More compliants about Clovis cartoons ................

As more complaints come in about Jamaica Observer's resident cartonist Clovis's take on the community and recent pronouncements on gays being involved in illegal activities from the Superintendent Fitz Bailey here is another letter on the subject with some of the cartoons below:

published July 29, 2011

this was the last one as published July 26, 2011

Clovis and homophobic cartoons

Dear Editor,

Surely, there is always room for dissent. Every society must respect opposing points of view. That is the essence of every democracy. Yet dissent itself ought to ensure that it is productive, fair and without prejudice. Clovis, the Jamaica Observer cartoonist, is indeed talented. He often colourfully highlights important social issues being discussed within the public arena. Yet, while his pen describes reality, it also often prescribes a deadly dose of condemnation, specifically on the issue of homosexuality.

Clovis's pen leaks not only ink, but blood as well. His caricatures of homosexuals depict transvestite, cross-dressing males who seem to lack all sense of decorum and common grace, whose personality is cantankerous and belligerent. Is this the sum of the LBGT, or specifically, J-Flag community? Clovis seems to think so. Certainly, I appreciate an atmosphere of dissension and I am gleefully ready to express my divergent point of view. Hence, this is not a petition to confiscate Clovis's pen, but rather it is a clarion call to ask the cartoonist to check his conscience and his religious principles - which I am sure he invokes as he offers his disapproval - when creating his caricatures.

When he assails the LGBT community with his virulently homophobic sketches, he muzzles sensible debate by fanning the flames of the Bun Chic-chic man mentality. The most fatal consequence of Clovis's sketches, which is not readily apparent as the bright colours he uses, is the blood that drips from his stained paper. He emphasises a woefully inaccurate stereotype. I am not asking Clovis to paint J-FLAG or any gay lobby in a favourable light. My request is that his dissent should not encourage a bloodthirsty mob. It is one thing to disagree, but quite another to inject animus. The latter, I am sure, cannot possibly sit well with his religious values, or if the case may be, his secular morality.

John E Sabio
Miami, Florida
USA

ENDS

Also see my take on it from sister blog GLBTQJA on blogger

Why does Clovis make gays look effeminate? (Observer Letter) .....

Cartoons and the use of gay typed characters part 2

There have been mixed reactions as is expected on most matters from the LGBT community itself with some taking a more satirical stance on them but other including myself have concerns about the last one published on July 26th (see above) where it had a so called gangster with a machete dripping with blood as several horrific crimes of late have had the heads of the deceased removed and missing thus adding to the horror and grief for the families who cannot get closure for the passing of their loved ones. Though these latest crimes are not homophobic ones the cartoon's linking to them is disturbing.

The sad part of the complaints is that the people complaining aren't cross dressers themselves but mostly members of the intelligencia, advocacy and those who stay away from engaging this very grouping and those who before now snubbed their very own noses at the same drag culture, and effeminacy what hypocrites are we? how convenient it has become to be used now as pro gay arguments? they stay away from events that may be directed at that community but now find it convenient to write letters about it, that is not to say this particular writer is one such person.

Peace and tolerance

H

The New Response is Underlined ... Executive Board is in Place

So as the new Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) entity birthed in part from the Couture Elements stable is rolled out softly with little fanfare the historic election process took place last evening July 27, 2011 at the Oasis Lounge with just under a hundred persons turning up and occupying every possible space and seating available leaving very little room for standing. All the present structured positions were filled and the candidates who have been on low keyed campaigning for the past two weeks made their cases as to why they should have been voted in by the eager and much younger audience which was refreshing to see and demonstrates hope for the future. I am proud to also have been apart of the initial conceptualization of this movement which is to add to the present structures though heavily criticised by myself and others but we must become the change we want to see.

Some 85% (my numbers after counting) of the total ballots were marked with one spoilage and 8 abstentions for respective positions which showed also a high level of interest and could be a sign of things to come in terms of how active these supporters maybe as the Underlined Response ages. Persons came prepared to participate and not to be mere spectators.

The Positions filled were:

President

Vice President

Public Relations Officer

Treasurer

Secretary

With the last three posts having one candidate each vying. All the presentations from the candidates were worthwhile listening generally speaking but seeing this was a new crop of advocates being groomed much room was allowed for mistakes, the shakes during their speeches and some over enthusiasm as they all tried valiantly to win their crowd, friends and neigh sayers alike. Obviously capacity building is of critical importance and as the audience fielded questions which mostly surrounded expectations and competencies, of concern was the fear of over intellectualizing and diversions from semantics with over puffed egos that existed in other jurisdictions and entities of a similar nature.

Co Founder SJ pointed out that the comradeliness was the strength of the entity, "the family setting is key" and that no divas or superstars will be tolerated in any way shape or form as it is about serving the community. She also stressed in an interview of sorts after the votes were tallied and the results announced that the thrust also is to work with other entities chief among them JFLAG but have them being accountable as well to the LGBT body politic.

It is indeed refreshing to see this younger set of persons fired up about advocacy and one of my own questions posed particularly to the President and Vice President candidates was that of engagement of other identities under the LGBT umbrella that do not necessarily socialize in a space such as the Oasis which caters to a more white collar audience but is mixed none the less. As in a robotic response the candidates pledged they were willing to engage the cohort but of course the real proof in my mind will come when the rubber meets the road as older experienced heads among the audience made it clear they will be close scrutiny so as to avoid the mistakes from the past and elsewhere. The personal sacrifice, the possibly loss of friends as one stands up for ones principles or beliefs were brought to the fore as possible expectations.

Early work

For the first few months the tightening of the roles and responsibilities are critical and with a constitution and by-laws in place other activities will be looked at squarely towards development. Several seminars and workshops are spearheaded to develop the skill sets of this young but vibrant board and a special advisory board is also being put together to act as a lightening rod to best practices and streamlining the activities.

