Brotha Hurt By Homophobic Violence (Boycott Related)

This brotha above was attacked by two machete wealing men on 27.04.08 going about his lawful business and was told by his attackers that because of the boycott that he and others like him had to suffer for it as gays were gonna cause Jamaica to suffer.

Profiling seems to be an added feature of attackers these days, as if men who look or dress a certain way that intimates "gay or homosexual" then they become the victim(s) of verbal and physical abuse.

Another male victim was given an ultimatum to leave his family home of 30 years in the form of a visit from the area "Don's" henchmen armed to the T with guns, fortunately he was away from home at the time and was able to temporarily relocate to a friend's place. He has since contacted JFLAG and they are in the process of helping him recoup.

Thank god his life was speared and he blessed his attackers even during and after the scuffle.

They escaped with 2 cel phones and a sum of money.

Please have us in your prayers as the struggle continues.

Thank you........SCJ

mailto:hsunshinecathedraljamaica@gmail.com

Recovery Photos of our Post on Brotha who was chopped in Mandeville last year 2008

He has recovered well and thanks to the help and prayers from brothers and sisters of faith here and worldwide and financial support from MCC and the on the ground intervention of course from JFLAG (admin@jflag.org) who assisted in this case.

He may have to do minor surgery on his right hand as some of the fingers are not fully functional as yet, however he is happy and thankful to be alive and for the help and support he has received, at least some good news amongst the turmoil.

Please pray for him and for Jamaica and thanks for your words of encouragement and keen interest.

We would like to see your comments here on this blog as well, please post them in the chat/message box provided.

UPDATE: October 9, 2009

Since the publication of this post he has recovered well and has moved on with his life thankfully, with the support of friends and the MCC church in Florida financially he has sought medical attention and has healed well.

Here is the original post on the incident when I first interviewed him.

Friday, February 22, 2008
Brotha Hurt by Homophobic Violence the third man who is said to be missing and who was believed to have fallen in a deep cavern is to this date still not found.

Howie

Sunburst Readings for April

SunBurst
The Newsletter of the Sunshine Cathedral – Fort Lauderdale (FL), Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, & Mandeville (Jamaica)


Healing Rays: Helping Sunshine Cathedral Leaders Lead the Way
by The Reverend Canon Durrell Watkins, MA, MDiv
In Robert Holden’s Happiness Now…, he tells this story:
There once was a monk who traveled from village to village, smiling. His name was Ananda (which means “joy”). He had no worldly wealth, but he had a warm smile that he shared with everyone he met. He radiated such love and joy that everyone in his presence would smile, too.
One day the monk met a boy, also called Ananda. The boy asked, “Are you a holy man?” The monk smiled. “I am as holy as you are.” The boy smiled back. “Why don’t you own anything?” The monk replied, “I own my smile.” After a period of silence, the boy asked the monk, “Who are you, really?” The monk answered, “I am the smile that went around the world and my gospel is a gospel of smiles.” The boy wondered how the monk could always smile. The monk told him, “Smiling is easy because I believe in happiness, and I also believe in you.” And the monk and the boy continued smiling.
Dr. Holden says that this story illustrates two important points: (1) To be happy, we must accept our holiness (or wholeness); in other words, “If you are to accept happiness, you must believe in your Self!” and (2) If you are to be happy, you must believe in happiness.
Sunshine Cathedral is a progressive, positive, practical spiritual community where people can celebrate their sacred value and embrace the joy of life. As we work to offer education programs, social activities, dynamic worship services, pastoral care, and small groups what we are really doing is helping more and more people believe in their holiness, their wholeness. We are offering the healing power of happiness. As we each commit to supporting Sunshine Cathedral with time, talent, and treasure, we are blessing individuals who are then equipped to bless the larger community. That’s what we mean when we say we are “Sharing the Light with the World!” Thank you for letting your light shine.
© Durrell Watkins 2008

Question & Answer with Pastor Durrell Watkins
When questions are submitted, the names are withheld to protect the person’s privacy. All answers are given by Rev. Durrell Watkins.
Question: Why does God not answer every prayer for healing? Some people get miracles, and others don’t. It doesn’t seem fair.

