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

Thursday, April 11, 2013

On homelessness, evictions, hypocrisy & now JFLAG's own displacement ...............


So a war of words has occurred between some advocates post the eviction notice of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Jamaica Forum for Lesbian Allsexuals and Gays JFLAG and the other tenants of the property which they had held for over ten years plus by the previous owner as the property has been sold but we can easily deduce that the problematic homeless MSM issue is a major contributing factor for the sale, I had mentioned the eviction notice in my February 23, 2013 podcast on homelessness issues, the war of words has come over a simple use of a word "Eviction" as placed in a Facebook post by controversial lawyer Mr Maurice Tomlinson where he expressed the following but embedded in all of this are far more underlying points:

"HOW IRONIC...

That J-FLAG has been evicted and is now homeless, just like the homeless gays in New Kingston. That gays were abused for daring to express themselves like everyone else during Carnival, and the Jamaican TV stations refused to air two “uptown” tolerance themed ads calling for respect for gay Jamaicans?

If nothing else, these events should confirm that the difference between the "Rich Queens" and the "Scary Queens" is just a myth. To Jamaicans, we are ALL the same thing: undesirable. We can only change their minds and achieve our liberation if we act TOGETHER!"


It is ironic in a sense as JFLAG have now found themselves displaced, the very thing that the homeless men in New Kingston have been made to suffer twice through their own episodes of family rejection from their homes and communities and then by the dubious closure of the Safe House Pilot project in 2009 where the rowdy behaviour of the men was used as a justified reason to end the only coordinated response to homelessness that took years in the making. Ironic too that Mr Tomlinson never really took such interest in matters of homeless welfare and fiduciary responsibility. Let us also bear in mind that new members join the group over the years hence the large numbers of them.


Payback is a bitch eh? 

.............. remembering that the very office space the J is now being asked to vacate was the very Safe House space that housed some 7 persons, they had no qualms taking up residence less than two months after it became vacant, any self respecting entity devoid of conflict of interest and seeing a section of its representative population about to be made homeless by process would have stepped in and agitated on their behalf instead they turned their heads away and watched the men leave to their fates, let us not forget the deaths and umpteen skirmishes that made mainstream news to present day with the carnival fiasco the latest in a long line of them.

If the project was tweaked instead of shut down all together maybe we would not be here today and to think the men are still hanging around on the property as they were led to believe they could stay and use the water supply and gain shelter outside the J's office, now confirmed reports have brought to bear that the previous owner has told the men personally that they have to leave and they were also paid a visit by a very abrasive police team who it is alleged have threatened the men with beatings if they do not vacate the premises. I am in no way condoning the antisocial behaviour of the fellas but improper or inadequate responses to this long-standing population in particular for the past four plus years has led us to this moment. The security detail also that is contracted to offer protection services to JFLAG also had to be called in as there was an alleged break in said to be organized by some of the men who are living vicariously on the property.

Some of us at varying levels from the GLABCOM steering cmt to the peer educator group had great hopes that the project would have at least put a dent in the growing numbers of displaced and homeless men especially since 2007 but instead we saw an indifferent JFLAG, JASL et al especially at the board level in trying to pass the buck suggesting government should provide shelter for the men whilst echoing the poor excuse of not being able to find a space to rent for the now termed phantom shelter they had announced on television in April of last year on TVJ's All Angles and again at a town hall meeting (first held in years) in November 2012.

Now to see the J meeting the fate of the men in a sense is troubling yet it conjures up a serve them right feeling as well, the argument between Mr Tomlinson and the former Programs' Manager of the J, Gareth Henry is interesting as the former accuses the latter of being more interested in protecting JFLAG's image more so than finding a solution while the latter points to lack of fiduciary responsibility on the former's part (referring to when he was a board member of JASL etc), here is Mr Henry's first response:

".....my thoughts on the matter is your choice of word “evicted”. J-FLAG was NOT EVICTED, Please Please... let us stick with the facts, any variation from what is factual we all know is a LIE. The owner of the premises have been contemplating selling the property for some time now.. for years I must say. When JASL first rented from Ms. ********* we were informed that she will be selling the property sometime soon, even though 10 years past. When JFLAG rented sometime in 2010 they signed a lease knowing that the property was going to go up for sale.

There is so much that can be inferred by your post and I want to haste to state that Ms. *********** and her Husband are strong supporter and advocate for our cause. They rented JFLAG knowing all about our work and the risks involved in having JFLAG as a tenant both from the community itself and the wider society."

