Research suggests Murder Music is a predictor of homophobia in Jamaica ...........

Did we need another piece of research to tell us and the world something we already know all too well not to put down the work done; the evidence of the effects of this music type has been cemented in our national psyche, the fallouts clear for over some four decades of official LGBTQI agitation the homo-negative feelings that were very slowly being ebbed away via multiple strategies but since the last few weeks the re-awakening of those feelings is pronounced as the "Bain train" rolls on, I much prefer an older paper that delved into the actual timeline of this "murder music" development although some keys songs were left out and important changes, the same thing seems to have happened with this latest study by Dr Keon West as it seems to start the tracking of murder music post Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye track in 1988 when the trajectory had begun from as early as 1978. We were well set for the present entrenched homo-negative and homophobic feelings generations later. 

recent developments: Murder Music act Capleton Performed despite LGBT Activist demonstration at NY club, Queen Ifrica "I'm Not Homopobic"

The Stop Murder Music has hit some snags over the years including a lull in its activity but the hard lined actions of recent times by removing acts from shows has led to some backlash and the perception of stifling of freedom of speech, see more from Gay Jamaica Watch 

Preview Dr West's study HERE

the older paper aforementioned: 

Casting the First Stone: Policing Homosexuality in Jamaica in Jamaican Popular Culture.

The Guardian yesterday carried this however:

Buju Banton performing in New York in 2005. He hit the scene with the homophobic Boom Bye Bye back in 1988 and is now serving a jail sentence in the US for drugs and firearms offences. Photograph: Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images

Jamaica has a bad reputation for anti-gay prejudice. This small island in the Caribbean has become notorious not only for its anti-gay laws, political rhetoric and murders, but also for its broad societal acceptance of severe sexual prejudice and openly hostile music.

Most people remember dancehall star Buju Banton, who hit the scene when he was 15 with the hugely popular Boom Bye Bye. The lyrics go: "It's like boom bye bye / Inna batty boy head / Rude boy nah promote no nasty man / Dem haffi dead." Hard to decipher for someone not familiar with Jamaican patois, but Buju is essentially describing shooting a gay man in the head – he doesn't want to "promote no nasty man".

In the decades after, hosts of other dancehall artists took up the banner, such as the group T.O.K. who proclaimed that "chi-chi [gay] man fi dead and that's a fact".

Jamaica is not alone; sexual prejudice is all over the news at the moment – from the Sultan of Brunei's introduction of Sharia law, to the anti-gay bill in Uganda. And it's worth remembering that in the UK gay people only acquired equal marriage rights earlier this year. But Jamaica has the double problem of being described as "the most homophobic place on earth", but also being one of those places where little or no research is done to explain these anti-gay sentiments.

This is why, in collaboration with Dr Noel Cowell from the University of the West Indies, I decided to conduct the largest piece of research of its kind to date, using data collected by Professor Ian Boxhill.

By interviewing about 2,000 people across 40 communities in Jamaica, we looked at the predictors of anti-gay bias and measured them.

Our results confirm the suspicion that Jamaicans, in general, hold very strong prejudices against gays and lesbians. This was true whether we referred to attitudes, perceptions of gay rights, or prejudiced behaviour. But why? This question isn't easily answered. However, thanks to this research, we can now point to some important variables.

As in other countries, wealth, education and (younger) age were associated with less anti-gay prejudice. Religiosity, which is often the reason offered by anti-gay lobbyists, also predicted more anti-gay bias. However, it was neither the strongest nor the most reliable predictor. When all the factors were taken into account simultaneously, the two that were most reliable were a preference for dancehall music, and gender.

There has been much debate about dancehall in Jamaica. Internationally, many people view artists like Banton, Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man as inciting sexuality-based violence, while others defend these "calls to action" as being much more metaphorical – a litmus test of what is and isn't acceptable in Jamaican society.

This research provides the first empirical evidence that these songs may be harmful, leading to more negative attitudes and anti-social behaviour. We need more research looking at the consequences of anti-gay dancehall, and policy on what we should do about it.

We also found that male gender was an important predictor, trumping education, age and even religion. This raises important questions about what it means to be a man in Jamaica. What it is about those perceptions of masculinity that finds the existence of gays so unbearable? Is it that Jamaican masculinity has become overly focused on toughness and anti-femininity, at the expense of socially beneficial constructs such as responsibility? Interventions aimed at reshaping gender norms in Jamaica may be useful in reducing negativity towards those seen as "deviant".

