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, December 28, 2012

Star News sensationalizes male commercial sex worker issues .............

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So with the other boring headlines of the tabloid in recent times they have returned to the gay community to rake in readers and sell papers as per usual, the commercial sex worker community is supposedly now their target and those of us who have been in the trenches long enough know this ploy all too well as the silly seasons for embellished stories come and go here it has recommenced just before year end. 

They report today that Trafalgar Park residents are fed up with men who supposedly solicit school boys when schools long rapped up for the Christmas holidays from the second week in December, also the shrubbery as fencing surrounding the park had been removed since the last major incident there some four months ago with a drag queen and others taken into custody at the Half Way Tree police station so one can see CLEARLY through the park to the otherside and the possible occupants of the two park benches residing therein. 



The park as it looks these days without the high shrubbery around it that once acted as a fence/boundary, this photo taken from the National Commercial Bank side, west of the park, the old Super Plus Store is to the right, across Trafalgar Road. One can see right through the park so where do the men hide then with the so called penis showing activities? 


Furthermore the actual houses/homes are some many chains away (go left in the photo above) from the actual park itself and for persons to supposedly see individuals in the park itself one has to navigate a corner to get to the side of the National Commercial Bank's property. Persons would have to exit their homes and walk down to the park to view any activity inside its confines.

Can persons see around a corner?

Who is the Star News fooling?

There was also an alleged shooting incident of some of the men who used to gather just across the street at the old Super Plus Store which is now refurbished as a new entertainment facility and the workmen there along with canine security teams at the insurance company directly adjacent to the site see to it the men do not congregate there or nearby hence the men stay on the hip strip away from any trouble, coupled with that are the alleged ongoing problems with the staff of a popular New Kingston supermarket who have had run ins with the homeless msm/commercial sex workers or their friends who spend time with them as company  I too visit the men at times so I know the areas where they gather and this Star News story CANNOT be true, I find this hard to believe when the evidence points otherwise. 



also see the December 6th eviction news story of some of those homeless men by the authorities: Kingston Homeless MSM Evicted (yet again) also my then podcast:


Here is the Star News piece firstly then I will continue my commentary below:


Residents fed up with homosexuals soliciting sex

Residents in communities located in New Kingston said they are fed up with homosexuals soliciting sex in the Trafalgar Park which is close to their homes.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that homosexuals continue to congregate in the park with their penises in their hands and have been using their privates as a pull factor to lure schoolboys.

The residents admitted that while the presence of the homosexuals in that location is nothing new, it seems as if their cries for their removal continue to fall on deaf ears.

"Dem get disgusting. Right now, dem a meet and greet the boys dem wit dem penis in dem hand. It's a disgrace," a disgruntled resident told THE WEEKEND STAR.

exhausted options

The residents express that they have exhausted their options of notifying the police about the actions of the gays but it seems their actions will remain perpetual.

In September, a meeting was convened in New Kingston with members of the gay community, stakeholders, the police and the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals & Gays.

The meeting was called by city officials concerned about the action of homosexuals behaving badly and selling sexual services on the streets of New Kingston but it seems since then nothing has changed.

THE WEEKEND STAR was unable to make contact with head of the New Kingston police, Commander Christopher Murdock.


ENDS

Some other questions come to mind:

What time or when do these so called meetings with schoolers are held? - seeing that the park can be viewed from all points across the street as the shrubbery as I mentioned before have been chopped down and the area is well lit with the two bus stop shelter hosting ads and the adjacent revolving advertising board to the west of the park which has a bright light that reflects from the slides into the park itself.

Did the Star see the last removal exercise by the local authorities from another open lot where some of the men gathered?

Doesn't the Star News know that there are patrols by the New Kingston police that monitor the men and female commercials sex workers in New Kingston in particular especially since the onset of the holiday season from November?

Have we all forgotten the Trafalgar double murder in June of this year? see:  Murder, Homelessness and fallouts …………….




Old Super Plus Store before its refurbishing and the adjacent Rent-a-car company wall, the gully seen is used sometimes by substance users who are homeless, hence overlapping, this is directly across from the Trafalgar park that is complained about, the homeless/CSW MSM used to congregate here years gone by at the old guard house (right of the photo where the chain is) but repeated incidents force them to relocate plus the security at the rent-a-car agency is outside as well with guard dogs these days so the men do not gather here, also the workmen at the refurbished building also taunt the men sometimes.

Yes the men have attracted some unneeded attention to themselves and the residents complained a year or so before when the park was more enshrined in shrubbery as fencing so activities could be hidden (if such occurred), the old Superplus Store lands were empty at that time so the men used it as refuge or for gathering but all that changed with the repeated negative instances over time including reported beatings, chasings and stonings some of which are carried on this and my other blogs plus increased police patrols. 

The attacks by the problematic bikers who also hang out in New Kingston have also forced the men to remain in certain "safe zones" and the Trafalgar Park is NOT one such zone, the police have before had their hands full with these same bikers for other alleged criminality by their members.

This shooting incident in the Upper Montrose area also caused the men to be circumspect about the very park they are now accused or luring schoolers, please see: Shots fired at homeless gays in Kingston, homeless situation spiraling out of control

This beating incident also makes them retreat in a sense over time: Men rushed and beaten in New Kingston

This attempted mobbing of two cross dressers in the same area in 2010 just after the Independence celebrations which I covered via an on the street investigation: Homeless MSM/CSWs in New Kingston rescued by taxi driver

The residents have complained before:  Complaint of "Freaky Gays" Harassing New Kingston Residents ........

Furthermore school boys are off limits for most of the men I know in the group are not interested in them and go for adults and where such interest is spotted in the membership they are removed or warned not to carry out such actions so how can schoolboys pay for sex and again who is the Star News fooling?
The problem is the public is so used to the steady garbage from the tabloids whether defunct as the XNews or still in vogue being the Star News and people believe it readily without questioning the validity of the story, the proper rebuttals from the advocacy structures in outlining the issues with the homeless, displaced or male CSWs these are the results of that failure.


This is the same paper that carried the increase in male hookers as it were in a previous story which I also blogged about juxtaposing homelessness, advocacy and fallouts.

See:
INCREASE IN MALE HOOKERS - More men doing 'business' in New Kingston says the Star ............ but

Doing 'business' in New Kingston


Just those stories as the other links shows the inconsistency with the tabloid and where their agenda lies. The spaces in New Kingston where the men gather now are limited due to their own shenanigans for the most part and the vigilance of the police plus the pressure brought to bear by the New Kingston Civic Association and other business interests, so for a report such as this to come from the Star to me is a blatant LIE!
All of this negative press towards possible homeless and displaced MSM while a fault of their own doing in some respects also needs to be placed at the feet of the responsible agencies who have failed to properly respond to the pyscho-social & rehabilitation needs of this overlooked section of the LGBT community.

So we continue to reap the world-wind.

Here was the last major discourse in the mainstream on the issue:




Problem is the shelter idea glanced at in the program that was to address the issue has been put back until January 2013 as a pilot project which has its own set of issues. It was only 7 days ago I posted on my Wordpress blog the impatience of some of the men for the promised shelter: Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress of promised shelter

Peace and tolerance

H

additional reading for behavioural background issues: 

The Problematic “Battyman Entitlement” phenom, homelessness & LGBT safe spaces

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Church of England Banned From Holding Gay Marriages

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The Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages according to a shock announcement from the United Kingdom’s government says Gay Agenda.

However, more liberal and accepting religious organisations will be allowed to “opt in” to holding same-sex ceremonies, came the unexpected announcement from the Culture Secretary Maria Miller. The Church of England and Church in Wales had “explicitly” stated strong opposition and would not be included in plans that are due to be introduced before the next UK election, in 2015.


Culture Secretary Maria Miller

The Church of England, The Roman Catholic Church and some other denominations have been vocal in their opposition to same-sex marriage and are fully expected to oppose the bill at all costs, even with its added caveats.

In her statement, Mrs Miller promised a “quadruple lock” in the bill that would protect religious freedom, involving the following:

1) No religious organisation or individual minister will be compelled to marry same-sex couples or to permit this to happen on their premises.

2) Making it illegal for religious organisations or their ministers to marry same-sex couples unless their organisation’s governing body has expressly opted in to provisions for doing so.

3) Amending the UK’s 2010 Equality Act to ensure no discrimination claim can be brought against religious organisations or individual ministers for refusing to marry a same-sex couple.

4) The legislation will explicitly state that it will be illegal for the Church of England and the Church in Wales to marry same-sex couples and that Canon Law, which bans same-sex weddings, will continue to apply.

Mrs Miller confirmed that because the Church of England and Church in Wales had “explicitly stated” their opposition to equality and same-sex ceremonies, it was therefore right for the government to enshrine in the bill it would “explicitly state that it will be illegal for the Churches of England and Wales to marry same-sex couples”.

