So our displaced cannot settle eh? ....... police raid premises with cross dressers!

So our homeless are in problems again with the police as an address where they were allegedly staying in Kingston was raided earlier this month by cops who suspect the persons gathered were from the Shoemaker Gully residents who were removed from the area.

There is never a dull moment for our brothers and sisters at that level but the tokenism shown to them and sheer silence from more privileged LGBT advocates still is disturbing while JFLAG still drag their feet in addressing homeless as it ought to be dealt with. The repeated headlines with the population in a powerless position is just way too much these days.

With aspirational PR on social media glossing over the realities such as the opening of the Larry Chang shelter Facebook page and the Colour Pink Group candlelight vigil activities it amounts to very little real improvement in the lives of the population which is still growing islandwide. Just a cursory glance on the road especially at nights and the groups are visible not to mention the repeated 'please call me' requests by phone asking for some sort of help.

I have always been skeptical about the repeated announcements and PR yet no real follow up, case in point in 2013:

The last post I had done on this was: MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston in May and only months later this comes via the Star News:

After residents report suspicious activities

A raid conducted recently by members of a police team who swooped down on premises along Beechwood Avenue in Kingston unearthed a collection of female items from rooms populated by males and cross-dressers.

THE STAR understands that the men informed the police that they were rightful residents, as their rent was being paid for by JFLAG.

Information reaching our news team is that on Saturday, August 15, a property in the area was searched after the police were bombarded with reports of suspicious activities.

A source close to the operation told THE STAR, "We believe that the men and their associates, who once operated in the New Kingston gully, have relocated to this area and have been carrying out illegal activities, abusing residents, among other things."

THE STAR gathered that following the raid of premises, stolen phones, make-up, wigs, and a large quantity of female clothing and accessories were seized.

"It is clear that these are the same group that were operating in New Kingston", the source revealed.

Work as prostitutes

Our news team understands that each member of the group allegedly has a specific role to play in the organisation.

Investigators theorise that among the individuals are persons who work as prostitutes, those who rob and those who resell stolen items.

THE STAR was told that there are people who are victims of these crimes; however, they fail to report them.

The police are also of the belief that the crimes committed by these men have got more serious as they now destroy property and injure their victims.

Our news team was told that when the police sought to have the men removed from the location, they were told that a gay rights activist group, JFLAG, was responsible for their rent, which was being paid.

When THE STAR contacted Dane Lewis, executive director of JFLAG, he sought to shed some light on the issue.

He said, "Not so; if they were found there on a weekend. Last week when they were evicted from a previous premises, we had actually paid for a few nights there ... they just got evicted and there was impending rain..."

Lewis also noted, "JFLAG does not condone any illegal activity ... . Where any member of society falls ill with the law then the full measure of the law should be handed down..."

ENDS

Just days before on August 21 André Williams, STAR Writer also reported:

A man who allegedly went for a stroll in the New Kingston area recently was reportedly lured by a group of men posing as women, who held him against his will, tied him up, robbed, and raped him.
Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that a team of officers attached to the St Andrew Central police division responded to a radio transmission of a robbery along Braemar Avenue on August 17, about 4 a.m.

Our news team gathered, however, that when the police arrived at the location, they discovered a man tied up with what appeared to be a rope at a gate.

Closer observation revealed that the man was nude with his hands and feet bound.

A source close to the investigation told THE WEEKEND STAR that the police assisted in setting the man loose before he was brought to the station to record his statement.

Reports are that the victim was on his way from work and saw a group of women soliciting sex.
It's alleged that he went to them and he was overpowered and tied up, but not before they robbed, stripped him of his clothes and took him to nearby bushes and began to sexually assault him.

The St Andrew Central police say they are investigating this incident, however, there may be other victims who may be embarrassed to come forward.

ENDS

Where will it end?

Peace & tolerance

H

Back from a break, the loss of an ally & suicides

Hello readers

I have not gone anywhere in as far as response to the emails and social media messages but I needed a break to unwind and breathe and come again, besides I have been at this for a while. So much has gone on since then after my last post some of which makes me feel as if I may need to take a break again just to recoup as one of my oldest readers and supporter in many respects passed away earlier this month. I took some well deserved rest and resisted even reading the news or the grapevine suss, the ‘gurlz’ there are most upset lol but one has to be careful of burnout.

I also had to address a leg injury I have been tending to for a while and I think I mentioned before after a minor accident 

News came by Mark Holford’s Facebook page via a friend of his who posted the surprise death of Mark Holford on August 5. Mark has been with me since I operated the JFLAG blog in 2009 and stayed with me after the name/focus change in 2009 where he also joined the GLBTQ Jamaica NING page now defunct as the rates went through the roof for upkeep. 

snapshot of the original NING page back in the day when I was recruiting

Mark was instrumental in assisting via donations and support via calls to Jamaica as well to us and when I did more crisis intervention stuff he donated occasionally. Cause of death is suspected suicide which is quite a surprise as he did not show any sign of trouble; which is usually the case for such matters, in the same breath another gay man in my home parish also committed suicide, he was found hanging from his roof by his work tie according to reports.