Research like this is essential to understanding why that is, and how to change it. We Jamaicans are, for the most part, open and accepting people. Although in Jamaica sexual boundaries are rigidly and violently monitored, we integrate readily and easily with different ethnicities, political views and national boundaries. More than our European and American counterparts, we tend to see a boundary as permeable, which encourages a general atmosphere of inclusivity.

The good news is that work is finally being done in Jamaica, by Jamaicans, to tackle this aggressive policing of heterosexuality. And this is integral for change to happen; more than we need western intervention, we need Jamaicans who are ready to take the initiative.

This is a long road, and many would say that we are moving too slowly; but at least it is now an inescapable fact that we are moving. Perhaps we will soon be saying boom bye bye to anti-gay prejudice in Jamaica. I hope so.

ENDS

Previous audio entry on Queen Ifrica and the SMM:

also see from the Observer: 

Music & violence - Ninjaman rubbishes correlation

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

As the Bain train rolls on the cemented feelings of the lobby becoming bullies is also a concern for me as evidenced in the obviously organised talk show circuit raid of sorts where every show has some callers commenting on the issue occupying air time. Letter writers and commentators are on a roll but the essence of the matter which is the conflict of interest has turned into something else aided and abetted by some clever folks who present themselves as Christians but seem to operate as something else in actuality.

also see: REVEREND AL MILLER’S OWN MORAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST & ANTI GAY CAMPAIGN

The Gleaner reported today

Children's Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine (second right) and other protesters stand in front of the UWI Mona campus in support of Professor Brendan Bain who was fired from his post at the campus. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

KINGSTON, Jamaica:
There is a glimmer of hope of a breakthrough in the impasse between the administration of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and protesters who continue to stand their ground over the dismissal of Professor Brendan Bain as the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Network.

A small group drawn from the persistent protesters is scheduled to meet today with Nigel Harris, the vice chancellor of the UWI.

Word also emerged that a group from the donor agencies had expressed a desire to address the protesters today.

Under bleak skies, the protesters, clad in customary black for the occasion and mouth taped as a symbol of the loss of free speech, continued to demonstrate
The team, who will be making a presentation to Harris, is to be led by chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for Healthy Society Dr Wayne West.

He warned that while they were prepared to meet with anyone who wishes to engage them, there would be no compromising of the position adopted by the protesters.

The signs that the tempo or energy of the protesters have not waned when Kimberley McKinson, came to the gate of the UWI with her two-month-old baby and marched to the beat of the other protesters.

It’s always been dubbed a silent protest and the lips of the participants have been symbolically taped to highlight the perceived loss of free speech.

But there are indications that the symbolic silence could be broken today.

Since the start of the protest three weeks ago, UWI administrators appeared to have retreated behind its walls as the protester continued what is considered to be one of the longest protest in Jamaica’s modern history.

The curious symphony of noise created by the variety of motor vehicle horns that were honked in solidarity with the protesters continued to interrupt the silence that prevailed at the entrance to the university in normal times.

They continued to be led by from the range of churches and other civic organisations, but individuals have been joining the efforts on the work days when Jamaicans are forced to make sacrifice.

ENDS

Here is my audio post on the matter:

Gay Marriage Smoke Screen, False Dichotomies and Religious Fanatics 05.06.14 

Also see

Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer) posted today

When did anyone ask for gay marriage rights in Jamaica when we can't get basic tolerance ......... more smokescreen

More gay marriage paranoia & hijacking of the homosexual debate by fanatics

Opposition Leader sides with antigay groups on Referendum on The Buggery Law

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna's conflation of same gender sex & abuse responded to

Foreign Affairs Minister says Govt should be cautious on gay rights issues in Jamaica

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke, Sexual Offences Bill to be updated 2014 says justice minister

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says Prime Minister

PNP's Damion Crawford on Homosexuality's legality . 

