Portia Simpson - 'Uncouth behaviour of others to make me look less than polished'

The following was published in the Jamaica Observer as a response by the Prime Minister after the heckling incident in New York. Many persons have concluded it was penned for her by her handlers of course for damage control. In fairness we should look at all sides and not simply overlook her position despite its lack of convincing the LGBT population. 

also listen to my podcast recorded March 29th:

First have a read:

Portia Simpson Miller

Dear Editor,

When we accepted the invitation to give the keynote address at the sixth Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in New York, my advisors anticipated the likelihood of protests and heckling and prepared me well.

I recognise that heckling is protected by the First Amendment and I don’t have the automatic right to be free from all heckling.

Here is the real transcript of my response to the gay-rights protesters in New York:

“I have listened to you and I humbly ask that you now give me an opportunity to speak. Ladies and gentlemen, I must remind you of my response during the Leadership Debate in December 2011, when I was asked whether I would hire a homosexual.

At that time, I said that in selecting my team, I would not be concerned about the goings-on in their bedrooms.

Today I stand before you as someone who has not changed on that score. I have always believed in the dignity of all human beings.

We all deserve respect and human rights. I am inviting you to sit with me, work with me and let us talk so we can achieve more for those who are vulnerable. Shouting at each other will only delay the work that needs to be done on behalf of all in the gay community.

I respect your rights to protest and I ask you to take this a step further with me, so together we can do much more to stem violence and discrimination being faced by gays in Jamaica. Thank You.”

You see, Mr Editor, as the Prime Minister, there has to be a level of 'statesmanship' – diplomacy and decorum in speech, behaviour and body language.

I will not allow the uncouth behaviour of others to make me look less than polished, respectful and respectable in this, the highest elected office in our beautiful Jamaica. In New York, I chose to respond without asperity and float this experience like a lady.

ENDS

I am sorry but the very outburst in response to the heckling few at the named event was in and of itself un-statesman like and borders on a sense of crassness. Mrs Simpson Miller has before shown her inability to be subtle or polished as she puts in when she is cornered or accused on something.

also see: 

ONLINE READERS' COMMENT: How I would've responded to New York hecklers

It would also seem to me that that ill-timed and inopportune heckling activity by a few self described gay rights activists may have some impacts on the upcoming Obama visit in as far as public or even private utterances and discussions, however I hope that the already included LGBT considerations in US Foreign Policy maybe raised by the gentleman.

I am not moved by Mrs Simpson Miller dance of politics with this explosive matter of rights and recognition for LGBT people, this is the same woman who also when she was in opposition sided with the JLP administration then led by Bruce Golding from a previous post I had posted:

Bear this in mind as well, after digging my archives I found the presentation by Mrs Simpson Miller in 2009 (poor audio though) where she sided wholeheartedly with the then Prime Minster Bruce Golding (his speech linked) on the banning of gay marriage, gay marriage rights by the way was never asked for by the LGBT advocacy structure at that time but it was dishonestly pushed on the agenda during the Charter of Rights debate then as a smoke screen to deny us recognition in the Charter.

The clause that had discrimination as an infraction then was also removed from the draft prior to this speech after successful lobbying by none other than the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship with support from none other than reverend Al Miller.

She said on October 20th 2009 - "Mr Speaker when we accepted the final report from the joint select committee that were looking at the bill we were completely satisfied with their recommendation of a provision to restrict marriage and like relationships to one man and one woman within Jamaica and that the provision should be specifically spelt out so that there could be no ambiguity ………. yes one man one woman (laughter in the house) and if you are Jamaican and go overseas the same applies ……….."

also

There has been descent from within the administration from a PNP Counselor where he made his feelings clear at a public meeting, speaking at a function in late 2013 Carlton Bailey PNP counsellor says there won’t be any support for such a move to remove or repeal the buggery law. He said:

“We nuh inna nuh agreement wid wah dem a come wid (we are not in agreement with what they are coming with) It is said there is going to be a conscience vote in parliament if it is ever called our member of parliament don’t have to walk around to canvass to make a decision to what the people of Milk River seh (say)”

More HERE Milk River PNP Councillor says no to buggery repeal ..............