Mark was also active on Facebook on the GLBTQ Jamaica page and other pages and persons are still reeling from the shock of the news, he was laid to rest on August 21, 2015 in New York. Gonna miss him real bad.

Meanwhile the scene has been busy with things such as:

A murder of a longtime cruiser in Kingston

Announcements of a Rainbow House for the homeless alongside a candle light vigil and the Larry Chang shelter Facebook page opened but one wonders if real meaningful help will finally come for the least amongst us. Colour Pink Group Regional Training on Treatment Cascade, Human Rights and Law and Regress System. The aim is to educate over 40 homeless/sofa surfing GMT from each region on the treatment cascade, minimum packages at the health care centers, human rights and law and learn the redress compliance systems. Supporting organisations National Family Planning Board, Ministry of Health and Health Policy Project.

click here for more

With headlines like this however one wonders if the homeless are really being helped? outside of the sensationalism the fact that they can be accused of something like this says alot that they are still exposed when this also came to hand: POLICE RAID CROSS-DRESSERS' HOUSE

Backlash from some LGBT Jamaicans as to JFLAG’s claim of hosting the first PRIDE in Jamaica despite we have had several pride events over the years, Meanwhile a PRIDE event is slated for Montego Bay almost sounding in competition with the aforementioned event. Was it that JFLAG did not invite their western Jamaica counterparts? 

Here is the flyer:

here is a reminder of a pride banner from 2006:

and a previous post on pride events featuring a performance by Harmonica Sunbeam here: LGBT History Month: The Queen of Comedy Harmonica Sunbeam graced our stage

Bullying policy via the Ministry of Education though criticisms have not been so nice

A downlow matter ends in disastrous results for a young gay man after he was accused of outing a known gangster

The departure of several Jamaicans to other lands

Kingston’s mayor claims she supports LGBT but some have interpreted this as a fess up for the LGBT vote in the upcoming elections due by December of 2016

Gays demonstrated in Western Jamaica but the photos of the protest has some asking questions as to its impact as the environment looks as if human traffic is low hence the exposure would be limited with some going as far as to suggest it was deceptive.

LGBT and non LGBT NGOs carry out personal development workshops for youth

Miss Gay Caribbean USA slated to occur in September the entrants to be announced (watch out on this blog for more)

New invitation only LGBT spot opened in July in Central Jamaica as more promoters go back to the selective client methodology given recent fights at events and persons still either underpaying or asking for a complimentary pass if not demanding it rudely causing impacts on profits and income. Their first event was a decent success and I got a chance to work with one of the newer DJs on the circuit.

Continued fallout from the illegal lotto scamming war so to speak with young LGBT persons impacted from it as the leaders of the activity previously actively recruited MSM claiming they have a better speaking voice and personality over the phone but with the murders and spoils becoming scarce openings are also disappearing.

Finally another suicide case that of Gregg Gentles as carried on Facebook as tributes continue to pour in.

Feels good to be back but there is a lot to catch up on and share too, thanks for the articles sent via email and such and let's continue the conversation. Also see: Reverend not opposed to gay pride celebration

Peace & tolerance

H

Miss Gay Caribbean USA Pageant 2015 for September 26th

Miss Gay Caribbean USA Pageant is on again and Heatwave Productions is at it again with some of the previous winners in a clash of sorts with our girl Mimi Mancini representing, if you recall she won the first pageant in 2009. She was also featured in two mini-documentaries on Jamaica's homophobia.

Miss Mimi

see more on that here: Jamaican wins Inaugural Gay Caribbean/USA Pageant

Female Impersonators and Trans-Sexuals of Caribbean decent battle for the coveted Gay Caribbean USA Pageant Crown. The segments are Talent, Swim Wear, Evening Wear and Interview.

The show is infused with interesting and exciting additional attractions.

Drinks, food and gift items are sold at the Pageant.

The Gay Caribbean USA Pageant is a most exciting Brooklyn Staple Event.

Pageant Hotline: 1-347-692-9428

see their event page HERE

Jamaica did not place in last year's competition where we were represented by a female face as seen here in her interview, she was the first lesbian to enter the competition:

see previous posts on the pageant HERE

I wish all the girls well but my bias as always is our girl to win seeing we set the trend from the beginning.

See more on that sad issue when a winner passed away on my sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica on wordpress where I dedicated an entry to her:

First Transgender Miss Gay Caribbean Queen passes

Peace and tolerance

H

Parents benefit from FHC/CDA islandwide workshops to include LGBT issues

Participants listen keenly at the CDA and FHC positive parenting seminar during the session held in Clarendon 

PARENTS and guardians have benefited from eight parenting seminars recently hosted by First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union (FHC) in association with the Child Development Agency (CDA) through the campaign series 'Positive parenting: for our nation's sake'.

