Angry gay man strips in store ........ lawd God

There is never a dull day inna batty life inna Jamaica, when one drama ends another is there to take its place I tell you. I now hear it was one of the emboldened 'children' who was implicated in the Star News report in today's paper. That is unconfirmed but lawkes fi go strip inna de the people dem store, lawd man, we can do better, cho.

Mi caan badda lol, this is some comic relief given the litany of woes in recent weeks.

It read in part:

It was high drama at a retail establishment in the Corporate Area when a man, who is alleged to be a homosexual, stripped naked recently after being denied a service which he believed he was entitled to.

The man, who is said to be in his mid-20s, reportedly made his way into the Constant Spring Road-based shopping establishment in hopes of conducting business as usual.

A mortified member of staff told THE STAR that the particularly flamboyant male was accompanied by his more masculine companion, both of whom arrived to make a return on a previous purchase. Upon being met with the naked truth that his request would not be granted, the man subsequently made a spectacle, greeting shoppers, young and old, with quite an eyeful as he dropped his trousers and 'mooned' at them.

"Him look on the lady and tell her say him not taking her man, him just want back him money," an alleged eyewitness said.

officers arrived

It is reported that, so boisterous was the angered male, that the entity quickly made contact with a security company to quell the matter. When the security officers arrived, they were being accompanied by police personnel.

"Police and some Guardsman people come. Then mi just see him draw down him pants and underwear, and one school boy take out him phone and start video," the alleged eyewitness continued.

After making checks, commanding officer of the St Andrew Central Division, Superintendent Millicent Sproul-Thomas, told THE STAR that no formal charges appeared to have been made against the male involved in the fracas.

When THE STAR contacted personnel from the Guardsman Group Limited, a senior member of staff would neither confirm nor deny whether security personnel had been dispatched to the location. However, the representative did confirm that the retail establishment was a client of the security entity.

ENDS

Sadly on a day as today being transgender visibility day and a more positive imaging would be expected but another 'gwaan bad' something just come to spoil the day. But we must also remember that such behaviour although isolated in a small space when publicized especially stigmatisingly also affects the all important credibility for advocacy.

A word to the wise is sufficient.

Peace & tolerance

H

Oh those ‘str8’ bi-curious boys & their emotional baggage

I have to agree with my friend who said words to the effect as in the post’s title it is on rare occasions one run into men who are supposedly on the fringes on the continuum of homosexuality and experimentation or exploration. They are ever so cautious yet defensive especially when it comes to role play in sex; oh no no bottoming, ‘man a man, man a nuh oman’ (I am a man not a woman and therefore won’t bow) or play a passive role, it is just too much to play the sexual role of a woman hence all other kinds of responses and masking comes forth. I have spoken to such experimentation and insecurity before in previous posts such as a recent run in by an old cruiser brethren of mine who sustained a broken arm after a tussle with another man after a brief sexual encounter; yet the man literally freaked out that he erred in doing the act and then sought to blame the very brethren he just enjoyed a partnered masturbation session with.

I met a fella on adam4adam recently, yes I use it like some of us do and then pretend they don’t acting all decent and stuff; we know very well that that site is still the main hookup centre apart from social media; in meeting the dude in stealth online we finally exposed our true identities after some extended communication although he wanted a more instant approach based on my profile pictures of my dick and ass; no face pictures are up as is customary for many Jamaican members. Such anonymity has other implications of trust, deception an such that I won’t get into now but suffice it to say this lead up to the actual hookup was relatively smooth. We met face to face finally after several whatsapp and A4A messaging and I liked what I saw physically; frankly I was not interested in his mind for say as his dick photo was what pulled me into him. The 36 year old was coy pretentiously at first but soon opened up and expressed that he liked me as I was not girly (the first sign of insecurity and policing of attitudes or even aesthetics) I am very comfortable in my own skin and it took years to get there so I get very careful in navigating hook-ups or socializing with men who express such scrutiny.

We met eventually and finally decided to do the deed by the usual you show me yours I show you mine lead in then the exploration; bearing in mind I have not used A4A for a while but met my hook-ups at parties I DJ at or repeat sessions with trusted buddies and cruising catches. As this is not my Xrated blog I won’t get into too much sexual detail but use your imagination as if you were with a man in a sexual encounter. The shocker however to me was he did not want to go all the way but wanted me to play a full passive or receptive role (as a woman) bearing in mind I am fully versatile; although he described himself as gay (not sure he understand sexuality) he refused to reciprocate in certain respects as he saw it effectively a feminizing is too much for him and he was not willing to budge any in terms of exploring the options and feelings. His defence afterwards was he was only ‘passing through’ a term I have had said to me repeatedly with previous hook-ups. In supposedly ‘passing through’ he may be implying he is not ‘gay’ in the true sense of the word as homosexual as that has too much attached to it in terms of effeminacy; remembering he said I was not ‘girly’ a frightening issue for many men who have sex with men but are on the proverbial downlow or ‘passing through’ types.

So in ‘passing through’ he is not obligated to go all the way by engaging in flip flop suggestion or request. Sexual contact must therefore be limited and left to the hetero-normative sex with strict roles carefully observed in bed and everyone must stay in their place; no touching beyond the norm or exploring certain parts of the body in the fondling process. I have met men who even literally define or dictate the boundaries of where I can go or touch including the feared wandering of fingers and hands by the anus or butt cheeks; one guy told me some years ago that my hands must not pass his waist but I can do anything with the front end.

