And we continue to reap the world-wind for not addressing homelessness when it was manageable

Now more fallout from the homeless populations as reported in the Jamaica Observer

A group of gay men, some in drag, hurled stones at a supermarket in New Kingston last Saturday after alert staff and security guards foiled an attempt by them to obtain groceries by fraud.

The angry group, said to number about 17, also threatened staff, forcing the company to increase security and provide added protection for their workers while they walk to bus stops after closing time.

Homeless homosexuals in New Kingston say they have been deprived of medicine and other assistance from J-FLAG and JASL because of the bad behaviour of a few

According to a source at the supermarket, the drama unfolded at about 8:00 pm after three of the men entered the supermarket, while the others waited outside.

"Members from the group, some dressed as women, came to the supermarket and attempted to purchase some items," said the source.

When the cashier made the normal request for identification to verify the user of the credit card, the man who handed her the card became boisterous, claiming that it belonged to his male companion.

His rowdy behaviour drew the attention of security personnel and the other gay men outside.

The three men inside the supermarket resisted the security guards' attempts to apprehend them and ran outside where they joined their friends, some of whom brandished knives and machetes and threatened the staff and security guards.

The angry men then started hurling stones at the supermarket, the source said, forcing the security team to pull the shutters to protect the building.

The security guards also alerted the police who, on arrival, were able to apprehend one of the men as the others fled.

Yesterday, the New Kingston police confirmed the incident.

"We received reports that there was an incident at the supermarket and that one man was apprehended and charged for uttering forged documents," said Commander Christopher Murdock.

"The police have also launched a manhunt for other members of the group who are wanted for several crimes, including stabbing and robberies," Murdock said.

A police man stationed at the New Kingston Police Post provided more information about the men, but asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak with the media.

"The men are part of a group that go around and commit crimes," he said. "We are seeking to talk to these men in relation to a number of incidents."

Yesterday, the Observer saw four security guards on duty outside the supermarket.

"Some of the men threatened they would carry out a drive-by [shooting] at the supermarket. Since then, security have started to escort some workers to the various bus stops when they are on their way home," said one of the security guards.

The police have also said that they would be investigating the report that threats were issued.

"We did not receive reports about the threats, but this is something that we will be looking into," said one policeman at the New Kingston Police Post.

Late last year, member of parliament for St Andrew South Eastern Julian Robinson reported that the business community and residents in the New Kingston, Golden Triangle, and Trafalgar Park areas have complained about the rowdy behaviour of homosexual men who congregate in those communities at night.

The men have reportedly assaulted people, and in one incident killed one of their own in a fight in an open lot. Their behaviour has resulted in the local gay rights group, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals & Gays, abandoning them.
ENDS

I am so depressed by these repeated stories and public spectacles with the men when a safe house project that was put together after years if consultation was closed without the necessary stabilization interventions with the smaller populations then.

See the homeless and related tabs below this post for a timeline of entries on the subject.

UPDATE February 21, 2013 CVM TV carried this:

Peace and tolerance 

H

Highlights from Taboo Yardies Documentary screening in Jamaica

So the documentary by gay ally Selena Blake finally landed on Jamaican soil and was shown at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life offices recently. Interestingly despite sharp almost venumous criticisms from local advocates that the creator of the work was doing so for money and scuffed at the film when it was first released and screened elsewhere but upon seeing the film in its entirety myself when Miss Blake shared the clip with me and I found it ground breaking as she was able to interview politicians as well as religious leaders and ordinary gay folk and I endorse it 100%

Also included are clips from the University of Technology, UTECH screening as well, this is the same campus where the alleged student was abused last year.

Here are some comments from persons who attended the screening:

http://tabooyardies.com/

Facebook Page

Another young gay man is outed via Facebook .....

The typical possible misuse or vigilance needed by young closeted Facebook users has produced bad consequences yet again, previous posts on this blog and GLBTQJA on blogger have brought this to bear. Since the ending of last year the stories of family members finding out of or prying into young msm profiles have been numerous.

The Star News has carried the story this time around and the piece seems to suggest that homosexuality is not biological:
SON'S LOVE FOR MEN SHOCKS MOM - Mother discovers 14-y-o's Facebook posts

A mother is now seeking professional help for her 14-year-old son after he made a stunning revelation to her that he was molested by a businessman some years ago when she recently discovered that he was making a series of posts on Facebook reaching out for male lovers.

