Drop the charade of religiosity in anti-homosexual debate (Observer Letter)

In a sense I have to agree with this letter writer as the Bible has been misused for so many things and a few crack pots just turn what should be an ongoing discourse into a paranoid driven shouting match. Especially owing to the fact that Jesus did speak to homosexuality in the new testament in Luke where Jesus in a teaching on the rapture makes what appears to be a neutral non-discriminatory reference where it read (King James Version):

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Now to the letter in question:

Dear Editor,

The debate about homosexuality has been heating up over the past decade, and many who are in opposition cite scripture and refer to the description of Jamaica as a Christian society as the root of their opposition.

That, for me, is laughable because it simply is misrepresenting the truth. It is true that the good book comes down harshly on buggery, and it is also true that our laws have some grounding in Judaeo-Christian values, but we routinely cherry-pick which laws to follow.

We allow common law marriage, which is just a fancy way of two people shacking up, and nobody complains on biblical grounds. We entitle bastard children to equal rights and all is mum when it comes to biblical complaints. We even go so far as to allow women to have seniority (not to be confused with ‘activity’) in the church and the majority of biblical scholars applaud.

Now, some do complain about all these issues and really preach that fourth-century lifestyle. But the majority don’t; they move with the times, adjust, and reinterpret scripture as it suits them.

I would have more time for the anti-gay lobby if those in opposition dropped the charade of religiosity and called a spade a spade. They don’t like homosexuality because it disgusts them, and that frankly, is a reasonable position to have. They don’t accept homosexuality because it is weird and different and a ‘foreign’ culture.

All of the above are reasonable positions to hold, and one that I’m sure no gay lobbyists would hold over people’s heads. But to ground your opposition in a book written 2,000 years ago, when much of the book isn’t followed as is, does a serious disservice to the church — an institution which, love it or hate it, has always had reasoned thought behind its decisions.

In Jamaica the religion-based argument usually wins, for the church has the voice both socially and politically, and it knows how to use it. But it must get over the habit of grounding personal dislike and dissatisfaction in scripture because quite frankly it looks petty, reeks of hypocrisy, and shames the institution that used to use reason and not the bully pulpit to bring forth its arguments.

Yours truly,
Alexander Scott

ENDS

Let me end here for now but I did this post just to show the madness coming from ignorant folks who in an information age refuse to accept the reality. If I may use the JCHS’s own biblical quote they end their newsletters with:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Isaiah 9: 2 KJV

Bearing in mind King James in whose name the most popular English translation of the Bible is in was actually bisexual; pity the goody King would not have foreseen the work put in would be used as a destructive weapon hundreds of years later.

although the Catholics have a lot to answer for in terms of clerical abuse (more anon) but the message is clear thus far.

Peace & tolerance needed indeed.


H

Legendary ‘U-Girl’ passes after bizarre shooting incident

Sad to hear of this.

U-Girl in good times

Who knew that the day of April 12, 2016 approximately 2am will not be the same for one of the oldest queens in the business, the legendary ‘U-Girl’ who was in the hospital with gunshot wounds to the right side and back she sustained after an encounter with man aboard a car. We never expected to hear she would be dead as she made her transition on early Monday morning at the Kingston Public Hospital, KPH, especially after the good spirits she was in when persons spoke to her on Saturday night after surgery days prior while recovering.

A leggy drag diva who like many other girls (gurlz) had to turn it sometimes by pounding the pavement as educational opportunities were not there and every now and again displacement challenges forced her to try her hand at anything, including a short lived vending business; a story that can be told for so many of the other near forty displaced, homeless or unemployable friends who are forced to eek out an edgy existence including commercial sex work. She was a true survivor; U-Girl was on the streets in the business district on the time in question where she hung out for years from the days of the now closed Club Entourage formerly on Haughton Avenue operated by the late Brian Williamson, the risks with that are well known, a car with an alleged doctor on board and who allegedly had threatened some time before to shoot persons up after another queen was alleged to have stolen a phone from him; something went amiss and shots were heard sending the other persons gathered to scamper for refuge, it is not quite clear what was the subject of the short exchange as the others were said to be away from the car and Miss U-Girl was closer to the vehicle apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The challenges from within and externally towards commercial sex workers (male and female), homeless msm/transgender and their friends are numerous and I have lost count. With the recent relocation of some of the persons to the old lands of the demolished Millsborough Avenue mansion and reliance on pounding the pavement in New Kingston has had and is still having clashes in the business district; since the shooting unconfirmed strange events have been happening such as men asking for certain personalities from the group which have myself and others wondering what is this that seems to be festering?

