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

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Independence Skewed & Still No Justice at 52

Happy Independence Day Jamaica

Last year the series I started in around 2009 then on 20102011 and 2012 on Independence or Emancipendence as it is often referred to these days as a combination or Gaycipendence as I termed it several years ago towards an LGBT typed feel when we used to have the annual Gaycipation party to raise awareness and such for LGBT people was not published but so much has gone either unnoticed or just undone that warrants a revival of sorts.



old 2009 Clovis cartoon on the two Jamaicas syndrome that has held us back as a nation

today's cartoon

As today is independence Day I have to wonder what are we actually celebrating as the real meaning of such has gone nationally speaking the season seems more like a festivalization for respective governments over the years more so than a time for introspection as a nation as to our achievements and the freedom from the shackles of slavery physically and mentally instead it feels like we have swapped colonialism for something else as one public commentator mentioned recently, the house slave is now running the plantation with no real change in the concept of divide and rule. The actual events are a joke and have come to be used by some to promote homo-negativity more so than unity.


The festival song competition for example in both categories hosted by the JCDC try as they may but have you heard any of the songs yet or the winning entries? It seems only to attract a small percentage of Jamaicans (barring low money to buy tickets) it does not feel nationalistic in nature, back in the 80s at least when I was growing up we all at home or if we had family dinner would watch Grand Gala on the television or watch the song competition now it isn't even streamed live anymore. Yesterday thanks to Love 101FM I was subjected to the off key tune that won the gospel song component which sounded more like an auto-tune digitally created track with some late vocals added poorly mastered in a hurry come up production for to enter, as for the actual festival song that is another matter altogether. The very use of real instrumentation or lack thereof is a reflection of how down the tubes we have gone in terms of creativity. Four time festival song winner Roy Rayon sized it up best on an interview yesterday on the subject that the songs’ quality has fallen drastically and added to that are the promotional activities or lack thereof including the radio play rotation suggesting a non interest in the completion as in his day. Michael Anthony Cuff Jr. on Fame FM’s Uncensored on Monday evening also raised the concern about the season as it was the topic of discussion as to the present relevance of the holiday indeed its imperative, it seems to be more about parties especially for the younger generations than about the essence of the growth of a nation and its people joined with the struggle it took us and our forefathers to get here. 


 The actual steps where the emancipation proclamation was read to the world in Spanish Town 

I tend to agree with him in a sense the concept of emancipation as a holiday was reintroduced in the late nineties on the back drop of an opening of emancipation park in New Kingston by former PM PJ Patterson (often used by MSM especially our homeless ones) yet it bears no effigy, museum or any real reminder or teaser to emancipation itself whilst the real thing sits in in the old capital Spanish Town going to slow decay where the actual proclamation was read to the world in declaration of such but all because it’s situated in an opposition stronghold it gets very little attention and use. Not even a ceremony was held there to commemorate the occasion this year. Let us not forget the same Patterson called for more tolerance for homosexuals earlier this year yet he seemed to have forgotten that under his own leadership he facilitated the very hate he now tries to retard. See HERE for more.

And while there is a misplacement of our historical priorities our national archive centers where the recording and storing of our past get very little attention either take for example the Institute of Jamaica on East Street which sits in an old building; a fire hazard waiting to happen and I doubt the materials have been scanned digitally to preserve them, one thing we have not learned from the British and used to our advantage is their overly frequent review of their past and the careful way in which they preserve it, their old archives of bills and parliamentary acts plus an endless supply of documentaries on subjects from as early as the 1100s is one such reminder and hence they are able to grow from that. I find we do not have that reverence and respect of history even from an LGBTQ point of view; the poor handling and subsequent erasure or oversight of our own development has greatly affected present day efforts. The Gay Freedom Movement archives comes to mind and if it weren’t for my intervention or interference they would not have been returned to their owner and preserved (at least what is left of them after poor storage caused several items to be destroyed)

Moving to justice the word equality has been banded about a lot in recent times but is it really a valid concept? In a previous post in 2013 I wondered aloud about the ideology surrounding this Americanized LGBT construct then I posed some questions to that effect:



Is it coincidental or sheer consequence that the agencies are made to become homeless themselves following the failure of nerves to directly address homelessness in key representative populations? (after JFLAG's eviction notice)

Is the eviction fiasco an attempt to start afresh so as to avoid addressing some key issues, a different location and geographical change connotes isolation and insulation from the problematic homeless populations?

Do you believe equality must also be an ideal to strive for within the LGBT community?

Was Jamaicans for Justice clandestinely sending a message to groups like JFLAG that their agitation is a mere peripheral attempt to seek LGBT rights in Jamaica or the decriminalization of buggery?