Answer: In his book, The Magic of Believing, Claude Bristol wrote, “anyone who knows anything about the power of mind knows of the effects that emotionalized thinking has upon the condition of the body…In some faith healing movements, cures are affected by denying that the disease exists…Followers of other schools of healing make no attempt to deny the existence of disease, but instead ignore it, affirming that they are well and happy and getting better every day. Members of the various schools of thought are the best judges of the methods that work best for them…”
I believe Bristol makes an excellent point. Rather than hoping that God will fix all our problems, we can be empowered to work with God, using the power of mind that God has given us to take responsibility for our own lives. I can’t say why chemotherapy makes one person’s cancer go into remission and not another’s. I can’t say why one person shakes a cold in three days that another person suffers from for three weeks. But I do know that prayer, modern medicine, complimentary therapies, positive thinking, diet, exercise, meditation, hope and joy can all work together to bring improvements in our lives. Prayer is one tool we have, but attitude, doctors, habits, and environment all matter too. When we need healing, let’s use every available resource. I can’t promise what the outcome will be, but doing all we can will feel better than waiting for our problems to be magically taken away. If our efforts fail, at least we know we did all we could; and often, our efforts will succeed.

Spirit & Truth
Wednesday, April 2
Available Now
“Another way of seeing our ‘I want it now’ world is that this clamor for happiness now reflects an instinctive wisdom and a great spiritual truth, which states that everything – absolutely everything – is available to you now.” Dr. Robert Holden, Happiness Now: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST

Dr. Holden has an exercise where he asks people to call out what they see when he shows them the following letters: HAPPINESSISNOWHERE. Some people answer, “Happiness is nowhere” while others answer “Happiness is now here.” The difference between “Happiness is nowhere” and “Happiness is now here” is where one places one’s attention. Do we focus on the one possibility (nowhere) or on the other (now here). Where we focus our attention determines what we will see. There is probably a very important lesson in that, don’t you think?

My happiness is Now Here! I claim it. I celebrate it. I allow it to be. And so it is.
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins


Sunday, April 6
My Joy Is Already Within Me
“All of your conditioning about happiness is both learned and unreal. In fact, nothing real stands between you and your happiness, only illusion and your own confusion.” Dr. Robert Holden, Happiness Now: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST

If happiness is about things going smoothly, then much of our lives are bound to be unhappy. The good news is that happiness isn’t about conditions. Wealth won’t make us happy, but happiness can make us feel more prosperous. Health won’t make us happy, but happiness can make us feel healthier. Relationships won’t make us happy, but happiness will produce more harmony in relationships. “Out there” isn’t what makes us happy or unhappy…Happiness is what makes “out there” a better experience. It’s like Jesus said, “Seek first the Commonwealth of God [true, abundant joy within us] and everything else will be added to you.”

Source of abundant joy, I turn within and discover that you are with me here and now; and so I give thanks! Amen.
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins


Monday, April 7
Attitude is Everything
"Happiness is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." Dr. Robert Holden, Happiness Now: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST

Attitude is everything! One way or the other our attitude plays a major part in how we live and express our lives; more importantly, it determines how we interact with one another in community. Our attitude, a thought, is what invites feelings into our lives, good or bad, and it is up to us then to choose the thoughts and attitudes that will serve us best. Choosing an empowering attitude is very important! An attitude that focuses on a positive and creative outcome provides us with energy to sustain us when those not so pleasant experiences pop up. Our attitude will determine how we respond to the situation, how we interpret it, and how we see ourselves in the midst of it. A good attitude will help us see the good that we really are. And when we believe in our goodness, we experience more good in life.