Close friends here and abroad are worried whether the population members can return to certain parts of New Kingston but the actions of some of the group or other persons who are miscreants, commit atrocities but the homeless guys are the ones who get the blame every time which also makes this prickly for the populations day or night. Apart from a few involved in some snack selling most if not all of them are involved in some kind of commercial sex work which makes matters worse both from a police standpoint who are forced to carry out patrols, detentions and arrests (too numerous to be listed here). A clash with men allegedly coming from a party nearby at Club Escape (yet again) a week ago proves that the business/entertainment district is heating up again while persons are said to be using the previously occupied Shoemaker Gully as a sex spot as they have no where else to go for an easy engagement with clients. What is also still disturbing to some but not surprising to me as to the push to keep the incident under raps where allegedly persons have been told not to raise the matter, however persons have ignored such calls and have been loud on the passing of their friend.

It is not the first time there have been shootings, near misses, rescues by good Samaritans (prior to the negative press over the years that has seen sympathy or support wither away) but the populations simply wonder all around.

The recent murder in the Sandy Gully is another example of the issues that attend to a slowly growing population. It is as if history is just repeating itself all over again. Many are also asking what would be so important on the phone that instead of reporting the matter to the police to have them address it one would leave, return and then shoot persons; then allegedly turn up at the hospital to inquire of the phone’s where abouts and then allegedly subtly threaten U-Girl in person that if she did not spill the beans she would be sorry. Was this doctor involved in or had a hand in U-Girl’s sudden failure in her health after being in good spirits and on the mend just days before.

U-Girl was a former multiple entrant in the possibly now defunct dancehall queen hosted by another legend Macey Antibellum Grey and she placed third and as a runner up in previous competitions. She was also known for her ability to walk in very high pumps long before red bottoms became fashionable and her wigs would fall behind her back similarly to former Shalamar’s lead “Real Love” singer Jody Watley which is what I think made her name or be tagged as U-Girl in her drag aesthetic as lanky model looking lanky type.

Also the Red Rat old dancehall “Hey U Girl” (inna de tight up skirt) anthemic hit which I regularly included in my playlists when I was one of the resident DJ at Entourage was a favourite of hers; she also performed to that song and others at parties such as the annual back to school events; she would wear very short skirts with stockings or knee high bobby socks and a small girl knapsack on her back adding to the look of a school girl/grown woman combo with her trademark dark eyed makeup. Hence the name ‘U-Girl’ got stuck.

She also would have a twirl to some queen tracks I spun although she was more a dancehall fan and was a fixture from the days of Club Entourage that also operated in New Kingston long before the homeless issues spiraled out of control and was a challenge then in the mid to late nineties; Uncle Brian Williamson had major headaches clearing the gates on Haughton Avenue especially on Friday nights and Saturday mornings after the club ended as the populations gathered and dished before dispersing after some pressure to leave. She also participated in the short lived interventions by persons like the late Howard Daly who tried a more artsy driven personality development sessions but those came to an end as other alternatives came by way of some of the participants, so some interest waned.

Rest in peace sister.

It was only a couple days ago another report of the challenges that can come with commercial sex work or exposed populations; a dissatisfied customer reacted violently to a male commercial sex worker in Montego Bay; even as discussions abound on making a sort of red light district in Negril as evidenced on Power 106FM on Thursday April 14 in a series of interviews by Cliff Hughes host on his ‘Online’ talkshow live from Negril on the day in question. 

Sadly similarly to previous matters they do not get the investigative attention they deserve pursuant to getting closure and better yet the truth and justice.

Peace & tolerance

H

I don’t want to peep in your bedroom ... oh really now

excerpt from Gleaner

So Dr Wayne West of the JCHS has come out swinging claiming he is not into peeping into bedrooms of consenting adults who practice anal sex via an article in the Gleaner; most consenting adults overall who engage in buggery practice so in their bedrooms I imagine or private spaces as outdoor sex is still seen as illegal and attracts gross indecency charges which has a monetary fine; then if he is so inclined as to not become a peeping Tom then why won’t he publicly support the amendment of the buggery law as is now proposed and pursued (finally sensibly) instead of pushing for the law’s retention?

the article said in part:

'I Don't Want To Peep In Your Bedroom' - Anti-Same-Sex Campaigner Says Fight Not About Stopping Consenting Adults

Outspoken representative of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, Dr Wayne West, has declared that his advocacy for the retention of the buggery law is primarily fuelled by his concerns for the freedom of Jamaicans rather than any interest in the bedroom happenings of consenting adults.