As the results were read the cheers got louder especially for the Public Relations Officer race as the the popular vote landed with that "thuggy" lady. The most riveting speech for the evening's proceedings came from Vice President candidate though diminutive in stature Miss Kitty K Crew who had her audience attuned to her plans and ideas she wanted to share with the board and the community on a whole for the better part of seven minutes, not a souls said a word as she delivered. The most decorated individual overall was the Presidential candidate Miss Kitty Kitty Powellas who among other things has held Executive Secretary and Presidential roles overseas in other non governmental and scholastic organizations and groups. It was pointed out however that non LGBT typed board level activities are a different kettle of fish than this one she now will oversee to which she responded in part that she will adapt to. Again we will see the results in the long run. Another riveting but short presentation came from the lone male Vice President candidate who spoke sans notes from the heart using his own personal struggles, his Christian faith and bisexuality while carefully projecting strength on how "out" he is.

With persons leaving the Oasis last evening to early this morning some say they were feeling a sense of newness, revived, refreshed and just at ease in a sense that some of the problems we see and hear of daily may just have another avenue available to them to move the community forward and to deal with lives interrupted.

In my closing remarks last evening I invited all to seriously consider this new move and that the work is not to be taken likely, I also stressed the fact that the Underlined Response is not a replacement for other entities serving the LGBT community and must not be viewed as a competitor albeit some of us have very strong views about where we ought to go and the pace at which more organised and established groups should be, those criticism will in no way cease due to this birthing but solutions can now be tested or used alongside the previous groups and individuals.

Other stalwarts who witnessed this were the fluffy M&Ms formerly of WomenforWomen, The Loft's Management team, a certain longtimer and gentleman from the party scene and the hip crowd with a certain "DJ" as well.

More to come.

Becoming the change we want to see.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Judge Not (Gleaner Letter)

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Over the past few days, I have noted, with amazement, the amount of attention being paid to a group that the Jamaican public has claimed is pushing for acceptance.

As a member of the LGBT community, I feel the need to add my voice. I won't even address in detail Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey's stupid outburst, as it seems as if he is trying to score points with someone.

I am curious, however, to know how he carried out his research to ascertain the sexual orientation of the males his department arrested. I'm quite sure that it wasn't based on their dressing. Since I'm on the police 'business',

I note with wry amusement a report on the Facebook page of OGNR of a veteran cop stealing chocolate bars and a bottle of coffee from MegaMart, Portmore. What do you have to say, SSP Bailey?

In a letter to The Gleaner, Karen Hewitt claimed she did research which supported SSP Bailey's outburst. How did you do that, Karen?

She went on to state that the gay community has power and that urged Commissioner Ellington to apologise.

Proof of this, Karen?

In letter by a 'Concerned Citizen', the writer wonders how same-sex unions reproduce. Why is this an issue when they, the so-called heterosexuals, try to bring a point across? Do you know how many kids are prevented from starving or even dying by these 'detested' unions through adoption?

Bible-thumpers will continue to say that God gave Adam and Eve clear direction that they were to "go forth and multiply", and because same-sex couples aren't able to procreate, they are obviously unable to fulfil this divine directive.

The said writer, in closing his letter, stated, "It is either we obey New York and The Gleaner, or obey God." Is he/she obeying God?

Do we have a group of Gleaner and New York worshippers in Jamaica that I don't know about?

At the end of the day, there will only be one judge among all 'judges'.

PEEVED & PERPLEXED

Montego Bay, St James

but this video from NBC Miami presented a different take on this issue and could be where SSP Bailey got his cue to label the gay community as the individual identified in the piece has been called gay.

Prison boss says no discrimination against HIV inmates

Dear Editor,

The article in last weekend's Sunday Observer does not paint a true picture of the status/treatment/condition of the HIV positive inmates currently being held in the various institutions of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). I will address each of the issues:

1. HIV testing of our inmates is done on a voluntary basis and our officers/staff are not permitted to force inmates to submit to testing. Efforts are made to coax unwilling inmates to get tested, but there are many who refuse and therefore the Department does not have complete statistics on the HIV/Aids Status of all inmates in our care. Some inmates enter our institution knowing they are HIV positive, refuse testing and keep their status secret. It is only when the symptoms of Aids become obvious to our doctors that the inmate admits to his condition and by then, medication may have only limited success in prolonging that individual's life. Currently we have a total of 98 HIV positive inmates. For 2010 we had 3 AIDS related deaths. The St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre (STCACC) presently has 29 HIV cases. The majority of HIV positive inmates are located between the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre (TSACC) and STCACC where a doctor visits at least 3 times weekly. All 3 full time medical practitioners employed to the Dept of Correctional Services have been trained in managing HIV cases and all were recently updated in May/June during a 2 day perceptorship at the Comprehensive Health Centre.

2. Every effort is made by the Department to prevent discrimination against HIV inmates. For this reason their status is kept quite confidential and only a few members of staff have access to that information. Staff members with that clearance include only very senior staff members and specially trained medical orderlies. To aid in ensuring no discrimination, inmates are not isolated or segregated but remain in general population. They are only placed in special areas if they are known homosexuals or mentally ill, not based on their HIV status. Homosexuals are segregated because of safety concerns if they are housed with the general population. Mentally ill inmates are segregated for similar reasons and also so they may be more adequately controlled and treated.

3. Your article gave the impression that our HIV patients are being neglected and singled out for poor treatment. This is untrue. In fact, even in the face or severe overcrowding in our institutions, some HIV positive inmates have cells to themselves while others (HIV and general population) are housed three (3) to a cell built for one (1). It is true that some HIV inmates do not have mattresses and sleep on the floor on improvised beds. This is also true for the general population and is not unique to HIV patients. Please note that there is also a cultural issue with many Jamaican inmates who are reluctant, or refuse, to use mattresses which have been previously used. Some inmates even reject used
mattresses donated to our institutions. Inmates prefer to get new mattresses and when issued with previously used mattresses they destroy them in the hope of getting a new one. The coverings of mattresses are frequently torn off the mattresses to leave only the sponge exposed for a host of reasons best known to them. My staff spends a lot of time and effort trying to ensure that items issued to inmates are properly cared for, and to minimize waste. The Department's budget is unable to provide new mattresses to each inmate entering our institutions. Even if our budget could cater to that wish, it would not be the best way of using scarce resources.

