Ian Boyne on "Do Gays Threaten Free Speech?"

Another decent article from veteran journalist and theologian Ian Boyne at least some reasoning is coming through despite the hysteria from other religious fanatics. Similar to last week's article he examines the present realities especially the perception of stifling of free speech in relation to those who "oppose homosexuality" as it were.

also see: War Over Buggery Law from Gay Jamaica Watch and antigay voice Shirley Richards' response: Can You Stop The Bolting Horse, Mr Boyne?

Ian Boyne

This debate on homosexuality is so polarised and politicised that there is diminished space for reason. It's largely a dialogue of the deaf. There is hardly any genuine desire for dialogue. It's easier to attack, accuse, malign, distort and rock back on old prejudices and stereotypes.

For those who are still capable of thinking rationally on this issue, perhaps a few points can be made. The first prerequisite for any dialogue is understanding the various points of view. There are some gay people who can't understand why Shirley Richards and Wayne West are constantly talking about the threats of the gay lobby. They see their talk as sheer hysteria-mongering. These persons ask how are gay people any threat to as Christians.

One online writer responded to my piece last week by saying: "While the Bible categorically condemns homosexuality (with many other things), their simple position on the matter should be: Christians are separate from the world, therefore they have no authority to set standards for the world outside the Christian congregation. Just as they benefit from laws set by Government to allow them freedom of worship, they should not interfere with whatever law the Government may grant to others with whom they are scripturally displeased. Their only concern should be to make sure those they accept as members of their churches are not people practising things the Bible condemns (homosexuality being one of them)."

Well, that's the first major misunderstanding. Once the State passes non-discrimination laws, religious institutions can't exempt themselves. There is increasing rejection of any religious exceptionalism. There was, indeed, an earlier period when the US courts, for example, were sympathetic to religious exceptionalism, but that has been coming under increasing pressure. President Obama just signed an executive order last month prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in federal hiring that might have implications for religious institutions.

LIVE AND LET LIVE

This 'live-and-let-live' view that some moderates hold might not apply if some gay-rights activists have their way. There are some who hold that just as religious organisations should not be accorded the right to discriminate on race, they shouldn't have the right to discriminate on sexual orientation.

So just as how it would be abominable for any church to openly declare it would never appoint a black man as a minister or a bishop, so some believe the Church should not have the right to declare that it won't hire an openly gay minister or bishop. When gay rights are framed as human rights, and when discrimination against gays is equated with discrimination against black people, it's hard to maintain any religious exceptionalism.

So my online respondent's view that Christians should just concern themselves with setting standards for their members is naïve.

If some gays have their way with legislation, Christians won't be able to live their lives based on their understanding of Scripture. This is not outrage-mongering. And it is a fact that on many university campuses (of all places) in North America, hate-speech codes are so restrictive that even mild criticism of homosexuality is banned. In Scandinavia, political correctness vis-á-vis homosexuality has reached absurd proportions, and in Britain, there have been scandalous violations of people's free-speech rights as well as their right to practise their religious convictions. Shirley Richards and Wayne West have not been manufacturing these cases.

If you think conservative Christians who fear the squelching of their rights are just fearmongers, note the British House of Lords and House of Commons Human Rights report a few years ago titled Legislative Scrutiny: Sexual Orientation Regulations. It says explicitly that for even private religious schools: "We do not consider that the right to freedom of conscience and religion requires the school curriculum to be exempted from the scope of sexual orientation regulations." It is saying schools should not be free to teach homosexuality is a sin or is abnormal.

"In our view, the regulations prohibiting sexual-orientation discrimination should clearly apply to the curriculum, so homosexual pupils are not subjected to teaching as part of the religious education or other curriculum that their sexual orientation is sinful or morally wrong." Now if this is not an attack on freedom of religion, I don't know what is.

If conservative Christians are not free to teach in their own schools their views on homosexuality - however misguided or wrong-headed the State might think - their free speech is severely compromised.

MINDFUL OF OTHERS

If I were a gay man, I would not, as a free-speech libertarian, care one heck if people want to teach in schools, churches, media and on the streets that my behaviour is abominable and worthy of a lifetime in hellfire. If people want to take out ads and run public campaigns against my lifestyle, I might deplore it, but as someone committed to liberal democracy, I would do nothing to impair the right of those persons.

Yes, it's stigmatisation, but so what? A liberal democracy has to tolerate such messiness. This desire to sanitise everything is what leads to autocracy.

I believe that too many people on both sides of this propaganda war - gays and Christians - are deeply hostile to liberal democratic values. There are Christians who want to impose their religious dogmas on the whole society, adapting a Christian Shari'a. Left to them, they would ban Sunday racing, carnival, casino gambling and all forms of gambling, drinking and they would close down all exotic clubs. They don't hold that Christians are exiles. Rather they are theonomists who feel Christians must impose the Kingdom on the heathens now. I believe in a pluralistic democracy; people have a right to resist this.

We need a new, fresh discourse on this Christian-gay debate. It's time for rational voices like those of gay-rights advocate Brian-Paul Welsh to emerge. I have corresponded with him and I have found him to be eminently reasonable, charitable, conciliatory, gracious and humble. The arrogance of so many gay people repels me. It's one thing to have contempt for religion and for "silly, Stone Age religious dogmas", as the enlightened gaytheists would put it.

I am not offended if you think I hold preposterous ideas. I can understand if you have contempt for my ideas. But you should not have contempt for me because I am brainwashed.

There is an excellent article on the Christianity Today website (July 16, 2014) titled 'Religious Freedom vs LGBT rights? It's more complicated'. The author calls for a reframing of this dialogue. He tells Christians that, increasingly, people are abandoning the idea of religious exceptionalism. They are also having less regard for religious liberty. They don't see why Christians should have the right to discriminate against women and gays in religious appointments and they don't be believe Christians should be exempt from discrimination laws.

As Christian intellectuals, we have to fight our battles on the ground of pluralism, not religious exceptionalism. "The pluralist argument is not clothed in the language of religious liberty, but extends to religious groups and institutions ... - the idea that in a society that lacks a shared vision of a deeply held common good, we can and must live with deep difference among groups and their beliefs, values and identities."

He goes on to say: "More pointed, every one of us holds beliefs that others find morally reprehensible. Pluralism rests on three interrelated aspirations: Tolerance, humility and patience. Tolerance means a willingness to accept genuine difference, including profound moral difference." Tolerance permits differences to coexist.

