Obama Hails Jamaican Lesbian Advocate's Work

The timing of this recognition could not have been more opportune as April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month in some jurisdictions. 

Congrats to Angeline Jackson firstly but I am a bit disappointed that more mainstream media coverage of this recognition is not forthcoming or evidenced, is it due to the sexual orientation of the lady in question who has been hailed by President Obama?

Then again I should not be surprised the omission or overlooking of LGBT matters has been a feature of our media landscape for decades since organized public advocacy from the days of Gay Freedom Movement in the 70s. 

During a town hall meeting with young professionals and students for the most part in attendance the visiting US president who seemed quite comfortable sleeves rolled up and connected with his captive audience. 

President Obama told young leaders at the town hall meeting at UWI that we should care about the rights of every human being 

"..........regardless of who they love" 

while highlighting the difficulties Angeline Jackson experienced growing up as a lesbian in Jamaica and her work in ensuring that people get a better quality of life

"no matter their colour, class or sexual orientation can live in equality."

See the full clip of the LGBT reference and Angeline's work.

“As a woman and as a lesbian, justice and society weren’t always on her side,” said the president. “But instead of remaining silent she chose to speak out and started her own organization to advocate for women like her, get them treatment and get them justice and push back against stereotypes and give them some sense of their own power. And she became a global activist.”

“More than anything she cares about her Jamaica and making it a place where everybody, no matter their color or their class or their sexual orientation can live in equality and opportunity,”

some of the other reactions that was in the audience when the matter was mentioned to which Miss Angie responded.

The faces of some of the audience members sadly shows we have a long way to go change hearts and minds.

QCJ shared their two cents on the Professor Bain matter

QCJ's survey they had done: 

click for more: 

Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ) launches LBWSW Needs Survey 2013

Her most recent appearance was at meeting in the US:

The plight of gays in paradise

Church offers venue to discuss LGBT treatment in the Caribbean

Angeline Jackson is co-founder of Quality Citizenship Jamaica QCJ filling the longstanding gap of lesbian invisibility over the decades of formalized gay rights advocacy that focused more on MSM population challenges. Her rape case from 2009 that the president referred to was carried on this blog during my time at JFLAG when she made the report and afterwards with the court case.

Then of course due to the nature of the case and the psychological concerns for such victims the report was a bit subdued as present cases also are treated so as not to have the client relive too much of the horrifying event.

QCJ has also been responsible for enacting a long standing recommendation/suggestion of self defense classes for same gender loving women to mitigate assaults as best as possible.

Jackson told the Washington Blade a few hours after Obama’s speech that his remarks “give me encouragement.”

“It also in some ways provides a validation for what I have been doing because it’s rough and moving forward with LGBT rights in Jamaica is certainly not going at rapid speed,” she said. “This mention, speaking about (my work), mentioning my name, speaking my work and mentioning my orientation brought to light the issues of the LGBT community because it brings a personal story, it brings a human to the conversation, so it’s not just them, it’s not just an abstract person. It becomes a person that they can recognize.”

Jalna Broderick, who co-founded Quality of Citizenship Jamaica alongside Jackson, was attending a meeting in D.C. when Obama spoke at University of the West Indies.

Broderick told the Blade during a reception at the Human Rights First office near McPherson Square where she and advocates from Belize, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic were highlighting efforts to expand LGBT tourism in the Caribbean that she was crying when she watched Obama’s speech on YouTube.

“It is amazing to be recognized by anybody,” said Broderick. “It is even more amazing to be recognized by a man who is the leader of the free world.”

“In your country that is so homophobic she has been mentioned as a young woman, a woman, an LGBT activist, a lesbian, a survivor of sexual violence,” she added. “These are the things that we fight for, you want recognition of the issues and solutions to the problems.”
also see: 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month ... 2013

Serial rapist gets 29 years in rape ring, Look out my sisters 2009

Lesbians becoming increasingly nervous

"Corrective Rape" in Jamaica? ..... Yes 2009

When is rape a “sexual depravity” and not just “an unfortunate and tragic event” 2009

Accused serial rapist on the run has been cut down 2011 - alleged mastermind behind some of the corrective rape cases and other assaults on women in St Catherine and nearby parishes then.

“Corrective Rape” continues in 2010

"Corrective Rape" continues in 2010 part 2

Ragashanti contributing to growing public lesbophobia?

a podcast I prepared in 2010

Bisexual Teen Killed due to her Sexual Orientation? ......... Father says yes 2015

More same gender loving women being forcibly evicted


Jamaica lesbians suffer from under-reported violence but whose fault is that ??