4. The DCS has an HIV/AIDS treatment program that is monitored and supported by the Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health guides with policy and protocol. They provide regular training opportunities for staff, and our Medical Director attends all updates sessions and most conferences, to ensure that we, as a Department are updated. They provide staff for our testing programme, lab equipment, testing kits, hardware and software for data management. They provide ALL antiretroviral medication available to the general public for the inmates. The needed medication is provided free of cost to the DCS and to the inmates from the Ministry of Health. The National HIV/STI programme experiened severe challenges in receiving supplies of two of the antiretroviral drugs for the months of January to June. These were Aluvia and Truvada. Indinavir, Combivir and Duovir were the substitutes. This shortage affected all HIV positives patients in Jamaica as well as the inmate population. The DCS however was not affected until April this year because we had adequate supplies in storage which were only depleted in April. Regular supplies resumed in late June. Our inmates were therefore actually better-off than the Jamaican population at large. Generally, it is not recommend to switch medication once you are on a particular regime unless it fails, as this can cause the development of a resistance to medication. However, we had no choice and we followed the directives the Ministry of Health sent out to all treatment sites. The allegations that medication is withheld from the inmates is not true. Some inmates are reluctant to collect their medication as they fear that their cellmates may become suspicious if they are seen taking so much medication and not know what it is for. The medical Staff resort to creative methods to disguise the medication in order to minimize the potential for discrimination if an inmate's status is revealed. So far, the DCS has had tremendous success in keeping the status of HIV/Aids inmates confidentional.

5. The Ministry of Health through its Behavior Change Team and Regional teams, as well as international agencies, have had numerous sensitisation sessions with both staff and inmates in all institutions, trying to reduce the stigma and discrimination. This has helped considerably. This year, HIV awareness was added to the programme for new DCS recruits.

6. Unfortunately, most of the HIV medication prescribed should be taken with food and the meal times in the institution do not coincide with the night dose which should be taken between 7pm and 10 pm. Efforts are made at our various institutions to make food items available to inmates after hours so that they may take their medication with a light snack.

7. Your article made mention of the poor quality of the meals provided to HIV inmates. The DCS currently provides three (3) meals per day to inmates on a limited budget. Efforts are made to supplement meals with items grown at our institutions. While there is room for improvement, it is demonstrably clear that our inmates are adequately fed. Efforts to increase the fruit and vegetables provided to inmates are ongoing.

8. Shown below are a few DCS Medical Guidelines For HIV Inmates:
a. All new inmates are counseled and offered testing on a voluntary basis, HIV positive inmates are informed and their CD4 done, based on the value of the CD4 they are placed on medication according to National Adult or Pediatric treatment guidelines for 2011.

b. Pregnant women who are positive are refered to High Risk antenatal clinics just as the general population would be and infants born to a positive female , put on medication and given formula just as the population following PMTCT guidelines.

c. On discharge from an institution they are referred to the treatment site in their community and given a months supply of antiretroviral therapy.

Yours sincerely,
Sean Prendergast
Lieutenant Colonel
Commissioner of Corrections (Acting)

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/Prison-boss-says-no-discrimination-against-HIV-inmates_9289396#ixzz1T7lRwf41

Khago's "Weh Dem a Seh?" ...........

So as the war of words continue between the upstarts (my words) Khago and I-Octane in the dancehall the stereotypical traits of metrosexuality, blurred gender lines or feminization are implied in the lyrics as each artist tries to paint each other as closeted gays. Interestingly Khago in this song talks about "gender confusion" when he alludes that rival DJ I-Octane is using makeup and shaving his eyebrows via his contract he is forced to wear particular types of clothing that makes him out to be on the DL at best. In a previous post where I highlighted I-Octane's "Dream Bout Boi" track which also lambasts Khago but also percieved modes of dress that hint at gay life.

I-Octane

Nuh Dream Bout Boi Here:

NUH DREAM BOUT BOY - I-OCTANE by khoolray

and

also see or hear above "Woman Wi Seh" by I-Octane as well.

Why are Jamaican men so insecure about their own masculinity? so much so to the point that anything that involves other men closely or deemed too close is also deemed as something sexual or cohersively so as if in the same way Jamaican men hit on or try to coherse women is somehow the same way another man in this perceived "too close for comfort" position will also try to do. And to think Khago himself is hot in the eyes of many MSMs here.

Khago

The Lyrics from "Weh Dem a Seh?" among other things contend:

"Sister locks wi nuh wear nor bredda locks"

(referring to a particular style of artificial hair interwoven into real hair for locking)

"No lip gloss ...." (suggesting other artists may wear such type make up)

"shaved eyebrows, wi nuh follow fags" (shaved eyebrows we don't follow fags/gays) [the first direct anti gay sentiment associated with perceived gay aesthetics]

"Wi nuh wear turtle neck cause wi nuh drifters" (we don't wear turtle necks as we are not drifters) [turtle neck clothes here suggesting a gay style of dress]

"No makeup to mi face dat a fi mi sisters" (no makeup to my face that's for my sisters) [suggesting feminine mode of dress by rival DJs]

"Wi locks real wi nuh wear fusion, we nuh join the gender confusion" (our locks are real we don't wear fusion {suggesting twisting fake hair and real to get the lengthy look} we don't join the gender confusion) [all this suggesting men who dress otherwise are confused about their gender

"Man str8 like 12 o'clock" ( Man is straight {orientation} like 12 o'clock) [suggesting comparison with the hands of the clock)

"no contract caan mek me over" (no contract can't make me over) [suggesting other artists maybe forced to use perceived feminized modes of dress and aesthetics in their public persona)

In the middle of the Jamaican metro-sexual revolution as I see it there is this back and forth between two possible great artists while instead of producing wonderful hits as we have seen they can, are distracted by this weirdness of perceived blurred gender lines but the real leader in all this metro-change is pushing on none the less despite some haemorrhaging from his Gaza camp and a major loss of support from a marketing guru Vybz Kartel pushes on despite his controversial lightened appearance and rumours of his HIV status. We are in interesting times people.

