An ally, friend & longtimer laid to rest today

If I may burrow the Golden Girls theme firstly:

Thank You For Being A Friend, Thank you for being a friend

Traveled down the road and back again your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say, I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party, Invited everyone you knew

You would see, the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend, Thank you for being a friend, Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack, I'd surely buy you a cadillac, Whatever you need, anytime of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say, I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older, With walking canes and hair of gray, Have no fear, even though it's hard to hear I will stand real close and say, Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Let me tell you about a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend

And when we die and float away Into the night, the Milky Way, You'll hear me call, as we ascend, I'll see you there, then once again, Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend (I want to thank you) Thank you for being a friend Whoa, tell you about a friend (Thank you right now, for being a friend) Thank you for being a friend

(I wanna tell you about a pal, and I'll tell you again)

Thank you for being a friend (I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend) Thank you for being a friend

Andrew Foster was laid to rest today in what was described as a solemn ceremony at Temple of Light Centre for Spiritual Living. I came across the news prior via the published tribute (above) in the press. I could not make it as I was booked for a party the night before and frankly beat after spinning for some hours on the ones and twos.

I met Andrew in fact at another party fundraiser for Jamaica AIDS Suport, JAS at the time (the 'For Life' was not added yet to the name) where he requested a song of me at it was an oldies session to which I acceded. We since came into contact with each other via Burger King and my request subsequently to him for donations towards my blog work to which he responded. 

He also assisted in providing shelter assistance to two male clients who came via GLBTQ Jamaica's system of crisis intervention when I was more active then and could afford to. He also helped persons to find employment where available and training otherwise as he was a trainee manager at BK.

He was ill for a short time and never made it and died peacefully at home.

Rest in peace brother Foster and his smile will be missed.

Peace & tolerance

H

Vaz claims Warmington was provoked & called a B-Man in parliament

Everald Warmington, the Member of Parliament for South West St Catherine, was reportedly called a faggot in Parliament, which prompted him to insult Lisa Hanna, labelling her as a Jezebel.

Opposition MP Daryl Vaz said that Warmington was called names such as b-man and faggot by members of the government side.

North West Manchester Member of Parliament, Mikael Phillips, on Tuesday brought a motion to Parliament asking the members to consider disciplinary actions against Warmington.

Warmington twice called Lisa Hanna, MP for South East St Ann, a Jezebel during the previous week's sitting of the House of Representatives.

In his motion, Phillips called for the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for consideration and report on whether Warmington should be sanctioned for his actions and behaviour.

Phillips said the committee finds that Warmington should be sanctioned and it should also

recommend the appropriate punishment.

The first time MP has also called for the establishment and implementation of a Code of Parliamentary Conduct for all Members of the House of Representatives, any breach of which will result in sanction against offending members.

Phillips said that members of the House should be cognisant that parliamentary privilege should be exercised with responsibility and decorum befitting their roles as representatives of the people of Jamaica.

He said that by his disorderly conduct last week, Warmington hampered the proceedings and led to a waste of parliamentary time.

He said, too, that in addition to using unparliamentary remarks to fellow Members of the House, Warmington should be cited for his failure to respect and adhere to the authority of the Speaker and his general display of contempt for the House of Representatives.

A furious Delroy Chuck told Speaker Michael Peart that "You should never have allowed this motion."

"This motion is out of place," said Chuck, who fumed that Warmington was provoked.

"Call the man b-man," he said.

The term b-man is used to describe a homosexual.

Hansard does not support the claim of abuse the two times that Hanna was called a Jezebel, but Warmington insists that she made degrading comments about him.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has introduced two pieces of proposed law in Parliament which seeks to increase the penalty for crimes committed against children.

One of the bills allows for an additional 10 years' imprisonment to be added to the sentence of persons found guilty of crimes such as rape, abuse, buggery, assault and murder. If passed into law, the minimum period which the person who carries out ills against children shall serve, before becoming eligible for parole, will be increased by 10 years.

Sadly Miss Lisa Hanna is supposed to be dealing with LGBT issues regarding children not to mention her mishandling of other issues prior and now this accusation. How coincidental that hansard did not record it, surprise surprise, I am not at all of this.

We have seen fish comments being made before on other parliamentarians and politicians before but to see it factoring in parliament is downright disgusting and yet no one has hardly said a word in terms of the allegations with Hanna yet all came down on Warmington despite his record of outbursts prior.

