The Safe House Project 2009 for Displaced & Homeless MSM/Transgender reviewed & more


In response to numerous requests for more information on the defunct Safe House Pilot Project that was to address the growing numbers of displaced and homeless LGBTQ Youth in New Kingston in 2007/8/9, a review of the relevance of the project as a solution, the possible avoidance of present issues with some of its previous residents if it were kept open.
Recorded June 12, 2013; also see from the former Executive Director named in the podcast more background on the project: HERE also see the beginning of the issues from the closure of the project: The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes and The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009

Friday, April 25, 2008

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.

1 comments:

Randy Peyser said...

Hi Durrell,

I appreciate your posts. I liked the story about the smiling monk and also your reply to the person inquiring about how come some people experience miracles while others don't. I was asking myself a similar question, and in response to it, I interviewed lots of people who have experienced miracles. I wrote a book about them, which just came out. I wanted to know what specific thoughts, attitudes and beliefs they held, in addition to the kinds of actions they took that opened the doors for their miracles to happen. If you were interested in hearing more about what I discovered, you are welcome to visit my book site at www.miraclethinking.com. I also want to mention that I enjoyed reading about the Sunshine ministry where everyone is a student and a teacher to each other. That is like the monk in your story who acknowledges that the boy is as holy as he is. Keep up the great blog! Sincerely, Randy Peyser

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JFLAG Excludes Homeless MSM from IDAHOT Symposium on Homelessness



Reminder

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GLBTQJA (Blogger): HERE

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Steps to take when confronted by the police & your rights compromised:


a) Ask to see a lawyer or Duty Council

b) Only give name and address and no other information until a lawyer is present to assist

c) Try to be polite even if the scenario is tense

d) Don’t do anything to aggravate the situation

e) Every complaint lodged at a police station should be filed and a receipt produced, this is not a legal requirement but an administrative one for the police to track reports

f) Never sign to a statement other than the one produced by you in the presence of the officer(s)

g) Try to capture a recording of the exchange or incident or call someone so they can hear what occurs, place on speed dial important numbers or text someone as soon as possible

h) File a civil suit if you feel your rights have been violated

i) When making a statement to the police have all or most of the facts and details together for e.g. "a car" vs. "the car" represents two different descriptions

j) Avoid having the police writing the statement on your behalf except incases of injuries, make sure what you want to say is recorded carefully, ask for a copy if it means that you have to return for it

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What to Do .....




a. Make a phone call: to a lawyer or relative or anyone

b. Ask to see a lawyer immediately: if you don’t have the money ask for a Duty Council

c. A Duty Council is a lawyer provided by the state

d. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police

e. Tell your lawyer if anyone hits you and identify who did so by name and number

f. Give no explanations excuses or stories: you can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decided

g. Ask the sub officer in charge of the station to grant bail once you are charged with an offence

h. Ask to be taken before a justice of The Peace immediately if the sub officer refuses you bail

i. Demand to be brought before a Resident Magistrate and have your lawyer ask the judge for bail

j. Ask that any property taken from you be listed and sealed in your presence

Cases of Assault:An assault is an apprehension that someone is about to hit you

The following may apply:

1) Call 119 or go to the station or the police arrives depending on the severity of the injuries

2) The report must be about the incident as it happened, once the report is admitted as evidence it becomes the basis for the trial

3) Critical evidence must be gathered as to the injuries received which may include a Doctor’s report of the injuries.

4) The description must be clearly stated; describing injuries directly and identifying them clearly, show the doctor the injuries clearly upon the visit it must be able to stand up under cross examination in court.

5) Misguided evidence threatens the credibility of the witness during a trial; avoid the questioning of the witnesses credibility, the tribunal of fact must be able to rely on the witness’s word in presenting evidence

6) The court is guided by credible evidence on which it will make it’s finding of facts

7) Bolster the credibility of a case by a report from an independent disinterested party.

Notes on Bail & Court Appearance issues


If in doubt speak to your attorney

Bail and its importance -

If one is locked up then the following may apply:
Locked up over a weekend - Arrested pursuant to being charged or detained There must be reasonable suspicion i.e. about to commit a crime, committing a crime or have committed a crime.