Other religious groups including the Unitarians, Liberal Judaism and the Quakers, are more inclusive to same sex couples and are in favour of same sex marriage.

This rather unexpected announcement will likely appease some of the critics in the conservative party and elsewhere that have not favourable be towards marriage equality. However, many are still aggressively campaigning against the bill, claiming the bill, even if it is passed will be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights. However as European law already puts religious freedoms beyond doubt with strong protections it seems unlikely they would side with a plaintiff against the ban.

Many in the gay community welcome the bill with one hand, the right to have a ‘marriage’ rather than a civil partnership ceremony, yet with the other hand are deeply disappointed that they wont be allowed to hold it in a ‘willing’ church of England church.

“We’re delighted about the government’s statement today and welcome the promise to legislate for equal marriage as warmly as on the three previous occasions that this announcement has been made. We’re particularly pleased that ministers have been persuaded to extend their original proposal in order to permit same-sex marriages for those religious denominations that wish to hold them. This is an important matter of religious freedom.” Said the head of equality campaigning charity Stonewall, Ben Summerskill.

Others are also angry the proposed bill does not include a change to open up the current civil partnership rules to heterosexual or different sex couples, thus making it truly equal to all.

The Catholic Church has already criticized the announcement claiming ministers ignored a 600,000-signature petition against marriage equality submitted during the government’s recent consultation on gay marriage. “The meaning of marriage matters. It derives that meaning from its function as the foundation of the family. The union of one man and one woman for love and mutual support and open to procreation has over the centuries formed a stable unit we call the family.” Reads their statement. So no change there then, the catholic church has always been clear on the fact that it doesn’t welcome gay people into its congregation or see gay people as equal. However some in the Church of England feel making it illegal for them to hold same sex ceremonies is a step to far, seeing it as binding manacle preventing progress and further alienating it from the wider society of today.

Whilst the pro marriage equality supporters are celebrating this announcement, those against are already drawing up their plans against us. There is clearly a long way to go before marriage equality comes to the UK, however this should be seen as a massive step forward and clearly the biggest since civil partnerships passed in 2004.

............ meanwhile reactions are still coming on following the Christmas message from Pope Benedict while included a broadside on Gay marriage:

Catholic attacks on marriage equality 'unseasonal', 'unfair' and 'inaccurate'

Vitriolic attacks on marriage equality in Christmas sermons by senior Catholic figures in England and Wales have been criticised as unfair and inaccurate by the Westminster MP who launched the UK government consultation on introducing same-sex marriage.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone was also the first elected politician to take part in the Out4Marriage campaign.

The response to the reported sermons from Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols and Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury came on Ms Featherstone's website, and are made, she says, "not in anger – but in sorrow".

The Bishop of Shrewsbury has caused astonishment and offence by likening voluntary plans for same-sex marriage to Nazi ideology. Critics point out that this is especially inappropriate, since gay people were among those exterminated by the Nazis.

The Archbishop of Westminster, meanwhile, chose his Christmas Day homily to describe marriage equality proposals as "undemocratic and a shambles".

The comments have been strongly criticised as 'unseasonal', 'unfair' and 'inaccurate' within and beyond the Catholic community.

Ms Featherstone, who is for MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, and now Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, wrote: "Of course you can disagree with equal marriage. You can believe that it can only be between a man and a woman. You can ultimately resist getting married to someone of the same sex if you don’t want to when this becomes law. What you surely cannot do is simply rail against the fact that not everyone subscribes to your point of view and try and stop others living life in a different way than your religion dictates."

She continued: "[I]t is quite shameful to argue against equal marriage on the grounds that religions will be forced to conduct such marriages. The Government’s intention to make it possible for those religions that wish to conduct such services to have the freedom to so do - and the Government is bending over backwards (some would say too far) to ensure any fears of religions being forced to conduct such marriages are unwarranted.

"It is even more shameful when that argument is lost to simply shift to the next argument as being the most important – that there is no mandate (The Rt Rev Mark Davies’ Christmas message). Good grief! Not only did all three leaders at the time of the election and since make clear that they all supported equal marriage; not only is it in the Conservative Equality commitment document; not only is it Liberal Democrat Party policy; not only do all polls show the majority in favour of equal marriage; not only did the largest response to a consultation by government in all history also show a majority in favour – but since when did any government do only that which was in a manifesto? A manifesto is a prospectus of what a government will do – not a prospectus of all it will do. The Coalition agreement is a compromise of the two manifestos. That does not preclude – and never has – the bringing forward of further proposals which are then democratically decided by a vote in the Houses of Parliament.

"The other argument brought forth and paraded is that of ‘redefining’ marriage. Well – that depends on your definition. Mine is exactly what the Archbishop of Westminster decries in his statement – that where there is love and commitment between two people that is all you need for marriage. ...

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Interfaith group treats homeless MSM in St Catherine

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A Merry Christmas to you my readers and indeed this is a apt occasion to do this entry as I do not normally post on the holidays but photos and a short video clip of a treat that was put together by an inter-denominational group nearing the Spanish Town area for some young gay and bisexual men for the most part outside of the other treats held was sent to me via email. Unfortunately with strict instructions I cannot share them at this time I hope at least I can bring to the public's attention soon however.

The interfaith group who had expressed some interest earlier this year in assisting three of the young men after a series of incidents involving them and others in several forced evictions similar to those of their Kingston counterparts with the local authorities moving the men from all points they occupy and obstruct. However in St Catherine it was residents who made those decisions with some disastrous consequences such as the reported chase and attempted flogging of a group who illegally occupied an empty house in the Sydenham area and men supposedly ran them out of town and boarded up the structure after the owners residing overseas were informed of the squatting activities by the men.

Other challenges present themselves in the town itself as the men at one point occupied under the bridge upon entering Spanish Town nearing the hospital but were chased away allegedly by thugs from the nearby squatter settlement opposite the river. 

Even as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus on this day (actual birth date not known but the Council of Nicea had made this so) and as sections of Christendom locally twist the true message of Christ and pour cold water on the hate that has become so normative in God's name towards homosexuality or their wrongly placed perceptions of it, it is refreshing to see a group throwing away their stereotypical lenses and looking beyond to the human condition, a trait missing it seems from some of these theocrats who prefer to bask in their self preserving salvation, even in the midst of religion there is individualism yet they complain about excess, The homeless overall, the rejected and elderly and destitute are eyesores for some of these religious persons who spew hatred and bigotry in God's name it seems and is more of a "if your are not one of us then we won't share with you or know you" message being sent. 

What about the outcast? lest we forget the story of the woman with the alabaster box, Peter et al and not all LGBT people are atheists either as some would like to promote since the stepped up prominence of that section of the community. Some of us do not have a problem or question the existence of God but it's how the word is being twisted via all kinds of self amended theologies to suit the agenda, the very same kind of intellectual dishonesty and gymnastics the gay lobby or some figureheads of it is accused of is the very same strategy that is being used by theologians and so called holders Doctors of Philosophy under a Christian guise. 

The interfaith team consisting of pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventists, A church of God leadress and others numbering eight in total had approached the situation as aforementioned by providing short term odd jobs for the three young men they had identified to work with at first when the Syndenham incident occurred they thought the men were just homeless generally not ascertaining that there was more to their situation that the typical displaced youth on the street would have experienced. Then the real conditions became known to the group who were already assisting other dislocated populations as well, the stories however were flying out of the men as two members of the interfaith team took particular interest in the men after listening intently over time according to two of the men who related their encounter. 

At first there was some resistance by the church of God representative and the Seventh Day Adventist as well seem a bit reserved and literally kept communication to a bare minimum in some instances and was described as very abrupt in engaging the men, it was after a series of phone calls with another community influential at the local health authority in HIV outreach and my subsequent involvement via a set of gay men's health workshops in the parish that seem to had led to a change of heart leading to this pleasant news coming forth. 

The men were treated at a church compound last evening with only themselves and the members of the team along with a pastor who prayed over the proceedings, I subsequently tried to find out if the prayer or any of the actions by the participating persons seemed suspect or reflected a form of reparative therapy message (not those exact words used) the men for the most part said no, the influential was also present and said it was purely a gesture by the group who had received some donations from their various sources and decided to split the items which included shoes, items of clothing, books including Bibles and personal effects/toiletries the men also were allowed a bath and a change of clothes then three hot meals, soup, the main course - a choice of chicken/curried goat or beef and then Christmas cake with sorrel drink.  

The gesture though seemingly small is powerful in my estimation as a mixed group given the recent public discourse of religion, marked differences  denominations and so on are put aside and an active alliance is alive and well.