Significantly, he says, "Pluralism does not impose the fiction of assuming that all ideas are equally valid or morally benign. It does mean respecting people and allowing for the right to differ among serious matters." And I end by reminding both the Christian and gay-rights Taliban that "patience reminds us that the best means to a better end is through persuasion and dialogue, not coercion and bullying".

Ian Boyne is a veteran journalist working with the Jamaica Information Service. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ianboyne1@yahoo.com.

ENDS

Also see:

A Response to a Gleaner Commentary: 'CAUSE' Editorials And The Culture War

The False Dichotomy of the religious right on the LGBT advocacy Godlessness

Blakka Ellis on "Jamaica a christian country?"

Don't crucify gay-rights activists, Boyne pleads 2010

Anti Gay Voice & 'Child Rights' Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine Taken to Task on Public Advocacy

Ian Boyne: Bain exercised terribly poor strategic judgement ..

Atheism, Secularism and Buggery . 2012

Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica

It's The Church That Needs Salvation - Attack on Gays 

Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues

Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society continues its “HIV is a gay disease” campaign with more deception

Letters & Opinions: Anti-gay Christians threaten free speech ............Christian Ethics And The UTech Beating 2012

Group braces for costly fight against gays ......... Church must be passionate in fight against homosexuality

Lawyers' Christian Fellowship's Shirley Richards says lesbian sex should be criminalized as buggery

Shirley Richards & The Jamaican UK Foster Parents (The Johns) on Love 101 FM ............. on buggery

Ian Boyne on ....... Storm Brewing Over Gay Ad 2011

The elephant is the room (Pt 1) subscription to the Gleaner may be required

Let the dialogue continue.

Peace and tolerance

H

Don't Mix Religion With Politics & The Ugandan Antigay Law Overturn

It's good news indeed as we watched from outside Uganda for the ruling from the Supreme Court there as to the constitutionality of their anti gay law and it is instructive for us here in Jamaica as to how the law ought to be fashioned especially given the recent threat by some anti gay religious groups that any administration that changes the buggery law will be voted out while they will do everything in their power to block any protection under the charter of rights from discrimination due to sexual orientation.

The tyranny of the majority I suppose now comes a letter in the Gleaner which I agree with given the previous post on the turn over of the law in Uganda, see HERE or Constitutional Court Strikes Down Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Act

Now to the letter:

Don't Mix Religion With Politics

THE EDITOR, Sir:

And so it was, while many in Jamaica and elsewhere were busy celebrating Emancipation Day, the freedom and right to be who we are, many of our brothers and sisters in Uganda were busy celebrating a different type of emancipation.

The courts in Uganda struck down the anti-gay law imposed by the ruling government which made Uganda one of the most brutal and homophobic places. The anti-gay law, which was originally intended to impose the death penalty, was later revised to life imprisonment.

The law, though extreme compared to ours, where gays could be imprisoned just for being gay in Uganda, in essence isn't much different from Jamaica's. The emphasis in Jamaica is based on actual sexual activity (ignoring consent), and the punishment here is less severe.

The ruling in Uganda has set the tone once again to show that we're indeed living in a changing world, where education is the basis of emancipation, and that values and attitudes towards gays are evolving.

Fighting losing battle

I've said before homophobes are fighting a losing battle. People are entitled to their personal views, but what they are not entitled to do is to impose these views publicly where people's lives could be endangered, or their human rights could be violated. Although a small step for Uganda's LGBT community, it is a giant step in the right direction.

The Ugandan anti-gay law created much controversy and resulted in international outcry against the Ugandan government, tarnishing relations, especially with the West. And, although the ruling could possibly be appealed, a natural recourse in the law, it is likely that Uganda's Government, which is tightly controlled by President Yoweri Museveni, a former guerrilla fighter who has been ruling for close to three decades, must be having second thoughts.

Wake-up call

The ruling could also be a wake-up call for those in Jamaica who support the archaic buggery law which could imprison persons up to 10 years. It is interesting to note that Uganda's anti-gay movement began only a couple years ago when American fundamentalist preachers went to Uganda and worked closely with legislators there to draft a bill that called for putting gays to death!

Our own fundamentalist church leaders, who are often labelled 'the local Taliban Church', should also take note. Religion is personal. We worship privately in groups, and we have the right to choose our churches, our faith, where, when and how we worship.

When we start to mix the business of religion with the business of the State, history shows this never works. Slavery was once endorsed by religion, for example! This is why the State should always separate itself from the Church, especially when it comes to drafting legislation and protecting human rights!

PETE DELISSER
pdelisser1988@yahoo.com

ENDS

meanwhile Ndorwa West MP, David Bahati on Friday said that the Attorney General will petition the Supreme Court over the Constitutional Court ruling on the Act; just hours after court nullified it (Anti-Homosexuality law) which was approved by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2014.

“I want to thank the speaker, MPs who stood for what is right. The lawyer that represented government said she was not given chance to prove that there was quorum in parliament.

The court case ruling is no victory at all, the morals of the people of Uganda will prevail,” Mr Bahati said in a press briefing before adding, “The Attorney General who is very competent will petition the constitutional court over the constitutional court ruling. Our competent legal team will continue to petition the Supreme Court and I believe we will win.”

Bahati was the sponsor of the Private Member’s Bill. There has been no confirmation from the Attorney General’s office. The Constitutional Court is made up of five members of Uganda’s Court of Appeals and is subordinate to the nation’s Supreme Court.

Definitely this is not the end but it is a crushing blow to an unjust law how can one legislate morality or private sexual matters when consent is key?

TV news there have covered the issue fairly it seems:

UPDATE from Box Turtle Bulletin's page: Malevolence Personified where the US religious right link is made.

Peace and tolerance

H

Constitutional Court Strikes Down Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Act

Constitutional Court Strikes Down Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Act:

Wonderful news indeed (GLBTQ Jamaica) also see this update from Box Turtle Bulletin HERE

A Victory for the Human Rights of All Ugandans

(Kampala, Uganda) Health GAP reacted to today’s ruling in Uganda’s Constitutional Court striking down the Anti Homosexuality Act: “Today lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender Ugandans along with all human rights defenders in Uganda have scored a decisive victory against the

politics of scapegoating and the politics of hate,” said Asia Russell, Director of International Policy at Health GAP. “Parliament is not above the law and the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights for all Ugandans—no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Parliament passed the bill on December 20, 2013 and President Museveni signed the bill into law on February 24, 2014, despite earlier public pledges that he would not assent to the bill. It is widely believed that he reversed his position in an effort to strengthen his chances in 2016 for reelection as President.