Bandooloo Logic From Pro-Gay Gleaner(Gleaner Letter) to which I responded (pending approval)

I support Bain's dismissal(Observer Letter)

Espeut: Endgame - Politico-Sexual Chess

Today's Observer cartoon makes an interesting observation

Politics again at work we should remember that under former PM PJ Patterson's watch, the subsequent removal of the sexual orientation discrimination from the charter of rights draft in 1999 (see above draft p 27/28), post the JFLAG parliamentary submission the removal was aided and abetted by anti gay voices namely Shirley Richards and Reverend Al Miller. Also see Parliamentary Committee struggles to define sexual intercourse which was the other deceptive shenanigans used by the anti gay groups and individuals to supposedly deny future gay marriage rights.

also see: Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s call for tolerance not genuine & sheer hypocrisy

Another Clovis toon from the Observer that hits the nail on the head in as far as the church (or sections of it) and the PNP on certain issues (I will ignore the gay stereotype character for now)

Peace and tolerance as we watch this go down.

UPDATE June 7 2014

Stop Gagging Truth - UWI Gets DVD On 'Sex, Lies And Rights

headline in June 7's Gleaner take note that even babies are being taken to these things, what a way to poison the minds of the young already with hate?

Read the rest HERE and also see Oh really! ............ Penile/anal penetration is NOT SEX Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society? and Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD 2013 take note that in the latter Queen Ifrica crossed over to the dark side post the furore over her Independence Day 2013 heterosexist rant at the Grand Gala.

H

Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica's World Conference on Youth 2014 Participant Report

The following is a detailed report from the APJ representative at the recently concluded World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka Mario Andre Dre Bennett was also a participant in the also concluded phase 1 of the APJ's Enterprise Training Workshops of which came the springboard for his attendance to the WYC 2014.

World Conference on Youth 2014 Sri Lanka - Architecture, people & sights: Aphrodite's PRIDE Jamaica's perspective pic.twitter.com/z5VOCec1Y9
— Aphrodite's PRIDE Ja (@aphroditepride) May 11, 2014

Report On the Word Conference On Youth 2014 – Sri Lanka

The country of Sri Lanka is known for many things, its sports, pristine, wild and blissful culture, Sri Lanka is now known as the host country for the World Conference on Youth 2014 (WCY). The conference was organized and spear headed by a steering committee co-chaired by Minister Dullas Alahapperuma Minister of Youth Affairs and Skill Development Mohan Lal Grero and MP Namal 

Rajapaksa from Tharunyata Hetak organization and the International Youth task force inclusive of 10 Sri 

Lankan nationals and 10 members representing different regions of the world. 

The conference consisted of 900 youths, 105 high ranking officials, 24 youth Ministers and 35 U.N officers from different U.N agencies. With an amazing amount of 160 countries which represents 80% of the of the world youth where present for the conference making a total of 1500 Youths representing their respective countries. 

With the Theme Mainstreaming Youth in the Post 2015 Development Agenda the conference had a colorful kick start as we were greeted with a beautiful arrangement of world flags with their heads held high and dancing in the wind on both sides of the path leading to the conference hall, the air was filled with the Sri Lankan culture as young Sri Lankans played the flutes and drums, walking on stilts, dressed in their cultural wear greeted us, It was a sight to see as the busses with delegates arrived from their respective hotels at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center (MRICC) in Hambantota. 

With the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the U.N General Assembly Dr. John W. Ashe and U.N secretary General and Envoy on Youth Mr. Ahmad Alhendowl television crew where all over the conference. 

As the Convention hall was filled as far as the eye could see with delegates, as we were seated the presenters took the fore front to make speeches requesting for youths to be more involved when it comes to making decision making that affected us. Dr. John W. Ashe pointed out that ‘there are sections of society that was clearly not included in the previous global development drive, making reference to the Millennium Development Goals, adding that this time around we had to made sure that they are involved’ 

The Sri Lankan President for his part called on world leaders to make youth the forefront of involving youth participation in world development and spearhead new attempts in youth integration. 

"You would agree that the increasingly large youth population, who live in the global South, makes it impossible to discuss any follow-up to Rio+20 and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, without considering their needs and challenges," said the president Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

The ceremony was quite entertaining and interactive, the official theme song for the WCY 2014 was performed by Bathiya and Santhush, where scores of delegates rushed to the stage to join in the performance taking the opportunity to show case their county flags and cultural wears, we were also entertained by the Sri Lankan mask dance where we showed cultural respect by wear beautifully crafted masks that were presented to upon entering MRICC as well as other cultural performances. At the end of the conference we were treated to the sweet aroma, mouth water, and pallet pleasing of both local and international dishes, as the trays where emptied and the deserts where all gone in the blink of an eye they were refilled as chefs where ever present. 