The interaction thereafter was said to be very sobering for both the men and the interfaith group and there is another one such tentatively scheduled for New Years Day, the men have also been invited to watch night services. Good to know that this kind of outreach is happening and reflects the more real sides to what the work of the Lord is all about, not just for buffed egos of theologians but on the ground work getting ones hand dirty with real people, service is the rent we pay on this earth not platitudinous garbage with millions of dollars to boot when they are people who need help, people like Wayne West, Shirley Richards, Peter Espeut and Betty Ann Blaine need to take a page out of this group's action.

They intend to work with the men though sadly resources are limited to assist the others who are involved in commercial sex work and so on for gain a living, the ministry of health's regional authority only insofar as HIV prevention do engage the men via their outreach officers but that does not address the pysho-social and fiscal needs of the men who fear off a little better than their Kingston counterparts, they for now can crash as several spaces including the home of another former party promoter and one does pass through my address for the occasional shower and package of rice, beef etc I can get from my sister in law who is an elder of a community church nearby.



Typical SCJ layout on a Sunday morning somewhere in Jamaica

Previous Interfaith discussions (and they were just that) from a theological standpoint (LGBT leader led) that involved distinguished Reverends, theologians from United Theological College, Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica Kingston (SCJ) an offshot of the Miami based MCC now defunct and others died in the water just after 2010 which centered primarily on tolerance, acceptance and human sexuality. 

It is instructive, the actions of this progressive interfaith group (not LGBT led this time around but focused non the less) pity however it had to be done quietly for now so as to avoid any untoward response from some of the crazies within the church in general, that is a sad observation and commentary of the church to make but it is a reality, we have seen persons literally chased from or read out of congregations by pastors and church brethren.



Tolerance indeed in action this should teach us all.

also see: Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress of promised shelter (with a podcast included)

Peace and tolerance

H

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Maurice Tomlinson challenges the LCF's Shirley Richards for a public debate on the validity of Jamaica's anti buggery law

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Well a showdown is now looming as controversial gay lawyer Maurice Tomlinson issued a challenge via an open letter that came to hand moments before the actual preparation of this post. 

A war of words has been happening yet again since an article by the anti gay Lawyers' Christian Fellowship President Ms Shirley Richards on December 9 entitled "Wrestling With Rights" where she spoke to rights matters then came a tersely worded response from Mr Tomlinson on December 11 called "A Tragic Case of Ignorance" where lambasted the anti buggery/abortion spokesperson.

Then in turn she responded in a published piece in the Gleaner entitled: “Jamaica's buggery law no violation of human rights, international obligations.” but disturbingly she plead ignorance on certain matters, a most unethical position it seemed to me.
Now comes this:

Maurice Tomlinson

Dear Ms. Richards,

I write with regard to your column published in today’s edition of the Jamaica Gleaner under the caption “Jamaica's buggery law no violation of human rights, international obligations.”

It is incredibly disingenuous to cite an article written by Professor Vasicannie while he was serving as Jamaica’s Deputy Solicitor General, in support of your arguments. In his capacity as government employee he was bound to support a law which he personally may have found objectionable. 

What is needed is an unbiased assessment of the law, as could happen say in a court. But, as will be made clear below, you and your ilk have effectively blocked this very simple and elegant solution.

Be that as it may, the arguments you posited amount to a tortured interpretation of international human rights law as it relates to Jamaica's buggery law. It doesn’t take a “massive leap” of logic to conclude that our law would be violating a binding treaty we signed when a similar law was found to violate the exact same treaty. 

Clearly, if the Human Rights Committee was allowed to consider Jamaica's anti-buggery law as they were able to consider Australia’s law, the result would be the same. So to argue that the Toonen decision is not "binding" is just an indulgence in legalistic sleight of hand.

And as you well know, the Jamaican government has effectively taken away the option of the HRC reviewing our law. If States are permitted willy-nilly to ignore the recommendations of international human rights bodies, what then is the point of being signatories to treaties that fall under the purview of these bodies? 

Thankfully, however, the Inter-American Commission will be called upon to hear this matter as two petitions have been filed before that body seeking a determination of the law’s validity in relation to the American Convention on Human Rights. This Convention is yet another binding human rights treaty that Jamaica has signed. You also know that we could have settled this matter internally if the LCF had not convinced our Parliamentarians that the law should be saved from any review by our own local courts. 

The LCF website has even gone further by encouraging the government NOT to amend the anti-buggery law in any way (even to correct the gross aberration where anal rape carries a 10 year sentence while vaginal rape carries life imprisonment) as you know that would open the law up for judicial review. This would allow any court to find that criminalizing the private sexual acts of consenting adults violates basic human rights principles found in a free and democratic society.

If you are so confident about the validity of the anti-buggery law, why have you led the charge against re-enacting it in the Sexual Offences Act as well as preserving it from constitutional challenge under the Charter of Rights?

Finally, I understand you are a parent. Kindly tell me then if you are so committed to preserving the anti-buggery law that you would wish your adult child to be sentenced to 10 years at hard labour for engaging in consensual same-gender intimacy behind closed doors, as is currently provided for in the legislation?

Ms. Richards, I challenge you to a public debate on the validity of Jamaica’s anti-buggery law, at a mutually convenient time. The matter is certainly serious enough to warrant such public ventilation of the issues.

Regards,
Maurice Tomlinson
Former Human Rights Lecturer
University of Technology, Jamaica

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Trinidad's PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar promises rights for gays in gender policy

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In a follow up to a recent article Trinidadian gays may no longer be discriminated in gender policy in the Trinidadian Guardian newspaper just days ago on their controversial gender policy document as to whether homosexuals or indeed Bisexual and Trans persons specifically for that matter as Same Gender Loving or attracted people are not the only ones discriminated against, what about the others under the umbrella? It gets a bit annoying sometimes when the others are left out especially transgender and other gender variant persons.

It seems just by a glance that the report that PM herself has "promised" rights on the twin island republic is welcomed by the main LGBT group there CAISO  Coalition Advocating for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation but is this a Portia like rhetoric to look good to an ever vigilant and louder LGBT advocacy or to look even better to an international community as other jurisdictions tighten the screws on stigma while affording gay marriage and other civil rights for LGBT people??? Our PM as we know suggested a buggery review that was recently delayed as it was not deemed important now, privately reports suggest she has been raked over the coals for making such a proposal during the leadership debate prior to the December 2011 elections.

Here is the article from the Guardian:


Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has promised to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the proposed national gender policy.

She said so in a private letter, dated August 14, 2012, to Lance Price, which was obtained by the T&T Guardian.

Price is executive director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, an NGO based in the UK which campaigns globally for gay/LGBT rights and diversity. He served as media adviser to former British prime minister Tony Blair and has also worked as a BBC correspondent.

The PM’s letter to Price was in response to one he wrote to her complaining about T&T’s immigration law and the Sexual Offences Act, which he said discriminated against homosexuals.

Price met Persad-Bissessar when he visited T&T for an International Press Institute (IPI) conference in June, at which the PM spoke. He wrote to her in July expressing concern about the stigmatisation of homosexuality in T&T.

Section 8 of the Immigration Act bars entry to homosexuals, describing them as a “prohibited class.”

Earlier this month, Aids-Free World, an advocacy NGO, challenged the controversial immigration law in court.

Maurice Tomlinson, a gay Jamaican lawyer, the group’s legal adviser for marginalised groups, carried the challenge forward. He received an invitation from the UNFPA to participate in an HIV workshop in T&T on December 3 and 4.
Contacted by the T&T Guardian yesterday, via telephone in London, Price said: “I did receive the letter from the Prime Minister but it was never made public. It was a personal letter from her to me and I can’t discuss the contents with you.

“I found it very encouraging and thought it showed great understanding and leadership on the issue.”

Colin Robinson, head of Coalition Advocating for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation, wanted to hear what the PM had to say on the matter in her own words. “I am looking forward to her taking leadership and making public statements on the matter,” he said.

Robinson added that the PM’s words in her letter to Price showed brave leadership. He said: “The kind of leadership we have been yearning for from Caribbean politicians... this is the kind of leadership that would make her a legacy.”

Robinson said he did not think a male politician could have done that because of masculinity and other issues. “It’s something about a woman that makes it possible, her maternal instinct, her style of leadership,”

Told bringing gay-rights legislation might cause opposition to Persad-Bissessar, Robinson said: “I don’t know when advocating human rights has marred the leadership of historic leaders. I hope she will be remembered as a brave Caribbean prime minister who acted for justice.”

Jason Jones, of the group I Am One, has been lobbying for full equal rights for the LBGT community.

He said: “We are aware the gender policy is about to be ratified by Cabinet and it’s a great thing the PM is seeking to end discrimination against this group.

“T&T is deemed homophobic and, internationally, this is not looking very good. The Prime Minister has our full approval and support.”