Woman Labelled “Man Royal” Forced to Relocate from a St Catherine Community

another podcast I had done back in the day (3 years ago) when invisibility or oversight of lesbian issues:

Now that visibility has increased in the last two years and has been given a shot in the arm by this recognition by no less a person than the most powerful man in the world I hope we can capitalize on it to bring to bear credibility on crisis reporting in as far as lesbophobic/homophobic crimes. GLBTQ Jamaica & Aphrodite's PRIDE Jamaica has worked with QCJ as well and recently held a stakeholders meeting with documentary producer (Taboo Yardies) Selena Blake on a recent visit by her.

Again congrats to Miss Angeline who has risen from victim to advocate and effectively so.

UPDATE April 10, 2015

also

her comments on the recent heckling of the PM in new York by overseas based Jamaican activists

Peace and tolerance

H

'You Don't Have To Swing To Beat Up Gays' (Gleaner) ..... HRW LGBT Rights Director says

Thanks to Human Rights Watch's LGBT Rights Director for a timely reminder of the two reports they had done, I am intimately knowledgeable of the first "Hated to Death" having participated in the interviews and also submitting my own matter from 1996 where I was arrested for buggery but the collection in some parts is anecdotal as well with hardly any strong evidence but for the words of the interviewed at the time.

I am an advocate for photographic and video evidence which often are missing from such dossiers when they are compiled.

Firstly here is the article from the Gleaner:

President Obama's visit to Jamaica presented a good opportunity for him to discuss Jamaica's human rights record, including the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, during bilateral talks with the prime minister.

When gay-rights activists disrupted a speech by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in New York on March 26, she retorted: "Nobody ever hears the Government of Jamaica beating up gays. Not one."

Sadly, this is only partially true.

Human Rights Watch has written two reports on violence against LGBT Jamaicans in the last 10 years.

The first, from 2004, Hated to Death, showed that abuse by police was rife and "a fact of life" for many LGBT Jamaicans in all communities where Human Rights Watch conducted research. At the time, and despite strong evidence to the contrary, police were reluctant to acknowledge homophobic hate crimes, which they characterised as "crimes of passion". The senior superintendent at the Kingston police station told Human Rights Watch: "We never have any cases of gay men being beaten up."

Ten years later, the second report, Not Safe At Home, showed that the Jamaican Government had taken some steps to address this intolerable situation.

In 2011, the Jamaican Constabulary Force introduced a Policy on Diversity, developed in consultation with the Jamaican advocacy group J-FLAG. The policy is designed to ensure that vulnerable groups, including LGBT people, can safely file police reports. The Ministry of National Security has also developed tools to monitor instances of crime, including provisions for disaggregated data on violence against LGBT people.

These are good initiatives, but they have not worked well in practice.

Here is the evidence: More than half of the 71 LGBT people interviewed for the 2014 report had experienced some form of violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Nineteen reported the crimes to the police, who took formal statements in only eight cases. Victims were aware of arrests by police in only four of the 56 cases of violence documented by Human Rights Watch. The Government does not need to "beat up gays" to fail them.

While the Jamaican Government has shown a willingness to acknowledge the violence, more can, and should, be done.

The prime minister and other leaders should consistently condemn violence and discrimination. Police should undertake rigorous investigations into all allegations of anti-LGBT hate crimes, improve monitoring of the Policy on Diversity, and strengthen police training on LGBT rights. Jamaica's 1864 buggery law gives social sanction to hostility and discrimination and should be repealed.

Justice Minister Mark Golding has acknowledged the need for targeted anti-discrimination legislation to address violations against certain groups in society. Such legislation, inclusive of LGBT people, would be a clear signal that discrimination has no place in Jamaica. Parliament should strike down all discriminatory laws and replace them with laws that protect Jamaicans from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Yesterday, President Obama co-chaired a meeting of CARICOM heads of government in Jamaica, ahead of the Summit of the Americas in Panama. He will hold bilateral discussions on matters of mutual interest with Prime Minister Simpson Miller. The spokesperson for the National Security Council, Ned Price, has reportedly said: "We are committed to advancing human rights for all, including LGBT individuals. Indeed, we routinely raise issues of anti-LGBT discrimination and violence with foreign counterparts, including the Jamaican Government."

While the White House has declined to say whether Obama will talk about the rights of LGBT people on this visit, this will be a good opportunity to do so. Under Portia Simpson Miller's watch, this should be an entirely uncontroversial topic and one that does not need to be tiptoed around.