Just take a look at the recently ended drama for Raymond Pryce and his troubles to include the accusations of him being a homosexual as well hence the push to remove him as member of parliament despite his likeability in the party leader's eyes.

Sad that this is where we are at as a nation.

Let us also not forget this is the same minister who was reported to be developing programs for LGBT children in April 2014 - The Government says it is in the process of developing new services, initiatives and programmes to address issues affecting various sections of the youth population including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals.

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna made the announcement while speaking yesterday morning at the Panos Caribbean Stakeholder Conference.

She says new targeted intervention is necessary, if the Government is to adequately and effectively address the challenges, concerns and needs of the different types of youth her ministry serves.

Some of the other groups include Men who have sex with Men (MSM) and youth with sexual orientation and gender identity issues.

Hanna explains that given the lack of data on LGBT youth, today's stakeholder consultation is timely as it will provide the youth ministry with a better understanding of what the issues are.

She insists that the Government’s duty is not only to provide shelter and protection for abandoned and abused children but also therapeutic intervention to address the physical and psychological harm they have suffered.

Hanna says it is clear that there will also have to be what she calls a resetting of the mind and of the way in which people are treated.

So why has she found it neccesary to use anti gay language allegedly in parliament of all places?

Peace & tolerance 

H

also see:

National Children’s Summit for Jamaica Conference Centre for August Excludes Sexuality Issues 2014

Jamaican Gay Unions? Hanna Says Ja Not Ready For Same-Sex Families Despite Int'l Redefinition

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna's conflation of same gender sex & abuse responded to part 2

Alpha Boys' Nuns say Youth Minister homosexual abuse/grooming comments hurting their image/residents

Toxic relationship habits

Dr Shelly Ann Weeks

I am a huge fan of hers as you may have realized since her stint at Nationwide radio and now she is on her own; here is her latest entry from the Star News.

When it comes to relationships, there is no automatic button. Having someone to share one's life with is a goal that most people have, but maintaining this relationship is not always easy. For many persons, after they finish the honeymoon stage, much of the effort goes out the door, and they start developing bad habits. Let's talk about some of the toxic relationship habits that people are dealing with.

Saying that you forgive, but holding the grudge.

If your partner has done something to hurt or offend you and you have decided to forgive them, then you must move on. So many individuals hold on to bad things that happened, and this continues to be an obstacle in the relationship. If you cannot forgive and move on, perhaps you should consider ending the relationship itself.

Not knowing when to call it quits

Some people are so afraid of being alone that they settle for unhappy relationships. Some persons stay in the unhappy relationship because they want to provide a secure home for their children. The problem with this unhappy situation is that it is a toxic environment especially for children. Sometimes it is better for both parties to just call it quits and work on being happy, and that will help make them better parents.

Communication - talk to each other

If you have an issue with your partner, talk to your partner first. Too often the issue is discussed with everyone - friend, relatives, pastor - but not the person who can actually deal with the problem. Take the third, fourth and fifth person out of your relationship.

Taking each other for granted (not appreciating each other)

When was the last time you did something special for your partner and it

wasn't a special occasion? The beginning of the relationship was great because that is when we make the most effort. The honeymoon period does not have to end if you just keep the effort in your relationship.

Always compromising

Relationships require some level of compromise, but that should be the exception, not the rule. If you are always giving up what you want for your partner, then it means that your needs are not being met. There should be a balance for both partners when it comes to compromise.

Never compromising

If you are always getting your way in a relationship, then it is one-sided. That can leave your partner feeling that they are not being treated fairly. Relationships require a give and take from both parties.

Acting insecure

If you don't think that you are secure with yourself, it's not easy to be in a relationship. Constantly searching your partner's phone or being suspicious of everyone that he/she communicates with is a sure way to destroy your relationship. Understanding that you have no control over your partner's actions and being OK with that is a good place to start.

Not expressing yourself

There is no way you can expect your partner to know exactly what you want if you don't express yourself. Too often, individuals think that their partner should 'just know'. Stop waiting for your partner to pick up the hint or know what you think, say something and be clear.

Relationships can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it requires work. Take a look at some of the toxic habits that you have and make a plan to change them. Working to be happier together can be challenging, but it is definitely possible. Remember, communication is important to the success of every relationship, so ensure that you and your partner are on the same page.