The T&T Guardian contacted Marlene Coudray, Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, but her secretary referred us to the Communications Unit, which promised to respond.

Lisa Ghany of the Communications Department at the Office of the Prime Minister also promised to return our calls.

What the PM said: “With respect to the concerns raised in your letter regarding aspects of T&T's Sexual Offences Act and the Immigration Act which may target persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), I wish to assure you that due consideration is being given to these issues by my Government.

“I do not support discrimination in any form against any individual, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

“I share your view that the stigmatisation of homosexuality in T&T is a matter which must be addressed on the grounds of human rights and dignity to which every individual is entitled under international law.

“As such I am pleased to inform you that I have mandated my Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development, Senator the Honourable Marlene Coudray to prepare and present a national gender policy to Cabinet over the coming months.

“It is expected that once adopted, this policy will forge the way forward for T&T as my Government seeks to put an end to all discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.”

Thanking Price for writing to her and expressing his concerns, she added: “Please rest assured that my Government is doing its utmost to uphold the human rights of all citizens and residents of T&T as we remain committed to a democratic, people-centred approach to governance and development.”

ENDS

Welcomed news but I too like Mr Robinson of CAISO want to have it on record as a speech or from a public platform while that won't concretize it but at least she can be held to her word instead of a leaked document being reported on by a newspaper despite they are using the privilege to do so.
Let us keep a close eye on this, meanwhile anti gay head of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society penned another one of his religious policing homosexuality imperative letters: 

Be vigilant about gay rights


Dear Editor,

I write on the trials at Nuremberg and gay rights.

After World War II the victorious Allies sought to bring the Nazi leadership to justice for their deeds such as the atrocities in the concentration camps. During the trial one of the Nazis' defence was that their conduct was legal under German law.

The Nazi leaders were nevertheless found guilty as the court appealed to a higher law which we all intuitively know, and which made the Nazis criminally liable though they had not broken their law. Atrocities remain atrocities, even when made legal by the state.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) arose as a consequence of the atrocities of the war. It sought to define a minimum standard of human interaction.

The document, logically, was created within a particular moral framework and must be interpreted within that framework.

Without this it is of no value. The question to be answered is, which moral framework?

Although the UDHR is non-binding, treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which arise from it are binding on nation states.

This is where gay rights activists and feminists have seized an opportunity. Like the Nazis before them these groups are using the law to advance unsatisfactory behaviours; this time the UDHR itself.

Feminists and gay rights activists seek to interpret the UDHR within a moral framework in which autonomy is the highest virtue. United Nations treaties are not crafted within this framework as there would be no consensus for the treaties to go forward.

Nonetheless, feminists and gay rights activists aggressively seek to interpret United Nations treaties in a manner which reflects their position and claim that nations are in violation of their (feminists and LGBTIII) "rights", according to United Nations treaties .

This is the "rights by stealth" approach.

Using this strategy, feminists claim "rights" to abortion throughout pregnancy and the LGBT community claim "privacy rights" to the most bizarre and unhealthy sexual practices which are responsible for the alarming rates of HIV and STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Other groups are already claiming "sexual rights for children regardless of age" in order to facilitate sexual access to children.

The "rights" strategy is brilliant as the term engenders sympathy, and "rights" create a legal capacity to punish people who show dissent. It is said that the "the price of freedom is vigilance".

Jamaicans must be vigilant, or Jamaica 100 will be radically different from what many of us would wish.

"What gawn bad a mawning cyaan come good a evening."

Dr W West
Kgn 6
wayne_west@hotmail.com

Mr West sounds most convincing but idiotic at the same time, isn't this very letter a form of dissent and other more public anti gay, anti abortion. anti buggery review actions taken by himself and his group, has he and the others been "punished?" as he puts it, the victim strategy once again is being attempted here it seems but it won't work. We see his sidekick Shirley Richards with the same argument that in the future gay marriage will be foisted on churches to carry out and Christians will be "punished" if they do not comply, nonsense I say, all sheer rubbish to me when we can't even get passed just basic respect as evidenced in real terms and the use of linguistic and legal manoeuvres to slight us for any protection under the various instruments and bills passed in the houses of parliament. 

Sometimes I wonder if there is a personal vendetta against his very out gay son, Rhodes Scholar Dr Keon West?

Peace and tolerance

H

Monday, December 17, 2012

Protesters target Vatican over gay marriage slight .................

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This business of gay marriage is becoming most problematic in some states regardless of progressive steps made in others, with the religious movements mistakenly thinking that same sex marriage will lead to some sort of finality to humanity frankly speaking if they fear gay people so much then tell or find a way for heterosexuals to stop having gay children then, simply put for me. The pope denounced gay marriage as a threat to humanity basically as reported in the Huffington Post recently. 

The Vatican had vowed to fight the issue following recent gains in the United States and Europe regarding rights for same sex couples who wish to tie the knot, while personally I do not do relationships I am in full support of those who enter therein and wish to cement their love for each other in a wholesome union afforded all the rights and benefits the state has to offer, locally that includes but not limited to housing through the NHT, health, insurance, death and national insurance (to include widow(ers') pension etc.

One of the ways to repel the homo-negativity and homophobia we experience is to live our truths. 
Reuters now reports:


Reuters/Reuters - Members of a gay activist group hold signs in front of St. Peter's square in the Vatican December 16, 2012. A group of demonstrators protesting against the Roman Catholic Church's stance on homosexual marriage tried to enter St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday as Pope Benedict was giving his weekly address to pilgrims. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A group of demonstrators protesting against the Roman Catholic Church's stance on homosexual marriage tried to enter St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday as Pope Benedict was giving his weekly address to pilgrims.

The protesters - who were kept out of the square by police - were upset over a speech by the pontiff on Friday in which he appeared to include efforts to legalize gay marriage among the threats to peace in the world.

"We find intolerable the assertion that gay unions are dangerous to the world. Weapons are much more dangerous," Gianfranco Mascia, 52, an activist who organized the protest told Reuters. "No to arms, yes to rights for everyone,"

The group of about 15 people held up signs reading "Gay unions don't harm peace, weapons do" in various languages.
(Reporting by Naomi O'Leary; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Elsewhere in Mexico:

Activists there celebrate a recent victory on gay marriage rights there handed down by the Supreme Court, see more from sister blog GLBTQJA: Mexico's supreme court removes Oaxaca Civil Code
Meanwhile also rights groups react to French 'gay marriage' proposals recently as well where the French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira has said a proposed government bill on homosexual marriage will allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children on the same terms as heterosexual couples, but will not widen access to medically-assisted procreation. Rights groups say the proposals don't go far enough -- and regret that they haven't been involved in the consultations process. 

Back Home
In a previous post on GLBTQJAMAICA in response to a Gleaner letter entitled: Same-Sex Marriage A Misnomer, Fraud (Gleaner Letter) I lamented that at no point did anyone in the struggle locally, JFLAG or otherwise have asked for gay marriage rights or rights similar to those heterosexual couples get after tying the knot or related state recognition when we can't even get passed privacy and consensual sex matters. 


Even so I doubt churches would be forced to perform gay weddings similarly as they choose whether to wed divorcees or not, a point raised recently on a radio show discussing the attitudes to homosexuality study released September 5, plus the LGBT constituents have not issued such a mandate as yet. What is this fear that gay marriage is going to be next on the agenda if buggery is repealed or at best decriminalization so same gender loving persons can practice intimacy in the privacy of their own homes without prying eyes or nosy neighbours calling the police as is possible in modern day Jamaica, one can still be held just on suspicion of the act, proving it is a whole other matter via a doctor's report etc.

As for the high divorce rates in Jamaica why defend an institution that clearly is not being engaged properly by heterosexual couples yet via religious imposition deny other who want to make their lives together permanent, why fight for something that is clearly broken in their department?

check out the latest figures from the Statistical Institute 

Local groups such as the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (founder imaged below) and Reverend Al Miller all repeatedly suggest marriage will be poison to humanity.


some JCHS members and others at a recent Jamaica Observer forum where they said categorically no to buggery law repeal or same sex marriage. 


But what about the thousands of missing kids in Jamaica? 

they seem oblivious to those ills that are visible to the public but wish to forcibly get into persons private space when these are such decisions for consenting adults. The paedophilia imperative is also a mainstay for these groups as well as they continue to link such deviance with homosexuality when it has been proven that even same sex paedophiles do not neccesarily have to be gay when it is the psychological control of the victim that drives the perpetrator. The millions they get from foreign donors who cannot do spew their bigoted positions in their countries so they export it where they can with loads of cash to boot for full paged ads some costing up to $200,000.00 a pop yet children are hungry, the elderly and shut ins need help, schools need upgrades and so on .......... healthy society JCHS??? Ads are also placed other papers in Trinidad too, so much for spreading the bigoted message.