The law, which is now nullified, increased the punishment for same sex acts between consenting adults to life in prison and criminalized ‘promotion’ of homosexuality and ‘aiding and abetting’ of homosexuality with 7 years’ imprisonment and hefty fines. These crimes

were defined so broadly as to criminalize provision of essential health and social services, such as HIV prevention and treatment.

Uganda’s Penal Code Act already includes colonial-era provisions criminalizing “carnal knowledge against the order of nature.” Today’s ruling does not affect that pre-existing law.

Today’s ruling was also hailed as a crucial development for increased access to life saving health services: Uganda is one of the only countries in East Africa reporting recent increases in HIV incidence.

Criminalised populations including gay men, sex workers, transgender women and drug users are at higher risk of HIV infection and disease progression as well as violence and abuse. For example, gay men in Kampala have an estimated HIV prevalence of 13%, more than three times the prevalence of other men.

Today’s ruling comes as a result of a case filed March 10, 2014 in Uganda’s Constitutional Court by ten petitioners, including Ugandan politicians, human rights activists, and legal experts. The petition argued that the law violates Ugandans’ constitutionally guaranteed human rights, including freedom from discrimination and freedom of expression. (The petition is available at ugandans4rights.org.)

“This decision is a bright spot in a dark record on human rights,” continued Russell. “It is the bravery and courage of gay and trans Ugandan activists that we have to thank for this decision. But we cannot rest—we must continue work to realize health and human rights for all, in Uganda and in other countries around the world that criminalize the sexual behaviour of consenting adults.”

According to activists, the signing of the law is part of a pattern of troubling actions indicating a deteriorating environment for human rights in Uganda, including the recent passage by Parliament of the HIV Prevention and Management Bill, which would criminalize people

living with HIV.

“Today in Uganda we are still far from that reality—for example the HIV Prevention and and Management Bill, which would criminalize people living with HIV and undermine the national AIDS response, is awaiting

signature by President Museveni. He should reject this flawed Bill without delay and recommend Parliament eliminate its provisions on HIV criminalization, mandatory HIV testing and mandatory HIV reporting.”

Contact for more information: Asia Russell, Health GAP +256 776 574729 (Uganda mobile) or +1 267 475 2645 asia@healthgap.org

Asia Russell Health GAP (Global Access Project)

email: asia@healthgap.org

tel: +256 776 574 729 (Uganda)

+256 703 574 729 (Uganda)

+1 267 475 2645 (US)

http://www.healthgap.org

skype: asia_ilse

twitter: @asia_ilse

Meanwhile the LGBT EU Intergroup said:

In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court of Uganda nullified the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.

The Court argued that procedural rules were not followed when Parliament passed the bill in December, as not enough lawmakers had been present at the vote.

The now void Anti-Homosexuality Act foresaw life imprisonment for consensual same-sex activity. ‘Promotion of homosexuality’ carried a maximum of 7 years imprisonment.

Ulrike Lunacek and Daniele Viotti, Members of the European Parliament for Greens/EFA and S&D, reacted to the ruling: “Today’s ruling is a victory for Uganda and a triumph for human rights.”

“We congratulate those who have worked so hard in Uganda to fight this hateful law. Finally, this law, which had already shown vast negative consequences, ceases to exist.”

Dennis de Jong and Tanja Fajon, Members of the European Parliament for GUE/NGL and S&D, continued: “This is a wonderful day for LGBT people in Uganda and those who are defending their rights.”

“However, the struggle is not over: under the penal code, homosexuality remains a crime, as in almost 80 other countries around the globe. We call on all these countries to stop criminalising LGBT people and respect human rights of all of its citizens.”

Alarm rings on low uptake of existing prevention options for anal STIs and HIV

Despite overall progress in HIV prevention, rates of HIV infection among key affected populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people remain alarmingly high. For example, recent data indicates that MSM are up to 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population – transgender women are almost 50 times more likely. Overall new HIV infection rates have dipped by 26% in Asia and the Pacific region since 2001,but not for MSM and transgender.

According to a 2013 UNAIDS report, estimated population of MSM in the region is between 10.5 million to 27 million. HIV incidence continues to remain very high among MSM in cities such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta among others.

(L-R) Dr I Gilada, Midnight P,Dr V Chakrapani, Dr Suwat C Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) addressed a press conference jointly organized at 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) by AIDS Society of India, APCOM, AVAC - Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, Citizen News Service (CNS), International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) and Research Institute for Health Sciences (RIHES), Chiang Mai University.

Midnight said: "Key affected communities should be in the heart of the delivery of services by the government, then only perhaps the impact will be maximal. Commission on AIDS in Asia (2008) had predicted that if no action was taken to increase the investment to MSM programming then they will account for nearly 50% of new HIV infections by 2020. That is a cause of serious concern. Punitive laws and practices that criminalize same-sex behaviour are still prevalent in many Asia Pacific countries. Such laws deter MSM and transgender people to have access to existing health services they need. We need to work on destigmatisation of healthcare services, and working with the law enforcers for supportive health policies. At policy level we need to advocate with the government, we need to ensure that policy barriers get removed so that MSM can actually access those services."

Investment continues to remain very low in MSM programming. "Less than 7% of the money is going for HIV prevention among MSM. To be strategic we need to increase investment for MSM programming especially younger MSM in cities" said Midnight.

Dr Ishwar Gilada, ASI

Dr Ishwar Gilada, President of AIDS Society of India, and a noted HIV physician who was among the first few medical professionals who responded to HIV care when first case was diagnosed in India, was moderating this panel discussion at AIDS 2014. "Unsafe sexual practices among transgender women were rare at that time when I did my study with Hijra community in 1983-1984. We could never have imagined then that Hijra community will come to International conferences. People used to laugh at them when transgender people used to come to JJ Hospital for care. I started a special clinic in OPD from 2pm-4pm in 1983 at JJ Hospital for transgender people. Back then we used to write male or female H (Hijra) as sex, but it took decades for government to finally recognize the third gender."