On our way back to our respective hotels half asleep the bus suddenly pulls over, there was a beach party in full swing in our honor, volunteers where handing out bottled water, drinks and snacks, delegates where running to the ocean while others stayed on the beach having a blast dancing to the live entertainment taking photos with an over friendly elephant, even our ever present security team seem to have had a wonderful time. 

The day came to a close as we tried to get what as much rest as possible as the reason for the conference would start the following morning. 

Heading to BMICH from our respective hotels with police escorts, the streets where once again lined with Sri Lankan greeting us with warm smiles and waves, the celebration did not stop when we arrived at BMICH, the grounds where decorated with the colors of the conference and our flags where yet again present as we disembarked our busses we were met by local governments and Sri Lankan youths. 

With the themes and objectives provided: 

To create an inclusive youth participation platform that enables young people to review the progress on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals 

To share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively contributing to the post-2015 development agenda and its implementation 

To facilitate a process that increases awareness on and implementation of the World Programme for Action on Youth (WPAY) 

To facilitate effective partnerships with youth, youth-led organizations and youth movements to further strengthen inclusive youth participation in the decision-making processes and implementation of the post-2015 development agenda 

To contribute to the establishment of a permanent youth engagement mechanism that ensures consistent follow- up with young people and further boosts their participation and partnership in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda at national, regional and global levels. 

Day One the days even where as followed: 

The morning started with the Main Plenary, as it was covered we went into: 

Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Agenda with the theme - looking Back 

After which the roundtable discussions took place - Plenaries & breakout sessions. Foundations also on the theme looking back with delegates locating there selected foundations, In this case for me it was - 

Empowering Marginalized Youth including Most at Risk young people, this was a heated topic for most as marginalized youths where present to represent their respective organizations and themselves, the major issues was that there was not complete list of marginalized youth in the previous declaration, day one we looked back on the issues that where affecting Marginalized Youth including Most at Risk young people. After lunch the roundtable Plenaries & Breakout Sessions, Themes were discussed mine been full Employment & Entrepreneurship. 

With the recently completed the Entrepreneurship session with Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica this was well suited to lean the issues that are been faced across the globe and help to develop solutions. 

After each session there were numerous side events/ parallel events, these where sitting rooms that could be arranged as workshop round table panel. Such as: 

- Leadership in communitarian Education. 

-The African woman’s development and communication network (FEMNET) 

- Advocacy the Education we want. 

- Youth Advocacy group of the global Education First initiative UNICEF and PLAN 

- Responsible Investment in youth for sustainable development 

- Access to stigma and discrimination free health services for vulnerable young people. 

Just to name a few. 

Meals where provided though out the course of the day with unlimited access to WCY 2014 bottled water, in the order of morning tea, lunch, evening tea; and dinner on slips that where provided at the start of each day. Roundtables where held in the primary thematic policy sessions of the conference and where feed directly into the conference's outcome document. Each session took 2hour 30 min. After the morning plenary deal with the foundations; after lunch deal with the themes this is where the round table discussions started different roundtable sessions happening during the scheduled roundtable times. Roundtables where led by an international facilitator and a Sri Lankan facilitator, each Round table where addressed by 3 speakers which includes a minister, a youth with experience of the topic, and an expert. 

The speakers where changed every day as to allow a diverse set of voices to be heard throughout the daily thematic sessions. Side Events examine in more detail the policy discussions surrounding the foundations and themes each round table each session will be scheduled in 45 minute blocks Parallel events mainly focus on capacity building or showcasing of projects organizations and agency are carrying out in terms of youth development they will allow organizations to network with others as well as share best practices in terms of grassroots work. 

Day 2 

After looking back on the issues of the pass and what is currently happening in the world that was and is still affecting youths we began day two with: 

Mainstreaming Youth in the Post-2015 Agenda –What we want for both Themes and Foundations where discussed. We continue the day with side events. After a long day of debating we were treated to a tour of Sri Lanka, and then we were taken back to our hotels. 

