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, January 25, 2013

Homeless MSM make news again ....... for all the wrong reasons

0 comments


The last time we heard of the men in New Kingston was via both television stations in December 2012 and the embarrassment in the eyes of some the men bring towards the community, the crisis communication as well by the gay lobby namely JFLAG has also been brought into question once again in the latest story as presented on CVM TV and published in today's Gleaner as the main headline:


December 21, 2012 I also shared with you on GLBTQJA Wordpress the anxiety from sections of the homeless community regarding the promised homeless shelter from JFLAG: 

Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress of promised shelter


The latest issue has been building from just after the last main coverage as mentioned in the introduction and internal conflicts between the men along with the weird group dynamics add insult to injury meanwhile the public's patience is running out with the men and also the female commercial sex workers on Ripon Road as recent radio talk show commentary is proving, callers especially persons identifying themselves as residents nearing the areas where the groups congregate are up in arms and are asking for some sort of loitering law to control the flow of persons such as the MSM.
Meanwhile the St Catherine population has been getting some assistance from an interfaith group who hosted a treat in the last holiday season. Please see HERE for more.

Here is the story from the Gleaner today:

Gays Wreak Havoc - Cops Say Homosexuals Too Much To Handle In South East St Andrew

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Police personnel assigned to the St Andrew Central Division are admitting they are at their wits' end in their bid to apprehend members of an ever-increasing group of self-proclaimed homosexuals who are allegedly wreaking havoc in the Golden Triangle and New Kingston communities of South East St Andrew.

Senior superintendent in charge of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Fitz Bailey, told The Gleaner that neither the residential community nor the business district has been spared the "wrath" of some of these individuals.
The Gleaner was called to a section of the community on Wednesday night where the situation exploded.

When contacted, Bailey confirmed that "there was an incident there".

He said during a dispute, one of the men in the group was doused with a flammable substance and set on fire as he slept.
Bailey told The Gleaner that others in the group became enraged and, in a semi-naked state, blocked and set fire to a section of Lady Musgrave Road.
The residential district of the Golden Triangle is bordered by Hope, Old Hope and Lady Musgrave roads.

Action must be taken

An onlooker who said she had millions invested in the area declared that action must be taken against the group.

"Me nah run way ... . The police are not sure how to detain them (homosexuals) when they are in breach of the law," the woman complained.

Bailey admitted that the police face a "major challenge" in dealing with some members of the group.

"They have six lawyers who are at their beck and call, so they are up in your face with their antics and the minute they are apprehended, one of the lawyers appears," he said.

Bailey said four of the homosexuals were killed in violent incidents within their group in 2012.

"They are nuisances to both the business community and residents. They chase away customers of (a nearby) bank and have vandalised Digicel's (New Kingston) building to the tune of $1.4 million," he asserted.

Public relations manager of Digicel, Jacqueline Burrell-Clarke, said the sexual orientation of perpetrators of incidents who are reported to the police by the company for investigation are not known to the company.

The proprietor of another major business establishment has added massive chains, as well as two security guards, after "evicting" the group from his premises on Retreat Avenue which is located between nearby Seymour Avenue and Old Hope Road.

Bailey told The Gleaner that the situation was getting out of control as the face-offs between the police and the mostly young men are increasing with frightening rapidity, a major dilemma for law enforcement.

Julian Robinson, the member of parliament for the constituency, to whom desperate residents have turned for assistance, said repeated interventions have failed to yield the desired results. Robinson has for several months been speaking out about the issue in various sections of the media.
Bailey said his team was also challenged with finding safe places for the "up-in-your face" antics of the offenders that render arrests particularly difficult.
The police officer was hesitant to speak bluntly, saying he was aware of the likelihood of unfounded backlash from the media as well as the gay community.

"Everybody is afraid to talk and when we do anything, we are told that we are being homophobic," he lamented.

He complained that he and his team have, in the past, been accused of expressing anti-gay sentiments. He characterised these attacks as constant obstacles in the attempts of the police to bring order to the community.

"When we take action, we are attacked," he said. "Many are really underage street boys who should not be placed in lock-ups with individuals," he said.

Severe challenges

To compound the problem, Bailey said his ground officers were pulling their hair out in exasperation as each day they are confronted with severe challenges in finding safe places in lock-ups or jails to place errant homosexuals.

"I am being called there every single day as they have become increasingly outrageous, damaging everything in sight," Bailey said. "It is a real challenge apprehending them as we cannot willy-nilly place them in lock-ups in which they are likely to be harmed."