Send your questions or comments to sexychatwithshelly@gmail.com 

or Tweet @drsexyann or Facebook www.facebook.com/allaboutthesexy Website:www.drsexyann.com

Mutabaruka: JFLAG & gov’t should do more for homeless gays, conflates abuse with homophobia

Well as I live and breathe I never envisioned I would have seen this coming from one of our most vocal opponents over the years on such a sticky wicket as MSM/Transgender homelessness in particular and how our colleagues are treated. This speaks to the all important credibility I have hinted to ever so often needed in advocacy to change hearts and minds.

It is indeed sad that it had to take this man to bring back some attention to our homeless colleagues as they have been so shafted by JFLAG itself and others as buggery law reform is more attractive and gets better soundbites than some dutty battyman. 

The systematic ignoring of our homeless brothers cannot go on and it is sad we are being forced to look at it by others who will also tie in homophobia to arrive at a conclusion that LGBT rights is not to be even considered.

ST ANN, Jamaica – Rastafarian poet and talk show host Mutabaruka said he believes the government and the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) are not doing enough for homeless gays who continue to create public mischief in parts of the Corporate Area.

Mutabaruka, who was one of the emcees on Rebel Salute last Saturday, January 16, said he is not condoning homosexuality; however, he said it is a fact that if nothing is done to help these homeless people, they will continue to prey on others in society.

“I believe JFLAG not taking care of their own,” he stated, adding that the government should “take some responsibility” to take care of them.


“The people dem can't go back in their community so what dem ago do. Dem ago turn prey on you,” he said.

Mutabaruka said many may frown at his opinion as a Rastafarian, but he said that it is a fact that if nothing is done, these homeless homosexuals will continue to create public disturbances.

He also pointed out that he was not supporting violence against them. here is the last report on yet another police raid at the newest spot in the long line of them they have had to use for shelter illegally:

Police Raid Jan 09 2016 Homeless MSMTrans... 

here is an older commentary by him on gays:

here is a follow up uploaded on January 26, 2016 on Youtube:




@ 4:40 he conflates gay on gay violence versus genuine homophobic matters which further complicates the discourse or shouting match as one sees it

It has been indeed sad to watch over the eight years I have been covering the plight of my homeless colleagues especially after the previous populations at a shelter pilot in 2008 that was a wrong decision by the board of Jamaica AIDS Support and a weak JFLAG who did not stand up to them as conflicts of interest prohibited same.

We are still living with the consequences today as older and newer impacted persons meet and have to find all kinds of ways to eek out a living sadly including crime.

Sigh

It should not have to take a man like this to point out the perceived abandonment of the homeless LGBT populations in Kingston.

here is the another side of the police removal in January:

Mek we see nuh what is next.

Peace & tolerance

H

Clash of cruisers & homeless again

Oh boi this old familiar place.

So like clockwork it has come again and was expected as before, whenever the homeless msm/transgender group is either removed by cops as was the case on January 9 or rushed by members of the public then one can expect an invasion of sorts in once ‘pure spaces’ for cruisers especially the territorial ones who just simply want to have a good time devoid of annoying homeless msm/trans persons in their eyes. In the long line of such clashes I have since lost track, I like many others are weary with some distress on this while NGOs and national systems only serve tokenism and excuses for incompetence and disinterest. Saturday last was the faithful day when some of the now re-displaced group or members of it drifted into a popular longstanding downtown Kingston space as their other spots uptown have been emptied by the same police officers and health inspector who did the job by the Canadian embassy and adjoining Cholera cemetery.

Police Raid Jan 09 2016 Homeless MSMTrans... by glbtqjamaica

Bearing in mind the aftermath of the invasion by men of a nearby spot in West Kingston in July in 2015 is still fresh in the minds of many; that spot has not been traversed in a while as the burnt out ruins remain and it seems a man of unsound mind has taken over the building. The homeless guys who were using the spot which doubled as hook up haven by early morning and in the day to refuge by night was exposed for some good eight months when it was exposed due to carelessness by the very men who failed to keep their movements circumspect hence the attack. Further to that is the murder of old timer Franky nearby earlier in the year and the police crackdown of petty thieves who use the space as a pass-through after robbing mostly women of their handbags; the evidence of which are taken totes struned all over with personal items such as drivers’ licenses and such. The guys who were using that spot have found someone else thankfully and refuse to associate themselves with the Cholera cemetery group which brings into sharp focus the strained relations between the homeless groups themselves outside of cruisers’ displeasure of their invasion, in other words the latter group is tolerated more by the cruisers hence the symbiotic exchange in the use of the space.