Today, I choose an attitude that leads to positive action in my life.
Today’s devotional prepared by Robert Griffin


Sunday, April 13
I Am Good Enough
“Unless you’re happy with yourself, you wont’ be happy with what you do…unless you’re happy with yourself, you won’t be happy with where you are…unless you’re happy with yourself, you won’t be happy with who you’re with…unless you’re happy with yourself, you won’t be happy with what you have…When you accept your Self, you accept joy naturally.” Dr. Robert Holden, Happiness Now: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST

We often suffer from “Not-Enough-Ness.” We fear that we just aren’t good enough. We think of ourselves as “just” human, or we claim the label of “sinner” or “fallen” or “weak.” We have been hypnotized into believing that what we are is the personification of lack or littleness or insufficiency. But once we start to believe that we are GOOD, we are children of a good God, filled with the spirit of a mighty God, part of a beautiful creation that God calls VERY GOOD, then our Not-Enough-Ness condition starts to heal. We can be happy, because we are good enough. We are made in the image and likeness of God and God is Good. So are we!

I am good enough! I Am good enough! I AM Good Enough!!! This is my truth; I own it, I celebrate it, and I give thanks. Amen.
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins


Tuesday, April 15
The Apple of God’s Eye
“…God shielded them and cared for them, guarding them as the apple of God’s eye.” Deuteronomy 32.10

“Think back on the days of old…ask your elders and they will tell you; when the Most High assigned the nations their heritage and parceled out the descendants of the first Man and Woman…God found them in a wilderness and God shielded them and cared for them, guarding them as the apple of God’s eye” (Deuteronomy 32.7-10). That’s who we are! In good times and difficult times, on mountain tops and in low valleys, at all times we are part of the divine Web of Existence. We are one with the Source and Substance of all life. We are part of God. We dwell in God even as God lives in us. This symbiotic, loving, caring relationship should remind us of our sacred worth and value. We are the apple of God’s eye.

I am filled with joy as I am reminded that I am the apple of God’s eye.
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins


Wednesday, April 23
Using “I AM” Wisely
“…If they ask me, ‘What is God’s name?’ what am I to tell them? God replied [to Moses], ‘I am who am…tell them I AM sent…you.’” Exodus 3.13-14

It’s profound to consider that I AM is one of the names of God. How carelessly do we use the power of that divine name? What do we carelessly bring into our I-AM-ness? Are not we using the divine name in vain when we attach “I am” to something negative? In his hour of agony, Jesus said, “I thirst” (John 19.28). He did not say, “I am thirty.” He acknowledged the experience without identifying with it. I AM should be followed by positive statements, because I AM is God’s name, and what follows “I AM” is our prayer. Let’s keep our prayers positive by only using God’s name, I AM, in constructive, positive ways.

I AM happy, healthy, and prosperous. I AM full of life and full of joy. I AM a child of God, made in God’s image. I AM continuously blessed. I AM one with the love of God, and all is well. Alleluia! Amen.
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins


Tuesday, April 29
It’s Here Now
“The more you give to now, the more you get from now.” Dr. Robert Holden, Happiness Now: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST

Now is the only time that exists, and all power is available NOW. When we change our minds NOW, a miracle takes place. Now is where the power is. Now is where the presence of God is. So as we give to now, we get from now. To post-pone our happiness until some future date or event is “not now.” But we can choose to be present in the now and access the power of I AM…I AM is always in the present! Time is an illusion and cannot make us happy, but our attitude can and our attitude is now. Stop putting conditions on your happiness…just show up in the now and embrace the happiness that is already here. It’s ours to behold and to embrace.

Right where I am, in this magic moment, my Good already exists! I behold it. I claim it. I receive it. I give thanks for it. I am filled with gladness and gratitude. I am happy, now!
Today’s devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins

MCC Core Values
InclusionLove is our greatest moral value and resisting exclusion is a primary focus of our ministry. We want to continue to be the conduits of a faith where everyone is included in the family of God, and where all parts of our being are welcomed at God’s table.

CommunityOffering a safe and open community for people to worship, learn and grow in their faith is our deep desire. We are committed to equipping ourselves and each other to do the work that God has called us to do in the world.