Dr BN Saxena

Dr Badri N Saxena, Chair of Microbicides Expert Group of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said (via web link) that there is hardly any choice under national HIV or STI prevention programmes except barrier method such as male condoms (female condoms are limited to very few targeted interventions or other social marketing initiatives). Few more options are available in private healthcare sector such as vaginal creams. Dr Saxena pointed out that there are 30 million episodes of STIs annually. Dr Saxena also advocated for a need-based phased introduction of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to provide another option to MSM people who might benefit from expanded range of HIV and non-HIV STI prevention options.

'Invisible' key population

Dr RR Gangakhedkar, NARI, ICMR (CNS Image library: December 2012)

Dr RR Gangakhedkar, Deputy Director, National AIDS Research Institute, ICMR said (via web link) that according to the mapping estimates there are 0.412 million MSM in India. Overall HIV prevalence rate among MSM is 4.4% and TGs is 8.8% (2011). There are targetted interventions (TIs) for both key populations in India offering STI services, linkage with HIV testing and care services, condom promotion, peer education, outreach, among others. There are over 201 MSM TIs that include over 37 community-based organizations-led TIs. Coverage as per the MSM population estimates is over 70%. Additionally, a program named "Pehchan" is also being implemented. 20 TIs are exclusively for transgender people.

Dr Gangakhedkar added: Though the overall coverage is high among MSM TIs, very little is known about the coverage in 'invisible' part of MSM population. With re-criminalization of same sex behaviour perhaps more MSM may opt to be 'invisible'.

Stigma lurks

(L-R) Dr I Gilada, Midnight P, Dr V Chakrapani, Dr Suwat C

Although situation has changed some shades for the better, but still stigma in healthcare settings rages high and often blocks access to existing services for MSM and transgender people even today.Dr Venkatesh Chakrapani, Director, Centre for Sexuality, Health Research and Policy, said: "Knowledge about HIV and STIs is perhaps not that big a challenge because despite knowledge, condom use among MSM and transgender people is low. For example they may not like to use condoms with their regular partners. If I need treatment for anal STIs I need to disclose to the doctor that I am MSM. Likewise talking about partner notification and simultaneous treatment of STIs in both partners becomes a huge challenge if stigma lurks in healthcare settings in India. Another issue is that condoms are free but lubes are not. Including lubes will help with dealing with issues such as condom breakage and augmenting HIV prevention among MSM and transgender."

Dr Chakrapani remarked that re-criminalization of consensual same-sex activity in India is having negative impact on health services for MSM and transgender people. "We spoke with few doctors this year and some of them were not clear if they should report to police if any MSM and transgender person comes to seek treatment for anal STIs. Some doctors were also not clear on whether they are abetting a crime by managing anal STIs among MSM and transgender people. No wonder MSM and transgender people are often reluctant to seek care in government hospital."

Unique needs and contexts of transgender people

Simran Shaikh, India HIV/AIDS Alliance

Simran Shaikh, a leading transgender activist with India HIV/AIDS Alliance, lamented that despite advocacy transgender related issues still get overshadowed by MSM related issues. She called for more space for addressing transgender issues as they are unique and need special attention. She said that there are exclusive transgender and Hijra interventions taking place now in India but we need to accelerate the scale up. Simran said that national HIV rates among transgender and Hijras are as high as 8.4% in India (general population HIV rate is about 0.27%). She mentioned specific situations that escalate this risk for transgender and Hijra community such as lack of opportunities for education, employment, or other social support systems.

Simran too echoed concerns that current STI and HIV prevention options are not working well enough and uptake remains low. Condom negotiation is very difficult for a transgender person to do with a client or regular partner, said Simran. She identified high consumption of alcohol and substance abuse among transgender people in India as another key challenge that ups their vulnerability to HIV and abuse.

Rectal Microbicides provide hope

(L-R) Midnight P, Dr V Chakrapani, Dr Suwat Chariyalertsa, RIHES

Dr Suwat Chariyalertsak, Director, Research Institute for Health Sciences (RIHES), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, who is a key researcher at this site for a rectal microbicide phase II study (MTN017), explained that we need to expand the range of HIV prevention options for those practicing anal sex.

Rectal microbicides– in the form of gels or lubricants – are products that are currently under research and are being developed and tested to reduce a person's risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections from anal sex. The risk of becoming infected with HIV during unprotected anal sex is 10 to 20 times greater than unprotected vaginal sex because as the rectal lining is only one-cell thick, the virus can more easily reach the immune cells and infect them.

Dr Suwat shared that the first-ever phase-II extended-safety study (formally called MTN017) of a rectal microbicide in the Asia-Pacific region has begun in Chiang Mai, Thailand since February 2014. In total, there are 8 study sites including Chiang Mai, such as: CDC Bangkok (where study will commence very soon), South Africa, Peru and in US. The objective of this rectal microbicide study is to study the safety and acceptability of a rectal microbicide gel for now. This study will perhaps also give information on issues such as adherence of study participants to the study product. Depending upon the outcome of this study (if study product is found safe and acceptable) efficacy studies will be conducted later. In this study, every MSM and female transgender study participant will have the same duration of exposure (eight weeks) to three different regimens (with a one week gap between each regimen): oral Truvada/PrEP daily for eight weeks, rectal gel (reduced glycerin and tenofovir gel) daily for eight weeks, and sex dependent rectal gel for eight weeks (applied anytime during the window period of 12 hours before and 12 hours after having anal sex).

Brian Kanyemba

Brian Kanyemba, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa said that phase II study of rectal microbicide (MTN017) has also started at their site which is the only site in Africa. 7 out of 24 study participants have been enrolled so far.

Condoms... and lubes!
Jim Pickett, Chair of International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) said in a press conference at AIDS 2014 (via web-link): Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) was started by the IRMA few years ago to make sure that as the HIV prevention field moves ahead for research and development of rectal microbicides, these products [when eventually made available] are safe, accessible, and affordable to the people who need them [in African context]. There was a realization that we need to do some specific work in Africa in context that there are many countries where anal sex is illegal, people can be prosecuted and there is lot of [anal sex related] stigma and discrimination too."