Dr West of the JCHS for example continues to equate the thrust for the buggery law repeal as well by saying the following:

“….the argument that you need to remove your buggery law to reduce HIV rates is eminently not true …………… the epidemiological data removing your buggery law is not necessarily nor is it sufficient to decrease HIV, what is important is behaviour.” He believes that the Jamaican people must be made to understand that the gay lobby, us, are intent on making deviant sexual practices normative as if all we are defined as is who and how we have sex and nothing else, so the likes of Mr West do not place any value of our orientation, choices, freedoms alienable or properly created and having a plural society where all persons can co-exist as long as their actions do not impede others. It is consensual sex in a private space is all we are asking for outward displays of affections are not culturally palatable here overall.

He concludes:

“ …..when persons come and say you need to remove the law to decrease HIV what you are actually hearing is you need to remove your law so we can modify the society and integrate all types of sexual orientations as the same and equivalent, that’s what that statement …. every time a Jamaican citizen hears that statement you need to remove your buggery laws to decrease HIV they should be hearing we want you to remove the buggery law so we can integrate all sexual orientations, all sexual behaviours into your activities and into your school curriculums….”
Not to mention his obsession with "felching and fisting" studies as if to suggest those are practices done here with any regularity when it is sub groups in places like Europe who do such extreme forms of sexual acts such as bikers and the leather communities.

See more: The use of Jamaican dialect to further stigmatise homosexuals in the new patois Bible

In another radio discussion another representative of the group one Miss Kacy West made the dishonest paedo-homo link and suggested that children in gay parented or married households maybe damaged psychologically as they may miss the roles they need to be taught so as to function normally in society when they become adults.

she said among other things: 
On gay marriage – “I think it is completely dysfunctional and I say so without reservation, gender roles are important, gender is not socially constructed and I think that one of the biggest arguments that the LGBT proponents try to push that gender is just about how you feel like acting, it’s not how you feel like acting we are men and women are physiologically different and it’s important to acknowledge those differences and to appreciate them and to allow children to be raised in a home where their gender differences from their siblings where the gender differences between two parents are appreciated and acknowledged and better understood ………….. I don’t believe in two men raising a child or two women raising a child ……………. speaking as a young woman there are a lot of things about what I expect to learn from men like how I should expect men to treat me based on how I grew up seeing my father treating my mother.”

“I wouldn’t have learnt that if I had two mothers "

Host Blossom White then asked:

“Why is it so necessary to protect our children young people of this nation from something regarded as being unnatural?”

Miss West replied:

“Children are susceptible and very vulnerable the opinions of adults who are in authority over them especially their parents, you are still being molded when you are a child.” She continued to refer to a book called “Hooked” (no author named) and how a child is affected by sex and a person’s brain up until the age of twenty five. She feared that children will be sexualised not just in terms of touch but also ideology but are those ideologies being skewed as we speak just take a look at the aforementioned HFLE, Home and Family Life Curriculum where because some questions in the teachers manual asked sensitive questions on anal sex, HIV issues and sexual orientation motive was ascribed to persons with a gay agenda while promoting fear, paranoia and hate and pushing heterosexism as the mantra for sex education. It has been the failure of our education systems over the years to address sex and sexuality to include the touchy orientation bit why we have the homophobia and homo-negativity in today’s society so in order to pander to uninformed religious groups such as the JCHS the Minister of Education Ronnie Thwaites a man of the cloth himself found two persons as scapegoats to fire and says he is still “investigating”
This apparent notion that children when remotely exposed to information on homosexuality, anal sex or related matters through media or properly prepared curriculum or living with or close such persons will automatically translate into them becoming so just by virtue of curiosity and or exposure is utter nonsense if that were so she would have been gay already as far as I see it. Most kids I know who have been so exposed seem far more tolerant and accepting than those in exclusively heterosexually parented household that overlook the discussion of tolerance and difference.


The paranoia continues from the likes of Shirley Richards as well, here she is a documentary expressing a futuristic fear of Christians being persecuted simply because they express an opposing view to homosexuality while churches will be forced to marry same sex couples whether they like it or not. Sometimes I think we speak things into existence Miss Shirley: CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Peace and tolerance

H

click the gay marriages tab immediately below for previous entries.

An Introduction to Rectal Microbicide Clinical Trials ........

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Condoms out the window soon or complimentary as a safer sex method for anal sex, more choices?? 

HIV prevention organizations debut The Rectal Revolution Is Here: An Introduction to Rectal Microbicide Clinical Trials in advance of first-ever Phase II rectal microbicide trial



[Press Release]

International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA), the Population Council, and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) today released a collaborative video project called The Rectal Revolution Is Here: An Introduction to Rectal Microbicide Clinical Trials. The jointly produced video, the first of its kind, is designed to educate communities affected by HIV about rectal microbicide development and the importance of participating in clinical trials to help speed the search for new HIV prevention options.

"The Rectal Revolution will be an excellent tool for education and recruitment for MTN-017, the first-ever Phase II safety trial of a rectal microbicide planned to launch soon. The video will be particularly useful because it's not protocol-specific and can be used in future rectal microbicide trials as well," said Clare Collins, MTN associate director of communications and external relations and video co-producer.

"There is an engaging mixture of animation and live action with beautiful footage from Thailand, South Africa, Peru, and the United States," Collins continued, "and we showcase interviews with scientists, advocates, and an exceptional rectal microbicide trial participant, Rig Rush, who is both eloquent and entertaining as he shares his personal experience as a study volunteer."

Produced by Paw Print Productions of Cape Town, South Africa, the video is available for viewing now on YouTube in English, Spanish, and Thai.

"This educational video is a groundbreaking tool to recruit volunteers and educate public health leaders for what may be one of the most promising new methods to fight HIV," said co-producer Barbara Friedland, associate in the HIV and AIDS program at the Population Council. "It was developed through an intense consultative process to ensure accuracy and relevance to the communities where this video will be shown," she said.

"We wanted the video to be educational and engaging, and to encourage audiences to get involved in efforts to prevent HIV," Friedland continued."So we worked with an advisory committee comprising staff at rectal microbicide trial sites, scientists, advocates, and other community experts to develop the script. We screened 'rough cuts' of the video with 80 professionals in the field and pre-tested it in 13 focus group discussions with over 100 gay men and transgender women in Thailand, South Africa, Peru, and the United States," she said.

"The insights and wisdom these individuals shared with us were absolutely critical to shaping the final version of the video," said Friedland.

Major funding and support for the project was generously provided by the MAC AIDS Fund, the MTN, and the Population Council, through a grant from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The video debut precedes the soon-to-be launched landmark study being conducted by MTN to test a reduced-glycerin formulation of tenofovir gel among gay men, other men who have sex with men, and transgender women for safety and acceptability. MTN-017 is not only the first-ever Phase II study of a rectal microbicide, it is also the first time rectal microbicide research is expanding outside the United States and going global, with sites in Thailand, South Africa, Peru, and Puerto Rico.

"IRMA and the Population Council enthusiastically support the start of MTN-017," said Jim Pickett, IRMA chair. "The 186 individuals who will volunteer for the trial will more than double the total number of people who have participated in rectal microbicide clinical trials to date. The study will mark a giant leap forward for the field of rectal microbicides and will set the stage for future large-scale efficacy trials," he said.

Pickett continued, "the day we have a safe, effective, and acceptable rectal microbicide as a much-needed HIV prevention option for people who engage in anal intercourse is within our sights—these are truly revolutionary times and we couldn't be more energized."

Learn more about the MTN-017 trial here.


###


Currently in development, microbicides are products (gels, lubricants, films) that could be applied in the rectum or the vagina to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Unprotected anal intercourse is 10 to 20 times more likely to result in HIV infection compared to unprotected vaginal intercourse. Unprotected anal intercourse—a common human behavior—is a significant driver in the global HIV epidemic among gay men and transgender women as well as among heterosexuals.

The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues—from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.

The Microbicide Trials Network is a U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded worldwide collaborative clinical trials network focused on preventing the sexual transmission of HIV. Recognizing the importance of microbicides research to HIV/AIDS prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), established the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) in 2006, with co-funding from the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The MTN brings together international investigators and community and industry partners devoted to reducing the sexual transmission of HIV through the development and evaluation of products used orally or applied topically.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Challenges for homo/bisexual males continue for December 2012

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November 20, 2012 was the last time I looked at some challenges facing gay and bisexual men in Jamaica especially the homeless group via a lengthy podcast while also recognising Transgender Remembrance Day, where I selected murder victim Mi’Que once again as the diva to remember and the invisibility of the transgender community while advocates conveniently use the LGBT call letters in their agitation for “buggery” rights when transgender rights and recognition call for more than that. Unfortunately before I had a chance to post this entry which was scheduled for December 13, 2012 news came via Twitter update followed by a series of phone calls from other community members that a gruesome find was made of a partially burnt body of a well respected and awarded JP. 