Spiritual TransformationProviding a message of liberation from the oppressive religious environment of our day or to those experiencing God for the first time is what guides our ministry. We believe that when people are invited to experience God through the life and ministry of Christ, lives will be transformed.

Social ActionWorking to talk less and do more, we are committed to resisting the structures that oppress people and standing with to those who suffer under the weight of oppressive systems, being guided always by our commitment to Global Human Rights.

For more information about Sunshine Cathedral, visit http://www.sunshinecathedral.org/
For more information about Metropolitan Community Churches, visit http://www.mccchurch.net/
For more information about The Center for Progressive Christianity, visit http://www.tcpc.org/



The Eight Points by which we define Progressive Christianity
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who:
1. Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus;
2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;
3. Understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus's name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God's feast for all peoples;
4. Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable…;
5. Know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe;
6. Find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty - more value in questioning than in absolutes;
7. Form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God's creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers; and
8. Recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.

Government says there will be zero tolerance for gay marriages

Originally By Balford Henry of Chat News Jamaica.

Amidst a host of calls from gay rights for Jamaica to become less homophobic combined with ultimatums and threats if the country does not comply , the man in charge, Prime Minister Bruce Golding says his Government will not bow.

Speaking specifically to the issue of same sex unions, the PM said no way will his government tolerate such unions.

As far as he is concerned marriage means a union sanctified and endorsed by law between a man and a woman, and I don’t want to speak with any ambiguity about that. That’s where dis yah Prime Minister and this Government rest.” Golding said in a response to a question at his post budget press conference at Jamaica House on Wednesday
Explaining his position, Golding said that there are persons who use philosophical basis to seek legislative changes to redefine marriage to make it, in law, different from what it is now.

It was reported recently that a leading human rights organization and a church supporting gay rights in Canada have issued a May 12 Ultimatum on the Jamaica Government with regard to protecting the human rights of homosexuals.

It has also been reported that the groups have vowed that if the ultimatum is not met there will be a public announcement on May 17, which is International Day against Homophobia, calling for, among other things, a Canadian tourism boycott as well as a boycott of goods and services from Jamaica.

The groups are planning to make an international call for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community to support the boycott and the suspension of Jamaica from the Commonwealth for human rights abuses.
Their demands follow a recent public panel discussion in Toronto which focused on homophobia in the Caribbean, especially acts of violence against homosexuals in Jamaica.

While stating in response to another question, that the repeal of the buggery law – another point of contention by gay rights groups – was not an issue, Prime Minister Golding emphasized his government intolerance of gay marriage.

“Once we embark on that expressway, I am not sure at what point we are going to get off,” he stated, as he declared definitely that, “That is a road down which I am not going to allow this country to go under my leadership.”

Jamaica won't bow to gays

Jamaica won't bow to gays
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced that the island's buggery laws will not be repealed, despite enormous international pressure.
Egale Canada, a human rights group based in Toronto, Canada, recently announced its intention to call for a tourism boycott of the island, as well as a ban on the country's goods and services. The group issued a May 12 ultimatum on the Jamaican Government and threatened to make a public announcement five days later, encouraging the ban if its demands were not met.
The group appealed for the production of public service announcements denouncing homophobia/transphobia, called for a national homophobia/transphobia education campaign and lobbied for the abolition of the buggery law and any other law that stigmatises or criminalises consensual same-sex acts.
The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) had expressed concern about the threats, and added that the Canadian market was a particularly viable one. Wayne Cummings, head of the JHTA, told THE STAR in an earlier interview, "They are a very forward-thinking, liberal country, and I'm sure there may be some credibility to the argument that they could affect us."

Ignoring the issue

However, Prime Minister Golding, speaking at his post-budget press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, said he has seen nothing yet to cause him to consider a review of the buggery laws. The prime minister, who has been accused of ignoring the issue by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), said: "There is a road down which I'm not going to allow this country to go under my leadership."
He also voiced his opposition to same-sex marriages. "There are people who use the same philosophical kind of basis to seek, for example, legislative changes to redefine marriage so that marriage in law must mean something different from what marriage is now. Once we embark on that express way I am not certain at what point we are going to get off."
He continued, "As far as this prime minister is concerned, marriage means a union sanctified and endorsed by law between a man and a woman. And I don't want to speak with any ambiguity about where this yah prime minister rest."