"The buggery law is not about peeping into anybody's bedroom. Don't let them fool you. That is what they would want you to believe, and they say, well, do you want to peep into someone's bedroom? Of course you wouldn't. Who would want to peep into anyone's bedroom?" West asked last Tuesday during a public lecture on how some international agencies are helping to sexualise children.

"We don't want certain things on the streets. We don't want them in our churches, we want to be free to say thus say the Lord," said West.

STRONG OPPOSITION

 

He argued that strong opposition to the country's buggery law has caused him to help to organise several marches to protest any attempts to tamper with Jamaica's traditional understanding of the family.

There has been increasing calls in recent times to review the centuries-old law, which is considered oppressive to some citizens.

"When we speak to the buggery law, we are not speaking about peeping into any body's bedroom, as persons like to say," he said.

"We are talking about what is happening on the streets and what is going to happen in your business, what is going to happen in your church, what is going to happen in your school, or whether you will be able to keep your job or your business, because this is in the public domain, and what we are seeing really is a plan for sexual anarchy and sexual nihilism," said West.

He charged that persons who opposed the homosexual lifestyle in some countries are prosecuted, and Jamaicans need to be free to practise their democratic rights.

"If Jamaica wants to go that way, then fine, but this must not be forced upon us and certainly must not be sneaked upon us ...," said West.

"This is a democracy, so what happens is completely in the hands of the people. The people are free to share their opinions."

What does he mean when he says?

“We don’t want certain things on the streets. We don’t want them in our churches.”

Am I to understand that Dr West thinks outward displays of affection is going to simply cause persons to be homosexualised or is he blindly unaware of the fact of what can and has happened in some instances of such expressions in public. Or like some churches one can be gay or suspected to be so but remain a member so long as they keep it to themselves; no wonder he gladly embraced Queen Ifrica, after all her “Keep it to yuself” song promotes staying in the closet; he also pushing outcasting homosexuals simply due to their sexual orientation when the very master himself does not promote exclusion; lest we forget the alabaster box story and the washing of the feet of Jesus by a scorned prostitute, to which he rebuked those who expressed such disdain. So the church in West’s eyes must be pure of all sinners when the very church is supposed to be the place to win souls for the kingdom.

He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.

With the obvious backwardness as displayed recently at the anti gay group Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society JCHS of so called concerns on sex education in schools and a call for a kind of purging of same albeit in an information age then it is no wonder some of our challenges continue; thinking hiding information from minds when said info is a literal finger swipe away on a device (maybe the JCHS may want to censor the internet later) then they are fools frankly.

Where are these voices like JCHS when the very sexual assault and related fears turns up in churches of all places or carried out by pastors on church sisters and the age old issue of clerical abuse via priests? Then comes the rubbish frankly by Dr Wayne West chief protagonist of JCHS that “I don’t want to peep in your bedroom” claiming that the fight is not about consenting adults, then if it is not about peeping into bedrooms so to speak and the false dichotomy about freedom of speech then where else would buggery be mainly committed by said consenting adults?

It is this backwardness and supposedly protecting children in a misguided attempted to purify minds that have kept many in ignorance and hence the sometimes ridiculous debates, accusations and counter accusations of sexualizing children. Does not this same group really sit down and listen to the dancehall lyrics that play on open radio every day? The very violence, sexualisation and such are promulgated by the very religious right groups on some moral quest yet find it convenient to deliberately continue to conflate abuse with same gender sex in the continuous efforts to ‘other’ those who are not as they are. With pressures such as this from fanatics and an un-naturalizing of same gender loving relations then it is no wonder to me that to gain some legitimacy by adopting negative constructs seen as acceptable elsewhere.

Then comes the usual ‘sexual nihilism’ and ‘anarchy’ argument which to date he has not been able to properly substantiate while tying in freedom of speech given the Professor Bain matter and such. More rubbish again while crime spirals out of control, where are the sentiments on the madness happening out there from West et al? I am sure May coming as seen as child’s month there are going to be much online activity and newsletters as done before by JCHS and youth arm Lovemarch on a pretext of concern for children; then we can also expect JCHS partner Betty Ann Blaine also weighing in on child abuse and rightfully so but mistakenly if not deceptively conflating abuse, grooming with same gender sex. Let us see what comes next eh.