Added Bailey: "It is our duty to ensure that they are protected in our care, but the reality is that they face real danger when they are in lock-ups so, admittedly, this is a major challenge for us."

Robinson said the group comprises between 40 and 50 persons.

"Within the group is a small minority who are engaged in criminal activities including break-ins and larceny," said Robinson. "The main challenge that confronts us is identifying a location that is suitable and appropriate to house them as many are homeless."

Robinson told The Gleaner that some members of the group require counselling and other forms of intervention because they are from backgrounds where they have suffered abuse and, as such, have developed antisocial tendencies.

"Some of the young men are below the age of consent and are engaged in prostitution and other sexual activities that require the interventions of the Child Development Agency and the children's advocate," said Robinson.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com 

ENDS

Radio has been burning up since as I hinted to above with commentary mostly negative on the side of the men coupled with the challenge to the crisis communication over the years that gay killings are internally caused, here is Joan Williams host of Power 106FM's "Justice" program challenging the homophobic incidents over the years:



What also came to light was a meeting held on January 16th where Jamaicans for Justice, Families Against State Terrorism, the Member of parliament, the police and other stakeholders where the issue was discussed, here is Suzanne Goffe from the Jamaicans for Justice on the matter:


Pity we had to learn of this meeting via Miss Goffe on radio rather than the agency responsible did not see it fit to handle this issue properly in the public domain, the crisis communication yet again is poor in regards to this section of the population. How many more public spectacles like this are we to see before the proper response comes into effect with the necessary psycho-social responses NOT HIV peer educator training passed as rehabilitation work?

Please see the Homeless MSM in Jamaica tab directly below this post for the previous entries and some history on this section of the community.

also see a post from blogger Annie Paul: “…the creation of our collective homophobia?”

A full podcast to come as I am at a workshop series and time is limited. See what you make of this all, the poor program initiatives for this section of the community is what we are seeing here I feel, reaping the worldwind if you will. 

On The Ground News Report, OGNR reported:

"An unidentified man who is of a different sexual orientation was set on fire during an attack by another man at an open in the Lady Musgrave area on Wednesday night.
It is understood that following a dispute among a group of homosexuals, one of the men poured a flammable agent on a man that was sleeping in an open lot and set him on fire.

The injured man was then dumped in a gully, before the police came to his rescue and rushed him to hospital. The injured man has been admitted, however his condition is unknown.
During an interview with CVM TV News one of the men chastised local gay rights group JFLAG for not being of any assistance to them."

Here is the CVM TV report

Updates as promised

JFLAG has put out a press release as expected where they claim not to be condoning the bad behaviour go HERE 

The Jamaica Observer for the second time in recent history has publuished the matter of "Rowdy Gays" the last such story they ran was in 2011 as well 


Frankly speaking the interventions that JFLAG claimed to have done are in no way life changing or leading to any serious personality development or else we would not have had the continued spectacles appearing on the media landscape, using peer educator training which is for HIV prevention and hoping it can pass as a rehabilitation tool is poor and dishonest on their part when they try to cover up their incompetence with regards to the welfare and social justice issues. Think it not strange that JFLAG is in permanent defense mode regarding this business of homelessness and the particular New Kingston populations, the outside groups in other parishes has not even factored as yet.

CVM TV carried aspects of their press release



meanwhile more audio commentary and weigh-ins, Christopher Daley host on The Ends on Nationwide had a lot to say on the issue:

also here is my edited podcast on the issue from blogtalk radio:


So we continue to reap the world-wind from an egregious error by the powers that be in advocacy not to address homelessness despite the warning signs from 4 years ago, where is the vision or concern for the least amongst us? The supposed high road being taken by JFLAG may have some merit but to block out or gloss over their failure to address this longstanding issue in the community. The feeding program they presently have seem also not to have any attached stabilization interventions.

More updates 30/0113
An article appeared in The gleaner with another human rights activist Carla Gullota of Amnesty Jamaica saying the men should be arrested if they break the law, fine, but the issue is much bigger than that, see the article here: 

'Arrest Errant Gays' - Human-Rights Advocate Says Homosexuals Who Run Afoul Of The Law Should Face Its Full Brunt


UPDATE 05/02/13
The police has since been stepping up their campaign on ridding New Kingston of the the men who have been described as a nuisance by some of the residents by the apartments nearing Lady Musgrave Road, some personal effects and old items were cleared with the local authorities assisting. The injured man who was allegedly set on fire is still in hospital and the issue came up for mention on January 31st during JFLAG's Symposium on Identity and Activism which was held at the University of The West Indies which I attended and which was a healthy exercise for the most part.