UPDATE:

Controversial DJ Tony Matterhorn with a new song critiquing other DJs for not calling names when bashing each other called "Dancehall Duppy (Ghost)" says that both Octane and Khago are tracing or quarreling like girls:

Here Khago tries to set the record straight but it seems the attempt only make matters worse and confusing for the viewing public:

Peace and tolerance

H

Cartoons and the use of gay typed characters part 2

cartoon above published July 26.07.11

See part 1 where I briefly looked at the Shebadarization of entertainment on a whole with brief effects on Jamaican psyche and associated gay typed characters on Jamaican stages.

Over these many years cartoonists in particular have been weighing in on the issues with every thing from very disturbing and stereotypical pieces to more satirical ones poking fun at the issues, many persons in the LGBT community and by extension the advocacy groupings have expressed some outrage specifically to today's Observer image as done by resident cartoonist Clovis:

This is following on the recent apology from the police high command on Superintendent Fitz Bailey and his assertions on gays involved in organized crimes without specifically naming the ones they are involved in.

also see:

Apology Accepted JCF but some questions on several fronts still linger ...

Other popular cartoons include the now infamous call from public defender to put prisoners to work however Clovis gave a spin on the issue by showing the two prisoners in a romantic position in jail-house fatigues, another was the barred closet door as hammered blocked by former Attorney General A.J. Nicholson.

Certainly the Boom Bye Bye one I included here was one of many others that were too offensive so I left them out of this entry that was a supposed response to the "Not in My Cabinet" rant on the BBC's Hard talk show in 2008/9 however one can also appreciate the cartoonists are also carrying the views of readers and John Public which may be for or against LGBT issues but given our very slow change to a more tolerant society the toons seem to be reflecting more comedic themes especially the Clovis ones that have a stereotypical cross dresser with male features also visibly shown.

As I said elsewhere sometimes we have to laugh things off sometimes if not we all may go mad.

Peace and tolerance

H

UPDATE July 20, 2011 - in response to the last cartoon (above) a letter to the Observer

Bad precedent

Dear Editor,

This is in regard to your cartoon of July 19.

I find your portrayal of gay people to be most offensive! Do you really believe that all gay people carry themselves in this manner? You are setting a bad precedent and initiating a stereotype that will just help perpetuate the rampant homophobia that plagues the Jamaican society.
Please act responsibly by understanding the ramifications of what you publish! I sincerely hope you will see the gravity of this and take corrective action.

P Valentine
Saxhomes@aol.com

Seventh Day Adventist pastor & psychologist recommends restorative therapy & says homosexuality is a disorder

I stood frozen in my living room around 6pm today after coming in from the rain to hear this coming from a psychologist of all persons who ought to know the difference between orientation and practice when it comes to homosexuality. The ease in which he confuses the two is disturbing and I wonder where he got his training? He described homosexuality as a disorder.

http://www.centralja.org/index.htm

Seventh Day Adventist pastor and psychologist (we are seeing more of those popping up in churches) Alton Williams pastor for the Spanish Town District of Churches on a SDA produced program aired on the religious station Love 101 FM went on about the churches stand on the "Homosexual Lifestyle" as himself and the host coins it. On the question of what homosexuality is? he responded:

"Homosexuality is an erotic attraction to persons of ones own sex, it includes sexual thoughts, feelings and fantasies and other overt sexual acts with persons of ones own sex." the host wanted to verify if only thoughts constituted a designation of being gay to which he responded "the volume of the literature on the subject the experts have included sexual thoughts and fantasies in the definition of homosexuality."

I managed to catch the program some two minutes into its run so I may have missed the initial introduction but on the question of the church's stance on homosexuality he responded: "As seventh day Adventists we believe sexual intimacy belongs only with the marital relationship of man and woman, this was God's design at creation God created Adam & Eve male and female Genesis 1:27 male and female created he them. He went on to clarify that the SDA was not homophobic but the biblical positions are what they follow but he affirms the human dignity of persons therefore persons should respect persons, "God hates the sin but loves the sinner." Homosexuality is no different from other sins he tried to point out.

He continued that, "homosexuality is a manifestation of disorder and brokenness in human inclination and is caused by sin coming into the world, we believe that while everyone is subject to fall by God's grace and encouragement of the community of faith .... should reach out in compassion to these individuals, should be God's heart or hands"

To the question if homosexuality is natural or learnt, genetic or cultural? he answered: "....this has been a long debate, as to whether or not persons are born homosexual or later on they learnt and embrace the behaviour, the studies done on the subject are not conclusive that there is any causal relationship between genetics or biology ....... all the findings have been controversial and speculative ...." on the social setting and family setting he concludes that "based on observation ones family setting and background shapes who that person becomes, socialization all objects and products if socialization, there have been studies that suggest a dominating mother or a weak ineffective father could shape the orientation or the inclination of the male towards homosexuality or the absent father or weak ineffective father could also influence a girl turning towards her own sex, past sexual experience, trauma, maybe the person was violated or raped by an older person or a child was exposed to the practice and sometimes this affects their self esteem and they practice later on as an alternative lifestyle.