Jim Pickett (CNS image library: July'12)

"Project ARM was born out of the growing need to create a research and advocacy agenda for rectal microbicides in Africa. Project ARM shows us what are the priorities in terms of research, advocacy and community mobilization around rectal microbicides in African context. One of the priorities that came out of Project ARM discussions was lube access. The reason was that people who practice anal sex cannot access lubricants."

"We have to recognize that it is not just MSM and transgender people who have anal sex but also men and women in heterosexual relationships. If that route of HIV transmission is not looked at then HIV rates are bound to rise in those practicing anal sex."

Jim briefed about "Global Lube Access Mobilization - GLAM". He said "Having safer lubes will not be enough unless policies and programmes start addressing access to lubes. This is how GLAM came into being. If we provide condoms to people and not provide lubes then it is a big problem because then people use whatever they can find and at times they use lubricants or products that are not condom compatible. Lack of condom compatible lubricants in Africa was acute. With no lubes people often resort to body lotions, cooking oil, pre-cum, creams or other things that are not necessarily condom compatible."

IRMA grants announced
Jim Pickett announced in this press conference that few grants have been awarded to some projects to advocate for national and local-level access to safe, affordable, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa to improve the impact of HIV prevention services. These projects are based in African countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania among others. This is the second year for IRMA to support projects in Africa. This year the grants are supported by amfAR, AVAC - Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, COC Netherlands, and IRMA.

PrEP and WHO Guidance for key populations

(L-R) Deirdre Grant, Dr Ishwar Gilada, Midnight Poonkasetwattana

Deirdre Grant from AVAC – Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention said that "WHO Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations" which were released at AIDS 2014, are first set of guidelines for key affected populations that not only addressed the common areas which affected them all, but also addressed population specific ones. Deirdre informed that these guidelines were for five key population groups which were: MSM, injecting drug users, sex workers, transgender people and people in prisons.

PrEP is recommended as an additional HIV prevention choice within comprehensive HIV prevention package for MSM in these guidelines. On use of PrEP by transgender people, Deirdre said that there needs to be more evidence before strong recommendation can be made for its use among this key population. Deirdre called for heightened advocacy around PrEP and noted that WHO guidance helps with agencies and funders but does not directly help people who want to access services. Lots of other issues such as barriers, investment needs, dearth of smart programming, lack of implementation science, etc must be addressed alongside rolling out the guidance.

Dr Seema Sahay,NARI,ICMR

Dr Seema Sahay, Deputy Director, National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), who is a noted social scientist said: "We are focussing on how to reach ‘hidden’ MSM especially adolescent MSM as this population is also surfacing right now. This is one problem we will like to have some advocacy and challenge we face. We conducted a small qualitative study and realized that knowledge about PrEP is very low. 2/39 MSM had heard of that. There should be some education programme and advocacy for PrEP as message about PrEP has not reached majority of MSM."

Vijay Nair, who demonstrated leadership years ago in India to organize HIV positive MSM as a network called NIPASHA+. Currently he is involved with India HIV/AIDS Alliance. Vijay expressed concerns if new HIV prevention technologies will ever reach those MSM who are in need.

VIjay Nair

Discussions about these new HIV prevention technologies are often limited to global conferences or meetings with little ground work taking place in our countries. He expressed concern why it has taken over two decades to do female condom programming after US FDA approved it in 1993? PrEP was approved by US FDA in July 2012 but still there is no clear sense how PrEP will reach MSM in need. He agreed with Dr Seema Sahay's observation that there are 'hidden' MSM in India who are not part of (or perhaps do not want to be part of) targetted interventions for MSM, and PrEP could be an option for them.

source

Petition: Actively safeguard the interests, rights and freedoms of all Jamaicans.

The following was sent to me by a concerned emailer to share with my readers as a request for you to sign the related petition.

This statement comes from a group of concerned Caribbean people across partisan, social, religious, racial and spatial locations in Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and beyond.

Many of us in Jamaica, in the Caribbean region and in diaspora have been watching the developments concerning sex education and the buggery law in Jamaica. By Sunday 29th June when an estimated 25,000 marched across Kingston against the repeal of the colonial buggery laws, it became obvious that the atmosphere had become so emotionally charged and so polarized that it was impossible for any respectful discussion or actions across differences to take place.In some cases, irresponsible media reporting has also contributed to this polarization by circulating misleading and biased reports.

Rhetorical statements are not without deadly consequences. Indeed the atmosphere has become so volatile that many are not just afraid to speak, but are also afraid for their very lives, afraid of being attacked for their views or merely being thought to be gender non-conforming. Many others are afraid for family and friends.

The issue and how it is discussed in Jamaica is precedent setting for the entire region and has dire implications for the lives of many across the region and in the diaspora. A recent indication of this is the backing away from the “Justice For All’ deliberations by CARICOM Heads of Government at their meeting in July in St. Kitts and Nevis. At that meeting, because of objections of several church groups, CARICOM governments deferred approving a report by the Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) and a declaration entitled: Getting to Zero Discrimination Through Justice For All as part of efforts for the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

This debate then, is about life and death, health or ill-health. It is about the responsibility of governments to citizens, about the Caribbean we want to live in and about the way we want to live as Caribbean people wherever we reside.

We therefore welcome the voices of moderation from among the church leadership and note the recent articles of Bishop Howard Gregory, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and the Rev. Dr Paul Gardner, Head of the Moravian Church in Jamaica and Cayman. These church leaders have made a significant contribution to opening up space for respectful discussions across difference. We add our voices to this cause and hope to contribute similarly by clarifying and separating some of the issues that have been confused in the discussion of sex education, sexual and gender identity and the law.

1. We took note of the leadership of some several churches in the march on Sunday June 29th and want to point to a need for separating questions of faith and spirituality from questions of moral judgment of others. St Paul famously said “ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galations 3: 27-28.

Most of the prescriptions against homosexuality are in the Old Testament in Leviticuswhich also speaks in support of slavery, stoning, extreme discrimination against women, domestic sacrifice and burning of bulls as an act of reparation in conflict and so on. Would the church leaders of the march speak in favour of any these today?

The most important ethic of Christianity is its message of and its injunction not to judge – ‘Judge not that ye be not judged’ is being ignored when it comes to matters of sexual and gender identity differences.

2. Education is not the same as conversion. When schools teach children about different religions they are not being ‘converted’. Similarly, educating children on issues of sex and sexuality is not to be equated with converting them to a particular view. Making such an equation is disingenuous.