• Graeme Reid is the LGBT rights director at Human Rights Watch

ENDS

Given the political climate the culture here in Jamaica and as was discussed yesterday on Nationwide radio politicians run to the hills or use the delay tactic claiming the nation is not ready as yet which in part maybe true. 

Politicians in private know what needs to be done but political fortunes must be protected and the wall of disbelief (crimes of passion mantra homophobes hold on to) (Youtube) of homophobic claims is a challenge as hinted to above.

Then there is the matter of shifting for example the press release below from the PNP days after the historic statement by Mrs Simpson Miller, the party was worried they were being viewed as about to free the buggery law and the backlash that might not let them win the election then.

While the recommendations from HRW sound plausible and aspirational we must take into account the realities hence but the HRW position here sounds far more realistic than some other overseas commentary and interventions as of late for example GLAAD's urging of Obama to address the issues when they said homosexuality is illegal when in fact it is buggery that is not orientation.

Knee jerk reactions by other 'activists' to an obvious spike in homo-negative incidents is not the way to go about it, careful thought has to be done and strategizing but with recent outcomes in the lobby as well as outside of it leaves me wondering and indeed concerned on many fronts.

A recent report alongside a very short 30 second video clip suggesting the person therein was stoned because he was gay unverified, and no credible information included has only sought to ruffle feathers and the disbelief quotient rises, see: Alleged Gay Youth Stoned to Death in Jamaica (VIDEO) it has since emerged the beating was a mobbing of an alleged thief and not a homophobic matter. 

Crisis reporting/communication requires proper investigation, care, patience and clarity to enhance credibility for the long term goal of not only changing laws but hearts and minds.

check out my latest podcast:

also see: (first two are must reads)

Health Minister Says Boldness Needed to Change Buggery Laws for HIV Prevention Work to be Effective with at Risk Groups 

and 

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

‘Idiot plan that!’ - Many Jamaicans against Buggery Law review ............... 2011

Not to mention the feelings of the oppressed becoming the oppressor: Gay Advocates aren't Bullies (Gleaner Letter) and Pro-Gay Bully Ignoring Grave Health Impact (Gleaner) and Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues

Longtimer "BeBe" Murdered in Western Jamaica

Homophobic Killing or What 2011

NO GAY RAGE - Homosexuals Are Not Targeted For Violent Crime, Say Experts

Murder, Homelessness and fallouts ..................................

Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy

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

So Dean Moriah's murder was NOT a homophobic killing ....... ethical issues in advocacy arise yet again

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

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke

PNP's Damion Crawford on Homosexuality's legality .

Other reads:

Jamaican Opposition Leader says he would allow homosexuals in his cabinet

Non Governmental Organization Consultant says JLP suggested Referendum on Buggery is not a good idea

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

PNP’s Bobby Pickersgill differs on Conscience Vote route to decide on Buggery Law

PNP's Damion Crawford says it's highly unlikely buggery review will happen ........ it's not important now

The PNP's first 100 days ............. buggery review looks far away

PNP Wins ................Hope for LGBT People ??

CVM TV @ Sunrise on the Buggery review & JFLAG's 100 days hope for meeting with PM

On Buggery and gays in cabinets with politics ............ some responses .

Jamaican LGBT Advocacy credibility takes another blow thanks to UK based Gay Star News

Integrity of Jamaican LGBT Advocate Questioned, named as student loan delinquent

New Imperialists in Pink

Murder Music Campaign needs local leadership and Gov’t Hush Hush On Gay Pressure …As Promoters Forced To Pull Queen Ifrica From Canada Show

Rev Al Miller’s late response to Dwayne Jones’ Murder & Respect heterosexuals demand

Stand Firm Against Gay Activists, Madam PM 2015 from veteran anti gay Christian lawyer Shirley Richards
Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected

Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting

'I SPOKE FOR WHAT I BELIEVED IN' - Queen Ifrica defends Grand Gala performance after JFLAG backlash

Peace and tolerance

H

Lesbophobic Rant on RJR’s Afternoon Flagship Program by Broadcasters

Easter Monday around 4pm we were subject to the most ignorance laden lesbophobic stigmatization and homo-negative rants I have heard in a long time on radio and to think this happened on one of Jamaica’s longest running radio stations that has set the standard for broadcasting in terms of quality. I was taken aback by it, this one almost went unchecked for the heightened fever and anticipation of President Obama’s visit to Jamaica that has overshadowed near everything else, maybe the hosts of the show thought such an exercise would have gone unnoticed; if anyone was having traditional bun and cheese for the season and are right thinking they might have felt nauseous after hearing the poor broadcast quality from a supposedly reputable station.

