As expected I figured the past president of the anti gay group Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, LCF Shirley Richards would have felt vindicated in her near paranoia on suppressed speech or opposition to anti gay views, maybe how this one has played out the lobby may have well played into the hands of Richards et al. What was probably thought as a good intended action may have landed us in more difficulty as a new layer has been added to the struggle that of us now been seen as the oppressed becoming the oppressor and stifling free speech.
Here is Ms Richards' letter:
THE EDITOR, SIR
I WRITE with specific reference to Queen Ifrica's utterances at the Grand Gala supporting male/female relationships. Then came further news that she was denied entry into Canada to perform at a concert as a consequence of these words.
What has happened to Queen Ifrika is just another example of the danger that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender agenda poses to free speech. This is what Crystal Dixon discovered. In 2008, she dared to write in a local newspaper that choosing homosexual behaviour is not the same as being black or handicapped. These were some of her words:
" As a black woman, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman.'"
For these words she lost her job as associate vice-president, University of Toledo. Or take the very recent case of Donnie Mc Clurkin Gospel. According to the Washington Post, of August 21, 2013. "Ex-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was cut from a Martin Luther King Jr memorial concert Saturday because of the "potential controversy". According to the Washington Post, McClurkin believes God absolved him from the "curse" of homosexuality. This, it seems, was McClurkin's 'sin' !
Uttering words questioning the lifestyle is not even allowed on your own Facebook page! Adrian Smith, an employee of Trafford Housing Trust, England, in 2012 was disturbed to read a report that gay marriages may be permitted in church. He then posted a comment, on his own Facebook page, "An equality too far" . These and other similar words posted on his Facebook page led to a demotion at work with a 40 per cent pay cut.
We warn of a growing cultural totalitarianism - at this point, it is insisting on no criticism in speech with punishment for those who dare to disobey. Soon it will be mandatory endorsement in speech. Will it also move to mandatory endorsement in thought?
JAMAICANS WISE UP!
S Richardssprichards@cwjamaica.com
I WRITE with specific reference to Queen Ifrica's utterances at the Grand Gala supporting male/female relationships. Then came further news that she was denied entry into Canada to perform at a concert as a consequence of these words.
What has happened to Queen Ifrika is just another example of the danger that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender agenda poses to free speech. This is what Crystal Dixon discovered. In 2008, she dared to write in a local newspaper that choosing homosexual behaviour is not the same as being black or handicapped. These were some of her words:
" As a black woman, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman.'"
For these words she lost her job as associate vice-president, University of Toledo. Or take the very recent case of Donnie Mc Clurkin Gospel. According to the Washington Post, of August 21, 2013. "Ex-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin was cut from a Martin Luther King Jr memorial concert Saturday because of the "potential controversy". According to the Washington Post, McClurkin believes God absolved him from the "curse" of homosexuality. This, it seems, was McClurkin's 'sin' !
Uttering words questioning the lifestyle is not even allowed on your own Facebook page! Adrian Smith, an employee of Trafford Housing Trust, England, in 2012 was disturbed to read a report that gay marriages may be permitted in church. He then posted a comment, on his own Facebook page, "An equality too far" . These and other similar words posted on his Facebook page led to a demotion at work with a 40 per cent pay cut.
We warn of a growing cultural totalitarianism - at this point, it is insisting on no criticism in speech with punishment for those who dare to disobey. Soon it will be mandatory endorsement in speech. Will it also move to mandatory endorsement in thought?
JAMAICANS WISE UP!
S Richardssprichards@cwjamaica.com
ENDS
What even surprised me more was a comment made by a sports broadcaster on Love 101FM the religious station where in ending his program yesterday said he fully supported the Homosexual Propoganda law in Russia and there must be no tolerance. He then made reference to the effect that gays should go dive into the sea, he was developing on the point of the recently concluded World Championships in Russia where an athlete made open supportive remarks to the controversial law after other athletes wore rainbow coloured nails in support of gay athletes.
So what ever tolerance gains as was espoused by the lobby itself may have been wiped out by this latest shot in the foot, how many more must be bear before real advocacy can come forth?
meanwhile
Ralston Chamberlin, a member of JALGA said the organization will not rule out any possibility for future shows featuring Queen Ifrica.
“We will access the situation as it goes by. We are grounded in our stance and our mission which is to promote respect and human rights for all persons in Jamaica and we are guided by the mission of truth, love and respect,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Government expressed “regret” at the statements made by Queen Ifrica, during the Grand Gala.
In a statement, the Ministry of Youth and Culture said the event was used by the singer “as a platform to express her personal opinions and views on matters that may be considered controversial, rather than to perform in the agreed scripted and rehearsed manner consistent with the thematic production”.
There is some talk now of launching a boycott from Canada of all places lest we forget or learn for the uniformed we have gone down that road before, we had a near diplomatic nightmare and a major spike in homo-negative incidents at the time between 2008-9 then I was full time at JFLAG doing ADMIN/FINANCE/Crisis intervention:
1) JFLAG did not support a tourism boycott as suggested by EGALE formerly Equality for Gays And Lesbians Everywhere Canada in 2008: CLICK HERE
2) Jamaican hotels fear boycott: CLICK HERE
3) Canadian Boycott called off: CLICK HERE
4) Posts from the Canadian and San Francisco boycotts in 2008 on GLBTQJA Wordpress: CLICK HERE
5) Gay rights activists clash over tackling Jamaican homophobia
meanwhile
Ralston Chamberlin, a member of JALGA said the organization will not rule out any possibility for future shows featuring Queen Ifrica.
“We will access the situation as it goes by. We are grounded in our stance and our mission which is to promote respect and human rights for all persons in Jamaica and we are guided by the mission of truth, love and respect,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Government expressed “regret” at the statements made by Queen Ifrica, during the Grand Gala.
In a statement, the Ministry of Youth and Culture said the event was used by the singer “as a platform to express her personal opinions and views on matters that may be considered controversial, rather than to perform in the agreed scripted and rehearsed manner consistent with the thematic production”.
There is some talk now of launching a boycott from Canada of all places lest we forget or learn for the uniformed we have gone down that road before, we had a near diplomatic nightmare and a major spike in homo-negative incidents at the time between 2008-9 then I was full time at JFLAG doing ADMIN/FINANCE/Crisis intervention:
1) JFLAG did not support a tourism boycott as suggested by EGALE formerly Equality for Gays And Lesbians Everywhere Canada in 2008: CLICK HERE
2) Jamaican hotels fear boycott: CLICK HERE
3) Canadian Boycott called off: CLICK HERE
5) Gay rights activists clash over tackling Jamaican homophobia
6) Gays won't boycott Jamaica ..... EGALE cancels push
7) Gay rights activists clash over tackling Jamaican homophobia
Peace and tolerance
H
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