Back to this present guy, in the after conversation surprisingly he was patient to conduct as other men similar to him I have met just hit it and quit it afterwards with no extended talk as the ‘man a man’ (I am a man) mantra takes precedence and real men do not talk too much like women. He said he always had feelings for men but kept it real quiet and had a girlfriend up until some time ago while stoutly declaring that she was not aware but I have no way of proving that. Cautious approaches to sex with defined or prescribed activities/demands and navigating socialization is a clear sign to me of the bi-curious types; but I have mastered the art of working my way around them. He declared that we cannot meet too often (the ‘pass through’ business again!) and that he doesn’t really see himself as ‘gay’ in other words by virtue of having limited sexual contact with the same sex in his eyes he is not gay; by virtue of having a woman or being attracted to women he is not gay as well (there is something called bisexuality); by virtue of playing a traditional hetero-masculine sexual role albeit with another man he is a man’s man and so being ‘gay’ is some journey to feminization and a weakening of his manhood. These are real fears that have had an impact on how men who have sex men interact and even fall out with disastrous consequences at times often seen as crimes of passion when they go public. Luckily I got one of the docile ones (whew!) but who knows? A friend of mine had an experience some years back where he had to literally run away from a hotel he had just had a not session with as the guy literally changed guilt blaming my bro that he made him do something he was not into really but he had a hard-on none the less and was clearly interested in what was going on but did nothing to stop it in the heat of the moment.

I would love a study or an expert to help me grapple with how men who have sex with men just can change their stance or personas literally especially after sex. Masking or self denial even in the face of just having sex with another man is baffling to me. I had jokingly come up with a name some years ago in an old blog post referencing a similar change of persona matter; I had named it P.E.A.D post erotic arousal disorder; 

see: P.E.A.D a man's attitude changes after sex 2008 from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica

I am not a psychologist so to have ‘disorder’ in the name is just for emphasis as I and others via reports have had run ins with men who just literally change right before your eyes after sexual activity. After sex guilt often seems to be the evidential outcome of such change and is usually more visible in hyper-masculine types as opposed to semi or fully effeminate men; as if they are helpless to pursue their true urges but when they do the feeling of shame and committing a sin of some sort sets in.

I expressed that we should keep in touch and he agreed after a short ponder; he sounds willing to engage outside of the hook-up imperative but definitely not a relationship. Others would just meet skeet and leet lol after the wipe up in the comings and goings of the hook-up.

Nuff love.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica: Dubious Adam4Adam Profiles, Unscrupulous Sports, Gay Imposters, Robberies & Safety ..

Modern gay love, dating apps & deception wrapped in homophobia

Orgies, Intruders & Safety

Iwan’s ‘Oman Ova Battyman’ shows the lack of understanding sex & sexuality

For the past couple months a release by Iwan entitled ‘Oman Ova Battyman’ (Woman Over Battyman) on the Ay3 riddim has been getting some traction on radio (and sound systems naturally) by an unofficial edited version apparently though not official as my checks revealed an original radio version was not released on the promotional CD.

Obviously some radio DJs have done a revision so it can be added to clean playlists. While I do not expect the song to become a mainstream smash hit as ‘Boom Bye Bye’ by Buju Banton the tune has been getting popular via several mixtapes and on dancehall online forums. Similar editing to clean up ‘Boom Bye Bye’ for radio or dotted mixing of certain parts of the song was also done; or the use of cue setting on the cross-fader or looping cued parts to get the clean parts of the lyrics out for broadcast without allowing words like ‘battyman’ going over the airwaves. The Youtube video (above) has seen some relative attention and my interest was sparked while I was in Spanish Town recently when a taxi drove into the Texaco gas station where the song blared from the heavily tinted Probox car (one of those that often have female schoolers sometimes numbering 6 or more exiting them at taxi stands in the afternoons); the reaction from even the staff of the station was instant, also members of the public schoolers included reacted with light head bumping and some breaking into song and light dance after a third loop of the track as the driver seemed to have preset the player so.

“Nuh Battyman Sex ....” was the line that seems to get the ‘forwud’ more than the hook “Oman over battyman ... is Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve” The ideological imperative of the unnaturalness of homosexuality and the naturalness of heterosexuality is at work here. The closely related, primary imperative is that which broadly asserts that homosexuality is contrary to the sexuality nature has inscribed in the human, and for exclusively procreative purposes. That this imperative manifests not only in secular popular song. The audible sounds imitating gunshots were clear from some of the men nearby in agreement with the lyrics although Iwan seems to have been very careful to stay away from the usual prescriptive call for our execution via shots, burning or at the least a sound beating. Probably he realizes the implications for his career as a newcomer to the business and the pressures faced by more established dancehall acts such as Beeniemen or Buju Banton.

My question to Iwan is then women do not have an anus too and where is his abhorrence to heterosexual anal sex?

The misogynistic narrative is clear reducing women to mere sex objects and available upon a man’s request with or without her consent; Cecil Gutzmore from his paper on Policing Homosexuality ....... said it best “Disapproval is strategically deployed not only against such traditionally designated social ‘perversions’ as homosexuality, bisexuality, transvestism, trans-sexuality, and so forth, but also against a number of more ‘day-to-day’ activities relating to the sexed – especially the female – body, particularly in respect of its un/dress, hair-styling, and the like. Iwan does this while emphasizing the procreation imperative both on the part of Iwan himself and that of having a woman in the first place.

One of the stanzas says it clearly:

“Mi see pump um, mi nuh fancy nuh backside” (I say vagina I do not fancy backside or the anus) with the religious condemnation imperative infused:

“Mi nuh fancy nuh evil ...... Satan can play me like noodle,” clearly saying homosexuality is wrong and is condemned by God while nicely condoning illicit sex, multiple partnering and randomising use of women for sexual purposes all of which the same God in his word and over used opinions by apostles/theologians such as Paul professing monogamous relations.

“Mi neva know a man mother as a man ....” also adding to the procreation ambit as well but if our brethren Iwan was aware the traditional thinking and practice of procreation via copulation has changed and that even same gender loving couples or heterosexual couples wanting children or those who have difficulty having them can do so via stem cell reprogramming; while even choosing the gender of the child instead of adoption or foster care routes. The use of such songs to gain attention is not uncommon Beenieman did it when his career was slouched in the 2000s but he released “All Battyman Fi Dead” and he was back in the game.

TOK’s ‘Chi Chi Man’ for example came at a time when previous releases were going virtually nowhere except tracks like “Eagle dem fly” and other minor hits for them at that time. 