UPDATE MARCH 8

Clovis cartoon:


Peace and tolerance

H

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Life is a journey ..................

0 comments
Something to think about as we go into 2013 ............

“Life is a journey, not a destination,” as the old adage goes. It is a series of events or mini-destinations, if you will, each with a lesson to learn. If the lesson is learned and we use it to move forward and grow, then we reach a new plateau upon which to begin to work toward the next stopping point in our lives.

Unfortunately many people remain at a particular mini-destination, get comfortable, and stop growing. It is at this point when life stops being a journey, and tends to be one void of learning and experiencing new things, and using the knowledge gained to become the person we were meant to be. The focus is not on what can be but is grounded in what is. The vision of what is important in our lives becomes obscured thus causing us to meander about indefinitely on a sterile plane of existence, and not focusing on what needs to be done to move forward with our lives.

Life can beat us down, and draw us away from what we truly desire, and many times, we begin to think we don’t deserve the things we dream of, and hope for, and settle for a lesser quality of life. We tend to make excuses for why things are the way they are and place blame on events that we have no control over. We resign ourselves to lives of quiet desperation. We surrender our ability to control our destinies based on external events that, in reality, are placed before us to work through and overcome. Life is designed to strengthen our resolve and commitment to change the circumstances to which many times we helplessly resign ourselves.

What are your challenges? What is it that is holding you back or making you believe that you cannot reach the next plateau of your life? Are you allowing your challenges to dictate your actions or inaction? Are they clouding your ability to objectively analyze the situation and consider options for moving forward? Are you listening to others and making their doubts and insecurities your reasons for not doing something you should to change a particular situation in your life?


Life is a series of choices. Each choice we make has a consequence. Instilled in us all is an ability to choose and decide what we will or will not do with our lives. The simple fact of the matter is that we control our lives; no one else will make our decisions for us or tell us what is right or wrong. We make decisions every day that will impact our lives the next day, next month or for years to come.

The good thing is that tomorrow is always a new day and with individual resolve, or a situation that forces us to change our ways, decisions can be made which will change the course of one’s destiny.

I could have decided to stay in my dank, musty closet; remaining hidden, and living a life that was not mine and thus silencing the life that I was supposed to lead. Do not delude yourselves into thinking your life does not matter; that you do not touch other people’s lives in ways that are not visible or known to us. If we do not grow into the people we are meant to be, there are lives that will go untouched and unaffected by the music or books we write, the words of comfort that we give based on empathy with situations we have lived through, or just maturing with the wisdom we gain by just living our lives and working toward changing them and overcoming those aspects of our lives which we are not happy with or that need improvement.

Do not arrive at the end of your life regretting not making the decisions you needed to make. Life is a journey! Make the best of it. Make it as fulfilling and meaningful as you can. Sometimes decisions need to be made that may seem irrational and crazy to some people observing from a distance. Some decisions may seem frightening and outside of one’s comfort zone, but personal greatness is derived from stepping and thinking outside the box. Sometimes we need to create a whole new box. Do whatever it takes to make you turn the corner of your life and decide to move to the next plateau. Do it with disregard of what people may think, or what they may say. They are not in control of your destiny… YOU ARE!

Life is a journey, not a destination.


Gay Agenda 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Landmark Strasbourg ruling: Religious beliefs are no reason to oppose rights of same-sex couples

0 comments


The European Court of Human Rights on January 15, 2013 ruled that religious beliefs may not justify opposing the rights of same-sex couples. British laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation were upheld.

 

The Strasbourg court examined four cases brought by Christians, including two who argued their beliefs allowed them to refuse a service to same-sex couples.

In the first case, Lillian Ladele was a civil registrar in London. She was dismissed because she refused officiating at civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples after it became legal in 2005. She claimed she was discriminated because of her faith.

The Court ruled there had been no discrimination, and that British courts—who upheld her dismissal—had struck the right balance between her right to freedom of religion, and same-sex couples’ right not to be discriminated.

In the second case, Gary McFarlane was a counselor providing psycho-sexual therapy to couples. He was dismissed for refusing to work with same-sex couples, arguing this was incompatible with his beliefs. The Court ruled unanimously that there had been no violation of his right to freedom of belief.