Is mere equality just a hairy fairy schism ideal just to play catch up with the heterosexual privilege?

Is it that due to the inability for one to live ones truth one is forced to be pretentious hence this practice to live in stealth has becoming ingrained in the population’s psyche?

Why not go for the greater goal that of justice and true fairness?

What about the context of a marginalized group being wholesome within itself before it attempts to reach out to more privileged populations?

Do we have a hypocritical advocacy then in terms of asking for virtues that are not espoused generally by them or leading the populations to such espousing?

Why are we afraid to really be truthful in our scope and ideologies towards truth inclusiveness, equality and justice for ALL?

Should persons at leadership of the agencies by held accountable for the recent evictions and failure to properly address the welfare issues?

And if after all the proper agitation devoid of the schisms and buggery is repealed, what is next?

Where is genuine openness and truth in the scheme of things?

Are you expecting any resignations given the recent developments?

When campaign decisions are planned are the general community issues taken into account and a plan B in case of a fallout?

My mind has been changing on this call for equality in Jamaica by the LGBT lobby not even a name change to an old campaign has convinced me thus before seeing this photo and now it has sped up my resolve, the ideal is indeed JUSTICE not just to be mere observers by the fence struggling to see over it on tippy toes as captioned in the little boy or the centre figure. The left partition of the photo suggest mere playing to the needs or hue and cries of aggrieved groups more so than the right partition showing ALL on an equal footing but also espousing the correctness of it where the crates are not mere rights handed out to silence a noisy penny section but rights privileges and freedoms on a truly equal footing to all concerned.

If on the onset the least amongst us are not viewed as equal then it should not be surprising that the corresponding programs, systems, strategies, public relations campaigns and so on will reflect those ideologies which explains why the only time in essence there is serious attention placed on any individual is when their lives are at risk via near death homophobic fallout and even that is troubling as after a while when they recover there is hardly any follow up. Overall then we can deduce that the one of the self made reasons why we seem stuck with very little gains made over the three decades plus is the oversight, dithering and ignoring of some key frontline issues that affect the representative populations chief among them homeless MSM, same gender loving women and transgender persons as the buggery law gets first priority. The fact that the present advocacies are male dominated is an issue as far as SGL women issues are concerned and the leaders in the groups are often way removed from the realities while getting close to them after the fact when the aggrieved makes a report.

See the rest of that post here: Equality Does Not Mean Justice

Want more on equality or inequality for that matter? Then check out how we ourselves and by extension the nation treats with homelessness generally, especially our own who these days seem to be more material to be paraded for HIV prevention funding more so than real assistance while making some persons and agencies look like superstars, integrity anyone? Even the latter has been tossed out the window at all levels it seems yet we want to espouse on matter of principles when the very voices do not have the virtue to back it up. For the LGBT “community” to have waited until the homeless issues have festered to become the stinking sore it now is is bad enough as the matter has not been raised to the level of importance as it ought to as the more combative buggery law and prostitution for HIV money reigns supreme while the government is being sleekly handed the role to address OUR LGBT developmental work!? Was this what the founding fathers of the LGBT groups envisioned when they laid the groundwork?

How can we be asking for tolerance when said tolerance is not demonstrably clear in our own backyard? To think the very word had almost become an expletive in recent times as more Jamaicans interpret the call to mean acceptance.

The divide and rule construct has worked well and is still being used by some to deflect real thinking on real unity as our motto claims “Out of Many, One People”

More on Justice

Nationally speaking the creaking nature of our courts is another matter which was why I had started this series of posts in the first place and the classist nature of how matters are handled, one form of justice for the rich and one for the poor, it has taken nine years for the Steve Harvey matter for example to finally come to some conclusion with sentencing next month while two of the four accused were set free due to improper arrests, how do we expect to grow as a nation when we always seem to forget justice delayed is Justice denied; the Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP and others have repeatedly called for more court rooms, better support facilities so as to make their jobs more effective yet there seems to be a slow crawl with intermittent stops deliberately so to simply do the right thing by respective administrations than just lip service. Other cases that have some hint of homosexuality in them have been made to become material for comedic reporting or laughing sessions, how many times have we seen the poor court reporting by media where we are told the matter had members of the public in laughter as the trial played out? Do we expect real justice with distractions such as jokes in a place where seriousness is required?

Then there is the issue of blocked justice from the anti gay voices, if I may burrow a term or two from another article on religion being divisive in Africa, exceptionalism and homosexuality Father Anthony Musaala wrote: 

"....persistence in ‘taboo’ mentalities with regard to sexual matters (often, it seems, to the point of absurdity);

incredibly misguided and frequently pharisaic religious argumentation, plus an almost obsessive ‘moral indignation ‘against any non-religious positions; 

nostalgia for an Africa that never was or cannot be remembered, plus idealistic notions of African culture;
the blissful almost invincible ignorance of both the educated and the uneducated in matters of sexuality from a scientific point of view, with resultant deep insecurity and ambivalence about sexuality and sexual identity; 

the mischievous opportunist politicians and other ‘leaders’ who exploit ignorance and disaffection to divert from unaddressed social and political challenges.