Elephant Man in the red and black outfit which has generated chatter on social media. At right: Deejay Aidonia as he performed on Reggae Sumfest

So I am not surprised at this, there are a few other newer acts on the scene who are trying as well even as some of them blur the line of the hyper-masculine aesthetics; such as the adoption of fashion once deemed to unisexual or ‘battyman looking’ even as some of the very designers and persons behind the scenes in dancehall are gay and pull the strings which is what bothers me sometimes.

The inherent masking and double standards I dare say hypocrisy is glaring and homophobia becomes more entrenched than ever. The models in the video and dance moves very suggestively too are part and parcel of the skewed sexualising if you will that has come to dominate dancehall, I aint no academic but it is clear to me that many of our problems of unfathered children, crime and related societal problems stem from the narratives over the decades that give rise to them. While it is clear that dancehall came from behind Reggae as a rebellious genre for the non musician to still be in the business make hits and by extension make money, it is in that vein that we see the badmanship, bravado and so on are used to sure up or compensate the marginalization of Jamaican men just by being poor and from the ghetto. 

Iwan never went that far as an Elephant Man would have where he combines misogyny with notions of wealth to support multiple partnering with women; in other words more women a man has on his sleeve to boot is the more power and respect he gains; albeit he may be on the downlow but publicly it is not palatable to prioritise his male lover(s) as the rejection would be clear and disastrous. TOK’s once popular anti-gay song, ‘Chi-Chi Man’ (2001). One of their specified ways of recognizing gay/ ‘chi-chi’ men in Jamaica is from the fact that they drink in a ‘chi-chi man bar’. This is confirmation of a known, observed and at least partially permitted gay scene in Jamaica, a society that is supposedly so dangerously homophobic that lesbians and gays have ‘not a space to breathe.

“Mi nuh inna battyman talk, mi nuh inna battyman walk, mi nuh inna battyman flex, nuh battyman keys no battyman sex” (I am not into gay men’s talk [cadence of speech] I am not into gay men’s walk [effeminate gait] ...... I am not into gay men’s sex [anal penetration specifically] Iwan continues midway the song clearly saying effeminacy in all is spheres is the clear sign of male homosexuality and that anal sex is the be all and end all for men who have sex with men. Iwan like many others is unaware that though it may sound unbelievable not all men who explore same gender sex or identify as gay actually practice anal sex. Iwan like others in anti gay and murder music songs ignore non penetrative activity between men as a reality to begin with.

He continues:

“Billy goat fi di Nanny Goat, why man have fi climb pon man? Mi nuh overstand (Billy goat for a Nanny goat [female goat] why a man has to indulge in anal sex [climb on a man suggest literal backshot anal intercourse] I do not understand [‘overstand’ is a rebellious remark to ‘understand’ as ‘under’ in Rastafarian terms suggests something negative, condescending or assuming a lesser powered role or a threat to a man’s manhood/bravado.

But Iwan seems behind as tight pants once so vilified in dancehall by some of the same folks who are sporting them now he (Iwan) is not upset; bearing in mind some pants are so close we see prints and ass cheeks showing so sumptuous to the wandering mind.

Changing hearts and minds while forcing in some way or form the unlearning of these highly prized narratives is so needed. Law reform is one thing but the widening of understanding is a totally different ballgame.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

The entitlement problem from hypermasculine MSM & negative outcomes

Lyrics, not gays, tearing down reggae or dancehall

Dancehall Acts with Anti Gay Legacy Feud with each other as Creativity Fades

Alkaline (Rimming DJ) gets a homophobic response from newcomer Dwayno's track "Mr Faggoty"

Stigmatization of Effeminacy in Gay Jamaican Culture Part II

Vybz Kartel lashes back with "Woman Wi Love" song, has he forgotten it is he who blurred the lines

Sexual objectification & mystique of Black Gay Men, a brief look

Should we care about dancehall acts & rumours of gaydom?

Busy Signal recovers with "Too Many Men" in subtle messaged song

Dancehall act Busy Signal under fire for "I Love Girls Who Love Girls" song

I-Wayne's "Burn Out Sodom" hits at gay adoption, homosexuality & accuses msms of paedophilia today's Star headline just shows the queerness aesthetically of dancehall becoming more apparent:

see: Social media abuzz over fairer skin Khago

On Facebook, users compared the artiste’s change in appearance to Alkaline’s bleaching.

“So Alkaline bleach and get bigger inna Dancehall so other man a try do it and hope it get him luck,” said one user.

Another user posted that the entertainers are now going to extreme lengths to get attention.

“Man put things inna them eye, man a bleach the skin them get from God just fi stay relevant in Dancehall, it’s sad,” said the user.

also remember this?: CLICK HERE

Masturbator chased from strip by angry male patrons

I was left in stitches yet baffled at an incident involving a man masturbating openly I was made privy to by a str8 DJ colleague of mine who works at a strip club in the Half Way Tree area. We ran into each other downtown where we ended up chatting in a Mother’s patty store by north parade. I might get a gig [yeah!] I was an occasional visitor to the club between 2006 – 7 when I was a part of the PLACE HIV interventions pilot under the Ministry of Health and worked with the management and DJs in the hype HIV testing sessions then.

The man in question even back then was known to us and the ladies who provided exotic dancing entertainment and he tips well. The man would often place himself in a conspicuous section of the club dimly lit and away from other male patrons at the gentleman’s club. I have seen the ‘equipment’ myself as he helped himself off but I was on the job [darnit]; a little eye candy doesn’t hurt [wink]. He seemed to have a fixation on ‘backing his fist’ in public as my DJ friend informed he has a reputation at other clubs but was asked to either desist with the action or make it more discreet or better yet engage one of the ladies who may be involved in offering commercial sex services. But he seems not interested in going so far in terms of contact directly. There was a similar case at a now closed strip club in Spanish Town on Brunswick Avenue where a masturbator also was cause for some upset there and he was asked to desist jacking off but not leave as the owners felt he may annoy other males in the building; although he was a big spender at the bar and tips. I was wondering if it is the same man in this present case as my DJ friend was not able to confirm.