Children need to be sensitively taught information about the range of sex issues they are confronting in society. The fact is that many children are sexually active at an early age and many are, unfortunately, survivors of horrific sexual violence and sexual abuse of all kinds including heterosexual abuse. Teaching children about sex of all kinds is a responsible strategy for helping them to protect themselves and prepare for meaningful relationships. It helps them be safe and healthy, prepares them for dealing in a non-sensational way with realities that they will unavoidably confront in the media and society. It helps them understand and deal sensibly and from an informed position with the sexual feelings they inevitably develop one way or another. It will encourage respect for diverse views and in so doing contribute to undermining the tendency to violence within the society.

Educating children about sex and sexuality is not the same as using power to draw children into a particular sexual acts or into a sense of shame and confusion about feelings that they are experiencing. It is preparing them to confront in a non-biased way the issues regarding sexuality that they will face whether adults like it or not.

3. Pedophilia and violent coercive sex is not the same as homosexuality. The blending of these issues has been a repeated strategy in the campaign against reform. This strategy misleads the public and spreads inflamatory and harmful rhetoric.

Homosexuality is a sexual attraction or act between consenting adults of the same sex or gender.Homosexuals are by no means the same as pedophiles as the current discussion suggests.

A pedophile is an adult or older adolescent who acts on sexual attraction to prepubescent children, generally age 11 years or younger. Infantophilia specifically refers to sex with infants (ages 0–3 or those under age 5).Pedophiles and infantofiles are to be found among both heterosexuals and homosexuals. In the current media spectacle around sexuality, the frequent participation of heterosexuals in acts of sexual violence seems to have disappeared.

Sexual violence is any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or coercion. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals can carry out acts of sexual violence. Obviously all heterosexuals are not pedophiles and neither are all homosexuals.

Acts of sexual violence, including sex with children on the part of adults, whether heterosexual or homosexual are to be condemned as they are harmful.

4. We call on the activist churches working in favour of the colonial laws on sexuality to disclose the sources of their own support in the campaign being waged. Many of the activist church groups speak of protecting Jamaica from ‘outside influences’. Much of the content of material circulated prior to the march of the 25000 and videos being shown in some churches can be traced to American organizations which consider Barack Obama dangerously radical and oppose any government intervention in a wide range of issues. They also oppose education about sexuality, abortion and gay rights. The role of these organisations in the Jamaican and wider Caribbean debates and indeed in influencing the decisions of our governments should be made transparent.

5. We remind our Governments of their responsibility to serve the needs of all citizens. Abandoning the health and human rights needs of any group of citizens is not an acceptable response by the State. Contrary to what is being said by many church leaders, Jamaica is a secular state even as some of its Laws derive from Judeo-Christian principles, which principles are to be found in many other Faith and ethical traditions. This is not the same as making and imposing Bible Law as national Law.

The present Jamaican government must stand by its election promise to give leadership on questions of sexuality and the Law, a position which we support. We noted with deep concern the Leader of the Opposition’s appearance at the recent march that promoted unequal treatment of some of the country's citizens. The Opposition Leader’s seeming endorsement by virtue of his appearance is to be placed in a context in which violence against gender non conforming groups has been all too common in Jamaica.

We remind our leaders that all Jamaicans are equal before the law and their interests and freedoms must be actively safeguarded. One way to do this is to promote a respectful discussion across sexual difference and to provide education on the issues which is both accurate and socially just.

ENDS

Frankly Mrs Simpson Miller made no promise to do anything more than saying the right words to get the votes at the time in 2011 as voter apathy was high elsewhere and we must remember they are a minority government so to speak.

With this news item from last evening from a local PNP meeting it shows the issue is loaded at the local level despite two members of parliament basically declaring their hand on the subject of the buggery law:

also see:

Member of Parliament Lloyd B Smith on Of Buggery & Rationality

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

Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy, government position is not the same at this time

Jamaican Opposition Leader says he would allow homosexuals in his cabinet ..... departing from his predecessor

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

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

Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer)

PNP's Damion Crawford on Homosexuality's legality .

Milk River PNP Councillor says no to buggery repeal .............

US University Claims its Found Way To Eliminate HIV from Cells

TEMPLE UNIV. TEAM MAKES BREAKTHROUGH IN HIV-AIDS RESEARCH 

ABC 6 news carried this news item on their website on July 21, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --

Local researchers have made a breakthrough in attacking HIV, and it could be the first step toward a cure.

Currently, HIV has been difficult to stop because it doesn't just float around in the bloodstream - it inserts itself into someone's DNA.

Current drugs won't take it out. But for the first time, researchers at Temple University have been able to eliminate it from human cells.

Dr. Kamel Khalili from Temple University School of Medicine explains, "The current therapy for AIDS does not eliminate viruses, but rather suppresses virus replication."

Dr. Khalili says current drugs do a good job of keeping patients alive, but they don't cure HIV-AIDS.

If there's a break in taking the drugs, the virus starts building again.

That's what happened with a baby in Mississippi. Experts had previously said the baby was "cured" of AIDS.

So instead, Dr. Khalili's team has created a protein combo that targets and attaches itself to the HIV in a cell's DNA. It then cuts out the infected part. The cell repairs itself and becomes a healthy cell again.

"Precise, fast, and has no harm to the cells," Dr. Khalili said.

The process has worked on human cells in the laboratory, and animal tests have begun, to make sure it kills all the HIV.

Dr. Khalili says the next challenge is to determine the best way to give it to humans. It may take several years, but his team believes it will work... and may even go a step further.

He says, "We hope that the technology that we have developed can also help protect individuals - uninfected individual - from HIV."

The results of the Temple team's work were published Monday by the National Academy of Science, and it's getting a lot of attention.

Dr. Khalili believes the process will also work on other viral infections, and possibly for cancer.

Having trouble seeing the video above then go HERE

Jamaica Observer’s ‘reasoned stance’ on homosexuality applauded?

See what you make of this..........

Jamaica Observer online readers reacted with strong interest to their July 16, 2014 editorial titled "Homosexuality: the long, painful search for workable rules of engagement". Here are some of the many comments received:

* Gwoods: Thank you Mr Editor for your more nuanced views on homosexuality. It is a far cry from a former very strident homily that you delivered a short while ago when you described it as a 'beast amongst us'. I hope that the zealots on whatever side of the fence will see your more reasoned stance on the subject as something to be applauded. But, the key thing in this debate is for all to study and reflect on this topic; for, when we do, we will come to understand that there are some powerful assumptions driving both the homosexual debate, and human sexuality. Keep up the otherwise excellent standard of your newspaper.