The campaign, launched last month by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two entities, included eight parenting seminars islandwide in areas with a high incidence of child abuse cases.

The seminars were designed to equip parents with positive parenting techniques in developing better parent-child relationships, highlight their responsibilities under the law, the community's role in child protection, and budgeting for the family.

According to the organisers, the seminars have been very successful, with parents honestly sharing about the challenges they were facing, while seeking assistance. Almost all seminars were oversubscribed, with the FHC 'Managing your finances' session a hit at every location.

"We are really happy we took this route, partnering with the CDA to host these seminars. We have recognized that financial stress can sometimes affect the quality of familial relations and family members' ability to cope effectively with their everyday economic realities. Therefore, we were more than prepared to lend our expertise in the area of managing the family budget and giving financial advice to help these parents overcome money worries," said Maria Morrison, chief operating officer of FHC.

"Based on the evaluation forms, the feedback has been positive. The parents found the speakers to be excellent, very engaging and interactive with practical presentations. They've also said the topics were quite appropriate and relevant," said Nadine Anderson, team leader from the CDA southern region.

Similar reports have been echoed by her colleagues in the south east and north east regions where seminars were held in Kingston, St Catherine, St Mary, and St Ann, with each region focusing on issues of major concern within their locale.

"We've found that although it's different parishes, it's the same issues, but sometimes things vary. For example, having done our needs assessment in working with both the children and parents, we realize that in St Catherine the problems are more behavioural. 

The children are misbehaving at home or school. In Kingston, the issues tend to be sexual. Parents don't know how to talk about sex or have an appreciation for the body or how to handle a child who has homosexual tendencies. But generally, there are lots of issues particularly with the traditional style of parenting, where children are to be seen and not heard. Now the parents are committing to listening to the children more," said children's officer Sasha Tucker.

As a result, the resource personnel included clinical psychologists, trained counsellors, children's officers and police personnel who could effectively cover the issues being addressed.

"Traditionally, FHC would normally host our annual free parenting seminar in Kingston. Though it has been extremely successful, the prevailing situations in the country have steered us along this path to reach even a wider cross-section of audiences. As we participate in each session, listen to and talk to the parents who are grateful for the assistance and training, there is no doubt this was the right decision," said Morrison.

Hiding in marriages ................

photo from whatsonxiamen online

Downlow living makes news but sadly such is the reality when persons are forced into marriages especially when older relatives keep asking when is it gonna happen or requests for grandchildren or if it is a church situation where elders or clergy emphasize no sex prior to marriage; then the union runs into disaster but here is a Star News story on the matter.

J'can man makes shocking confession on YouTube

Shanice Watson, STAR Writer

A Jamaican man who is now married to another has earned the ire of many after revealing shocking details about his homosexual lifestyle in a candid interview.

The man, who gave his name as Vincent, admitted that while living in Jamaica, he married a woman solely to mask that fact that he was gay. He also boasted about the many luxurious assets his homosexual relationships have afforded him.

Vincent, who admitted he lost his virginity to another male at 14, said he knew he was gay from a young age, but had to marry a woman to hide his true sexual orientation.

"I recognised that I was gay from about 12 years old. I used to hide my life. I eventually got married to a female and had a kid. You know, in Jamaica, it's a homophobic country. They just don't believe in men and men, but that (homosexuality) is my whole being. I always like to see young nice guys and I always like to see cute guys and all of that," he said.

He also admitted that he frequently cheated on his wife with his boyfriends and often imagined he was having sex with men during sexual intercourse with her.

Vincent claims he is a "natural" gay and, therefore, does not pursue homosexuality for financial gains. However, he boasted about the many luxuries he attained through his sexuality.

"I never see a woman offer to buy me a car. I received two cars out of a man. Money, I get hundreds of thousands of dollars from men; hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, new brand car. For my birthday, I get anything I want," he said while snapping his fingers between phrases.

He said that the gifts came from both gay and straight men, including a jealous Jamaican policeman. "He is a very nice police guy. He is cute and muscular. He's just what I wanted, but he wanted to shoot me. He was jealous over me because I was with another guy."

Vincent said he migrated to the United States and is employed in the medical field. He lives with his boyfriend. Even though same sex marriages are legal in the US, some Jamaicans who saw the interview on YouTube were disgruntled.

Melisha May: Look pon him ugly r... to! A dat mi caa tek wid nuff a dem. Jump inna b... and a deh wid di woman at di same time!

Msaleciavaz: Let me shut my mouth since I ain't got anything nice to say.

also see:

The unofficial practice by churches in using marriage to cure homosexuality

How I found out my husband was gay 2012

On the down low: Men sleeping with men - another view