The present incident concerned occurred in February 2016 around 1am as the club ambiance heated up. The ladies were doing their thing; patrons were busy cheering or darting about by the bar as a regular good night. The masturbator took his seat with drinks in hand and was observing like others. He then flipped out the erect member and proceeded to help himself off. A particular dancer who was also a favourite of mine but being on the job I could not engage whose on stage character is a nurse in an open crotch mini nurse’s uniform complete with a cat’s imagery as in a tail, painted on whiskers makeup and a nurses’ hat. She was the object of the goodly jacking gentleman no sooner she took the stage.

However his proximity to another table with other male patrons watching while he was openly jacking was the straw that broke the camel’s back; the men were riled according to my DJ source and of course the usual ‘battyman’ ‘fish’ accusations came flying both as a way to smear an opponent and his manhood and because he had an erection openly displayed near other men. Shouts exchanged, the music stopped as the DJ (another one on duty and not my source) saw the disturbance by the spot. Penis tucked away quickly the man defended himself ably. He was just as vocal and animated at the other men who wanted him to move away from them or leave the club or they would leave. Frankly I would have preferred them to leave as it is better to have repeat business from regulars than newbies who simply are pass throughs given the situation. One man my DJ friend said asked why was the management allowing ‘battyman’ to come to a straight club? As if to suggest they should screen patrons sexual orientation [how stupid].

The embarrassed man eventually left the club after the clash went on for a good half an hour with the men determined he should leave but some of the ladies and management suggesting an alternative where he would sit at another seat away from them with a relocation of the table and seating so as to create breathing space. We laughed at the issue as my DJ brethren continued but the matter also raises the issue of sexuality in Jamaica; the use of open spaces involving sexual matters; tolerance and public displays of sex acts. Some of the ladies followed him outside a bid to console him I imagine or work some funds from him as a girl as to turn it for her coins, simply put.

A case some time ago had a stripper being charged for touching a man’s penis bizarrely as the matter was brought to the court.

A young woman was taken before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court In April last years for allegedly touching a man on his penis. The woman was recently arrested and charged with indecent assault following an alleged altercation between her and the complainant at a popular strip club in New Kingston.

However, when the accused appeared in court she pleaded not guilty while laughing and was admonished for doing so by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey.

"It might sound funny now, but it won't be that funny when you get to trial," the magistrate told the accused.

Resident Magistrate Pusey then asked the complainant how he met the accused and he said that she was the owner of a club that he frequents.

As Jamaica moves on ever so slowly on breaking taboos I guess we will continue to see such extra ordinary occurrences until we settle.

Peace & tolerance

H

Homosexuality is sinful but should not be criminal says former Information Minister

So the silly season is on in earnest since the heightened discussion over the Easter on holiness, homosexuality and referenda on issues such as Buggery as suggested by the present JLP administration.

Former Information Minister, Sandrea Falconer (above), has said that while she agrees that homosexuality is 'sinful', the act, when done by consenting adults, should not be criminal. Is Miss Falconer trying to make herself look OK in finding a middle ground of sorts, why did she say this when the PNP had the reigns? silly me it's about winning elections; a flaw their very own Michael Manley warned about in the 70/80s; no wonder why they have so many internal party issues and in fighting.

I would expect such pronouncements from men of the cloth such as what happened in the 60s when the UK was moving to decriminalize Buggery and the Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey then had a similar view; which then pushed the legislators to amend the law. 

 Canon Bailey's bestseller 'Homosexuality & Western Christian Tradition' 

Other men of the cloth then in the UK's journey such as Derrick Sherwin Bailey also had a similar view but the difference is the UK had a forward thinking set of legislators who not only listened but acted. Some local religious have been supportive as shown in this previous post:

see: Don't give up on the church, pastor tells gays (GLBTQ Jamaica)

Miss Falconer also played the personal position card versus the party's position; we can assume that the suggested conscience vote then in 2011 by her leader was not found in favour to her then. Why didn't she say the words below when her party had state power?

"I may very well believe the practice of homosexuality is a sin because God made a man and a woman for a reason. However do I believe it should be criminalized as it is under the Buggery Law? My answer is an emphatic No," she wrote on her Facebook page.

This comes as she sought to bash the Adventist Church because of what she calls the "public lynching" of one of their own, Pastor Michael Harvey, who was condemned by his church and stripped of his role as a senior pastor at the Northern Caribbean University for appearing on a People's National Party (PNP) platform endorsing the party in January.

"Pastor (Dr Merrick) Walker and President (Everett) Brown, the bible also teaches about forgiveness and your church leadership continues to wage a battle against your own, Pastor Michael Harvey. Even though he has sought forgiveness for appearing on a PNP platform you continue to punish him and strip him of his livelihood and dignity," she wrote.

"If 'the sinful act of buggery' must remain a criminal act, should we treat all the other named sins in the bible such as adultery, fornication, and lying etc as criminal acts? Just my musings on this Easter Monday morning," she added.

The former minister in the previous PNP administration was referring to an article published in the Gleaner on Monday in which the named Adventist leaders urged the government to keep God in deliberations on buggery laws and say no to gays.

However, Falconer's statement did not go down well with some of her social media followers who thought she was defending homosexuality.

"Gays and lesbians are not to be tolerated. Flames on acts of Sadomity (sic). I agree with the church and as leaders unnnuh must stop fanning the flames of immorality," one follower commented.

But Falconer was resolute in her belief. "Gays and lesbians are people. We may not agree with their lifestyles but should we make criminals of them for that?" she asked.

"I believe homosexuality is a sin because God made man and woman. However, I believe when two consenting adults engage in homosexuality it does not rise to a criminal act," she added.

And Falconer was quick to point out that her views did not reflect that of the PNP or its president, Portia Simpson Miller.