Day three 

May 9th

With the struggles and issue we all face in our respective countries shared amongst each other we were able to meet the main event for day thee which was: 

Roundtable Plenaries & Breakout Sessions. Themes and foundations: Taking Action 

There was a lot on tension as things did not go as planned for the issue facing Marginalized Youth, though we were able to have the issue resolved after going beyond the timeline for our session. I was not able to stay for the entire session as I was scheduled to have an interview in the media center along with four other delegates as we met with Deputy Education Minister and Supervisory MP, Youth and Skill Development Minister, Mohan Lal Grero, we discussed the level of Education in our countries and what or respective organizations where doing to reduced some of the issue we are facing, though a bit nervous to be discussing APJ as a LGBTQ organization on television and declaring that I was gay with that out of the way and having completed the SEISMIC program I was ready to tackle the questions that where asked. 

Once again I was not able to stay for the entire process of the Interview as I was invited to have dinner with one of the financing banker of the conference and his family, it was wonderful, I learnt the steps that are taken to give thanks to Buddha, and that white rice is their national dish, and when they offer curry chicken and white rice with vegetable it’s not what you think, however though it’s their culture I found it quite interesting that they eat with their hands! Imagine my surprise, However the experience is on I will not soon forget. 

At twelve in the morning been dropped off at my hotel wanting to sleep, no such luck with the conference coming to a close there was a party been held at a close by hotels club, I never knew that it was so much fun to be on a dance floor for the entire morning and with the bar open to International delegates I did indulge. With the closing ceremony a few hours away I got as much rest as possible and socked my bone in a nice bubble bath, met with the other delegates and had breakfast. 

The official closing ceremony of the WCY 2014 was held at the Sri Lanka Youth Service council Auditorium in Marharagma where the Colombo declaration was adopted by the closing plenary of the WCY. With most International delegates having to miss the closing ceremony due to their flight arrangement to ensure they were able to get back home, emotions where high as we had to say good bye to those who we have gotten close to over the few days, numbers emails, business cards and invitations were exchanged in hopes of keeping in touch. Words are not enough to express what it was like to be a part of such a conference meeting like minded young people from across the world, experiencing a culture where straight men showing affection towards each other is not taboo, where warm smiles and inquires from curious natives are everywhere, staying in the penthouse of the country’s oldest and famous hotel that was est. in 1864 Galle Face Hotel, I had the pleasure of interacting with the staff and learning more about their culture, they too were eager to hear about the county the Great Usain Bolt was from and I was more than happy to share, been treated like a king was not a problem from me in the least, police escorts personal drivers, yea that the life, been the first time travelling off the Island over 30 Hrs of travelling after all I did have to make up for lost time, though I was a bid nervous about flying Maria was there with me every step of the way and after the first two flights I was a pro, I love to explore with food and the after all that I have heard about the meals provided on planes I did not wish to try, however this was not the case, can you say delicious! meals from France, Dubai, Panama and all over Europe was offered, the flights where very pleasant though leaving Amsterdam heading to Panama I was freezing thank god for blankets I was babied by the flight crew and the couple I was sitting with who were from Paris and are quite eager to visit Jamaica, the overall experience was amazingly breathe taking, no matter how far I travel nothing can compare to the 

experience I had on my way and in Sri Lanka. 

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

Well Dr Abrahams took the words right out of my mouth as to the selectivity of the church, the seismic shift in the perception of victimization of the church by the supposed gay lobby and to think that in the very week the groups made a stink at UWI five children near the end of child's month were murdered yet no concern shown for that.

Have a read of the article, you may need to subscribe to the Gleaner to see it in full though:

Michael Abrahams, Online Gleaner Columnist

The firing of Prof Brendan Bain from the leadership of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training Programme is one of the most polarising events I have ever witnessed in Jamaica, with venom being spewed left, right and centre. Many Christians have been very vocal with their opinions, often failing to recognise the conflict of interest involved and blaming his dismissal instead on the gay agenda.

Some of their comments have reinforced my impression that a disproportionate amount of fire and brimstone is directed by the Church at the LGBT community, while other transgressors of biblical laws receive lighter sentences.