The host suggested lesbians do not know how to relate to males so they become gay the girls may have gone to a girls school or have no brothers or have no exposure to males, Mr. Williams went on to add that sons feel ignored or rejected by fathers so he seeks it in other males as part of male bonding where persons take advantage suggesting paedophilia I think. Mr. Williams also said that if a mother distrust or fear males she can teach this to her sons or daughters which could influence sexual behaviour or ones orientation.

I thought orientation was more a genetic matter than a behavioural one.

Mr. Williams went on to quote Genesis 2:24 .... therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife .... sex is for pleasure and procreation in the context of marriage he was careful to say that the SDA does not condone singling out a particular group for scorn "We don't believe we should abuse persons or kill them because they are homosexuals but God's word condemns homosexuality" He said that through the redemptive process individuals can be helped to overcome homosexuality as they can any other sin. The restorative recommendations came near the end where he said "you might need to get counseling and intervention, change the environment, what you read"he continued that professional help is needed and an exercise of will. He discourages the habits once they have been discovered and try to enter a healthy home environment. He would look at what the person is watching or reading, he would present a healthy perspective of what a human sexuality should be.

"Homosexuality is a deviation from God's will"

Then as expected the Sodom and Gomorrah issue came up, he was quick to point out that homosexuality was not the only reason that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but because they refused to take the word of God and his compassion.

To contact the SDA office:

Lifeline

Communications Dept

Central Jamaica Conference SDA

P.O Box 81

Spanish Town

St. Catherine

communcation@centralja.org

Tel: 984 - 5576 0r 7

www.centralja.org

Here is what I could capture as I caught it after it began plus it was raining outside, apologies for the distortion:

Lifeline SDA 17.07.11 on Homosexuality 

Peace and tolerance

H

Commonwealth Law Ministers' Meeting overlooks same gender loving rights

Based on the final communique published on the meeting held in Australia from July 11 - 14 the CLMM Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting seems to have altogether passed over the LGBT rights issues that were mentioned in an older agenda excerpted below.

Oddly only the opening speech had any reference to sexual orientation and some related matters:

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma

"Another example of a contemporary Commonwealth challenge to be addressed is in the area of sexual orientation. Our shared commitment, reaffirmed at CHOGM 2009, is to ‘rights for all without discrimination on any grounds’ and opposition to stigmatisation and victimisation. But progress has been uneven towards ensuring that domestic legislation reflects our belief that vilification and targeting on grounds of sexual orientation is at odds with the fundamental values of the Commonwealth."

The older agenda:

"FOR THE INFORMATION OF DELEGATIONS THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE CRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY AN OVERVIEW"

Paper by Timothy Otty QC, Doughty Street Chambers

Fraser Campbell and Marie Lucienne Lambert, Clifford Chance LLP

on behalf of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA)"

Introduction

1. Homosexual conduct is illegal in approximately 80 countries around the world. The law in eight of those countries includes provision for imposition of the death penalty on conviction.

Often as a result of legislation rooted in colonial times, around half of the states that criminalise private consensual homosexual acts between adults are members of the Commonwealth.

There have, furthermore, been a number of domestic legislative proposals in recent times which, if enacted, would have led to a widening of criminalisation and the imposition of harsher sentences, including the death penalty, for acts of homosexuality.

2. These developments would, however, run counter to the clear jurisprudence and guidance of international treaty bodies, to which many Commonwealth states are party, regional courts and a number of leading domestic Courts. This jurisprudence and guidance is clear that the criminalisation of homosexuality is unacceptable as running counter to fundamental principles

requiring respect for human dignity, privacy and non‐ discrimination.

Position in international law

3. The prevalence of anti-homosexual legislation within the Commonwealth states is at

odds with international human rights law. Instruments including the International Covenant

on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and People's Rights

(ACHPR) and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), enshrine a range

of relevant rights aimed at protecting human dignity, privacy and equality.

4. In Toonen v. Australia, the UN Human Rights Committee held that the criminalisation of sexual conduct between men, including all forms of sexual contact between consenting adult men in private was incompatible with the right to privacy under Article 17 of the ICCPR. It also confirmed that the prohibition of differential treatment enshrined in Article 2 of the ICCPR extended to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

5. The right to be free of discrimination is also enshrined in Article 2 of the African Charter, which provides that individuals are entitled to the rights under the Charter "without distinction of any kind" including sex.

Article 3 provides for equality and equal protection of each individual before the law. As the African Commission on Human Rights emphasised in Legal Resources Foundation v. Zambia

"The right to equality is very important. It means that citizens should expect to be treated fairly and justly within the legal system and be assured of equal treatment before the law and equal enjoyment of the rights available to all other citizens."

6. The case law emanating from the African Commission of Human Rights provides clear guidance on the primacy of international law to be afforded by its Member States. In Media Rights Agenda and Others v. Nigeria, the Commission stated that governments should avoid restricting rights and should be mindful of rights protected by their national constitution as well as international human rights law. Later in the same judgment, the Commission specifically stated that international law and human rights should prevail over contradictory national law which seeks to set aside the rights of the Charter.

7. The jurisprudence under the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) confirms the position suggested by case law under the ICCPR and the ACHPR. In Dudgeon v. United Kingdom

the European Court of Human

Rights held that legislation then in force in Northern Ireland, which criminalised certain homosexual activity between consenting males, breached Article 8 of the ECHR (the right to private life). The Court rejected the notion that the relaxation of laws in relation to consensual acts would be damaging to the moral fabric of society, finding that the possible offence such acts might cause could not warrant the interference to the applicant's private life.

