanity he would have had to fend for himself. Thanks to their kind hearts.
Other incidents are still coming to hand across Kingston in particular and one in St. Ann in December 2011.

When is this hypocrisy and over looking of this section of our population going to end? Very few of the total population when last I checked numbered some fifty plus men have not been able to either find hosts to stay with or find alternative legal income earning activity while the others still are nomads in their own country. A couple have been able to leave Jamaica via asylum seeking with some financial help from community members but that is not enough to put a dent on this problem. 

Think on these things people, the foolishness continues and then a false image is presented to the world as if work is being done overall.

Even the great super powers of the world see a need to deal with homelessness just recently the United States White House announced it is to hold a conference to discuss the matter by itself on March 9, 2012

The March 9 conference will provide advocates, community leaders, and members of the public an opportunity to engage with the Obama Administration on housing and homelessness issues that impact LGBT Americans, including the youth served by the Ruth Ellis Center. Participants will receive updates from Obama Administration officials, connect with federal government resources and opportunities through workshop sessions, and provide valuable feedback through the “Open Space” process.

“We are honored to join with the White House for this historic conference, taking place in one of the cities most impacted by LGBTQ homelessness,” said Laura Hughes, Executive Director of the Ruth Ellis Center. “Nationally, about 40 percent of the 1.7 million runaway and homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ. In Detroit alone, up to an estimated 800 homeless LGBT youth are on the streets every day. The Ruth Ellis Center works daily with our city’s and state’s leadership to help improve outcomes for the homeless LGBTQ youth we serve. It sends a powerful message to now have the commitment from the Federal government to discuss these issues.” MORE HEREAlso see: INCREASE IN MALE HOOKERS - More men doing 'business' in New Kingston says the Star ............ but

Some considerations ..... would you assist someone who has been displaced ???

From the pen of one of our homeless brothers ........

Sad that in 2012 we have to be on this same issue coming from as far as 2007/8 when I and others started to zoom in on this and long before that when we as a community used to just see the evidence around us of homelessness and in instances abject poverty in our community. We have seen so many fallouts and problems and it is as if few care about this group more than to use them for statistical dart boarding rather than help them or concerned persons to bring some closure or solutions to this matter once and for all. The incremental interventions by influentials are not enough as persons like myself do not have the resources to tackle this head on but the organizations that do have the where it all obviously do not care. 

UPDATE: a petition has been launched by the former Chairman of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life with support from the rest of the clan yet no such action was done or entertained when they banned the homeless from their property.

The very same organization that barred homeless MSM some of whom are also HIV positive last year yet they pride themselves on offering care and treatment for vulnerable populations and when called the book they snubbed the voices who wanted above board advocacy as they do not feel accountable to the persons they claim to represent. You decide readers, who holds others accountable for neglect, and further ostracizing the already vulnerable? that's the question.

Peace and tolerance

H

Caribbean plans regional approach to abolish gay laws

Dr. Greene recently on a radio program

Denis Scott Chabrol 

Caribbean countries, faced with potential political and religious fall-out, plan to take a regional approach in scrapping laws against buggery and prostitution by 2015, according to a senior United Nations (UN) official.

Most of the former British colonies that are Caricom member-nations have been coming under increasing international pressure to abolish those laws that also include prohibiting cross-dressing.

Politicians remain wary of losing votes from, among others, the religious communities and other people who argue against erasing those laws for moral and ethical reasons.

UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS to the Caribbean, Dr. Edward Greene, however, notes that at least 20 percent of some Caribbean countries are gays, a cultural shift that must be considered.

Experts like Greene say those laws force vulnerable communities like commercial sex workers and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) to go underground and so being unable to access HIV education, diagnosis care and treatment. Human rights advocates also believe that pursuing those lifestyles is a basic human right.

Acknowledging that moral, religious and political reasons have forestalled the revision, revamping and rejection of the century-old laws, he said the Caribbean plans to take a two-pronged approach. That strategy, he explained, would include rallying support from Champions for Change such as vulnerable groups, Faith Based Organisations and women’s groups as well as capitalizing on the convention that regional laws are more easily acceptable. Experts also intend to produce research on the impact of decriminalization in other countries. In that way, he explained, politicians in each jurisdiction would be better insulated from criticisms.

“I think what we have to do is to project a regional position on revamping the laws which would be in tune with international trends and enunciate them in such a way that we save national politicians from having to put forward these views as if they were theirs,” said Greene, a former Caricom Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social Development (COHSOD).

The UN official expects that Caribbean countries will gradually overhaul their laws in time for 2015 when the world is expected to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in keeping with the principles of universal access and equity. “I believe we can incrementally move towards the position of revamping the laws.”

“It might be a long struggle in some countries but once we get a couple of countries to move in a more enlightened way, I think we can move the process along,” he said on a recent edition of Demerara Waves Internet Radio's programme, Periscope,' that you can go here to listen.

The Pan- Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has been drafting model legislation, he said, for the past five years but “I think very often the thing is become tied up in politics.”

The UN Envoy took a shot at then Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding who had vowed that gays would not have been allowed to join his cabinet. “To deny a gay a rightful place in the politics is to go against the cultural trends that are developing,” said Greene.