All these and others conspire to short-circuit reason or reasonableness with regard to the homosexual debate”


Just change Africa to Jamaica and we have a similar set of problems, it feels psychologically we have lost some ten or so years of the struggle with religious fanatical groups reactivating themselves in just nearly two months while the vacuum of missing integrity and very little or poor credibility on the part of LGBT advocacy as hinted above is filled with their phobia instead. We claim we are an independent nation yet Christian related groups and voices want to use an old colonial style of law making to imprison us as LGBT people and restrict rights and recognition or block supposed future ones (gay marriage) by declaring their intentions to block any cover for LGBT persons under the Charter of Rights from discrimination due to sexual orientation. Politicians in the meantime in fear of loss of power either remain quiet at the executive level while on the ground local representatives pander in a sense to the homophobic sentiments to remain popular.




We say we want to rid ourselves of old colonial linkages including the Privy Council and the queen as head of state yet some in the name of some aspirational public good want to hold on to a 1533 piece of legislation that was designed more so to snatch power from the Catholics at the time in England, the selectivity in maintaining old vestiges for convenience is disturbing to me. We always seem to have to wait until things get really bad or we are forced to act via some foreign interventions; the lotto scamming crackdown is one such case where our leaders had to be summoned to a US congressional hearing then with great haste legislation was passed, to get children out of adult correctional facilities it took some embarrassment at the overseas level via a report at the human rights commission before the relevant ministers acted, then the present International Monetary Fund austerity measures we had to implement to save ourselves from the very hole we put ourselves in the first place by living above our means to the tune of almost two trillion dollars in debt. Even the very buggery law review suggestion by the present Prime Minister, now quiet on the issue was obvious pressure in the diplomatic level and grant aid pinged to certain rights and posturing. It seems we have not yet developed a propensity to simply do the right thing on our own without fear of being viewed as weak.

A lack of proactivity with all the natural gifts we have those of talent, natural resources (though ever depleting) and human capital is the order of the day; take the present water/drought issues and year in year out we have shortages yet no proper preparation is done to meet the expected challenges, we do not seem to learn from previous mistakes and put in place measures so as not to repeat them with late in the day “solutions” to look as if something is being done and critics made to look as naysayers even when their points are well founded, a strategy also well employed by LGBT advocacy as part of the divide and rule strategy too so as to deflect responsibility and to acknowledge mistakes. Instead governments and leaders try all in their power to present themselves as performing with the new “working, working, working,” tagline now being used by the Prime Minister or promoting constituency activities as achievements.

Deception, image preservation and public relations seems more important as part of leadership than true open and honest activities to achieve intended goals. How can we grow as people or a nation when the opposite of the above three are so missing? The repeated cases of suspected under cover happenings and shady deals by those in or close to authority seems not to affect or cause any indignation anymore as we seem to have become numb to them, the Cuban light bulb case with Kern Spencer just seems to have been a formality to have it thrown out of court eventually, the Azan shop matter, his resignation then reinstallation as Minister is another that shows the benchmark of integrity is so low that anyone can go against greater principles and still hold public office. While religious groups oppose homosexuality as it were usually on the homo-peadophile construct yet when one of their own infringe on the person of children via sexual assault there is utter silence to think since the last three months there have been six reports of pastors accused of assault with some 9 children involved as victims apparently with parents allowing too much trust to wolves in sheep clothing.

The news for example of HIV treatment possibilities from our national flower the Lignum Vitae in recent days is good to hear let us see how we use this to our national and international advantage, need I remind you how we are late in in the day in terms of marijuana and the well needed changes to the legislation for personal use; yet with all the changes made thus far it is not impactful enough and we may never reap the full rewards of using this plant for medicinal purposes especially.

I hope we can learn from all this and improve greatly on where we are but as this is the fifth installment of this entry type and I see the same issues recurring I have to wonder have we really learned yet as a nation, we have the potential for greater things than just dominating sports and such we can also develop along the lines of social equality and economic prowess towards real independence.

Walk good and enjoy the food none the less as I have been doing


Blue Drawers or Dukunu

Sweet potato pudding

also see: International Day of Action Against Jamaica's Buggery Law where some overseas based persons staged a protest.


This latest unscientific newspaper poll from the Observer seems to reflect some of the disappointment out there.

Peace and tolerance

H

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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

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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