Concern, vigilance and tolerance urgently required

As the heat is turned up internationally on GLBTQI people in terms of homophobic violence and their own respective legal issues and problems in their own jurisdictions, I think our community here in this homophobic state has become too complacent right across the board. While we depend on the financial and emotional support from our friends overseas this alone is not enough, yes a certain amount of pressure can be brought to bear on issues and legislation to an extent and to keep the discussions going to shine the spotlight on those things that need urgent attention from overseas intervention we are going to have to shake ourselves up and solve our own problems.

With the increase of homophobic violence here especially that of our lesbian sisters where another case of "Corrective Rape" has occurred within the past weeks making this the fifth such case in Jamaica in this year alone. The victims, a couple, had suffered before in 2008 after they were threatened by thugs in their residence at the time, they since relocated to another area to rebuild their lives but trouble seem to follow (not the same thugs) and they were allegedly held at gunpoint this time and raped in new surroundings. Sadly I feel really down by this latest news of vicious hate against another human being. It is not yet clear how the actual buildup to this act took place but clearly this is something radically wrong.

A set of questions came to mind:

1. What can be done for victims and their recovery so as to avoid new attacks?
2. Do we need to look at safe zones for persons to live?
3. Are life skills or survival techniques needed to be taught as well for GLBTQ people in general?
4. How do we engage the public in conversations about tolerance and basic respect for human life?
5. What rights do there that exists for glbtq people?
6. How are we the active agitators gonna wake up the sleepers among us to realise the seriousness of the situation?
7. Is JFLAG still needed in this fight and if so what role could they play?
8. How do we tap into the capacities available in government an the private sector?
9. Do we need to put the pink dollar in our pockets and do not support unfriendly businesses?
10. How do we begin to educate the public on basic human rights?

There is alot of work needed of course with a view to have peaceful existence in the land and safe passage for glbtq persons. We cannot sit by and be comfortable because today for you, tomorrow for me, one never know what next will happen and to whom. It is getting dangerous for everyone, lesbians can no longer say that they aren't affected by homophobic or lesbophobic violence anymore.

There are too many movers and shakers in this country who know what they are and can do something to stop or at least foster the well needed discussion and self examination as a nation to deal with all the attendant issues of human rights in general. We as glbtq people also have to be prepared to work with and in other areas of rights and freedoms to secure rights for all.

Everyone has to be prepared to move out of their comfort zones in order to understand and act on issues to respect the human component of who we are as a people. Tolerance is the only way to secure a peaceful co-existence.

"Out of Many, One People"

What's your take? lgbtevent@gmail.com

Peace
H