Becky as he is affectionately known aged 67 according to media reports was of one of our longest standing personalities in the community with his trademark cold crown decorated smile and silver jewellery and a helpful Justice of The Peace, engaged by gay and heterosexual persons as his personality superseded his perceived sexuality by a few (and there are always those speculators) a fierce advocate in his own right, in fact he was also one of those persons who would assist homeless and displaced persons too, I will nominate the late Steve Harvey who in his earlier years and difficulty was assisted by “Becky” he was also integrally involved in early days of Jamaica AIDS Support (for Life) and was a fixture at their offices for any assistance in signing documents or any other informal crisis intervention matters.
He was found by fire fighters with his throat cut, apparently his house was set on fire after the fact to supposedly destroy evidence and the body. Shock and horror are the natural responses from those who are close to him.

It is not clear the motive for the murder at this time (THIS POST MAYBE UPDATED OR A NEW ONE CREATED AS IS REQUIRED)

Rest in Peace dear Becky ............ see below for the other murder victim’s news who met his demise on November 17th.

Previous happenings to now:

I highlighted another murder that occurred a week before, November 17th to be precise on another podcast of a member of the cruising community in Kingston named Donald Liscombe popularly known as Eric, his funeral will be December 15, 2012, he was shot some 11 times according to reports though not carried on mainstream media at all and all shots were said to be from behind so he didn’t either see his attackers in time or was able to flee, it is reported that he may have trailed from the Half Way Tree area where he often meets his friends or conquests as long-standing problems in his community with allegations of him having too much “traffic” and or parties at his home where he entertained young men and teens occasionally some of whom it is said he has no sexual relations but socialize with as his daughter also stays at the home sometimes but the profiling continued so much so that alleged gangsters made their plans and carried them out. It was also reported that he was the recipient of warnings from thugs in and around the area. Repeated heckling and rumours while he traversed his community to a local wholesale where he is well liked as he was friendly and interacted with persons well. He would be often seen walking on or near the Molynes or Waltham Park Roads area at time as well to show how comfortable things were until the downturn. His masculine demeanour seemed to have helped deflect some of the unwanted profiling that took place but something else must have gone wrong as many are surmising at his surprise murder.

Certainly this year has been a bloody one for the gay/bi male community as by June we had gone 11 or so murders and then came the others with half of them being directly homophobic while the others were community or groups dynamic related, especially the homeless double murder in the Trafalgar/Lady Musgrave Rd open lands where it was internal conflicts in that group. Speaking of homelessness we saw the December 6 story on both television stations of another major eviction again despite previous ones including the very public August 28 episode from the Cargill Avenue lot, plus a disturbing clash at the Jamaica AIDS Support grounds with staff on December 3 which has many speculating that it was a call from them that led to the aforementioned eviction three days later, the intended shelter as marketed by JFLAG scheduled for opening on December 1 but after a hastily planned town hall meeting the deal has fallen through as the proper talks were not done before the announcement was paraded, the J seems to be operating like Jamaican governments lately announcements and promises without any serious follow-up. As for follow-ups those of us who attended that town hall meeting were promised a correspondence with the assessments of the men after a series of questions I posed to the Executive Director of the J on the psycho social/sexual interventions for the group, those correspondences have not arrived to date and I do not expect them to arrive anymore. The communication with the community has always been poor we often have to hear or read our won supposed LGBT happenings from foreign entities.

The murder case of the naked man found in the Gordon Pen area of St. Catherine in July is still a mystery to many it seems as the even the newsclip for the item has gone offline, the man was found naked in his house with stab wounds, house undisturbed except for an open door and rumours in the community of his uncertainty sexual orientation abound. My own beat/foot patrol in the area as I am familiar with the terrain has revealed that there are some circumstances that are yet to be properly explained and understood. The alleged graffiti subsequently sprayed on the house hinting an antigay message has been painted out quickly by others. Meanwhile in South central Jamaica one of the two doctor’s killed in Manchester is also a cause for concern whether it was homophobic or not as he too was found naked in his bathroom, a feature of suspicious murders with msm victims and a reality we have to accept is that victims are found nude, his Lexxus motor vehicle was found burnt out in East Kingston some 70 or so miles away. The arson that occurred in Waterhouse in November has had obvious fallout where displacements have come with assistance from other community influentials chipping in and taking up the slack for those involved while the household head has since relocated elsewhere. The matter I am told is still being investigated, no photos have come to hand this time around if we can recall the Clarendon matter some years ago where the victims took photos of the damage as evidence.

Some homeless men were chased and their belongings destroyed on December 14th by men allegedly who gather on the hip strip in New Kingston, phones and other personal belongings were said to be stolen but others accuse this set of creating mischief as an old feud between the two parties reignites as the publicised December 3 eviction activity has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the men who blame insiders for causing their untimely removal. The men are still struggling to find shelter and JFLAG is said to be trying to find a space for the men much to the anger of some in the community who say that they are insincere in their pronouncements as the shelter that was proposed to be opened on December 1 as mentioned above did not materialise. Some community influentials and long-timers have assisted by providing food, phone cards and clothes but are not willing to go any further following problems before with aiding some of the men and mistrust issues. 

An eighteen year old is the newest on the lost according to reports as his perceived sexuality caused great unease in his community leading to rejection from family members, how many stories like this are we going to continue to hear without the necessary rehabilitation and stabilization interventions in place to help them recover I ask again? The aforementioned arson attack on a popular house mother as well on December 1 has left some of her roommates struggling for permanent shelter even as they are unemployed or unemployable and are not doing any extra schooling so as to upgrade their qualifications, the buggery review is not the only things that matters of challenges to travel laws elsewhere or the narcissism that attends to advocacy these days but the loves of the least amongst us who ought to be allowed second third or sometimes fourth chances to be on the road to normalcy.

Out of town homeless challenges:

In that same town hall meeting I posed a question about a possible street based intervention for those persons outside of Kingston who are teetering on or are homeless, there was no definitive plan for same it seems based on the roundabout response and now comes news of another challenge with two young men by Williams Street in Spanish Town where an attempt was made to attack the young men after they were profiled as gay due to their aesthetics, mode of dress - very tight pencil feet jeans and lightened skin despite Jamaica’s metrosexual revolution but it was their effeminate stance that was the added factor that seemed to have triggered the public’s negative response, however cops and soldiers on patrol seeing it’s the holiday season ended the impending doom but one of the men was said to have complained of some of the soldiers whispering behind the scenes. The men who were evicted from Syndenham Villas from a house they had illegally occupied are not in another section of the parish and have somehow raised money to purchase small items to sell for the holiday season to make some cash.

Montego Bay proper and other related areas are continuing to see challenges of the men there and the commercial sex workers have been seeing a downturn in their trade as cops clamp down on most forms of loitering and the traffic issue as was made public recently, see HERE for an earlier entry in response to some readers from that side of the rock, the lotto scamming crackdown by the authorities is also still proving problematic for some as the money and associated lifestyle splurge is not longer sustainable and those from the gay community involved are falling through the cracks. Without the necessary catchment social programs to effectively rescue the young persons involved (although HEART Academy is not so attractive to some) the men just linger with some consequences. It was made known to me that three men were verbally abused by persons in that side of town a week ago while going about their business. They were cursed out and describe in essence as boy rapists and what would happen to them if they or anyone accused of being gay touched their children or kids overall. The public agitations by a gay lawyer who hails from that side of Jamaica has not gone unnoticed as well and they blamed his actions as one of the reasons why gays feel they can wave their lifestyle in public or justify their sexuality while upsetting everyone else.

Similar comments have been made repeatedly on media radio on television especially the call in segments of talk shows, yesterday a caller for example on Newstalk93 FM’s Straight-Up hosted by Jerry Small openly called for an execution chamber for gays but the skilful way Mr Small has been handling his show lately he quickly got the caller to in essence retract the offending remark others continue to confuse “lifestyle” as opposed to orientation and dishonestly linking both to auto-paedophilia by such persons.

Same Gender Loving women too are facing some challenges:

Our biologically born female counterparts are also facing some challenges navigating or nation daily a recent forced eviction of sorts in Portmore nearing the Christian Pen, Gregory Park area (St Catherine again) as a lesbian couple took evasive action after learning of growing unease with their presence despite one half of the couple being an “area born” resident and is known. Ever since her partner had to relocate from another parish in order to seek employment in the nearby call centre business the couple has seen some unkind responses to their cohabitation. Thankfully they avoided any serious outcomes.