Commenting this landmark ruling, Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament’s LGBT Intergroup, said: “With this ruling, the court has established that freedom of religion is an individual right. 

It is emphatically not a collective right to discriminate against LGBT people, women, or people of another faith or life stance.”

“Religious freedom is no ground for exemption from the law. The court showed conclusively that the principle of equality and equal treatment cannot be circumvented with a simple reference to religion.”

Michael Cashman MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added: “British law rightly protect LGBT people from discrimination, and there is no exemption for religious believers. Religion and belief are deeply private and personal, and should never be used to diminish the rights of others.”

The ruling may be appealed within three months.

Read more:

Read the Court’s full ruling (PDF)

Image credits: Flickr/Marcella Bona

Monday, January 14, 2013

Local church denounces gay lifestyle .............

0 comments



Dr Stead Williams (left), board member of the Christian Brethren Assemblies - Jamaica speaking at a press conference hosted by the church at its offices at Hagley Park Plaza in Half-Way-Tree in St Andrew last week. Others from second left are Ruel Reid, Bertram Gayle and Daniel Thomas. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

A relatively small Christian denomination in Jamaica has come out strongly against the practice of homosexual relationships here, and is petitioning Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller too keep the country's buggery laws.

The Christian Brethren Assemblies Jamaica (CBAJ) stated at a press conference last week that no person who admits to being a homosexual could hold a leadership position in the church.

Stating the CBAJ's view on homosexuality, board member Dr Stead Williams said all people struggle with moral failure and fall short of God's standards and need God's forgiveness.

"Homosexuality is but one of these struggles. CBAJ opposes the practice of homosexual acts on biblical, medical and social grounds," he said at the press conference hosted by the CBAJ at its offices in St Andrew.

Dr Williams also presented excerpts from an 89-page position paper detailing the reasons for CBAJ's stance.

Among the medical reasons supporting the church's position, the paper said "acting on homosexual attraction is voluntary, claims of genetic or environmental determinism do not relieve individuals or moral responsibility for their sexual behaviour".

The paper also said homosexual behaviour can be changed and that there was evidence that many persons have been able to abstain from homosexual acts.

However, the church said the Christian community must condemn hatred and violence against those involved in homosexual behaviour.

Said Dr Williams: "Christians should oppose legislative attempts to grant special rights based on sexual behaviour or to equate homosexual relationships with heterosexual marriages."

Meanwhile, Daniel Thomas, leader of the Love March Movement, said his group has been visiting churches across the island to have them sign the petition calling for the buggery law to be kept.

"The buggery law undergirds many social institutions; it undergirds marriage, it guides the media as to what can be shown on TV, it guides our youngsters in terms of education. If the buggery law is repealed now, in a couple of years we will have to teach our kindergarten students that John and Mark can get married, and we definitely oppose that," Thomas said.

The group has a deadline to present the petition to the prime minister at the end of February.

CBAJ Chief Executive Officer Carl Scharschmidt said the matter of homosexuality was being researched and discussed for some time now, and that the church decided that it was time to take a stand on the issue.

The statement comes against the background of the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom last week voting to allow gay men to be ordained as bishops, as long as they agree to remain celibate.

The Anglican Church in Jamaica has since said that it will not allow homosexuals to become leaders.

The CBAJ, which has been in Jamaica since 1922, represents 23,647 persons or 0.88 per cent of the population according to the 2011 Census.

Read more:http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Local-church-denounces-gay-lifestyle_13352204#ixzz2HxWwypTI



Meanwhile here is the newsclip I found on the issue, sadly the group conflates paedophilia with adult male homosexuality as if to suggest that repealing the buggery law without the necessary buffers and protections that already exist in terms of carnal abuse and so on with have paedophiles running rampant when homosexuality and peadophiles are not one in the same.




Obviously the conversations and engagements need to continue on these issues and the suggested buggery review by the Prime Minister in that leadership debate prior to the election in December 2011.



Meanwhile the Jamaica Observer's cartoonist Clovis decided to represent the issues including the suggested buggery review by Mrs Simpson Miller in the cartoon above, strangely it has been removed from the online version on the paper. The Jamaica Council of Churches as well is featured and rightfully so there I agree as they are hypocrites in the their own right they remain silent on many issues including the children in lock-ups matter and others.

They have been also said to be in the pocket of the ruling PNP hence their reticence in critiquing the administration. 

Peace and tolerance

H

LinkWithin

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