More anon.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Keep law out of gays bedroom 2004 flashback

Gays are welcomed! oh really now

So here we go again with this patronizing nonsense about gays welcomed business; Jesus when he walked the earth as far as we have been told did not ostracize anyone of make any special conditions pursuant to exclusion that exist prior. Are we to believe that gays were never welcomed before?The Gleaner rang loudly recently on such a conversation to include reparative therapy as the way out, when we know now that such therapy does not work:

Some local pastors are standing on holy ground on the hot topic of same sex unions, making it clear that all are welcomed to their churches, but not their lifestyles.

The pastors, who were part of a panel of religious leaders at the first in The Gleaner's series of Family and Religion Editors' Forums at the media house's Kingston office yesterday. They discussed, amongst other things, the role of the churches in a Jamaican society overwhelmed with crime, criminality and other ills.

Pastor Dwight Fletcher, who heads the Transformed Lives church, said his congregation welcomed all but it was within the realm of the church to transform lives.

"That issue is an issue like all others, because we are all broken. We all come with something. So we don't want inappropriate behaviours from heterosexuals, or homosexuals. But they can come to church. We accept you as a human being and God wants the best for you. But we refuse to accept you remaining the same," said Pastor Fletcher, who extended the olive branch to all and sundry.

"Our church is a transforming lives church. We take you from where you are, if you are willing, and transform you in the Lord to where the Lord wants you to be," he told the group of fellow pastors, reporters and editors.

Fletcher said thieves must expect to be transformed, drug addicts, and all sinners, including those of same sex orientations, because "we are going to love you anyway, but we are going to refuse to let you stay where you are."

Reverend Gary Harriot, general secretary of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, said the church in general does not settle with people where they were, but was focused on what they could become.

"Some churches have gone ahead and openly accept same sex relationships. My sense is that the Jamaican church and society is not there. But we must respect the person, the human being and treat this person with regard and dignity," he told the forum.

According to Harriot, based on his understanding of where the Jamaican churches were, same sex relationships would not be embraced, nor celebrated.

Reverend Errol Bolt, pastor of the Kencot Christian Fellowship church, said there should be no confusion about the definition of family unions, as the Bible was the leading authority on the matter.

"The church does not define family. The bible does. And God defines family as a male and female, and a male and a female with children by the Bible's standards. The church is here to represent what God says to society," stated Bolt.

According to him, the church has a responsibility to represent what God said and not what was unsaid.

"In their own minds they know that the definition of family they embrace is not that of God's nor the church and they themselves voluntarily stay away. But if they come to church, the Christians there would never turn them away," he stated emphatically.

"We are going to teach them what God says, but it is a good thing that they want to be part of the church."

Reverend Dr Stevenson Samuels, senior pastor of the Escarpment Road New Testament Church of God, said he was unaware of any church in Jamaica that openly accepted gay lifestyles.

"I don't think we should say the Jamaican churches. I think we should say the Jamaican society, because I am not sure that that is tolerated anywhere in Jamaica," argued Samuels.

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexual and Gays (J-FLAG) has gained traction locally and internationally for activism on behalf of the body, even as there remains a push back from the wider society.

As Samuels spoke, there were sotto voce expressions that there was a growing homosexual population in Jamaica. He said there was a cultural bias against homosexual lifestyle in the country and the church should not be singled out as the only body unaccepting of the lifestyle.

Patrece Charles, chief executive of the National Parenting Support Commission and a devout Seventh Day Adventist, said, given the vulnerability of boys to waywardness, she would be uncomfortable exposing her sons to the lifestyles of homosexuals.

ENDS

The fact that we are still having to contend with the term 'homosexual lifestyle' says alot about who and what we are up against. 

Not to mention the mischief making of conflating abuse with same gender sex as done in the comment by Patrece Charles of the National Parenting support Commission just shows how much ignorance is to be overcome. As if gay men automatically act or operate as misogynistic heterosexual men who go after young ones as soon as they think they are ripe.

To also have such a headline screaming such that gays are welcomed suggests they weren't in the first place as sinners bearing in mind the church is supposed to be opened to all. If one is same sex attracted for example or transgender or non binary one must therefore act the fool and keep it to ourselves as some suggest in order to be legitimized and or accepted?