As highlighted in previous posts this love hate relationship is decades old but has gotten really out of hand since the homeless populations explosion in 2007 after a DVD of a gay party made its way to the streets and was sold by bootleggers thus the exposure of patrons and forced evictions with at least two persons killed out of that grouping. Saturday mornings are usually popular times for fun and action and the implicated homeless men had set up their tarpaulins and items with them upon arrival by the horny cruisers who turned up. Annoyed by the occupation of their space they took matters into their own hands; according to the report I received as I haven’t circled the spots in a while myself given the last report and geographical changes so I lost some interest; some new ‘meat’ as it were on the market has seen an upturn in activity so this new ‘thug meat’ and his admirers were the ones who launched the tirade on the homeless intruders.

Their belongings were taken and scattered and threats from both sides with finger pointing, knives and stones drawn and one threatening to expose the space altogether so as to have everyone lose its use. I am not happy and am worried that something worse is going to happen. A stabbing incident at the just emptied cholera cemetery late last year is a case in point and a previous knife battle at a party earlier in the year between two of the guys who also vend outside events are just a few of the inter-population clashes which shows the frustrations as expected. Then there are the clashes with the sharing of ill gotten gains by those in the group who rob persons gay or not at night. A recent court hearing of one such case just shows this up even more. After some twenty minutes or so the clash died down but it drew attention from unsuspecting eyes who threw their own homophobic abuse including threats of violence and such. One Rastafarian man was heard saying the entire space needs to be demolished as the men have left uptown (I assume the cholera cemetery) to bring their poison as it were in the area.

I am afraid the exposure of such spaces may ruin the fun cruisers were used to for decades, even before my reporting on the activities and working with the groups in my more active HIV work days it seems those days are numbered. The impact of this ugly homelessness business and derelict agencies is really just out of hand. The now rebooted small group of about four persons moved elsewhere since the clash and yesterday upon checking by my source he said they were not there but the main attraction that being the aforementioned new thug on the scene has said he is not returning to that end of town; so the fellas are up in arms. If one understand how hard core cruisers think especially the ones who have no alternative space for sex seeking they do not take kindly to alterations to their way of life. Pass through cruisers such as the more middle class bunch can always find other outlets which leaves the lesser optioned ones little choice so territorialism sets in.

An unconfirmed report of a chase and near miss in another cemetery in Half Way Tree by the Molynes road area by the St Andrew Parish Church over the Christmas holidays is still live out there on the grapevine as it is surmised that a few of the homeless men had tried to establish themselves at that location. Age old clashes with the windshield wipers who also sleep on the graves in that area often held such occupation at bay. The old office space infront the old Pipers’ nightclub across from 7th Avenue Plaza is empty as police had cleared that one of all homeless groups given the tense situation. A recently vacated office space along Constant Spring Road has been quickly secured and boarded up as reports had reached the cops that the space was used by homeless persons to include maybe msm/trans groups.

Other cruisers who walk for their hook-ups have also been up in arms from a long time now as since the robberies by alleged gays, increased police patrols at night, a beating of a suspected gay man by Chelsea Avenue and other issues those days are near dead according to one senior statesman I ran into late last year. I am befuddled by the happenings as our least amongst us as seen as just that ‘the least’

A couple of the cruisers have vowed that they don’t intend to lose the space to homeless populations and seem to imply the use of violence to protect same if necessary.

Sigh it is sad that we have had to contend with all these outcomes over these many years as MSM homelessness spirals continuously out of control.

Peace and tolerance

H

NPTAJ And Anti-Gay Groups Want J-FLAG Kept Out Of Schools & deal with homelessness

As we say in Jamaica 'liberty comes through carelessness' indeed and to now be told that JFLAG should go and look after homelessness then we really gone to the dogs these days when it comes to credibility, civility and just respect even from rivals. This is the second time I am aware of where the group has been told to go and deal with homelessness as done prior by other church related groups, it tells us that groups needs to be careful how they act or don't act publicly on sensitive matters. Pity though the said moralists do not see it important to also act on homelessness in a more meaningful way than just those who try. 

A SUGGESTION mooted by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbian, All Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) for persons from that organisation to offer counselling in schools has been met with strong resistance from the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) and anti-gay groups.

In a release to the media NPTAJ President Everton Hannam poured cold water on the suggestion made by the gay lobby. 