Bounty Killer Fired on & Stoned in Guyana

Gunfire mars Ignition Concert
April 21, 2008-bottles pelted at Bounty KillaGunfire marred the highly publicized Ignition Concert at the National Park early yesterday morning that featured a line-up of Jamaican artistes, among them the controversial Bounty Killa.The Jamaican, who has a record of homophobic tunes and glorifies guns in his music, was the closing act and he held true to form during the brief performance that was interrupted by two audio breakdowns, an unruly crowd and subsequent gunfire.

Jonathan Beepat of Wildfire Productions which promoted the show told Stabroek News yesterday that police fired two warning shots to tame the crowd after Bounty Killa’s performance was twice interrupted by the audio cut-off. This could not be confirmed with the police yesterday. He said those are the only gunshots he was aware of.But gunshots rang out twice in the Park - a few minutes into Bounty Killa’s act and yet again when the show ended abruptly and patrons scurried to safety. On the second occasion, the gunshots numbered around four. Beepat said he was not aware of the initial gunfire.While Bounty Killa was still onstage during the second audio cut-off angry patrons hurled bottles at him in protest at the limited time he had entertained but the Jamaican was unharmed. The protest eventually got louder and threatened to disrupt the show when the audio was restored.

Though his headlining act was seemingly the reason many poured into the Park, Bounty Killa’s performance was reduced to a vicious campaign against the gay community and a celebration of gun violence. From the moment he stepped on the stage he declared that, “all batty man fe dead”.His onstage manager had cause to warn the singer about his lyrics but he brushed off the caution and kept his message going much to the approval of a large section of the gathering. Prior to Bounty Killa’s appearance a local deejay had called out into the crowd for “bad men from Buxton and Agricola to represent as the Five Star General [Bounty Killa] was about to ignite the concert”.Beepat in commenting on Bounty Killa’s performance said that his Wildfire Productions camp spoke with the Jamaican on about four occasions about what he had planned for the local show and the issue of his violent messages had come up. He said positive assurances were given then. According to Beepat, Bounty Killa had no regard for this when he took the stage as evidenced by his ignoring the warnings of his manager.

The promoter said he chose to bring the singer because of his long hiatus from the local stage. Beepat added that he felt Bounty Killa was in demand due to his absence and decided to bring him.Before Bounty Killa took the stage Jamaican singers, QQ and Wayne Wonder delivered show-stopping performances.

Jamaican Hotels Fear Boycott

Hotels fear boycott

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), is concerned about the possibility that some Canadians may boycott the island as a tourist destination because of the present buggery laws and general attitude towards gays and lesbians.
THE STAR published a story last Thursday in which Egale Canada, a human rights group based in Toronto, announced its intentions to call for a tourism boycott of the island as well as a ban on the country's goods and services. The group issued a May 12 ultimatum on the Jamaican Government and threatened to make a public announcement five days later encouraging the ban, if its demands were not met.

The group appealed for the production of public service announcements denouncing homophobia/transphobia, called for a national homophobia/transphobia education campaign and lobbied for the abolition of the buggery law and any other law that stigmatises or criminalises consensual same sex acts.
In a follow-up move, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), issued a release encouraging the government "to demonstrate that it categorically rejects and is prepared to deal decisively with this particular brand of violence in our country."
Head of the JHTA, Wayne Cummings, told THE STAR that he was "very much aware" of the issue. He said the organisation received a letter from JFLAG asking for "support" and added that the matter was discussed in a council meeting.