If they say they want to celebrate 'You' and not your lifestyle then the 'You' cannot be a fake or a shadow of themselves can they? and therefore there is a major contradictory in terms here at work. Want these church groups want then is a shade of the 'You' which includes thoughts, feelings and lifestyle.

What is meant by this repeated argument about 'tolerated?' so outward displays of affections such as holding hands and such are contaminants for passing on homosexuality!

What would Jesus do? I am sure he would not have left out or seek to ostracize the very souls the church is charged to win. Why can't one be gay and Christian as the same time? so many persons I know are struggling knowing they have the holy spirit and at the same time are torn with doctrine versus feelings and church pressure.

Sometimes I wonder if these people think before they speak.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:
The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria

Men who have anal sex with women are (likely to be) gay! ..... oh boi

Disturbing Paedophile Case & Conflation of Same Gender Sex with Abuse

Promoting homosexuality? No, its about freedom of choice, privacy & tolerance 2009

Anti gay religious voices where are they? .... Pastor charged with sexual assault 2014

US decries human rights practices in Caribbean

Jamaica criticised for ‘a lack of willing witnesses and inefficiencies in the judiciary’

WASHINGTON,DC, USA (CMC) – The United States of America, which has itself been criticised for police and other abuses, continues to decry human rights practices in Caribbean Community (Caricom) member-states, saying that many of them are still engaged in egregious practices that derail democracy.

In its 2015 edition of the “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” released here last Wednesday, the US Department of State pointed to what it described as “a global governance crisis” in which it said the respect for the rule of law in some Caricom states is inadequate and this is exacerbated by a deficient judicial system and chronic corruption in some branches of Government, among other things.

In Haiti, the State Department said the most serious impediments to human rights involved weak democratic governance worsened by the dissolution of Parliament in January, when the terms of all deputies and two-thirds of the Senate expired.

The department said there was also insufficient respect for the rule of law, worsened by “a deficient judicial system and chronic corruption in all branches of Government.”

Other human rights problems in Haiti included “isolated allegations of arbitrary and unlawful killings by Government officials; allegations of use of force against suspects and protesters; overcrowding and poor sanitation in prisons; prolonged pretrial detention; an inefficient, unreliable, and inconsistent judiciary; and governmental confiscation of private property without due process,” the report said.

Additionally, the State Department said there were reports of rape, violence and societal discrimination against women; child abuse; allegations of social marginalisation of vulnerable populations; and trafficking in persons.

Violence, including gender-based violence, and crime within the remaining internally displaced persons (IDP) camps remained a problem, the report said.

“Although the Government took steps to prosecute or punish government and law enforcement officials accused of committing abuses, credible reports persisted of officials engaging in corrupt practices, and civil society groups alleged that impunity was a problem,” the State Department said.

It said the most serious human rights problem in Suriname was the “unresolved trial” of President Desire Delano Bouterse and 22 co-defendants for the 1982 extra-judicial killings of 15 political opponents, “a trial that exemplifies deeper doubts about judicial independence in the country.”

Other human rights problems in Suriname included: Police brutality; poor conditions in detention centres; self-censorship by media organisations and journalists; widespread Government corruption; and violence and abuse against women and children.

The State Department also said other issues included trafficking in persons; continued lack of recognition of land rights for Maroons – the descendants of escaped slaves who fled to the hinterland, and Amerindians; discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons and other minorities; and child labour in the informal sector.

In Jamaica, the report said “an overburdened, under-resourced and dysfunctional judicial system, which obstructed access to justice for victims of crime and their families, and allegedly unlawful killings by Government security forces” were the most serious human rights issues.

According to the report, other human rights issues in Jamaica included inadequate prison and jail conditions; violence against and sexual abuse of children; and violence and discrimination against women, and against (LGBTI) persons.

The State Department said the Jamaican Government’s efforts resulted in charging a much larger number of police officers with abuses than the previous year.

But the report said a lack of willing witnesses and inefficiencies in the judiciary “continued to plague the justice system”, adding that trials continued to languish.

Stating that civilian authorities in Guyana, at times, did not maintain effective control over the security forces in 2015, the State Department said the most significant human rights problems were “arbitrary killings by the Government or its agents; allegations of Government corruption, including among police officials”, and laws that discriminate against women and LGBTI persons.

Other human rights problems in Guyana included lengthy pretrial detention.

“There was a lack of independent and transparent procedures for handling allegations of abuses by security force members,” the report said.