* Obeah_Man: As a Jamaican of African descent, who has lived abroad and felt the whip of discrimination, I must strongly object to the right you would give church leaders and entertainers to discriminate openly, without non-governmental repercussions. The point is the distance between a negative characterisation and the action that supports it is vanishingly small. This is why the slogan, "love the sinner, hate the sin," makes no sense at all. The workable rule of engagement should be to embrace the words of Confucius, and later by Jesus: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If we did that, Jamaica would be a much better place to live.

* TK46: Obeah_Man, repercusions against the church/entertainers by govt? Freedom of opinion Obeah_man, gays don't discriminate?

* PhilOiseaubay: Mr Editor, your words are welcome but they don't match some of your recent works. Like America's Fox News' claim to be 'Fair & Balanced' you sometimes appear anything but. Take the recent article about the hunt for the gully-living gay murderer. It appeared that you let the homophobe commenters run rampant while refusing to post any nuanced pieces like mine on how these boys came to be homeless in the 1st place - kicked from home and community by over-zealous religious bigots. Did you feel that any critical assessment like that lacked 'decency' or did you just want to whip up more hate for the gays? Perhaps gays in tolerant, developed countries do not suffer any different rates of crime than the general population because they are not forced to the streets by their parents. Your claim for holding the high ground is, at times, sadly off mark.

* CArlton Reynolds: PhilOiseaubay, you are off mark. I bet you never watched Fox News to determine whether they are fair or balanced! There are many homeless people who do not behave like those homos, and homosexual children are not chased from their homes by religious bigots as you claim, otherwise there would not be so many well placed and powerful defenders of the cause.

* PhilOiseaubay: CArlton Reynolds, you are wrong on all counts! The well-placed gays are most likely from loving, accepting families - not many of those evidently in J'ca. If you cannot see the fallacy of Fox News, then you are beyond hope...probably fodder for their Tea Party loyalists...and probably believe the gully-residing gays chose to live a feral existence in abject poverty.

* CArlton Reynolds: PhilOiseaubay, you are just repeating the propaganda of your failed idol Obama! Is it only gays living on the streets?

* Chantelle Brady: CArlton Reynolds, you've got to be kidding me. Where do u live? U really don't live in Jamaica. A father helped guys in his community to beat his gay son. Get ur head out the clouds and back to the reality of Jamaica and their dangerous homophobia.

* CArlton Reynolds: Chantelle Brady, the danger is you guys or is it gays telling lies about the dangers gays face from homophobic Jamaica!

* BlackBritish: You are being disingenuous, CArlton. What would be the purpose of lying? Did the father help the mob beat his son, or not? That's a yes or no question...I know of gays who have been harassed for no reason, except that they are gay - one having a fire extinguisher sprayed in his eyes; others beaten...Things will not get better until people like you are able to hear the truth. What are you afraid of?

* Chuckl3s: BlackBritish, your story of a gay having a fire extinguisher discharged in his face, is not verified, and could be a one-sided story as well.

* BlackBritish: Ok, you got me... I made it up. And this is why the country will not move forward. The editorial is about reconciliation and respect. That cannot happen while people like you are in denial. As I asked the other person, what would be the purpose in lying? I am a heterosexual woman with ZERO desire to conquer the world with homosexuality! As someone who knows gay persons in my private and professional life, my only concern is with their mental health, which is impaired by the discrimination and bigotry they endure.

* kittywally: As long as tolerance is not synonymous with acceptance!

* Chantelle Brady: kittywally, a part of tolerance is accepting things you can't change. U don't have to like it or even understand it but give people the freedom to choose their partners the same way we get to be intimate with who we want to be intimate with. Let's not create a whole new Jim Crow.

* kittywally: Chantelle Brady, you are free to be with whomever (you can claim that as your right) the same way in which I have the right to not being accepting of it. I have no problem being the friend of someone who is gay (and in fact have a friend who will remain my dear friend until death do us part)...But we have agreed to disagree on the gay lifestyle, yet civility reigns in our relationship.

* F Young: "But what we can reasonably expect is tolerance of the different lifestyles..." Is heterosexuality a lifestyle? Of course not, heterosexuals have countless different lifestyles, and they are usually the same homosexuals have. Retirement is a lifestyle, for example, but neither homosexuality or heterosexuality is a lifestyle, since lifestyle implies choice, even eccentricity. However, homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality are inborn and immutable, like race. The only correct medical and legal term to refer to them is sexual orientation. It is an easy word to remember and use. On the other hand, "lifestyle" is an insulting term used only by those who are ignorant or anti-gay. "...all Jamaicans must be free to choose to live their sexuality in conformity with the laws of the land..." Why do you support oppressive laws that imprison people for victimless crimes?

"We uphold the right of the Jamaican church to take a stand against homosexuality..." So, are you okay with preachers and singers that incite murder by stoning? Does religion make it right?

* Chantelle Brady: Good editorial. Dats what I've been saying too. You don't have to understand homosexuality but you can be balanced and fair. Allow people to make their own choices and determine their own destiny very much the same way you want to. Equality and freedom for one, equality and freedom for all.

* Pete: Chantelle Brady, uhm...yes, but the only "choices" people make is who they sleep with...the gender they are sexually attracted to is not a choice. Neither homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality and anything else in betweeen are choices. They are part of the makeup of human beings.

* Jumpy1: The singular problem is that although everyone, theoretically, has a voice and ought to be heard, homosexuals are in the minority and greatly outnumbered on all sides. Their situation is not unlike that of black people in the American states where Bible-thumping masses quoted from the shared Bible that, non-whites, being "lesser" children of a shared-God should capitulate and accept their God-assigned place in life. Any equality, would, assumedly, come after the grave. Definitely not before; since even mortuaries were segregated! The issue of pith and moment is, "should the buggery law be repealed"? And, concomitantly, "if not, why not? Most of those who speak articulately in favour of non-repeal underscore that they believe that if Government gives in, to whomsoever, and passes a repeal, these lesser citizens will want more: much more; like the right to wed and share in rights enshrined for all other citizens. This, they say is wrong. Very wrong! How so?