He added, "We are concerned with any threat. We're concerned with the recession in the United Sates and we're concerned with an important group of people in an influential market and anything that could scuttle the gains we've been making in that market."
He said the Canadian market grew by 24 per cent last year, "the best growth Jamaica has seen", and said if Egale Canada was successful in carrying out its threats, the gains could be reversed. "They are a very forward thinking, liberal country and I'm sure there may be some credibility to the argument that they could affect us," Cummings said.

He said the JHTA "absolutely abhors violence against the person" and added that the international approach to human rights issues should be adopted.
Said he: "We have a job to do, which is to market Jamaica as a safe destination and JFLAG has a job to do and we respect that. Where we cross paths is a mutual understanding on the issues of human rights and violence against a person. We are prepared to support any call within that ambit."
The JHTA boss emphasised that hotels were among the safest places in Jamaica and said ,"I don't believe that as an organisation hosting visitors whether overseas or locally, we have ever made a public stance about having couples of any kind at any resort, but we are still aware of the law."

J-FLAG not supporting Canadian ultimatum

J-FLAG not supporting Canadian ultimatum
The Gleaner published: Tuesday April 8, 2008

Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) is not supporting the ultimatum issued on the Government by a Canadian group demanding that the state produce public service announcements denouncing homophobic violence. However, Jason MacFarlane, programmes manager of J-FLAG, says his organisation wants to engage in talks with the Government on the issue of violence against homosexuals.Last week, the gay rights group Egale Canada, in an open letter to Anne-Marie Bonner, Jamaica's consul general for Toronto, said it would make a public announcement if the Jamaican Government did not meet its demand by May 17.The group also said it would make an international call for tourists from the gay community to stop visiting Jamaica. Against move However, MacFarlane is against such a move. "I know the call for the boycott is coming from people's frustration with the lack of response from the Government, but J-FLAG doesn't think that's the next best step. We should still be able to meet and discuss this diplomatically," he said.He says J-FLAG has made various attempts to initiate dialogue with Prime Minister Golding. However, his office has not responded to the requests.

"We want him to meet with us to discuss the current state of affairs and violence against persons because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, as we've had reports of heterosexuals being abused."MacFarlane also says J-FLAG wants the Government to outline how it will deal with issues relating to the human rights of lesbians and gays.In the latest incident involving alleged homosexuals on Saturday, hundreds of persons converged on a shopping plaza in Half- Way Tree, St Andrew, some wishing to attack two men who were said to have been caught in a compromising position.The men had to be rescued by the police. 

Condemned homophobic in Jamaica A 2007 Amnesty International document condemned homophobic violence in Jamaica and called for the Government to do more to prevent and prosecute those who incite violence on perceived homosexuals.In the meantime, MacFarlane says he is pleased with the response of the police to the issue of violence against homosexuals."We've had some positive response from the police. We met with the new commissioner (Hardley Lewin) recently and we have his full support. He agreed with many of the things we have put forward, such as the police response among other things," he said.Meanwhile, Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of human rights lobby group, Jamaicans For Justice says there is need for public education and leadership regarding the basic human rights of every Jamaican citizen."It is well documented, the horrors that the people accused of being homosexual have to go through," she said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com

Tourism Minister dismisses gay rights groups’ threat

Tourism Minister dismisses gay rights groups’ threat

Monday, 07 April 2008
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has brushed off calls by homosexual groups for a tourism boycott of Jamaica and Jamaican products. In recent weeks, these calls have come from several organisations in Canada, the United States and Europe.

The gay rights groups claim that Jamaica is a homophobic society where gays and lesbians are at risk of being violently abused by their fellow citizens.They claim the Jamaican government has not done enough to stop violence against homosexuals.The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) has sought to bring the issues to the attention to the government in a letter sent to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Mr. Bartlett and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Ken Baugh.

J-FLAG said to date it has received no response from Mr. Golding.It said this has led it to conclude that Mr. Golding does not see the urgency of the situation or does not deem its letter worthy of an acknowledgement of receipt. Mr. Bartlett told the RJR News Centre that the letter sent by the group is now before the Prime Minister who will deal with the issue in due course.He however dismissed the calls by the gay rights groups that the Jamaican tourism product should be boycotted.