“Prosecutions, when pursued, were extremely lengthy, and convictions rare, leading to a widespread perception that security force members and Government officials enjoyed impunity,” it added.

In the Bahamas, the State Department said the most serious human rights problems were “mistreatment of irregular migrants, compounded by problems in processing them; an inefficient judicial system, resulting in trial delays and an increase in retaliatory crime against both witnesses and alleged perpetrators; and the perception of impunity on the part of law enforcement and immigration officials accused of using excessive force.”

Other human rights problems in the Bahamas, the report said, included substandard detention conditions; corruption; violence and discrimination against women; sexual abuse of children; and discrimination based on ethnic descent, sexual orientation, or HIV status.

The report said, however, that, in some cases, the Government took action against police officers and other officials accused of abuse of power.

For Belize, the State Department said the most important human rights abuses included the use of excessive force by security forces, especially the police; lengthy pretrial detention; and harassment and threats based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Other human rights problems included corruption by officials, domestic violence, discrimination against women, sexual abuse of children, trafficking in persons, and child labour.

“In some cases, the Government took steps to prosecute public officers who committed abuses, both administratively and through the courts, but there were few successful prosecutions,” the report said.

“While many lower-ranking officials faced disciplinary action and/or criminal charges for alleged abuses, higher-ranking officials were less likely to face punishment, resulting in a perception of impunity,” it added.

The State Department identified police mistreatment of suspects, detainees and prisoners; poor prison conditions and a slow judicial system; and violence and discrimination against women as the most serious human rights issues in Trinidad and Tobago.

It said other human rights problems in the twin-island republic involved high-profile cases of alleged bribery and corruption; inadequate services for vulnerable populations, such as children and persons with disabilities; and laws that discriminate against LGBTI persons.

“The Government took some steps to punish security force members and other officials charged with killings or other abuse, but there continued to be a perception of impunity based on the open-ended nature of many investigations and the generally slow pace of criminal judicial proceedings,” the report said.

It said other human rights problems included child abuse and discrimination against persons with disabilities.

In St Lucia, the report said the most serious human rights problems included long delays in investigating reports of unlawful police killings, abuse of suspects and prisoners by the police, and continued postponements of trials and sentencing.

Other human rights problems included violence against women, child abuse, and discrimination against persons based on their “real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” the report said.

“Although the Government took limited steps to prosecute officials and employees who committed abuses, the procedure for investigating police officers was lengthy, cumbersome, and often inconclusive,” it added.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, the State Department said gender-based violence and police impunity were the most serious human rights problems.

The department said other human rights problems included official corruption; lack of Government transparency; discrimination; child abuse; and laws that discriminate against LGBTI persons.

Government procedures exist to investigate violations, but few reports of violations were made,” the department said.

In St Kitts and Nevis, the most serious human rights problems were poor prison conditions and discrimination and violence against women, the State Department said.

Other human rights problems, it said, included Government corruption, child abuse, and discrimination against the LGBTI community.

The report said the Timothy Harris Administration took steps to prosecute and convict officials who committed abuses, but added that “some cases remained unresolved”.

The most significant human rights abuses in Dominica, according to the State Department, included domestic and sexual violence against women and children.

Other human rights problems included laws that discriminated against LGBTI persons and discrimination against persons with disabilities, the department said.

It said the Dominica Government took steps to prosecute officials who committed abuses, and that there were no known cases of impunity.

On the other hand, the most significant human rights abuses in Grenada included poor prison conditions, violence against women, child abuse, and laws against LGBTI persons, according to the report.

“Unprofessional conduct” by police, violence against women and discrimination against LGBTI individuals were the most serious human rights problems in Barbados, the report said.

LA Lewis says "Born straight and stay straight," in feud with Ninjaman & Dr Love

So more accusations and counter accusations as to who is gay and who is not, as they say same sh*t different day and now comes this one.

LA Lewis

US-based dancehall artiste and blogger Christopher 'Dr Love' Crooks has hired a lawyer to counter sue LA Lewis for "malicious prosecution, invasion of privacy and abuse of the judicial process".

"LA Lewis has gone too far with this thing now, this lawsuit he is filing against me and Ninja Man is frivolous. I have instructed my lawyers in the US to file a counter suit in the Jamaican courts against this man," Dr Love said.

Two weeks ago, LA Lewis hired a lawyer to begin legal proceedings against Desmond 'Ninja Man' Ballentine and Christopher 'Dr Love' Crooks over a picture disseminated over the Internet, which suggests an intimate relationship between Lewis and Ninja Man's son who is known as 'Spuggy'.