While all these and more occur religious antigay/abortion groups push their agenda:

Anti gay Christian groups such as the JCHS continue to push this line of argument to bolster their agenda with persons like the group’s head Dr Wayne West (not a Jamaican) push lines that tolerance is equal to fisting and felching or persons who agitate for tolerance are asking to legalize those activities. He continues to push that the LGBT lobby wants to seize the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to allow depravity and illegal acts. Such practices are not popular here in Jamaica and are more seen in sub-groups in Europe such as the biker, leather or skinhead gay communities, he also went on in a recent radio interview that the philosophical end to the agitation for the repealing of buggery is to make all sexual practice normative whether they be right or not as imposed by aetheists with a worldview where no design is the mantra. Interesting he does not agitate this much in his country of birth Trinidad. Yet we also do not see the groups agitating for the least amongst us, the homeless and children in state care, the work by Jamaicans for Justice and Civil Society Coalition to publicise that perennial problem and the steps taken or that ought to be taken to do so these religious groups abstain or are silent from those actions which in essence directly impact a healthy society’s development.

Dr Wayne West for example recently equated the thrust for the buggery law repeal as well by saying the following:

“....the argument that you need to remove your buggery law to reduce HIV rates is eminently not true ............... the epidemiological data removing your buggery law is not necessarily nor is it sufficient to decrease HIV, what is important is behaviour.” He believes that the Jamaican people must be made to understand that the gay lobby, us, are intent on making deviant sexual practices normative as if all we are defined as is who and how we have sex and nothing else, so the likes of Mr West do not place any value of our orientation, choices, freedoms alienable or properly created and having a plural society where all persons can co-exist as long as their actions do not impede others. It is consensual sex in a private space is all we are asking for outward displays of affections are not culturally palatable here overall."

He concludes:

“ .....when persons come and say you need to remove the law to decrease HIV what you are actually hearing is you need to remove your law so we can modify the society and integrate all types of sexual orientations as the same and equivalent, that’s what that statement .... every time a Jamaican citizen hears that statement you need to remove your buggery laws to decrease HIV they should be hearing we want you to remove the buggery law so we can integrate all sexual orientations, all sexual behaviours into your activities and into your school curriculums....”

Now he dishonestly equates the recent Home and Family Life Fiasco, HFLE matter to join the chorus that there was motive for the questions posed in the manual as I had agreed it may have been age appropriate but is needed to discuss sex and sexuality. Then it is no wonder why we are having the challenges in our society of homophobia and homo-negativity while LGBT people continue to suffer from these kinds of institutional bigotry from the religious impositions by their supposed noveau intelligentsia or theological communities aided and abetted by other religious groups who by the way cannot do this kind of activity in their own jurisdictions so they export their hate with millions of dollars to boot for full paged ads and more.

Priorities please religious friends.


Frankly the proposed buggery review is in effect in my view a shortcut for the government to avoid the brave constitutional changes and removing that savings clause, what if the conscience vote comes out in the affirmative? A plus for the gay community, the debate will have to continue anyway in terms of how the legislation would look. With legal gymnastics by these same religious/legal pundits with simple use of language to divert protection under the Charter of Rights and The Sexual Offences Bill when they were debated what other obfuscations will be employed to further derail or stop dead the process post the conscience vote? Does anyone remember the invented gay marriage debate used to also help remove the discrimination due to sexual orientation protection clause though limited but essential? No such rights were asked for by JFLAG or any other group when we can't even get passed just basic tolerance, respect and privacy.

Here in part is what the committee recommended at the time:

"Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation Another issue raised was whether the Constitution should also guarantee freedom from discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation. This issue was raised, in written presentation and by oral address to the Committee, by a group called the Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J. Flag). The written presentation is attached as Appendix 

Representatives of J. Flag quoted what was said to be a statement by Professor Edwin Cameron, now a Judge of the South African Constitutional Court, at page 450 of the 1993 volume of the South African Law Times, that “sexual orientation is defined by reference to erotic attraction: in the case of heterosexuals, to members of the opposite sex; in the case of gays and lesbians, to members of the same sex”. 

They argued that the Constitutional Bill of Rights and Freedoms should seek to protect the inherent human identity from abuse and that what was included in human identity were those features of a person, or characteristics, that that person was born with. Sexual orientation, they said, was one of those features or characteristics of human identity, in the sense that everyone has a sexual orientation and that that sexual orientation was largely, if not entirely, outside the individual’s control. Homosexuality, they said, was, to the homosexual, as natural and unchangeable as heterosexuality was to the heterosexual. The balance of scientific opinion, they argued, was weighted in favour of the view that sexuality, including sexual expression, was indivisible from individual identity, and was in the same category as race, gender, or brown or blue eyes. Furthermore, they said, there was no credible evidence or convincing argument that sexual orientation could be changed. 

On that basis, the representatives of J. Flag argued that sexual orientation should not form the basis of discrimination against, or abuse of, any human being and proposed that the best way to achieve this was to include, in the Constitution, provision for protection against discrimination on that ground. That proposal, they added, was consistent with current international trends. The Constitution of South Africa, it is to be noted, includes sexual orientation among the grounds on which the state and persons are prohibited from unfairly discriminating directly or indirectly against anyone. The Committee is concerned, however, as to the effect which implementation of that proposal would have in relation to the Marriage Act and the institution of marriage and on parenting. The representatives of J. Flag had themselves conceded that the Marriage Act would be inconsistent with such a constitutional provision. 

Other matters which the Committee has taken into account include the view of some of its members that the proposal by J. Flag challenges Christian society, and that, as heterosexuality is what assures the perpetuation of the human race, homosexuality could be regarded as a challenge to the existence of the human race. These views, of course, are not shared by the representatives of J. Flag. It is important to record that the representatives of J. Flag have stated that they regard the legislation which criminalizes buggery between persons as the essence of discrimination against homosexuals, particularly in relation to its enforcement against male homosexuals, and, therefore, that if a recommendation for the repeal of that legislation in relation to consenting adults in private is as far as the Committee would be prepared to go, they would be grateful for that concession. 

The Committee urges J. Flag to carry out further research as to 

(i) the Constitutions which guarantee protection against discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation; 
(ii) the laws which would be inconsistent with such a constitutional provision; 
(iii) scientific data as to the causes of homosexuality; and 
(iv) whether there has been an increase in homosexuality following on such a liberalization of the law in other countries. 

The Committee is not at present disposed, however, to include in the Charter of Rights a guarantee of protection from discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation, because of the implications which this would have, in particular, its implications in relation to the institution of marriage and questions of parenting. It would, however, bring to the attention of the Government, as a matter for consideration, the issue of the repeal of the provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act in so far as it relates to the offence of buggery between consenting adults in private."


Alot to ponder this season and as we turn towards a new year.

Let us stay strong

Peace and tolerance

H

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Related Posts with Thumbnails

Bad Man Nuh F*** Batty (Masculine Men Don't F*** Ass) (The Fear of The Feminine in JA ) 16.04.15


A look at the fear of the feminine (Effemophobia) by Jamaican standards & how it drives the homo-negative perceptions/homophobia in Jamaican culture/national psyche.



After catching midway a radio discussion on the subject of Jamaica being labelled as homophobic I did a quick look at the long held belief in Jamaica by anti gay advocates, sections of media and homophobes that several murders of alleged gay victims are in fact 'crimes of passion' or have jealousy as their motives but it is not as simple or generalized as that.

Listen without prejudice to this and other podcasts on one of my Soundcloud channels

hear recent pods as well:

Information & Disclaimer


Not all views expressed are those of GJW

This blog contains pictures and images that may be disturbing. As we seek to highlight the plight of victims of homophobic violence here in Jamaica, the purpose of the pics is to show physical evidence of claims of said violence over the years and to bring a voice of the same victims to the world.

Many recover over time, at pains, as relocation and hiding are options in that process. Please view with care or use the Happenings section to select other posts of a different nature.

Not all persons depicted in photos are gay or lesbian and it is not intended to portray them as such, save and except for the relevance of the particular post under which they appear.

Please use the snapshot feature (if available for your device(s) to preview by pointing the cursor at the item(s) of interest. Such item(s) have a small white dialogue box icon appearing to their top right hand side.

God Bless

Other Blogs I write to:

Recent Homophobic Incidents CLICK HERE for related posts/labels from glbtqjamaica's blog & HERE for those I am aware of.

contact:

APJ Website Launch & Link


Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica, APJ launched their website on December 1 2015 on World AIDS Day where they hosted a docu-film and after discussions on the film Human Vol 1




audience members interacting during a break in the event


film in progress

visit the new APJ website HERE

See posts on APJ's work: HERE (newer entries will appear first so scroll to see older ones)

The Hypocrisy of Jamaican Anti Gay Groups & Selective Actions of Societal Ills


The selectivity of the anti gay religious voices on so called societal ills is examined in this podcast as other major issues that require the "church" to have spoken up including sexual abuse by pastors in recent times yet mere silence on those matters is highlighted.