She told THE STAR that her inspection of the teen's wall on the social networking site drove her to tears and a loss for words, as she came to grips with what she was reading.

Among other things, she said, he wrote that he is fully aware of his decision to become intimate with men, and had been attracting 'friendly' men from abroad, one of whom promised to visit him.

It is also understood that the boy posted that he had sex with a female once before and he did not like it, a disclosure that his mother is finding hard to accept.

She said she immediately instructed him to remove the posts and had a 'mother/son' talk when it was revealed by the boy that he was molested at age seven, allegedly by a man he trusted.

The woman told our news team that her son told her that a business operator forcibly performed oral sex on him while the family was living in Montego Bay, St James, and he keeps having flashbacks about the incident.

Following his confession, the woman said she has shown full support for him as "he didn't know right from wrong at the time," she said.

The woman further stated that; "I've made an appoinment with the doctor to check him out to see if he has any STDs and I'm also trying to get in contact with his father."

Further investigations by THE STAR revealed that the man who is being accused of molesting the boy has also been accused of similar acts over a period of time.

It is being alleged that the man lured minors to his business in the Second City.

THE STAR was also told that there has been a case when a mob attempted to beat the accused man and he had to seek refuge at a police station.

Attempts by THE STAR to receive confirmation from the police about the alleged molestation incidents were unsuccessful as the officer on duty at the time of our enquiry said she was unaware.

ENDS

With Facebook now the most widely used social networking site by Jamaican LGBTQI people these days there was sooner or later bound to be some anancyism turning up at some point as we are a people good for that kind of crap. With no clear rules by Facebook as to the use of the account holder having a real photograph of themselves on their profiles dishonest individuals have been running rough shod with photos of buffed man or provocative male images with some intended to lure unsuspecting MSMs in particular who in a short time arrange hook ups while not even verifying and developing any long term e-lationship or chat before the face to face or supposed sexual encounter.

Here I will repost some of the previous post where I gave some tips on privacy settings but as for leaving pages open for third parties to have access to then that is up to the user either by a screen saver or lock your page when leaving ones computer up.

Please bear in mind the following if you or someone you know is planning a face to face meeting following an continued e-lationship

1. Make sure the profiler has a real photo or photos of themselves
2. Ask questions about them, get to know as much as possible as timely as possible
3. Establish telephone contact as early as you see fit
4. Listen for any change in mood, tone or information shared over time
5. Keep the e-lationship going with regular interactions to pick up any changes as well
6. Archive or save suspicious exchanges as you see fit
7. Avoid instant hook-ups without first developing some rapport in the e-lationship
8. Tell a close friend where and when you are going to meet an online friend for the first time
9. Develop a trend in communicating for e.g same times if possible per day for chatting
10. If you decide to meet find an open public area as best as possible, and decide how to behave in that space to avoid any unsuspecting onlookers who may deduce it's a gay link up
11. Decide on clothing and colour or change colours previously agreed to if you are not sure of the individual
12. Study your surroundings when there and get there early (as this young man did)
13. Plan your possible route(s) of escape if necessary
14. Have a weapon of some sort or maze that can create a distraction then escape as quickly as possible
15. Have a trusted friend accompany you if possible and have them away from the actual meeting spot but make sure they can see you
16. Make a call if needed to the person(s) who followed you and keep the line open so they can hear your conversation and call for help elsewhere if needed
17. Set your Facebook profile to "Friends Only" as under "Friends of Friends" all other persons can see you
18. If you are in a group and are active you may turn off the feature where non friends can send you a message or see you photos
19. Use only a sensible face picture as your profile thumbnail so as to avoid stalking

The problematic adding of persons to groups without any restrictive action or vetting that action is also of concern as that has also caused some accidents for persons as sometimes especially if the group is an open one ones activity may appear on their wall viewable by all on their friend's list.

Tinker with the settings and see the ones that suit you best if you do not want to be exposed. Just some suggestions friends.

If all else fails just open another account that they do not know of and do your business.

Some previous safety suggestions that appeared on that June 2011 entry on hookups are posted HERE

Peace and tolerance

H