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

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

No place for Sharia law in Jamaica

Dear Editor,

I read the article 'Muslim leader blasts gay lifestyle' in yesterday's Observer with a tinge of shock and bemusement. I trust that your paper would follow up this article with an exposé on Sharia law, which this "righteous man" is proposing, so that Jamaicans (many of whom are sure to be rejoicing upon reading his words of prejudice) will see what they will be getting into.

Yes, Sharia law proposes death for homosexuality. But I do wonder when was the last time that this "holy man" saw someone in Jamaica who was "openly flaunting homosexual behaviour". I want to know how someone does that, just so that I do not risk death by "openly flaunting homosexual behaviour" when I next visit a Muslim country or when Sharia law becomes applicable in Jamaica.

It is Sharia law that caused a Sudanese female journalist to be sentenced last year to 40 lashes for daring to wear pants. It was Sharia law that caused the public whipping of a young man recently in another Muslim country, because he dared to hang out with a young girl.

It is Sharia law that dictates that, in the case of inheritances, a son gets twice as much of his father's inheritance as does the daughter, for no other reason than gender. It is Sharia law and its interpretation that causes honour killings, the killing of young Muslim women for bringing a family into disrepute for reasons some of us would consider "normal things."

It is Sharia law that has women walking around in garb that robs them of their identity. People implementing Sharia law in Jamaica would have a field day whipping all the drinkers of alcohol and all the gamblers. And you thousands of Jamaican fornicators and adulterers, be prepared for your stoning to death, under Sharia law!

Mr Muslim cleric, do not stop only at homosexuality; speak to Jamaicans of all these things under Sharia law. Why do you have to be selective?

I would also want to inform this Muslim cleric of the discrimination that people like him face, in light of global animosity to people of Muslim faith. What goes around (hate, prejudice, and discrimination) comes around! Recently, in one European country, a football team consisting of Muslims refused to play a Sunday league match against a team of homosexuals, which had been entered into the competition in an effort to dispel some of the negative stereotypes of homosexuals that currently hold sway and to foster understanding.

We are Muslims, and the Koran speaks out against homosexuality, they said; and so did not play. A few weeks later, in another part of the same country, someone/some people desecrated a mosque, scrawling words of hate over the building. Muslims were up in arms; they could not understand how in this day and age someone/some people would do that. Really?

It is borne out of the same hate and prejudice that the football team exhibited! Recently, in Switzerland, people voted against the construction of minarets in their country. And do not even get me started on how some Muslims travelling out of various airports and with various airlines around the world are treated with suspicion!

What goes around comes around. In this the 21st century, there is no place for hate and prejudice, and there certainly should be no place for Sharia law in Jamaica.

Anthony C Gordon

acommentary@yahoo.com
Labels: , , , Posted by Unknown
at 11:41 AM

1 comments:

Ashley V. said...

Anthony C Gordon is a genius. He has sense. His letter contains nothing but the truth. We need more people like him. I love the way he emphasizes the absurdity and horrendous nature of Sharia law. There certainly is no place for Sharia law in Jamaica or anywhere else for that matter.

February 10, 2010 at 6:03 PM

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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

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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

Popular Posts

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



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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.


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