Trends in domestic case law

8. Recent trends in the domestic law of Commonwealth states illustrate that the rights enshrined in international law are also recognised by national Courts in this area. In National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality1, the Constitutional Court of South Africa found that statutory provisions and common law offences prohibiting sodomy were incompatible with section 8 (right of equality) and section 9 (prohibition of discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation) of the South African Constitution. Whilst acknowledging that the view that sexual expression should be limited to marriage between women and men with procreation as its dominant role could be held for "nuanced religious reasons", the Court found that no justification could be found to limit the right to homosexual activity. Sachs J, rendering a concurring opinion in the same judgement emphasised the signal importance of equality under the South African Constitution:

The present case shows well that equality should not be confused with uniformity; in fact, uniformity can be the enemy of equality. Equality means equal concern and respect across difference ... Equality therefore does not imply a levelling or homogenisation of behaviour but an acknowledgement and acceptance of difference. At the very least, it affirms that difference should not be the basis for exclusion, marginalisation, stigma and punishment.

9. More recently, in a judgement given in the Delhi High Court, the Court found that provisions within the Indian Penal Code that criminalised "unnatural offences" were incompatible with Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), 19 (freedom of expression) and 21 (life, personal liberty and dignity) of the Indian Constitution. Finding that a central tenet of the Indian

Constitution was "inclusiveness", it held that those perceived by the majority as "deviants" or "different" should not be marginalised.

Similarly, the High Court of Fiji in 2005 found sodomy laws to be unconstitutional, on the grounds that criminal law should not be used to discriminate against private same-sex acts. Central to that analysis was an emphasis on the rights to privacy and equality. In this sense, the liberalising trend of decisions in the domestic courts of Commonwealth members is in accordance with that seen in both international tribunals and leading courts outside the Commonwealth (including the United States Supreme Court).

Recent examples of draft legislation extending criminalisation

10. There have, however, been a number of recent instances of attempts to introduce legislation in Commonwealth states with the effect of broadening the scope of existing criminalisation of homosexuality or imposing harsher sentences. The most prominent example is the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill currently being considered by the Ugandan Parliament.

Others include proposed amendments to the Penal Code of Rwanda, tabled in the Rwandan Parliament in November 2009 (which would have criminalised consensual same-sex acts and relationships as well as the work of LGBT human rights advocates) and the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill currently being considered by the Nigerian Parliament (which would not only

prohibit same sex marriages, but also impose criminal penalties on homosexual cohabitees together with anybody who aids or abets them)

Download or view the FINAL communique on the meeting HERE

Earlier in the month I had asked for a call to action to pressure our local representatives it seems no mention of LGBT issues was made during the entire sitting.

Peace & Tolerance

H

All urged to aid in ridding commercial sexual exploitation of children

Minister of Health, Rudyard Spencer, has appealed for a collaborative effort from a wider cross section of stakeholders to rid the society of the commercial sexual exploitation of its children.

The minister made the appeal in a brief speech delivered by the director of the National STI/HIV Programme, Dr Kevin Harvey, at the opening of the Inter-American Programme for the Prevention and Eradication of Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Illegal Trafficking and Trade Children and Adolescents second regional meeting at the Jamaica Conference Centre last Wednesday.
Spencer said that the sexual exploitation of Jamaica's children, particularly for commercial purposes, was a challenge requiring immediate attention and an "united effort" to solve.

"Any sexual abuse or exploitation of that nature is abhorrent, and should never be condoned in any way, whether it is by turning a blind eye to the situation, or by protecting the perpetrator in any way," the minister said.

He observed that the situation worsens when children are involved, as they are generally abused by the very adults who are responsible for their care.

The health minister said while the Government must take the lead in promoting and protecting children's rights and well-being, the administration could not do it alone. He said that the help and cooperation of families, communities, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations and the private sector were needed.

"It is essential that we all assume a part of the responsibility if we hope to be successful in tackling this problem," he said, adding that the Government will continue to improve the protection offered to children through multi-agency collaboration and increased dialogue.

Spencer also cited the need to strengthen countries' policies, programmes and the legislative framework to improve the welfare of children, and ensure that their rights are observed and their needs met.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange greets 16-year-old Kadeem Simpson, Jamaica’s child representative for the Inter American Children’s Institute, during the regional meeting on protecting children of the Caribbean from commercial sexual exploitations at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston

The two-day meeting, being held under the theme 'Protecting Children of the Caribbean from Commercial Sexual Exploitation', is jointly staged by the Child Development Agency and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, in association with the Inter-American Children's Institute which coordinates the Inter-American Programme.

ENDS

I decided to post this as I am concerned on many fronts:

The belief that male homosexuals are paedophiles and by extension we are about to homosexualize everyone else is disturbing to me

There is not enough care nationally about missing children and orphans

There is not enough concern from the LGBT community on these and related issues

To show that we too also care in genuine terms about the welfare of children

The anger that is directed at supposed stereotypes about us as predators should also be directed at child molestors, real paedophiles and ephebophiles who are in open view of our eyes yet we do nothing (coaster bus sex and no panty days for teen girls)

Those are some of my concerns, see the tab directly below this post on paedophilia and more or go HERE and scroll to see the thirty plus related entries.

also see: 252 children went missing between May and June; 164 back home

Interesting there is no outrage for this kind of news but swift condemnation for perceived and made up sensationalist views about male homosexuality.

Peace and tolerance

H

J-FLAG Welcomes JCF's Withdrawal Of Homo-Criminals Claim

Owen Ellington

The local gay community has expressed pleasure at the Police High Command's withdrawal of Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey's recent controversial claims about links between homosexuals and organised crime.

In a swift response to yesterday's statement by Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, a relieved Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) commended the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for the withdrawal of the senior policeman's assertion.

Earlier this week Bailey, who heads the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), stated that gays made up a large number of persons prominently involved in the lottery scam, an organised and highly lucrative criminal enterprise.

In his statement yesterday, Ellington said his intervention in the matter was prompted by Bailey's attempt to clarify his statement, noting that placing it within the context of offender profiling had not fully resolved the concerns of the gay community and its sympathisers.