A letter, written by Hannah Harris-Barrington, senior solicitor-at-law, gave the two artistes seven days to retract the slanderous statements and to issue a public apology or legal action will be initiated to recover "compensation, costs and legal interest". The seven days have since expired and LA Lewis is moving forward with the legal action.

NAME SLANDERED

"Ninja man and Dr Love have slandered my name and they will not be getting away with it," LA Lewis said. "I am going through with the lawsuit because the bwoy dem bright. Dem mek mi a lose money because promoters are saying I need to clear up the rumours before dem can work wid mi. LA Lewis is a corporate entity, and I am not playing with them. Mi nuh mix up in a nastiness. Born straight and stay straight," he said.

The allegation has spawned several pictures online some of which depict LA Lewis in what looks like a bridal veil next to Ninja Man's son. LA Lewis has denied the rumours that he is involved in any sort of homosexual relationship.

Last week, Dr Love released a single called Why You Doing It in which he makes disparaging remarks about LA Lewis.

Ninja Man was unavailable for comment. However, the deejay didn't seem bothered by the impending lawsuit since instead of a public apology, he decided to post another video on social media calling LA Lewis several names.

"Who him think him can intimidate? Better mi stop entertain them thing yah...The amount of clip weh we have weh you disrespect and violate people, the whole Jamaica can sue yuh. Even the Queen of England can sue yuh. I am so sorry for you because you are sick," Ninja Man said in his video.

This kind of childish rivalry is just so weird and ridiculous to me it is not funny. Why are we like this that as soon as there is a rivalry entertainers or not the main weapon is to reduce one's opponent to being gay or a battyman? 

Sigh

Peace & tolerance

H

Why “You cannot legislate morality, but your legislative framework can send a signal ....” in the 2K16 throne speech?

I was taken aback for a few seconds during the throne speech delivered by the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on April 14, 2016, the captioned text was part of the presentation which I found not only inappropriate but seems to be a coded message on what is to come; chiefly the much touted and pushed by religious right anti gay activists referendum on buggery. Why put a veiled threat in such a potentially explosive issue in a throne speech, who is the Jamaica Labour Party administration pandering to? I imagine it is the church mostly or the ever louder anti gay groups; some of them voiced their praise of the hint in the throne speech as to the retention of the buggery law via a referendum cop out on radio recently where there was a discussion with Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS representatives on the breath of change TBC radio. Anticipation is high on the expected referendum even as the buggery law is being challenged in the constitutional court (I am not feeling it neither are many LGBT folks) and the JLP instead of doing the right thing which is bring an amendment to the Sexual Offences Bill via articles 76, 77 & 79 to decriminalize the ‘buggery law’ to be specific to consent, privacy and age appropriateness.

‘Morality’ here I imagine homosexuality specifically without it being said openly bearing in mind homosexuality is not illegal in Jamaica but a sexual practice by some gay and bisexual men is in terms of anal penile penetration sex and indeed any other anal contact that can be proven as highly suspicious as defined in the lesser related charges of gross indecency and grievous sexual assault. We must also not forget the Prime Minister similar to his party’s predecessor is Seventh Day Adventist and is seen to continue in some way that moral agenda as carried by the ‘not in my cabinet’ Bruce Golding. While I understand the need for public order, decency and true tolerance even in the face of the feared public displays of affection by same gender loving persons, the paranoia literally is frightening as expressed in recent utterances and leaves one thinking that making such overtures between consenting adults especially is somehow contagious just by sight to impact persons to act especially children.

The section of the throne speech addressing this appears on page 14 of the document where it read:

THE 2016/2017 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Honourable Members, justice is integral for the improvement of the general well-being and to create a prosperous society. The rule of law must apply to all and we must seek to foster transparency, disclosure and fair play. 

You cannot legislate morality, but your legislative framework can send a signal as to your sense of morality. The principles of equality, fairness, natural justice and transparency must be enshrined in our laws and underpin our legislative efforts.

Then if morality cannot be legislated in the first place why include it in a throne speech again I ask, what changes that are considered so deleterious that that caution was needed as part of the planned legislative agenda? This is disturbing to me and it might be seen by some as knit-picking but it is in one-liners or phraseology that the devil is hidden and subtle messages are sent. Especially with our politicians who cannot be open about what they do it is expected and can be missed at times as so many other things dominate the national daily agenda. 