In the lead up to the 2011 general elections Simpson Miller had suggested (seen as a promise by many) a conscience vote in the Parliament on the retention of the buggery law if her party won. The PNP won the elections but the vote was never taken during the 2012-2016 term of office.

The Offences Against the Person Act criminalizes acts of buggery.

According to Section 76 "Whosoever shall be convicted of the abominable crime of buggery, committed either with’ mankind or with any animal, shall be liable to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for a term not exceeding ten years.'

It was just this morning her colleague on a radio show now opposition spokesperson on Justice Mark Golding also came out of the woodwork to reiterate his personal position on the matter while supporting an amendment to the SOB article 76, 77 & 79. As someone who was charged for the crime in 1996 and navigated the courts out of it with a sine die adjournment I am all for an amendment; as just the proving of the crime is problematic with a pseudo-scientific twist which can and has lent itself to false accusations and shoddy evidence brought against accused.

AMEND IT NOW I say.

See my immediate post:

New opposition spokesman on Justice says referendum not needed to amend Buggery Law

and previous entries:

JFLAG Tries to Clarify its Agenda 2014

No To Gays! - Adventists Urge Government To Keep God In Deliberations On Buggery Law

The Line in the Sand for the PNP ...... but vote ☐ PNP ☐ JLP ☑ Legalize Buggery in private

Milk River PNP Councillor says no to buggery repeal 2014

LGBT Community Eyes More Than Conscience Vote 2014 from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says PM 2014

PNP's Damion Crawford says it's highly unlikely buggery review will happen .....

PNP Wins ................Hope for LGBT People ??? 2011



Is ‘The Most Homophobic Place on Earth’ Turning Around?

Interesting times lie ahead and I am a little anxious and concerned as referenda have a way of being used to sure up political capital and with a minority government in place and a Seventh Day Prime Minister similar to Bruce Golding's tenure.

Pray, think, listen out do all you can and agitate while educating as changing hearts and minds is on now in earnest.

Peace & tolerance

H

New opposition spokesman on Justice says referendum not needed to amend Buggery Law

I am amazed even though not surprised and somewhat used to it how politicians can change their stance on matters in the game of politics to suit the occasion. Former Justice Minister Mark Golding now turned opposition spokesperson in the same portfolio has joined the line of inconsistent politicians and who has essentially repeated his personal position on the Buggery Law and how it should be treated while adding that for any administration to make such amendments in terms of decriminalization requires bravery; said courage he did not have or was willing to display in 2015 when he refused to budge on the issue (carrying the party’s/administration’s position) on the amendment as now requested by JFLAG and others and of which I am in total agreement.

Though it took so long (14 years) for the J to finally arrive at a middle ground of an amendment instead of a full repeal; I thought that most parties including antigay groups would have seen the light but we now live otherwise. Referenda can become very political and I still think that such a sensitive issue as buggery can be used to sure up political capital for especially now, a one seat majority minority government. Bear in mind the Buggery Law amendment does not need a referendum to be adjusted as it is a provision in the Offences Against the Person’s Act; just a simple move via a joint select committee or two thirds in the Senate or ordinary legislation and voila it’s a done deal. Although previous Justice Ministers such as Dorothy Lightbourne also knew this but when engaged there is a similar coded response; going from memory one of the meetings JFLAG had participated in; she tried to deflect the push from us then to the judiciary claiming her personal opinion is that is where such agitation would be best suited; in other words her administration would not touch the provisions not even with a long stick. I was livid that afternoon when we left her offices, realising how stupid some politicians take us for.

Speaking on Newstalk 93FM’s Freshstart Program hosted by JLP affiliated Sharon Hay Webster whose position is a referendum as suggested by her party , opposition spokesperson on Justice Mark Golding said on the CCJ and the constitution among other things the following:

“In my personal view and this is not the view of the party, my personal view I don’t think from a Jamaican context putting the Buggery Law to a referendum would be a good idea; I think that it is quite clear to, um, how the majority feels based on polls that have been done from time to time; the majority are in favour of retaining the Buggery Law.

It’s something that is highly controversial; most of our major trade and development partners regard this as a regressive, um, position in Jamaica, um, and I think to put it to a referendum would be to reaffirm the international view of Jamaica as a homophobic state; which I don’t think would be a positive thing.

I think that if the government is of the view that we should change the Buggery Law; and is does not necessarily require a repeal; you can modify the Buggery Law, the Buggery Law can be retained for example in relation to having sex with children or raping; a man raping another man and so on; there are many aspects to the Buggery Law which can be retained ..... The penalties in the Buggery Law are inadequate.

On the other hand you could decriminalize intimacy among adults in private who consent; it’s a more nuanced position but that’s a position which I think some members of the society would support.

That’s not an issue I think we can reach by way of a referendum.

That requires courageous leadership on the part of the government if they are minded to go that route.”

Wonderful, nice sounding Mr Golding but similar to the hypocrisy by former PNP party leader and the longest serving Prime Minister Percival James Patterson aka PJ who did not find it necessary to act as head of government despite the nation’s perceived notion of him being gay; he played on the nation’s homo-negative stance to effectively win the 2002/3 elections and campaigns by denying such claims of him being gay and adopting a murder music track in the form of T.O.K’s “Chi Chi Man” song to sway voter apathy in the election campaign. Years later he was found calling for tolerance when his own actions as leader help to entrench the very homophobic positions; this without any acknowledgement or apology for same.

Let us not forget this his presentation in the House of representatives 2015:

Mark Golding is also guilty of the double standards bearing in mind his baiting attempt of the Privy Council as pro-gay hence the need to remove it as the final court and subscribing to a Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ as that court would retain a more anti gay Caribbean identity to a perceived imposed homosexual values. We must also never forget the suggestion/promise of a Buggery review which never materialized.

See:

Justice Minister exploits homophobia to gain CCJ support

If Mr Golding felt so strongly on the issue and it was and is a more sensible one and if it requires bravery to act on same as in his own words then why didn’t or couldn’t he have stepped out in said bravery and go even against his own party’s position? Hiding behind personal positions versus party imperatives smacks of a kind of hypocrisy that just rubs me the wrong way, so politics for all intents and purposes is just for show and survival at any cost; even compromising principles and beliefs for the party’s sake.