* Reggie: Clap, Clap, Clap. Bravo. Great Editorial. Now answer your own questions and do your own analysis of your own journalists and your own paper. What do you get, you may share your results too.

* African_Chief Reggie: Last week in the observer — "JCSC response to anti-gay mass meeting comes late in the day". Does the Observer not see the irony of today's editorial?

* BlackBritish: African_Chief, at least they're trying now. Yes, it's a bit late, but better late than never. When someone is trying to give an olive branch, the thing to do is to accept it (albeit sceptically). Some of us who are vehement advocates for the LGBT pop were once the biggest bigots and homophobes.

* kidd: Romans 1:25-28

* BlackBritish: In the 19th Century, the church started evolving in its teaching about slavery. In the 20th Century, the teachings on the role of women was re-evaluated. Could the Church's 21st Century issue be homosexuality? Many scholars believe so.

* speakthetruth: Matthew Vines has been advocating his position on gay Christians. I disagree with his position because it is inconsistent with the scriptures. One of the key requirements of becoming a Christian is self denial. Denying self means embracing what God requires of us....not what we require or desire for ourselves. Homosexuality is a sin as is adultery and fornication. None of these sins will ever be deemed acceptable by God simple because God is not evolving.

* Kirk: Red Alert! If homosexual nomenclature is given credence, then we're all fighting a losing battle. It merely reflects the levity and conspiratorialism of a few. Political correctness only promotes discrimination and bias; it doesn't uphold truth, decency, honour, civility, and sanity. In other words, homosexuality does not produce longevity, nor is it sustainable foundations for progeny. "Man to man is so unjust, you don't even know who to trust" (Bob Marley) - Do any of these relationships promote true independence, cultural bliss, or harmony of a community? If it is difficult enough to discipline our children as they grow into adults, imagine a generation of sexual rebels mirroring what adults do...There are those in society today functioning similarly to the 14th Century Italian Niccolo Machiavelli, who guide the elites in dominating the populations around them, but unlike De la Fuente who discovered that people can be free from mind control when they withdraw their consent, I choose likewise.

* BlackBritish: And that's fine, Kirk. You have the freedom to do so. However, you are under the misconception that the Government is manipulating a "crisis" for their own expediency...Do you really believe the Government wants this headache — doing what they know to be right, but at GREAT political risk? No, Kirk. What you are witnessing is a minority group, tired and fed up with the way they are treated by people who are prejudiced and discriminatory because they are ill-informed. The LGBT population, with their allies, are finally speaking out! You may quote a man who was reared in this prejudiced country, but I quote those who were the recipients of the prejudice: "We shall overcome. We shall overcome some day."

* Pete: I had to read this (editorial) twice...just to make sure I was reading correctly, on the Ja Observer website. You are absolutely correct, though the trend in your paper over the past several months would suggest you had a homophobic agenda, Shout out to your columnist Karyl, how are you?

Bi-invisibility in LGBTQ Discourse a continued cause for concern

In an email sent to me by a reader of one of my blogs some days ago a woman who identifies herself as a local bisexual said she is lost and amazed at how bisexuals in Jamaica are treated or omitted from any coverage and agitation for rights by the main voices in advocacy or otherwise. She said she only found my blogs as the only source it seemed for Jamaican bisexual discourse or rantings on the subject.

Apart from one or two social media groups that cater to bisexuals or so they say hardly any real discourse takes place but more hunting for one night stands and such.

The matter of bi-erasure and omission is one thing but the stigma from cisgender gay and lesbian persons towards bisexuals is another matter in and of themselves as scorn, ridicule and sheer hate comes to such persons or issues when they arise. Deep mistrust comes readily to mind for some as relational matters of the heart and persons who do not follow a rigidly same sex view of attraction are either confused, greedy or plain deceptive and want to have their cake and eat it too. It seems the forumatic activities for example from back in the day that once were active non defunct that would help to air such matters are gone, the online social media engagement is limited to buggery laws, advocacy advertisements, superstar voices intellectually masturbating at the expense of the least amongst us and a lack of deeper analysis on person-hood, developmental thrust at the community level to include not so visible groups such as transgender, lesbian and bisexuals.

A recent Facebook group poll in a group of over 500 members where the question of bisexuality as a discussion in a yes or no answer the vast majority of voters voted amazingly no with some comments suggesting bisexuals should go and sort themselves out and or they need to make up their minds on which sex they desire and so on. There is a disturbing lack of understanding of the issues surrounding sex & sexuality, sexual orientation within the LGBTQ populations and real tolerance from within first before we go demanding same from a homo-negative John public. Similar mismatches and disdain comes to drag queens after all these years versus transgender females despite the visibility of both groups and the some of their issues but persons still confuse a transwoman as a drag queen simply because they present aesthetically in terms of dress and makeup techniques without said persons condemning them taking the time to understand their identity difference, there seems to be no group work in any meaningful way to raise awareness and breaking this cycle.

In a previous post on this blog the matter of the biphobia in the community was examined and it seems very little has changed. On The Biphobia in the community (Gay, Lesbian) maybe higher than thought published 2011 on the strength of a series of discussions on bisexuality and how persons felt during April and May of this year we saw the obvious signs that many same gender loving persons have a perception that somehow persons who are double gender lovers or bisexuals are untrustworthy, more risky in regards to sexually transmitted diseases with HIV/AIDS and may not be able to be monogamous. The opposite also is true for the bisexual representatives who have responded some in very tersely worded responses. The poll photographed above was floated on social networking site Facebook to get a further glimpse into what persons were thinking on the issue a large percentage the respondents saying yes to the question:

"Do you believe bisexuals should declare themselves so prior to entering a long term relationship?"

The other comments are not as kind and will not be posted here but suffice it to say we have to begin to address this issue I feel, if we as lgbt people are asking the mainstream to be tolerant of us then why aren't we tolerant of a section of the community that has their own orientation issues to deal with, this is also sadly with the absence of the main advocates who are more interested in the Buggery Law than the inter community cohesiveness as well, biphobia by default as I have termed it.

How can we rebuild the trust or keep the conversations going when the main LGBT groups are not even paying attention to the sub-groups under the umbrella but are quick to use the call letters so easily when formulating positions and press releases but no real work in the final analysis.

Peace and tolerance

H