Please, let stick with the FACTS and I am encouraging you to retract your statement and the use of the word EVICTED; the same person you are alleging that EVICTED JFLAG is currently actively helping JFLAG and JASL to find a new home... did you know that? Dane Christian, Ian McKnight , Jae Nelson, Ivan shanky Cruickshank... please correct me if I am wrong here please....... you guys will have the FACTS."

(********* name withheld)
Mr Tomlinson responded:

"Hmmm...Gareth Henry, I have been accused of many things, but I think I know a thing or two about the term "evicted" (having been a real estate lawyer for awhile). Being asked to surrender title to property, legally or otherwise, is an eviction. I hasten to point out that my post was about the irony involved in thinking ANY of us is safe. As I understand it, finding a new space was not as easy for J-FLAG as for any other commercial tenant (security issues were raised, no doubt). 

What I find challenging is the desire (at least to me) to preserve J-FLAG's reputation and that of the landlord, instead on focusing on what this experience should teach us about the realities facing our fellow LGBT citizens who we are not different from at all. I urge you to re-read the post."

Interesting that Mr Tomlinson should raise the matter of ethics indirectly when some of his own actions and comments elsewhere in particular in as far as being a spokesperson for the LGBT community has left some baffled and question his own motives as being one on a narcissistic quest at the expense of the least amongst us and a gullible LGBT community. He has been accused of resorting to half truths deliberately to push his arguments. He later raised a point though whether it is a genuine position it is left up to the reader to interpret, he said:

"I reject that J-FLAG's situation is dissimilar to that of other evicted gays (I have stated why above, including the lack of ease in finding new accommodation . However, this exchange by privileged voices has made it clear to me that it is easier to expend energy debating my use of a (correct) word, rather than actually seeking viable solutions for the class divide within the LGBT community. My post was a call to see our SIMILARITIES. Instead, much ink is spilt emphasizing our perceived dissimilar treatment."

Frankly this business of MSM homelessness long pre-dates any public agitation for LGBT rights and freedoms from as early as 1974 when Gay Freedom Movement came to be then JFLAG in 1998 after developed from JASL(1991) yet we have seen so many of that group of persons fall through the cracks from dying of AIDS related illnesses to living in abject poverty to lifelong struggles yet with no serious thrust for a rehabilitation response for such persons that is until the Safe House Pilot, forgive me if I seem to ramble on about it but we cannot as a community (if we really are one) continue to just pretend this section are a mere nuisance or embarrassment for us whilst demanding tolerance and acceptance from the mainstream, as far as I am concerned we have to show it then ask of it in return and we are aeons away from ever displaying at best any unity and overall acceptance of those who are the least amongst us when descriptions such as "Rowdy" or "Maladjusted miscreants" are used by persons who ought to know better to put down the men while not addressing the antecedences to their anti-social behaviours.

Some questions come to mind as well:

Where were all these persons when the Safe House project was originally closed?

Was there really an expectation that after the closure of the project the men would have simply disappeared so out of sight out of mind?

Can we realise the two Jamaicas classism showing up here over this vexed issue of MSM homelessness?

Is JFLAG trying to save face by this latest round of embarrassments?

What is to be done with men after they leave the premises as the new owners take over?

Where will the J operate from in the meantime pending a suitable office is found and during that period will they be offering full services?

Mr Tomlinson was a board member of JASL when the ultimatum was given for the Safe House closure, why didn't he express his concerns then instead of supporting such a final action to a well needed project?

Why was the project allowed to start in the first place if there were doubts about it?

What was the real reason for discontinuing that pilot?

What a shame that this is where all this has had to come and even as the men and their safety should be pondered persons are worried about the use of a word here? frankly they were given an eviction notice now what next? All of this from 2009 to present could have been avoided but with the trail of events in full thrust I am not hopeful anytime soon. Rumblings from within the J's walls suggest there is unease with the management style as well of the ED and the overall lack of a grasp of the issues at the Management committee level as well. Others including the former Safe House Project initiator have become so jaded by all the squabbling and disingenuous public relations on the issue over the years.

I have been asking and still am asking where are the programs specifically to do with the homeless impasse?

Maybe we may get an answer but in the meantime I leave you with a parting shot by Mr Tomlinson that has some element of truth in it, whether he is genuine I leave up to you to decide:

"I have enjoyed this exchange, as it has revealed something quite interesting: we appear more interested in how J-FLAG was perceived to be treated, than how the homeless (evicted) youth have been. Curious."

Peace and tolerance

H

1 comments:

UnderlinedResponse said...

Oh dear dear dear. I sit in my rocking chair and wait to see what will happen next. Water will find its level...the constant, squabbles and fights will be drowned off when we realize what we have allowed to grow in our inaction.

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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.

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

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More HERE

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



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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





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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


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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



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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