Why are these groups and so called child rights activists creating mass hysteria and have so much strength for HOMOSEXUALITY but are quiet on corruption in government, missing children, crime in the country and so much more but want to stop same gender loving persons from enjoying peace of mind and PRIVACY?

Also is the disturbing tactic of deliberately conflating paedophilia with same gender sex as if to suggest reforming the buggery law will cause an influx of buggered children when we know that is NOT TRUE.

MSM/Trans homeless - From gully to graveyard



When are lives interrupted be allowed a real honest chance to move from interruption to independence and stability? I just cannot tell you friends.

An article appeared in the gleaner today that just sent me into sadness mode again with this ugly business of LGBTQI homelessness. The author of the piece needs an intervention too as he (Ryon Jones) uses terms such as cross dressers and or homeless men which if transgender persons are present they cannot be described or seen as such, sigh another clear display of the lack of impact and reach of so called advocacies and advocates who are more interested in parading as working but really aint having much impact as they ought to or claim.

We are told of houses being put together from time in memorial; the Dwayne’s House project seems dead in the water, the Larry Chang (named after a JFLAG cofounder) seems stuck in the mud and Colour Pink’s so called Rainbow House seems insignificant in relation to the size and scope of the national problem. JFLAG as presented on this blog is obviously not interested in getting their hands dirty really on homelessness save and except for using the populations as cannon fodder and delegating same; as far as I am concerned presenting them as victims of homophobia which is true but where are the programs and the perceived millions donated or granted since President Obama’s visit to address LGBTQ matters?

More HERE

Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Homophobia - What are we afraid of?


Former host of Dr Sexy Live on Nationwide radio and Sexologist tackles in a simplistic but to the point style homophobia and asks the poignant question of the age, What really are we as a nation afraid of?


It seems like homosexuality is on everyone's tongue. From articles in the newspapers to countless news stories and commentaries, it seems like everyone is talking about the gays. Since Jamaica identifies as a Christian nation, the obvious thought about homosexuality is that it is wrong but only male homosexuality seems to influence the more passionate responses. It seems we are more open to accepting lesbianism but gay men are greeted with much disapproval.

Dancehall has certainly been very clear where it stands when it comes to this issue with various songs voicing clear condemnation of this lifestyle. Currently, quite a few artistes are facing continuous protests because of their anti-gay lyrics. Even the law makers are involved in the gayness as there have been several calls for the repeal of the buggery law. Recently Parliament announced plans to review the Sexual Offences Act which, I am sure, will no doubt address homosexuality.

Jamaica has been described as a homophobic nation. The question I want to ask is: What are we afraid of? There are usually many reasons why homosexuality is such a pain in the a@. Here are some of the more popular arguments MORE HERE

also see:
Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation


Sexuality - What is yours?

The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria



Just as I researched on-line in NOT EVEN five minutes and found a plethora of information and FACTS on Sexual Grooming (and thanks to Dr Karen Carpenter for some valuable insight I found out what Sexual Grooming was) so too must these fanatics go and do the same and stop creating panic in the country.

The hysteria continues from the Professor Bain so called protests to protect freedom of speech and bites at the credibility of the LGBT lobby collectively continues via Duppies Dupe UWI articles when the bigger principle of the conflict of interest in regards to the greater imperative of removing/preserving archaic buggery laws in the Caribbean dependent on which side one sits is of greater import when the professor’s court testimony in Belize went against the imperative of CHART/PANCAP goals is the more germane matter of which he was former head now temporarily reinstated via a court ex-parte injunction. The unnecessary uproar and shouting from the same hysterical uninformed quarters claiming moral concerns ....... MORE CLICK HERE

also see if you can

JFLAG Excludes Homeless MSM from IDAHOT Symposium on Homelessness



Reminder

In a shocking move JFLAG decided not to invite or include homeless MSM in their IDAHO activity for 2013 thus leaving many in wonderment as to the reason for their existence or if the symposium was for "experts" only while offering mere tokenism to homeless persons in the reported feeding program. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ENTRY HERE sad that the activity was also named in honour of one of JFLAG's founders who joined the event via Skype only to realize the issue he held so dear in his time was treated with such disrespect and dishonor. Have LGBT NGOs lost their way and are so mainstream they have forgotten their true calling?

also see a flashback to some of the issues with the populations and the descending relationships between JASL, JFLAG and the displaced/homeless LGBT youth in New Kingston: Rowdy Gays Strike - J-FLAG Abandons Raucous Homosexuals Misbehaving In New Kingston

also see all the posts in chronological order by date from Gay Jamaica Watch HERE and GLBTQ Jamaica HERE

GLBTQJA (Blogger): HERE

see previous entries on LGBT Homelessness from the Wordpress Blog HERE

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

Vacant at Last! ShoemakerGully: Displaced MSM/Trans Persons were is cleared December 2014





CVM TV carried a raid and subsequent temporary blockade exercise of the Shoemaker Gully in the New Kingston district as the authorities respond to the bad eggs in the group of homeless/displaced or idling MSM/Trans persons who loiter there for years.

Question is what will happen to the population now as they struggle for a roof over their heads and food etc. The Superintendent who proposed a shelter idea (that seemingly has been ignored by JFLAG et al) was the one who led the raid/eviction.

Also see:

the CVM NEWS Story HERE on the eviction/raid taken by the police

also see a flashback to some of the troubling issues with the populations and the descending relationships between JASL, JFLAG and the displaced/homeless GBT youth in New Kingston: Rowdy Gays Strike - J-FLAG Abandons Raucous Homosexuals Misbehaving In New Kingston

also see all the posts in chronological order by date from Gay Jamaica Watch HERE and GLBTQ Jamaica HERE

GLBTQJA (Blogger): HERE

see previous entries on LGBT Homelessness from the Wordpress Blog HERE


May 22, 2015, see: MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston


New Kingston Cop Proposes Shelter for Shoemaker Gully LGBT Homeless Population




Superintendent Murdock

The same cop who has factored in so many run-ins with the youngsters in the Shoemaker Gully (often described as a sewer by some activists) has delivered on a promise of his powerpoint presentation on a solution to the issue in New Kingston, problem is it is the same folks who abandoned the men (their predecessors) from the powerful cogs of LGBT/HIV that are in earshot of his plan.

This ugly business of LGBTQ homelessness and displacements or self imposed exile by persons has had several solutions put forth, problem is the non state actors in particular do not want to get their hands dirty as the more combative and political issues to do with buggery's decriminalization or repeal have risen to the level of importance more so than this. Let us also remember this is like the umpteenth meeting with the cops, some of the LGBT homeless persons and the advocacy structure.

Remember JFLAG's exclusion of the group from that IDAHO symposium on LGBT homelessess? See HERE, how can we ask the same people who only want to academise and editorialise the issue to also try to address their own when they do not want to get their hands dirty but publish wonderful reports as was done earlier this month, see HERE: (re)Presenting and Redressing LGBT Homelessness in Jamaica: Towards a Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Anti-Gay Related Displacement also LGBT homelessness has always been with us from the records of Gay Freedom Movement(1974) to present but the current issues started from 2009, see: The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes and The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009 as carried on sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch. CLICK HERE for FULL post of this story.

Gender Identity/Transgederism Radio discussion Jamaica March 2014





Radio program Everywoman on Nationwide Radio 90FM March 20th 2014 with Dr Karen Carpenter as stand-in host with a transgender activist and co-founder of Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica and a gender non conforming/lesbian guest as well on the matters of identity, sex reassignment surgery and transexuality.

CLICK HERE for a recording of the show

BUSINESS DOWNTURN FOR THE WEED-WHACKING PROJECT FOR FORMER DISPLACED ST CATHERINE MSM



As promised here is another periodical update on an income generating/diligence building project now in effect for some now seven former homeless and displaced MSM in St Catherine, it originally had twelve persons but some have gotten jobs elsewhere, others have simply walked away and one has relocated to another parish, to date their weed whacking earning business capacity has been struggling as previous posts on the subject has brought to bear.

Although some LGBT persons residing in the parish have been approached by yours truly and others to increase client count for the men costs such as gas and maintenance of the four machines that are rotated between the enrolled men are rising weekly literally while the demand is instead decreasing due to various reasons.



Newstalk 93FM's Issues On Fire: Polygamy Should Be Legalized In Jamaica 08.04.14



debate by hosts and UWI students on the weekly program Issues on Fire on legalizing polygamy with Jamaica's multiple partner cultural norms this debate is timely.

Also with recent public discourse on polyamorous relationships, threesomes (FAME FM Uncensored) and on social.


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

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



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