The infraction was platformed on a pretentious search for feedback on a news story carried on social media of a female student identified as a lesbian in the United States who was barred from wearing a tuxedo to a prom when what really it turned out to be was an avenue to push as mentioned before homo-negative rubbish on the strength of the heckling exercise of the Prime Minister in New York by some gay rights activists in March and the expectation that talks may occur now that President is here on law changes, Jamaica’s homophobia and the perception of bullying by LGBT advocacy local and overseas.

Markland ‘Action’ Edwards and co-host Mark Marshall set the tone for the call back section and of the first callers went straight to the old stupid beliefs of a Keep it to yourself mentality or stay in the closet rebuke as is customary; she said ‘if they are two gays they must go in their dress and carry their man things to dem yard.” In other words the hetero-normative modes of dress must remain and no accommodation must be given to other forms of gender or sexual orientation (stereotypical sometimes) in the present rapidly changing environment challenging long held traditions.

Other phone in comments for example that were allowed to reinforce the homo-negative beliefs were:

“Not In my Cabinet .... no woman inna tuxedo”

“She can go wear her tuxedo somewhere else.”

“if she register at the school as a man she should wear her tux.”

“The school must stand up for what they stand for; if you is a girl you is just a girl; you must dress like a girl; no girl must dress inna tuxedo like a man, they must stay aside with it.” That comment again reinforces the stay in the closet mentality and that affirmation via public display of dress or openness is unaccepted, in other words the Keep it to yourself mentality. Sadly the stereotyping of LGBT life by LGBT entertainment has aided such negative perceptions to cement themselves.

“Keep your dirty laundry in your household”

RJR Markland Edwards on Female in Tux Story in US Feedbaack 06.04.15 

There was on sensible caller (with an American accent) brought home the point of freedom of choice @ around 15:25 in the audio posted above.

Mark Marshall was the more offensive of the hosts where he clearly displayed his ignorance suggesting that if he had to give a ride to a man who was known to be gay and members of the public were also aware then he would not engage that man publicly suggesting some predatory intent by homosexuals when in close proximity of someone else. I wonder if the exercise was a way to raise listenership as well as the stiff competition from others northwards on the radio dial is strong and the previous host of the show in question just departed the station so this show is pretty much new. Such types of phobic and stigmatizing rants and broadcasts are often used both in print and electronic media and dancehall music to revive or increase market share and sales capitalizing on the national perception of male homosexuality in particular.

Marshall in response to a caller in his disgusting display of ignorance said “when some girls want to exhibit a certain lifestyle they don’t wear dresses anymore,” clearly the man is not up on his understanding of sexual orientation and using ‘lifestyle’ to imply change is possible to convert persons to hetero-normal socialization. The caller continued and identified himself as a club owner and he knows how lesbians run yet he is offended at a lesbian overseas wearing to tux to an event but has no trouble while turning his head away accepting the patronage of the same group he is upset with.

It was after the aforementioned sensible caller that Marshall pretentiously again went on his poor broadcasting style as if to suggest he has no problem with homosexuals then the preverbal but. He also issued veiled threats that no group or activists can remove him and that he is willing to leave the station if necessary.

Sadly this is what our broadcasting standards have fallen to, I intend to send a copy of this entry to the station manager Francois St Juste to see if he will or can act on this; a warning perhaps and it is left up to us to monitor this duo as clearly they have some agenda as evidenced in this incident. The repeated reference to bullying by lobbyists for example was somehow being made out to be justification for no change of laws that criminalize acts associated with male homosexuals; hence Jamaicans must resist any talk of tolerance or homosexuality came through loud and clear to me in the 25 minute plus segment of the show.

This isolated incident though in earshot of thousands of listeners (mostly older folks) is a clear indication to activists that we have a long way to go in changing hearts and minds and not just amending or repealing archaic laws buggery legislation.

Peace and tolerance

H

Caribbean tourism must reflect changing demands ....... pink $$$ anyone?

After years of idling in the doldrums, visitor arrivals to some parts of the region are increasing rapidly, travellers are spending more, and the yield for hoteliers is increasing. Moreover, as demand soars in Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and some smaller Caribbean destinations like Aruba, it is getting much harder for visitors to find a quality hotel room at short notice. Recent figures by the tourism ministry reflect good increases but those only reflect a lower section of the US market in particular while the ever increasing and robust if not bold LGBT market is yet to be tapped into.