There are two standards that must be met:

1). Subjective standard: what the officer(s) believed to have happened

2). Objective standard: proper and diligent collection of evidence that implicates the accused To remove or restrain a citizen’s liberty it cannot be done on mere suspicion and must have the above two standards

 Police officers can offer bail with exceptions for murder, treason and alleged gun offences, under the Justice of the Peace Act a JP can also come to the police station and bail a person, this provision as incorporated into the bail act in the late nineties

 Once a citizen is arrested bail must be considered within twelve hours of entering the station – the agents of the state must give consideration as to whether or not the circumstances of the case requires that bail be given

 The accused can ask that a Justice of the Peace be brought to the station any time of the day. By virtue of taking the office excluding health and age they are obliged to assist in securing bail

"Bail is not a matter for daylight

Locked up and appearing in court

 Bail is offered at the courts office provided it was extended by the court; it is the court that has the jurisdiction over the police with persons in custody is concerned.

 Bail can still be offered if you were arrested and charged without being taken to court a JP can still intervene and assist with the bail process.

Other Points of Interest

 The accused has a right to know of the exact allegation

 The detainee could protect himself, he must be careful not to be exposed to any potential witness

 Avoid being viewed as police may deliberately expose detainees

 Bail is not offered to persons allegedly with gun charges

 Persons who allegedly interfere with minors do not get bail

 If over a long period without charge a writ of habeas corpus however be careful of the police doing last minute charges so as to avoid an error

 Every instance that a matter is brought before the court and bail was refused before the accused can apply for bail as it is set out in the bail act as every court appearance is a chance to ask for bail

 Each case is determined by its own merit – questions to be considered for bail:

a) Is the accused a flight risk?

b) Are there any other charges that the police may place against the accused?

c) Is the accused likely to interfere with any witnesses?

d) What is the strength of the crown’s/prosecution’s case?

 Poor performing judges can be dealt with at the Judicial Review Court level or a letter to the Chief Justice can start the process

Human Rights Advocacy for GLBT Community Report 2009

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What I am reading at times ......

Thanks for your Donations

Hello readers,

thank you for your donations via Paypal in helping to keep this blog going, my limited frontline community work, temporary shelter assistance at my home and related costs. Please continue to support me and my allies in this venture that has now become a full time activity. When I first started blogging in late 2007 it was just as a pass time to highlight GLBTQ issues in Jamaica under then JFLAG's blogspot page but now clearly there is a need for more forumatic activity which I want to continue to play my part while raising more real life issues pertinent to us.

Donations presently are accepted via Paypal where buttons are placed at points on this blog(immediately below, GLBTQJA (Blogspot), GLBTQJA (Wordpress) and the Gay Jamaica Watch's blog as well. If you wish to send donations otherwise please contact: glbtqjamaica@live.com or Tel: 1-876-841-2923 (leave a message just in case)




Activities & Plans: ongoing and future

  • To continue this venture towards website development with an E-zine focus

  • Work with other Non Governmental organizations old and new towards similar focus and objectives

  • To find common ground on issues affecting GLBTQ and straight friendly persons in Jamaica towards tolerance and harmony

  • Exposing homophobic activities and suggesting corrective solutions

  • To formalise GLBTQ Jamaica's activities in the long term

  • Continuing discussion on issues affecting GLBTQ people in Jamaica and elsewhere

  • Welcoming, examining and implemeting suggestions and ideas from you the viewing public

  • Present issues on HIV/AIDS related matters in a timely and accurate manner

  • Assist where possible victims of homophobic violence and abuse financially, temporary shelter(my home) and otherwise

  • Track human rights issues in general with a view to support for ALL

Thanks again
Mr. H or Howie

Tel: 1-876-841-2923
lgbtevent@gmail.com








Peace

Battle Lines Javed Jaghai versus the state & the Jamaica Buggery Law



Originally aired on CVM TV December 8th 2013, apologies for some of the glitches as the source feed was not so hot and it kept dropping from source or via the ISP, NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED and is solely for educational and not for profit use and review. The issue of the pending legal challenge in the Constitutional Court in Jamaica as filed by Javed Jaghai an outspoken activist who happens also to be openly aetheist.

The opposing sides are covered as well such as
The Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society
The Love March
Movement Jamaica

The feature seems destined for persons who are just catching up to the issues and repositioning JFLAG in particular in the public domain as their image has taken a beating in some respects especially on the matter of the homeless MSM front. They need to be careful that an elitist perception is not held after this after some comments above simplistic discourse, the use of public agitation as beneath some folks and the obvious overlooking of the ordinary citizen who are realy the ones who need convincing to effect the mindset change needed and the national psyche's responses to homosexuality in general.


John Maxwell's House