"The NPTAJ rejects totally, the offer made by J-FLAG to conduct counselling in schools," Hannam said. J-FLAG had said it is willing to help the education ministry and guidance counsellors improve their assistance to students who have problems with their sexuality. J-FLAG's offer of assistance came after news that some of the more than 800 guidance counsellors in the school system are refusing to help students identified as gay or lesbian. In a statement, the lobby group's executive director, Dane Lewis, said he is deeply concerned at the reports and is calling for the education ministry to intervene with strategies to equip counsellors to help students.

The national parent-teacher body has, however, viewed J-FLAG's offer with much suspicion, noting that the offer appears to be another attempt by J-FLAG to introduce elements of what was uprooted from a Home and Family Life (HFLE) curriculum early last year. The HFLE curriculum was the subject of much controversy after material highlighting homosexuality was discovered in a text book prescribed by the curriculum. Now with the issue of some guidance counselors allegedly refusing to offer counsel to lesbian and gay students igniting much public debate, the NPTAJ said it is rejecting any attempt by J-FLAG to offer counselling in schools.

Hannam argued that, "If JFLAG is serious about counselling, they can offer those services privately." He also called on the Ministry to reject the offer made by the gay-rights group. "Let the guidance counsellors do their job," he said.

Discussions With J-FLAG

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites has said he is interested in involving all stakeholders in providing solutions and has been in discussions with J-FLAG and the Jamaica Coalition for Healthy Society. He is set to meet with guidance counselors next week to discuss the issue.

Daniel Thomas, president of the Love March Movement has also urged the Ministry of Education to reject J-FLAG's offer. "J-FLAG needs to understand that they have no place in our schools and our Government should look at stopping anybody, especially an organised effort to tell our students, our minors, our children that they should be engaging in something that is normal, that cannot be tolerated," he said.

Suggesting to offer counseling also may have been a mistake on JFLAG's part when it does not offer such services directly even during my tenure there, one has to be careful what one puts out but it is remarkable old mistakes even with new blood who seem not to learn keep re-occuring.

A word to the wise is sufficient.

Peace & tolerance

H

Police profiling MSM & taking their phones!

Police profiling MSM & taking their phones!

So the police in Montego Bay have been carrying out a practice of taking phones from members of the public including men who make appear to be too dressy or indeed effeminate in a bid to address so called lotto scamming activities. The practice had become so widespread that persons ended up resorting to walking with cheaper phones so as to avoid the loss of high end phones due to so called police suspicion of lotto scamming even in the face of no other evidence to detain of question the persons suspected.

One such incident in a long line of them occurred in November and then December of last year where an altercation ensued as the young men who were going home from a party were stopped and searched in a rented car. A stereotype used to profile men travelling together is that they are part of a gay lotto scamming crew given the negative image left behind by the late Kenrick BeBe Stevenson’s legacy of being a lead scammer. Bleached skin, tight fitting clothing, holders of high end phones and rented or mid priced cars as high end cars are now seen as a dead giveaway of wealth and influence supposedly led by scammers. Only in the latter part of last year we saw the LGBT credibility in an item carried on CNN and the mention by the National Security Minister Peter Bunting of BeBe and the awful scourge.

see:

LGBTQ image/credibility takes another hit ..

The head of the western division of the police Steven McGregor speaking at a public meeting on January 15th made it very clear that the demanding of phones by cops is not part of the procedure to identify or reasons to detain and question suspects. He said he will see to it that the practice stops as phones should only be taken from persons once there is supporting evidence that requires further investigations such as the presence or discovery of lead sheets; then and only then the proper approaches and warrants properly explained to persons can be executed to pursue further to an arrest.

We have had this problem of cops stopping persons especially in the days of Club Heavens in Discovery Bay when after a party one can expect to be stopped along the Queens Highway for no apparent reason yet the car is searched, phones are taken and in extreme cases a bribe of payment is demanded. The officers tend to use the image stereotype aforementioned to exact their actions. A similar raid occurred in Red Hills only earlier this year when a house that had suspects was essentially invaded by plain clothes persons identifying as cops without a warrant; the house was searched and items taken despite no lead sheets or other obvious items such as laptops or devices with names etc.