For example, before the last general election when then leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller, stated that she would have no problems with gays in her Cabinet, the Reverend Al Miller, one of our most popular church leaders, made it clear that he was very much against it. He argued that having gays there "would be to declare homosexual behaviour as normal and right".

His comments perplexed me, as I strongly suspected that fornicators, adulterers, liars, thieves, woman beaters and, possibly, impregnators of underage girls have been in Cabinets and wondered why they were tolerated.

The Church is a powerful force, and comments made by members of the clergy can strongly influence their parishioners and other members of the public. I would love to see church folk unite and direct equal energy towards other issues that are negatively affecting our country.

So I humbly submit a shortlist of issues I would love to see the Church confront and make a big stink about:

1) The maltreatment of our children

As a society, we have failed our children. Children are being abandoned, abused and murdered at an alarming rate. They are abused and killed by adults, including their parents and caregivers, and also by other children. The majority of abuse cases go unreported or are covered up and the victims continue to suffer in silence. Our children's homes are being shut down. Glenhope and Windsor closed their doors some time ago and Alpha recently shuttered its dormitory facilities because of serious issues.

2) The murder rate

Jamaica’s murder rate is consistently in the top 10 globally. It is in the range of a country at civil war. As a matter of fact, at the height of the Iraq war, more people were being killed, per capita, in Jamaica than American soldiers. And the murders are becoming more barbaric, with beheadings no longer even raising eyebrows. We are all at risk. Men, women, pregnant women, children, the elderly, straight, gay; no one is spared the wrath of our vicious murderers.

3) Political corruption, 'bandoolooism' and 'a nuh nutten' mentality

Thank God for the Reverend Rennard White, who recently stated: "This is a country that has made a way of life out of dishonesty.” He is right. Our political leaders have been very weak on transparency and accountability, and political corruption is rife.

It is not uncommon for large contracts to be given to friends and associates of our politicians through questionable channels. Kickbacks and extortion are par for the course. Taxes are waived for cronies. Some of our leaders have enabled the institutionalisation of electricity theft in their communities, and in doing so have empowered their constituents with a sense of entitlement. All these actions have cost us billions of dollars.

And when a member of parliament can tell a female news anchor on live television to "go to hell" and a mayor can say that police must "shoot first and ask questions later" and no punitive measures are taken, we know that, as a nation, we have a serious problem.

The actions - and inaction - of some of our leaders have set the tone for the 'bandoolooism' and 'a nuh nutten' mentality that prevails in our country, as when other Jamaicans, especially children, observe this type of behaviour and the subsequent lack of consequences, they feel free to say and do whatever they want and expect no repercussions. No wonder we have become world leaders in visa and passport fraud and lotto scamming.

I would love to see the church galvanise its Christian soldiers to come out in droves publicly and wage war against these atrocities. I encourage our church leaders to utilise social media and traditional media to take their messages from behind the pulpit and into the streets, to lobby, to advocate and to make their voices heard loud and clear.

We really could use some divine intervention.

Michael Abrahams is a gynaecologist and obstetrician, comedian, and poet. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com andmichabe_1999@hotmail.com, or tweet mikeyabrahams.

ENDS

Also see and hear previous rants and entries from the doc on the bullying perception of the gay lobby HERE 

also see

Don't give up on the church says pastor to gays

Local Gays Getting Comfortable ... But Church Stands Resolute Against Homosexuality (Gleaner)

What goes on in the minds of the overly religious?

Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica

Betty Ann Blaine & foreign religious zealots continue their paranoia & misrepresentations of male homosexuality

Letters & Opinions: Anti-gay Christians threaten free speech ............Christian Ethics And The UTech Beating

The shouting matches are not helping anybody right now and when this all settles as it must what is the damage done to the work done over the forty years of LGBT advocacy in total, will the cemented or revived homo-negative and homophobic views ever rescind?

JFLAG's late in the day call for a dialogue just a day after the Professor Bain firing story broke has been lost in the firestorm and to think the Interfaith discussions started in 2008 and were stopped between the United Theological College representatives, theologians and activists including myself but somehow the secular ambit was twinned with the public advocacy and now we have the aftermath as well. I had warned about this some months ago via a podcast as the clouding of the real goals which is the privacy,consent and decriminalization of buggery not whether or not God exists as those are false dichotomies added to the mix.

Peace and tolerance

H