We must tek sleep and mark death as we say in Jamaica, the conscience vote also being banded about can be used by administrations to sure up political capital as in this case the vote could go against the change of the law, then what will the lobby do afterwards? Can the lawmakers be approached after such a vote results? Politicians may then say that the people have spoken via the vote process so there will be no change and lobbyists cannot come or continue to agitate for rights.

Think on these things

UDATE April 3 2015

GLAAD calls on President Obama and media to address LGBT safety in Jamaica

Sadly our friends at GLAAD miss the mark in confusing the legality of homosexuality versus buggey.

It is buggery that is illegal not homosexuality, have a read of their release:

GLAAD has joined 20 other LGBT and human rights organizations in urging President Obama to address the persecution of LGBT people in Jamaica during his upcoming visit to the country. President Obama will meet with leaders from the Caribbean Community, and with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. The intention of the meeting is to discuss the United States' partnership with the region, including through the administration's Caribbean Energy Security Initiative.
Highlights of the letter include:

We are writing to ask that you underscore your longstanding commitment to the rights of LGBT people by raising concerns regarding the violation of the human rights of the LGBT community when you travel to Jamaica for meetings with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders. In your discussions with leaders from Jamaica and from across the Caribbean, you should highlight the importance of supporting and recognizing the meaningful contributions from members of civil society in combatting this and other human rights challenges. During your stay in Jamaica we also urge you to meet with members of civil society, including representatives of the LGBT community.
…
Across the Caribbean, activists and civil society groups are working to combat and respond to violence and discrimination against the LGBT community. These activists perform tireless work in challenging climates; in many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, consensual adult sexual acts are criminalized and these laws often serve to justify and legitimize discrimination and violence against LGBT persons.
…
A meeting with activists working for the rights of the LGBT community, as well as others advocating for human rights in Jamaica, would underscore your administration’s commitment to full equality and human rights and highlight the leading role that these organizations play in bettering their societies.
Read the full text of the letter here.
GLAAD is urging media to be informed about the anti-LGBT laws and attitudes in Jamaica, and to ask questions and share the stories of LGBT people living in Jamaica during the president's visit. Human Rights First has an easy one-pager that the background on LGBT issues in Jamaica.

The criminalization of homosexuality in Jamaica dates back to the 1864 Offences Against the Person Act, which calls for a punishment of up to 10 years of hard labor for those convicted of the “abominable crime of buggery.” Article 76 of the law makes sexual acts between men illegal. Last year in Jamaica, a plaintiff contesting the “buggery” law withdrew his court challenge after he and his family were targeted with threats. Lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender people in Jamaica are often additionally impacted by gender-based violence.

In 2011, Jamaica’s Parliament approved the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. The charter protects against discrimination “on the ground… of being male or female, race, place of origin, class, colour, religion, political opinions.” Gender identity and sexual orientation are not included.

Additionally, LGBT people in Jamaica often live in a climate of fear of violence, including threats, sexual attacks, and other physical violence. Activists also report widespread discrimination against the LGBT community in access to services, including housing, employment, and healthcare, resulting in alarming rates of homelessness and HIV.
The main LGBT advocacy group in Jamaica, J-FLAG, reported 231 instances of violence or discrimination against the LGBT community between 2009 and 2012.
Jamaican LGBT activists also report that members of the LGBT community are fearful of seeking adequate healthcare treatment, including for HIV, given experiences of mistreatment or discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The United States has considerable influence, as Jamaica is the third-largest U.S. trading partner in the Caribbean, exporting $421.1 million and importing almost $2 billion of goods in 2013. In 2012 more than 1.25 million U.S. tourists visited Jamaica.
GLAAD will continue working with LGBT advocates in Jamaica, and calling on the international community to support LGBT Jamaicans as they continue to advocate for themselves.

also see JCHS usual anti gay position:
Local group calls on Portia to maintain stance on buggery laws during meeting with Obama

and the cartoon mocking Mrs Simpson Miller published in the Gleaner April 7 2015:

also on April 1st George Davis of Nationwide sought to reinforce the wall of disbelief of homophobic crimes over these many years with no real evidence to back his claim while claiming Jamaica is being bullied into accepting homosexuality:

click: The Lady’s Not For Bullying from the Gleaner.

also see on sister blog in the meantime: 
Schoolboys in custody for assault of soft spoken male student and Zero Tolerance For Homophobic Bullying 

Peace and tolerance

H