While I understand that the practice must be stopped as it has only brought disrepute to Jamaica and our 876 code that even legitimate business process outsourcing outfits and call centers are having trouble carrying out legitimate business especially when the caller ID displays an 876 number. The LGBT populations was fingered before some years ago of having many scammers and there may be some truth to that then but some have either been forced to leave the practice by multiple arrests or moral suasion by community influentials especially after a certain murder that shocked many into some sensibility.

Cops seemingly preying on LGBT party goers is still happening surprisingly today as I still get reports of it happening as recent as over the Christmas holidays just ended outside of the rouge ones who try to shakedown persons. At one point persons were taken in to the police precinct in Half Way Tree but no arrests were forthcoming after some time interrogating the parties involved; persons were asked openly if they were dialers and why were they able to be so young and driving a car with no hard evidence of formal work or legitimate income in their eyes. I was only stopped once while travelling from the north coast in my travels from parties I service on the hotel scene as a DJ. I guess myself and my party did not match the stereotype of suspected lotto scammers with lavish lifestyles.

Let us not forget the tense moments with Superintendent Fitz Bailey in 2008 and allegations of gays in scamming with JFLAG being on a permanent defensive mode despite no proper evidence and a usual lack of credibility on all fronts which kinda started the image credibility problem we still face to this very day.

I hope the pronouncements by the goodly Superintendent are not only words yet the squaddie mentality persists and that cops found in breach will be dealt with.

Also see:

Alleged police harassment of gay party patrons a concern

Stereotyping from the police .....

Judge Not (Gleaner letter) 2011

Apology Accepted JCF but some questions on several fronts still linger 2011

Till next time

Peace & tolerance

H

3 gay couples to wed in Negril - Activist says move is an act of defiance

I guess when one is not knowledgeable of the history of a struggle and enter it at a later stage then they think they are making any major difference when others prior were doing it all along.

Jamaican gay couples have been getting 'married' or having commitment ceremonies many of which I have witnessed or provided disc jock services for.

Also see:

Lesbian couple celebrate their marriage locally 2012

Gay Parenting (a view on the ground) (repost from 09) ........ International Family Day

NY's Gay Marriage reactions & our scenario 2011

Gay Marriage - An Invented Issue by the christian right movement

NY-Based Co-Founder of J-FLAG sees no need for same sex-marriage,

Opposition sides with Govt on No to same sex marriage

No Same Sex Marriage says Prime Minister in Charter of Rights Bill Debate

PNP 2006, No plans to Legalise Same Sex Unions (the same PNP that has a larger support base from the LGBT community)

Will same-sex marriages ever be accepted in Jamaica? 2009

Government(JLP) says there will be zero tolerance for gay marriages 2008

When did anyone ask for gay marriage rights in Jamaica when we can't get basic tolerance 2014

Marriage is well cemented in the constitution and cannot be moved sadly by a court ruling and requires amendments and parliamentary action to make changes. 

Now the Star News reported today:

Activist says move is an act of defiance

Despite same-sex marriage being illegal in Jamaica, a supporter of the gay community has informed THE WEEKEND STAR that three same-sex couples will be coming to Jamaica to have their wedding ceremony at a hotel in Negril tomorrow.

Micheal James, who says he is straight, but is a gay rights activist, said the move is an act of defiance of the part of the gay couples, which will send the message to homophobic Jamaicans that "same-sex marriages will become a norm in Jamaica, so they need to get with the programme and get tolerant".

James said the couples are Jamaicans living overseas who feel they should tie the knot in their home country. They comprise two female couples and a male couple.

"For security reasons, they have made it a combined effort to do one big ceremony here at the hotel. They will fly in with their guests and pastors, and have pictures and videos taken to capture the celebration," James explained.

marriage legal

After the ceremony in Jamaica, the couples will then go back to the United States and do the paperwork to make their marriage legal, James said, noting that these ceremonies are just the first of many to come.

"More couples will be coming to Montego Bay, Ochi, you name it. The hotels are well aware of what is happening, but they don't care because it's all about the money, so I advise Jamaicans to stop fighting against it," James said.

Although there has been much debate about repealing Jamaica's buggery law, it still stands. Section 76 of the Offences Against the Person Act states that "anyone convicted of buggery [anal intercourse] committed either with mankind or with any animal, shall be liable to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for a term not exceeding 10 years."

To this, the 51-year-old father of five said, "I think people should have a right to live their lives the way they choose to. What is the Government going to do to stop it? Put a police in people's bedroom to tell them what to do?"