Principle here anyone?

I guess no politician is going to go out on a limb on principle, a teaching moment is the young Raymond Pryce and where is he now despite he moved the marijuana thrust/bill as a back bencher of sorts.

Winning elections and having the party in good sted in the eyes of the public is far more important as was nicely displayed by the same Justice spokesman when he was Minister at the periodic review in 2015. Political parties and indeed administrations are just too afraid to touch Buggery; it is too radioactive a matter. Governments do not want to be blamed as freeing up the faggots as it were as they may never see power again; in the competitive political climate as well opposition parties would relish such a downfall and eagerly remind the public of same while encouraging the electorate not to support such parties who are pro-gay. I recall the near miss troubles for the PNP after the 2011 win where they found themselves in public relations nightmare being accused of getting gay money for their campaign, an accusation they vigorously opposed.

As we wait for the decision by the new JLP administration on whether they will act on the referendum antigay groups have been jostling for the PM’s attention claiming they want discussions on ‘protecting the family’ while on the face of it. The newly sworn in Justice Minister Delroy Chuck’s call for cases over five years in court must be ended in some way I have agree with Mark Golding’s position that the courts effectively must be allowed to act along the lines of each case on their own merit and such a call for the ending of matters of certain years could be construed as an interference on the judicial systems. The executive must be independent in as far as actual adjudication of cases; my contention however in that discourse is that said cases languishing also include Buggery matters involving consenting adults. I know of three such cases that are ongoing for some three years plus and where similar to my 1996 Buggery matter which lasted for three years and eight months before a sine die adjournment arresting officers simply disappear or stop attending mention dates, despite subpoenas from the court.

There are hardly any punitive measures for such officers it seems who in effect are wasting the court’s time having us return to either preliminary hearings or actual trial even as strong evidence such as intimate sample reports sealing the accused doom as to actual penetrative sex. Maybe what should happen is the tightening of the systems, more funding for court houses, support staff and systems for judges as in 21st century Jamaica some judges are still taking notes long hand as I saw in the Half Way Tree Court recently. I was shocked even though I am used to it from my case and observing other cases.

I wonder if Mark Golding will continue to public state his personal position on Buggery and fuse it into his opposition role even the referendum is eminent. If not then even through to ministerial role if they come back to power and no change in the law has occurred.

The struggle goes on.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Lawyers' Christian Fellowship's hypocritical stance on CCJ but keep Buggery Law!

PM scolds gay-rights protesters in New York ........ challenges truthfulness of Homophobic Claim

Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy

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

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

Opposition Leader sides with antigay groups on Referendum on The Buggery Law 2014 prior to the JLP gaining state power

Andrew Holness & that 'Fish' comment; politicians who exploit homophobia

No To Gays! - Adventists Urge Government To Keep God In Deliberations On Buggery Law

So the religious movement buoyed by a semi-conservatism win by the JLP and a Seventh Day man as Prime Minister yet again, Bruce Golding was first has come out in support of retaining the Buggery Law. Despite the fact that a full repeal is not on the cards now and an amendment the more sensible option is being pursued while not bringing punishment to bear of paedophiles and non-consent.

I guess the recent brou ha ha over the removal of the so called PNP pastor (Rebuked! - Seventh-day Adventist Church, NCU reprimand pastor) from the church leadership in a sense and their affiliated University , Northern Caribbean University NCU needed something to deflect all the attention it was still getting after the election season has ended. Also see: Everett Brown Reiterates Stance On Adventist Participation In Politics from the Gleaner

The Gleaner reported yesterday:

Dr Merrick Walker, pastor of the Washington Gardens Seventh Day Adventist church in St Andrew and Executive Secretary, Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Senior clergymen of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church have made it clear that any decision to repeal Jamaica's buggery law will not be in alignment with the Bible, and as such, warned policymakers to keep God at the centre of their deliberations.

Speaking during a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the company's head office in Kingston last week, Dr Merrick Walker, pastor of the Washington Gardens Seventh-Day Adventist Church in St Andrew, said that while he was not in support of anyone discriminating against homosexuals, he urged individuals to desist from indulging in sinful acts.

"We are very conversant with the discussions and developments taking place, and the short answer is that we are not supportive of removing the buggery law. When it comes to the matter of legislation, we believe that we should be very meticulous ... looking at the repercussions that can result, and pursue the continuation of the family as the Lord established it. I often say that we are very tolerant of those who are different, but we disassociate ourselves from the difference if it is construed to be something immoral," he declared.

"We are guided by a Bible-based worldview, and our understanding of the family is from that standpoint. We are aware of the need to cater to other forms of families that have been established, but our focus is to strive for the ideal family (nuclear family)," Walker said.

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE

In the lead-up to the 2011 General Election, the former prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, had promised that if elected, she would facilitate a conscience vote in Parliament on the controversial issue of the buggery law.

Since then, there has been a tug of war between the Church and various interest groups voicing varying opinions on the issue.

The Jamaica Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation (CAUSE) religious group has been very vocal in its stance for the law to remain as is, hosting two mass rallies in Half-Way Tree to send its message to the then Government.

Speaking from a youth perspective, Dane Fletcher, youth director of the Jamaica Seventh-Day Adventist Church, indicated that he was more concerned about individuals making an effort to please God in every area of their life.

"As I understand it, our concern is not so much about what is legislated and what is not or what is unacceptable in society. We do promote biblical norms, so anything that is considered within the ambit of the Bible as sexually immoral, we do not condone it. We are not here to discriminate against homosexuals. What we are really discriminating against is sexual immorality," the youth pastor told journalists.

President of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists Pastor Everett Brown echoed similar sentiments, adding that he did not want sin to become the norm for any society.