Gay marriage rights are almost covering the 50+ states in the US, The UK has already moved in that direction and the EU is quite clear as to such rights and state benefits. Correspondingly local travel interests in those jurisdictions have adjusted rapidly to meet their demands and while LGBTQ family goes mainstream they have more disposable income and on the face of it seeking relaxative environments outside their countries, honeymoons anyone?

The Business of Tourism - Caribbean tourism must reflect changing demands

Cuba apart, which is a special case following the virtual freeing of US travel restrictions late last year, this rapid increase in demand for a Caribbean vacation largely reflects the fact that disposable income in the main feeder markets in North America and parts of Europe is increasing as economic recovery occurs and travellers begin to feel more financially secure. It is also the case that some Caribbean destinations such as Jamaica have again become hot in the eyes of those who establish on social media and in print the image of an aspirational destination.

see this previous post:

Cuba Makes Progress in Sex Reassignment Surgery ... expects communist party to accept LGBT rights 2012

Cuban(s) enjoys new benefit of free sex-change operation 2011

Mariela Castro: “U.S government is concerned about LGBT movement in Cuba” 2012

Cuba Looking to Become Gay Travel Hotspot 2013

Cuba's already forward thinking treatment of LGBT matters especially transgenderism the recent changes of US foreign policy and courting by the federal government when the trappings are finally gone the flood gates will open. Medical tourism especially may grow there given the above posts hints to free reassignment surgery and their overall state healthcare.

But for the most successful Caribbean markets, there are also other factors at work.

The recent surge in visitor demand and indications that even the lower-cost coming summer season is building well reflect better marketing, product improvements, and new airlift that has resulted in improved access, for instance, from the countries of Latin America and from Scandinavia. It also in part, reflects the ability of lower-cost air carriers to pass on to the growing numbers of visitors using their services, the savings they are making as the price of aviation fuel falls.

What this means is that the industry in many Caribbean tourism destinations is not only making a significant contribution to national economic recovery, but again demonstrating its often-ignored significance to the wider Caribbean economy.

At its most basic, this is good news, but it also raises interesting questions as to where the region's product is headed now that sustainable growth again seems possible.

For some, renewed demand is simply about a return to business as usual, the end to heavy discounting of room rates, and the Caribbean again taking its 'rightful place' as the world's paramount warm-water destination.

Competitive marketplace

However, for those who are more thoughtful, it is about recognising that during the years of stagnation, the global marketplace for tourism has changed, becoming intensely competitive, and that the future will require adapting the product and the tourism offering so that present success is sustainable.

For those willing to look over the horizon, the issue now is about reorienting and developing the Caribbean tourism offering to reflect changing international demand for the authentic, quality service and cuisine; and even when the price is high, value for money. It reflects, too, an understanding that a significant part of the higher spending end of the market is looking for much more than just a luxury hotel and a beach in the tropics.

This will mean a sea change in the way that some in the industry and government in the region think. It is about more than the normal default position of rebranding. It requires a new approach involving both the industry and government reconceptualising tourism, hotels and the tourism product in ways that make it globally competitive and ensures that a visitor feels that the region and a destination is special and wants to return.

This will not be easy as it requires properties, restaurants, attractions, and if they are able to become better corporate citizens, the internationally branded chain hotels, to think in a vernacular way and come together to renew and develop the product in a manner that promotes the uniqueness of the Caribbean nations in which they are located.

The old practice of the LGBT market having to be engaged most discreetly as they do come but under most private arrangements often in ultra private villas for security reasons. Outward displays of affection is a no no even if you're a tourist (local culture may often overlook certain things) 

Tolerant industry

"Our hotels have always welcomed. We don't necessarily place ads advertising that we accept the LGBT, but we would never turn back persons because of their sexual preferences," said a Negril hotelier, who added that there is really no difference from how the LGBT market was treated by the average hotel 20 years ago.

"The industry has always been more tolerant than the rest of the society," said the hotelier, adding that there are many gays working in the tourism sector, so it's no big news.

Another hotelier says Jamaica is not ready for this market, which is a big mistake. "I have tried to target them in the past, but I have given up, because it's a hard sell, particularly because of our homophobic reputation," said the hotelier.

She said if members of the LGBT community were to turn up at her property they wouldn't be turned back. She admits that the market has huge potential of pumping foreign exchange into the island's coffers.

also see:

LGBT leisure travel market set to spike .................... LGBT "friendly" resorts are here

Jamaica missing out on gay billions, says J'can scholar 2008 from the Jamaica Observer

Peace and tolerance

H