Reverend Herro Blair Jr, national director for Jamaica Youth for Christ, said he has heard of such practices on the island. "No doubt they do it all the time, but at the end of the day, it's not something we as a church are intending to accept," Blair said.

He said he is overly concerned that homosexuals are succeeding in their efforts to become accepted in Jamaica.

"As long as they continue doing what they do, and we as a church continue doing less of what we do, they will succeed. We as a society have to continue our work and go further than just arguing about the issue," Blair said.

ENDS

Oh boi so here we go again with gay marriage paranoia.

What is new now, remember this is the same Blair who created moral panic some years ago: BUGGERY LAW BACKLASH – BLAIR: THE CHURCH HAS BEEN SLEEPING – BLAIR WARNS REVIEW COULD LEAD TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGES 

Peace & tolerance

H

Alleged gay man on robbery charge remanded

A self-proclaimed homosexual accused of robbing a man was remanded when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last week Tuesday.

Charged with robbery with aggravation is Desmond Joseph. 

He pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Allegations are that, on the day of the incident, Joseph is said to have attacked the complainant and attempted to relieve him of his valuables. It is said that police were alerted to the matter and he was subsequently arrest and charged.

In court, Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey probed the matter.

"Now listen, you know if you travel and you keep on buying tickets, you are considered a frequent-flier," RM Pusey said.

The sitting magistrate ascribed the term 'frequent-flier' to the accused man, as he is said to be a frequent visitor to the court.

Josephs explained that he was wrongfully accused of the offence, as the police constantly harass him and his clique because they are alleged to be homosexuals. The accused man told the court that he was on his way to a nightclub in New Kingston with his boyfriend when he was accosted by the lawmen and taken into custody.

"How dramatic," RM Pusey replied, after listening to the accused man's account of the night's events.

The accused further explained he had been mistreated while in police custody at the Hunt's Bay Police Station.

"I was even taken into the lock-up and I was beaten by the cell mates dem, and my head was burst," he said.

The sitting magistrate ordered Joseph to be remanded until January 21, when he is to return for trial. A fingerprint order was also made against him.

It is stories such as this that only serve to if ever so slowly taint the credibility so needed for the overall struggle; it leaves in the minds of many a generalization of gay men in particular as miscreants or predatory beings and thus any call for rights is null and void as we are undeserving of same.

Sigh

Peace & tolerance

H

"DVD Reveller" still displaced? part 2

A man who was one of the many persons who were made displaced or homeless in 2007 after a party DVD made its way to the public domain which exposed persons is still homeless. Imagine the surprise of some persons who were close to his case were taken aback when a video with him and others at the Cholera cemetery (recent photo below) was posted on Youtube.

tarpaulins for protection from rain and privacy

Here is some historical background that involves this man:

1) Disturbing Repeat homophobic cases - published February 2010

2) Former homeless man attacked again - published January 2010

3) Police Harassment of homeless men - published August 2009

4) Gay Party DVD reveller on the run - published June 2009

Here is the news item that spoke to the DVD's availability as presented on CVM TV news in 2007:

This just shows how our homeless brethren have been left to dry as NGOs turned their backs on them due to a few bad eggs in the group. The all important Safe House project was closed for all kinds of dubious reasons and all kinds of spins used to deflect the truth on the issue; yet we keep seeing more evidence of the fallout laying themselves bare.

Here is a clip of the actual man who was exposed at the infamous party, also pay attention to the host in the red dress who he was dancing with:

Now comes the new video in question as launched by Jetblue with the visit of some American celebrity, the man appears @ 2:19 in the clip:

also see a previous video item involving the same man as presented by World Focus in 2009, go to 4:42  to hear his story with his identity blurred at the time.

Violence and venom force gay Jamaicans to hide

Why is this man still on the streets even after assistance from JFLAG both financially and otherwise. Especially owing to the fact that he was vending downtown the last time I saw him. Seeing he is a client of JFLAG and his case(s) is known including a forced eviction from Vineyard Town.

homeless msm at a treat in 2013 by the Shoemaker Gully

The population have been used and abused and left to dry for so long and yet no proper answer to address homelessness overall; owing to the fact that displacements have been the most visible evidence of stigma and discrimination and residency programs are in the DNA of agencies such as Jamaica AIDS Support whose board ordered the only homeless shelter closed as mentioned above. 