"We are aware that Government has a responsibility to protect the rights of Christians and non-Christians, but as a Christian organisation, we would not support any legislation that would make it acceptable for anyone to practise anything that is immoral," he charged.

ENDS

Strange the SDA are mum on crime or say very little, the corruption that is widely suspected, seeming rehearsed responses with regards to clerical abuse of boys and girls and claims the church will act, see: 'No Cover-up' - Seventh-day Adventists vow to report child abuse..........And Other Criminals Who Might Be In Their Ranks I am not surprised but am concerned that such an politically charged matter can be used to sure up the political fortunes of an administration that is a minority government in such a close election. 

Let us see where all this goes nuh

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Northern Caribbean University female Cheerleader Suspended After playing male role in cheerleading show 2014 from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica

'Unnatural' sex and its naturally not so bright opponents 2009

Jamaican Students Beaten at Northern Caribbean University (Flashback) 

What's With This "Strange Attachment" To Retaining The Buggery Law- J-FLAG Chides SDA (Gleaner)

Homeless MSM clash with members of the public in New Kingston yet again

corner of Grenada Crescent & Knutsford where the clash took place

It never fails that it near impossible to keep up with the atrocities thrown at the Kingston populations of displaced and homeless MSM/transgender and their friends as well. It was only last Saturday a minor skirmish took place by the National Commercial Bank towers in Half Way Tree; an old haunt for years and chill out spot back when I was more walkfoot and beat the street. Bus crews, vendors and the two men then had a verbal spat with accusations and counter accusations of who is a battyman, who is to be shot and who is to leave town and other veiled threats. Sadly our homeless brethren are just having their issues spiral even further out of control and as news spread that a trans-activist who was previously displaced and was running a small outfit of her own called Colour Pink was allegedly attacked by some of the very guys when doing some interventions with some of them; but word has also come that there was a long standing split between herself and some of the men who do not respond well to the efforts and are more into having their demands for money and such met. 

One has to be also careful when approaching these persons that an attitude won’t help as while persons may not be pleased with the behaviour of some and it must be made clear to them of such workers and outreach is not selective and may lead to unexpected events such as this. The trans-activist now is in Amsterdam I was reliable informed.

It was only a week and a half ago that DJ Colin Hines from FAME FM and the morning show crew spoke to the very issue of the homeless MSM/transgender with particular reference to the commercial sex worker sub group and the much rebuffed sexual advances being openly made by some of them quite early in the evening hours as well. There was an episode in February 2016 just nearing the Escape Club nightspot which has seen many such clashes in recent years; and even by the cleared Shoemaker Gully some of the guys still congregate there or by the park opposite to ‘catch something’ as they would say quite jokingly. I am distraught as you can tell if you are a regular reader to my blogs; we have had this challenge from so long, whappy a kill phillop as some would say but never at the scale and type as they are happening now, just go back to one of my older posts imported from another platform I had done in 2002 highlighting the issue, then it was a mere thirty of so persons we had to contend with; now we are talking almost double that these days who are fully homeless and another twenty or so as friends who hang out with them.

DJ Colin Hines said:

“A man who is 6’ 5’’ is walking through and a man says to him Biggaz ............” he then ended by saying “I am hearing from people telling me about what is going on by this group of men, we need to fix them.”

Other male guests in studio went to town sometimes erupting in laughter as they seemed to have found some of the matter funny seeing how gay men are openly calling to other men and a colleague of theirs supposed was the target of the admiration and solicitation. The latest clash I am aware of came on Holy Thursday night around 10pm just by the corner of Grenada Crescent and Knutsford Boulevard, adjacent to the aforementioned Club Escape and also an old haunting spot as well for cruisers in years gone by and female commercial sex workers. One of the homeless MSM reportedly made a pass at a man who had alighted from his car parked in the nearby car park for Victoria Mutual Building Society, VMBS in front the old FLOW Jamaica bill payment branch. The man was not pleased at this and words were said to which the men responded to in defence; the man threatened to leave and return to shoot them up and other members of the group gathered decided they would have none of it. The angry man made his way across the street to the Escape Club and brought back other men with him; they in turn also joined the word throwing exercise.

The exchange lasted a good while and then things cooled when a security team from the club came over including the gate guard who readily accused the men of mischief at nights making his and his colleague’s job more difficult. It took the subsequent intervention of the New Kingston police to calm things down but not before comments were made to the effect that gays were getting to upfront with their nastiness as it were and things are going to happen to them which to me sounds like a veiled threat. So many similar clashes have occurred in New Kingston I have stopped counting and since the accusation of the Megamart employee murder things have not been looking so good; threats have increased, the men have moved to another location only to be forced to move yet again in the constant here today or there tomorrow nomad like existence.

Then came some study of some sort claiming many LGBT Jamaicans wanting to leave Jamaica and although many questioned were not from the homeless community it was presented as if most of them were in subsequent reports. Of course persons will want to leave as they feel not free enough to exist and also as the austerity measures continue, economic development seems illusive, jobs are hard to find, combine all those and one is bound to feel frustrated in a sense and may want to leave no sooner the opportunity presents itself. Added to that is the ready available social media outlets where other Jamaicans who have left and are showing whether falsely or not a better image of living will create a desire to also aspire to such existence as more and more persons flee for asylum with or without genuine cases or reasons.

The tense relationship in the meantime with the regular cruising guys is ongoing and some of the homeless persons have been warned to stay away from well treasured cruising spots for quick sex; an unconfirmed tussle took place in the end of February I was told as I have been so busy with other matters as of late; newer displacement reports still come in and a recent Facebook message from a young man asking for some assistance had me perplexed as his mother claimed she wants him out of the house if he does not change his lifestyle as it were. Other unconfirmed reports have surfaced as well such as one in Mandeville where a man was accused looking gay and trying to make a pass via eye contact towards another man; it turns out he was a member of the Kingston homeless group who had made his way to the parish for some assistance. Other temporary spots such as Pirate’s Cove downtown are no more as demolition and construction work is on and also by the old Oceana Hotel building formerly the Ministry of Health offices 2 – 4 King Street which was sold by the Urban Development Corporation, UDC. Such spots and hideaways helped to give some cover but no more as they die off one by one. Also a key change over the years is that of the demeanour of the populations who are no longer in the shadows in terms of visibility as their older counterparts who would have been far more introverted and only surface when they need to.