The police commissioner said he discussed the matter with Bailey, who shared information with him supporting his assertion and cited discussions he has had with representatives of J-FLAG about the problem.

understands basis

According to Ellington, Bailey fully understands the basis of concern for the safety and well-being of members of the gay community who might be targeted by misguided individuals simply because of the statements under reference.

"The JCF, therefore, withdraws the statement and expresses regret to all Jamaicans and our international partners for any concern, anxiety and any appearance of unfair labelling which may have been construed from the message," Ellington asserted.

"We wish to assure all that the JCF has no policy of singling out any particular social grouping for special police attention. Our focus is on enforcing the laws without fear, favour, prejudice or ill will," he added.

The commissioner's comments were released two days after Bailey insisted he would not back down.

"Owen Ellington must be lauded for his leadership on the issue," stated J-FLAG in a release. "Both the decision to retract and SSP Bailey's efforts to clarify his original statement are well received by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community."

Dane Lewis, J-FLAG's executive director, said his organisation sincerely hoped the police force would use the experience as a guide to how it frames issues regarding LGBT persons, especially those who are victims of crimes and are at risk of violence.

At a meeting yesterday, Lewis said he assured the Organised Criminal Investigation Division (OCID) that J-FLAG supports the efforts of the police to arrest all crimes and mitigate their impact on all Jamaicans.

Lewis also stated that J-FLAG remained committed to working with the police to address issues of crime and violence especially where they directly concern the LGBT community.

ENDS

Also see: Apology Accepted but some questions still linger on certain fronts

Superintendent Fitz Bailey on TVJ on organized crimes and gays

also see: Stereotyping from the police ...............

More on the SSP statement by glbtqja1

and

JFLAG's response to JCF apology by glbtqja1

but this video by NBC Miami poses a problem as the individual identified may have been what led SSP Bailey to arrive at his conclusion


Peace and tolerance

H

Elephant Man's "A Nuh Fi Wi Fault" lyrics (flashback)

Artist: Elephant Man
Song: A Nuh Fi Wi Fault
Album: Reggae Hits Vol.24 (Various Artists)
Audio CD (30 November, 1998)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Jet Star
ASIN: B0000253YX
Catalogue Number: JECD1024

Excerpt

Intro:
Badman nuh inna nuh explanation no more
Anyway we hold dem bwoy dem get
A yo, all yuh hear me
Tivali jungle
Rise all da ting dem yah man?

A nuh fi wi fault
If a battybwoy run inna we gun
A nuh fi wi fault
The pussy dem get shot down
A nuh fi wi fault
When fadda get boom down Sodom
A nuh fi wi fault?

Dem find battyman we don't play
A nuh fi wi fault
Along time deh fassy dem a dead?

When yuh hear a Sodomite get raped
But a fi wi fault?

Long time we ah warn dem anna obverse
Battyman fi dead!
Please mark we word
Gimme tha tech-nine
Shoot dem like bird
Dis a wha ????? man heard
A nuh fi wi fault
Jamaican don't like gay
A nuh fi wi fault
Ah same way Miami man stay
A nuh fi wi fault?.

We nah keep battman friend
????????
Badman nah par wid men
????????
Shotta just rise your Mack Ten
????????
????????
A!
A nuh fi wi fault
When two men ???????
A nuh fi wi fault
Big nife a cut off dem ??
A nuh fi wi fault
Den me throw away deh head in deh boat
A nuh fi wi fault
A nuh fi wi fault
A nuh fi wi
A nuh fi wi fault
Jamaican don't like gay
A nuh fi wi fault?.

Its wrong
Two woman gonna hock up inna bed
Thats two Sodomites dat fi dead
A nuh fi wi fault
Battybwoy run inna me gun
A nuh fi wi fault
Coz tha fassy dem get shot down
A nuh fi wi fault
When Father got boom down Sodom
A nuh fi wi fault
A nuh fi wi fault
A nuh fi wi
A nuh fi wi fault

Dem find battyman we don't play
A nuh fi wi fault
A long time that fassy dem ah dead
A nuh fi wi fault
Ah dem make de syphilis a spread
A nuh fi wi fault
A nuh fi wi fault
A! den

Long time we ah warn dem anna observe
Battyman fi dead!
Please mark we word
Gimme the Tech Nine
Shoot dem like bird
Dis ah Harry Toddler heard
But ah fi wi fault
When yuh hear ah Sodomite get raped
But ah fi wi fault
When we ah ???? ah gal inna place
But ah fi wi fault?..

Kingston Chronicle targets Live at 7 host .................

So the anti gay Kingston Chronicle on Wordpress is at it again with their brands of hate under the guise of satire as they say in a so called disclaimer "WARNING: The Revolution Blog - This blog contains content that is not politically correct or fake like most media." They have gone as far as to call for the death of gays and even ran a poll on how gays should be executed. Now comes a post on host of CVM's Live at 7 program, Elon Parkinson where they ask if he is supporting homosexuals? It is not the only person or group who has spoken out in fairness and tolerance that the blog's authors have attacked either.

here is the link to the story:

IS CVM TV LIVE AT 7 HOST SUPPORTING BATTYMEN & SODOMITES?

this kind of irresponsible blogging is sickening they continue to claim to avoid direct responsibility for their actions that:

"What we stand for & deliver
“The Citizen’s Paper”
“Investigative, Intellectual, Analytical, Factual”
“Stand up & Speak”
“Knowledge at your finger tips”
Using multimedia tools we cover video, text, and audio feed to the Jamaican community worldwide on a wide range of issues from News, Economics, Politics, Religion, Sports, Sex, Entertainment, Environment and much more. The Kingston Chronicle is a newspaper for the youth of today. High energy, vitality, and vigour.

The Kingston Chronicle also helps to bridge the digital divide, increase knowledge base, and provide educational tools for all through our e-learning education link that boast over 1 billion educational data material.

The Kingston Chronicle will serve as a great place for students to access quality academic material while in pursuit if attaining a higher education.