We must never forget the exclusionary practices for example: JFLAG EXCLUDES HOMELESS MSM FROM IDAHO SYMPOSIUM 2013 and a group named Colour Pink who advertised a human rights day event at a hotel yet not one of the actual men who are homeless were present and it more resembled a HIV event than a homeless one despite their flyer:

We have been told by some that a space cannot be found to open a new shelter not to mention previous promises and raised expectations only to have them dashed. Bear in mind the closed Safe House space was acquired by an approach to a Reverend gentleman who obliged when he was informed of the thrust of the project then.

also see: MSM/Trans homeless - From gully to graveyard

Then added to the challenge post the population explosion in 2007 are the newer cases almost monthly these days which just makes matters worse.

Yvonne McCallah Sobers of FAST Families Against State Terrorism and Dwayne's House as carried on CVM TV's Live @ 7 show earlier this year May 21, 2015 HERE

This case is only one of many and especially since public advocacy is on in earnest there seems to be no redemptive systems in place to deal with the spike in issues that accompany such push. Reports still keep coming on atrocities and in fighting with the groups and other populations.

Hope remains while company is true.

Peace and tolerance

H

Sadly designated sites (167 King Street) for general homeless assistance still remain unused since as evidenced above they were launched by a JLP government so continuity is not the name of the game for the benefit of the least amongst us.

also see: Some good news on the homeless MSM front ..... guarded & waiting part 2: Dwayne's House Project 

New Kingston Cop Proposes Shelter for Shoemaker MSM/Trans homeless persons

MP Julian Robinson claims he wants help for New Kingston homeless gays 2013

And we continue to reap the world-wind for not addressing homelessness when it was manageable 2013

The toss up between MSM homelessness & public order makes news again

Street MSM Stone J-FLAG – After Being Cleared From Gov’t Property, Homosexuals Launch Assault another such clash occurred earlier this year in January which forced JFLAG to vacate yet another office space.

Housing Minister seeks funds for Shelter from NHT Money ....... Will the LGBT Homeless be Assisted?

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 mostly youth in New Kingston: Rowdy Gays Strike - J-FLAG Abandons Raucous Homosexuals Misbehaving In New Kingston

Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco that now obtains?

from 2012: Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress of promised shelter and THE PROBLEMATIC “BATTYMAN ENTITLEMENT” PHENOM, HOMELESSNESS & LGBT SAFE SPACES

JFLAG has no moral authority to speak on homeless gay men in New Kingston says members of the public.2014

Tense stand-off between homeless MSM and Security team in New Kingston

'Don't come back here' - Maxfield residents warn gay man after publicized eviction

More forced evictions reported for 2013
see previous entries on LGBT Homelessness from the Wordpress Blog HERE

The Quietus ......... The Safe House Project Closes

Homeless MSM to feel the pinch as JASL issues ultimatum (where it all began to go downhill in 2008/9 onwards)

Shelter Coming For Homeless Gays reports the Gleaner 2013

Hypocrisy from the pulpit on homeless MSM in Jamaica?

DEMOLISHED! Millsborough House Torn Down After Rowdy Squatters Evicted

Homeless MSM in New Kingston arrested in raid for stolen goodsHomeless Awareness Month: Flashback to New Kingston's Displaced MSM

Tense stand-off between homeless MSM and Security team in New Kingston

'Don't come back here' - Maxfield residents warn gay man after publicized eviction

More forced evictions reported for 2013

And MSM continue to be ready material for data collection ..... what about the interventions

Parents issues ultimatum for suspected gay man to relocate

Displacements due to possession of women's clothes ............

please see the PMI's activity and Superintendent Murdock who had prepared a proposal discuss some of the issues on CVM TV's Live @ 7 on May 21, 2015; I have to agree with Simon Crosskill its host the report seems minuscule and designed to impress the funders more than real solutions,click HERE

Caretaker wants uncontrollable gay men out of Millsborough house ................J-FLAG denies abandoning 2013

On homelessness, evictions, hypocrisy & now JFLAG's own displacement .. 2013

Some good news on the homeless front ..... guarded and waiting 2012

Ist Anniversary of the 2nd Homeless MSM Civil disobedience .... and the men are still homeless 2012

MSM/Trans homeless employ Civil Disobedience to get JASL Board's Attention .... 2010

The Quietus ......... The Safe House Project Closes 2010 where the madness all began albeit homelessness has been with us forever.

Video from Loop: VIDEO: Homeless gay men, rejected by their families, beg for place to live


Kingston’s Homeless MSM challenges scream for proper attention