Many folks as highlighted in previous posts have simply stopped offering any shelter assistance and more just offer remote help such as clothes or food; a shelter outfit only assists newer displaced persons and not the older guys as to them it is easier to navigate; there is some truth in that as I have had firsthand experience in offering some shelter myself at my home but costs and the usual head bumping of personalities can be a major drawback as well in the assistance being meaningful.

Spanish Town has sort of calmed down somewhat as some of the fellas have been helped by a weed whacking project and other income generating help with some intervention from GLBTQ Jamaica in cash to buy bag juices and other small items for sale so persons can turn a buck; others have simply moved on to other parishes or back to Kingston for now. Others yet still offer commercial sex favours and have been successful at making living in arrangements with so minded persons who are willing to pay for such services.

Announcements for shelters have become the norm in a sense with loud cheers from the penny section who do not ask where are the previously heralded ones yet no such help bearing in mind the one shelter pilot in 2009 known as the Safe House: A Benevolent Society was closed under dubious circumstances prematurely by the board of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, JASL while a numb JFLAG stood by and did nothing to stop it given the management arrangements of both entities at the time so incestuously linked. Maybe if that shelter was allowed to flourish from a pilot to a full residency the issues we now face could be far less and at least addressed in some sense.

Attempts have been made to address some of the issues via Colour Pink as shown here:

some background:
Colour Pink Group and AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Jessica Burton and Kendra Frith 
1876-540-0308/1876-823-2461 
Exec.colourpinkgroup@gmail.com 

Colour Pink Group and AIDS HEALTH Care Foundation Transgender Media Launch

Redefining Support Health Education and Employment (SHEE)

Colour Pink Group is a Non-Government Organization whose sole mission is to improve the lives of the homeless/sofa surfing Transgender Woman and Transgender sex-worker in Jamaica through Support Health Education an Employment (SHEE).

Through AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Colour Pink Group has developed the Tran’s Healthcare and Wellness Manual, Trans Ecological Tool Kit and Work Environment Safety Techniques (WEST) for Transgender Sex-workers the FIRST OF ITS KIND in Jamaica.

This project has succeeded the community’s expectation, not only providing the tool they need to combat against current health care system but they have also received training on Gender and Sexuality, Human Rights Laws, Gender Base Violence and Intimate Partner Violence, training around Grooming and Makeup Tutorial by MAC Cosmetics and Linguistic (Voice Training) by allies at the University of the West Indies.

What we hope to seek for the upcoming year (redefining (SHEE), the Support Health Education and Employment (SHEE) which will uphold dignity of the Homeless/ Sofa Surfing Transgender Community in Jamaica.


Supporting Partners: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, J-FLAG, UNAIDS, HOPE WORLD WIDE, JASL, CSRG and representative from National Family Board and other private allies.

But the outfit is not a full transitional shelter which is what is so badly needed.

Peace & tolerance

H


also see:
Fred Phelps’ Granddaughter Starts Fund To Feed Persecuted LGBT Youth In Jamaica

Jamaican edition of Gaycation TV series angers viewers (bear in mind the actual film is locked as at posting)

The Challenges of Running a Queer Homeless Shelter in Jamaica

Kingston's Mayor Burke receive Death Threats...

Gay homeless return ‘HOME’ … say housing promises were not fulfilled

I do not have to add much to this except to say here we are again this old familiar place; as this blog has been covering some of the issues since the 2009 dubious closure of the only shelter/safe house designed for forced evictions of LGBT persons as a pilot. Since then we have had a wild ride and now the latest:

- say housing promises were not fulfilled

 some homeless men after a police raid in 2013

the millssborough House that was demolished 

 the actual demolition at the time

Over 30 cross-dressers and homosexuals have returned to an upscale St Andrew neighbourhood from which they were previously evicted because the promise of a home was not honoured.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that the homeless men, according to some residents of the neighbourhood, have been a nuisance since they returned some three months ago, and keep growing in numbers.

Men were removed from the property in 2013 when a large crew swooped down and demolished the house, which served as a haven for a clan of 'rowdy,' homosexual squatters as described by some.

unwelcome

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited the area recently, the residents were quick to express their displeasure about the return of their unwelcomed neighbours.

"Dem need fi go somewhere else. They are a nuisance to us around here," said a female resident, while another added that they often steal water and fruits from trees.

A domestic helper, who our news team spotted at a gate, said, "When we a come or leave work, we afraid cause dem will rob we."

However, claims of nuisance, were quickly refuted when a group of the cross-dressers spoke to our news team while on location.

"A nuh we a di trouble makers. A di one dem weh go New Kingston rob people and dem ting deh," he said.

makeshift tents

Another told THE WEEKEND STAR that empty promises from 'big' men about securing a home for them is what led them to return to the area.

The news team counted at least six which were also covered with tarpaulin. The men also said they have no water, but on occasions some residents bring them food and water, while asking them to keep the noise down.

When the Star news team called the government-issued cell phone for head of the St Andrew Central Police, Senior Superintendent Millicent Sproul-Thomas, we were told she was in a meeting.

meanwhile the Mayor of Kingston claimed she has received death threats:

Kingston's Mayor Burke receive Death Threats... by glbtqjamaica

So the damage control via Gaycation and such obviously did not work to cover up other matters eh.

When are our least amongst us be not just the least?

also see some background:
HOMELESS IMPATIENT WITH AGENCIES OVER SLOW PROGRESS OF PROMISED SHELTER 2012 (Wordpress blog)

The toss up between MSM homelessness & public order makes news again 2013

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


Kingston’s Homeless MSM challenges scream for proper attention (involving the very premises at Millsborough)

the new location highlight:

Peace & tolerance

H