Social Networks
The Kingston Chronicle is also on Facebook, MySpace and Hi5 social networks.

Disclaimer:
All authors and contributors content except that of “kingstonchronicle” is independent of The Kingston Chronicle, and a such The Kingston Chronicle is not responsible for the content submitted by such individuals."

The author of the damning piece continued:

"

I did not know that CVM TV program is allowed to view their personal opinion on national television when the host as far as I saw it.
Did the big bald head one who look like a battyman himself state indirectly or directly that homosexuals should have constitutional protection in Jamaica? Is this what he said?

As far as I see it appeared as such. But I do not want to make a mistake so I ask you the public who saw and heard what he said after a caller raised the similar point tell me if I am dreaming.
Also he had some half coolie chink looking man I think from JFJ, that I am sure also is always calling for battymen and sodomites to be legalized and accepted in Jamaica.
These perverts who believe it is normal for a man to stick is cock in another mans ass for sex as they are too confused to know where to put it, maybe because of early initiation along with women who think that wearing a strap on cock and sucking clit is the solution for a man want to change our laws? Now you tell me what is wrong with this picture?" ........... "Yow you a hear me. Straight bun we fi bun dem out. Jamaica could reduce energy cost by turning these perverts into street lamp torches at night, until a better solution renewable energy is finally found. No joke, serious me serious."

Now come to think of it. Jamaica has one of the most relaxed society there is. Homosexuals are not physically attacked as they claim and 99% of all violent crimes associated with them come from the hands of these sick perverts themselves inflicting against their own.
Is the clown on the show live at 7 is trying to use USA political tricks to classify the sick behaviour as if it belongs in a section of society that requires our leaders to legally address?
In the USA they use black and white people segregation to make the point that it is a human rights issue. When in fact a black faggot and a white faggot still do not have the same rights anywhere in the USA.

That in itself reduces their defense. As a black man seeking to marry a white woman is still man and woman and cannot be compared to a man seeking to marry another man or a woman seeking to marry another woman.
People let me tell you this. Do not be surprised if you hear the JLP, the G2K, the PNP, and the PNPYO come out calling for us to come in line with the the EU and Barack Obama homosexualization of America.
Homosexuality is a disease and requires zero compromise. Do you want yo see in Prep and Primary schools little boys seeking other little boys as boyfriend and girlfriend? Do you want to see little girls seeking love relationship with other little girls in schools in our schools and society?
It is no secret that from little children to tough high school students to university students the homosexuals have been active in Jamaica. Unite now and destroy this face of evil. Do not listen to your church as they too serve satan and claim it must come to past.

Come to past my fucking rass. While they sit in church and wait for their Jesus I saw exterminate the homosexual disease once and for all. Never let it rise to any power in Jamaica, we have seen all their media and political tricks.
They tried to get into the USA military war machine and failed. Can you imagine if they had succeeded and decided to wage war against us over their battyman and sodomite lovers and supporters in Jamaica?

Do it for your children and grand children. Do not be afraid. Bruce Golding already switch and sell out trust me. I have the video to prove this.
You think I was joking when I made that claim huh? Recall when Bruce said not in his Cabinet and not under his watch about laws and these deviants? He sound defiant, big and bad. But now sound more friendly to these sickos. WTF?
Well true to Bruce form that was but the half truth,as he knows very well that after serving two terms anything and anything can take place in regards to that.
So how come after the BBC interview and sound so tuff pon the issue Bruce flip and flop pon the topic on the homosexual problem? Mixing then matching his words to appease the nasty people."

As for the comments the counteractions was a spark to me and shows persons are not taking it lying down:

"fuck you all, its there ass if they wanna take cocks in it, you all too malicious,people have freedom of choice and speach in jamaica, if you all have a problem with peoples choice, go burry us selfs"

"First of all, this article loses its credibility from the beginning when the author begins to say the host “look like a battyman”. For someone who wants his blog to be taken seriously, what a silly comment! Although, it usually takes one to know one.
The next thing is that whether or not the host said it and in case U did not know, homosexuality is NOT illegal in Jamaica. The law against Buggery which dates back to the early 1900s outlaws anal sex, whether between a man and another man or a man and another woman or two women, regardless of what implements have been used during the act.
Do us all a favour, before U go casting false and libelous accusations against the media professional – go read the Laws of Jamaica and more importantly, the Jamaica Constitution.
It would appear U have libeled and defamed the host based on your headline and words said in the body of your blog. I don’t think the placing of a question mark at the front of the headline will save U.
U can still be sued for libel perpetrated on the Internet. I will be forwarding the link to CVM-TV. I really hope their lawyers take action against U."

"this blog iz really stupid n homophobic. its one of the worst iv e seen. iv gotta wonder ‘does the author protest too much?’ ‘iz a secret battyman in the writer’s closet?’ i thnk so"

"to the haters of gay people , you really do not have the right to judge the next mans choice. Its called human rights we all have the right to choose which road we wish to travel on. right or wrong in your eyes doesnt change the fact all of us have the right to choose .Love comes in all shapes sizes colors greed’s and genders ,Life is about being happy and as long as we are consulting adults it shouldn’t have to be passed by another for approval.I have never read such filth such ignorance such hatred as this post above.The man is clearly unwell and is so out of touch with reality and life in the 21st century.
He is entitled to his opinions but should have constructive discussions and an open mind , but it seemed to me he got of with all those statements he was making regarding the sexual practice .It is not a disease,it isnt catching ,it isnt something you go to council ling for ,whether we are born like it ; choose it as a life style; isnt an issue ,its the right to choose .And please dont quote any bible verse because as i see it the man you call Jesus was gay ,why did he have 12 men follow him around ,if that was today what would you say or think. [that they were gay] .So to the vilest person on this planet who wrote that sickening article please go get a life and leave people alone to live theirs"

Enough said

Peace and tolerance

H