Strangely since the election win the JLP administration seems to be very guarded and strategic in discussing this matter except for the hint in the throne speech. In checking around online and on the JLP related Facebook groups the buggery law discourse is either muted or non-existent. A short interview on the Seventh Day Adventist owned Northern Caribbean University, NCU radio on Sunday February 21, 2016 prior to the February 25 elections then opposition leader now Prime Minister just very briefly hinted to the Sexual Offences Bill amendment and the possible referendum on buggery; I guess the JLP is waiting for the outcome of the ongoing constitutional court challenge to act. Which will come first is unclear the referendum or the judgement in the affirmative; I am not so hopeful on the challenge as it lacks the tenets I was expecting to see in the affidavit submitted by the claimant and there is very little buzz on it in the population.

What message from the legislative framework is needed to be sent? One of theocracy on the premise of keeping an old 483 year old legislation and why oh why was there no mention of the referendum in the throne speech seeing it was the draw card to appease the religious voices. The meeting that was being sought by JCHS and other antigay groups with the new administration was it gained and it so what was discussed? Too many questions and uncertainty abound and this seems to the JLP nicely playing to the gallery to get some traction on the one seat majority in the house seeing that the now opposition hypocritical PNP was or is seen as too pro-LGBT since the suggestion (seen as a promise) conscience vote that never materialized; so we were duped in essence.

Let us see if the answers will come forth.

Peace & tolerance

H

Deejay Che Fyah to Feature Queen Ifrica in 'Battyman' Duet Single

So in what appears to be another example exportation of Jamaican homophobia via collaborations with other recording artists a Gambian artist is to feature Queen Ifrica in an upcoming duet simply titled 'Battyman'

Deejay Che Fyah, a Gambian deejay and artiste, is looking forward to dropping a new single called “Battyman” with Queen Ifrica, a Jamaican international female artiste. This just feels like another way for reggae and dancehall acts who cannot release or have difficulty performing anti gay and homophobic inciting violence materials to export it to Africa and get loads of support with very little resistance. Other acts such as Sizzla thrive on such a strategy. 

Even acts on the continent also use it to boost their popularity as this previous post shows: Ugandan Dancehall/Afro DJ/artist Bobi Wine now reformed! ...... says he has evolved from homophobia

In an encounter with a local news outlet Observer Light, Che Fyah, revealed that the release of this song is prominent to his career, as he is featuring a great female international artiste, who is well known for dropping conscious vibes with superb lyrics.

“The song is all about discouraging Gay (battyman) and Lesbian styles. I did a song with Lutan Fyah and I’m still working to do more with other international artistes too,” he said.

According to him, his mission in music is huge and being a deejay and artiste, he has a great role to play in the development and improvement of the Gambia’s music industry.


“It is very important do collaboration with good and international artistes as it will avail you the opportunity to get your voice heard by many international audiences,” he concluded.

We need to recall how this thing specific to Ifrica started though and remember sometimes a wrong strategy can lead to unneeded issues as this latest development in my mind shows.

Here is an old interview with Ifrica, JFLAG's Dane Lewis and Tony Rebel on Nationwide on the issue with here performance at the Stadium and her promarriage remarks.

also see:
Barbershop chat: People still seh Buju was set up by gays

Queen Ifrica claims ...Gay people loved her music

Queen Ifrica calls on gay community to out paedophiles from amongst its midst

Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD 2013

Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected 2013

Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting

'I SPOKE FOR WHAT I BELIEVED IN' - Queen Ifrica defends Grand Gala performance after JFLAG backlash

"Keep it to yuself mentality" on homosexuality and "Keep it to Yuself mentality" on homosexuality part 2 .... on "str8 Jamaica

Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel call out Jamaican government on buggery law 2012 


Gays must reserve thier disappointment says emailer on the Queen Ifrica matter

Queen Ifrica Stands Her Ground on homosexuality 2014

Let us see where this 'Battyman' single takes us.

Peace & tolerance

H

Study: Use Politicians, Employers In New 'Strategy' To Address Attitudes Towards Gays

As the reporting on the awareness and attitudes study as commissioned by JFLAG last year continued to be shared in a drip drop format public commentators are asking where is the actual study document as released in previous said study? for the public to fully review; a question I concur with as denotes a feeling of controlling what is sent out to the public more so than openness. 

Sometimes I wonder yet still if the good folks at JFLAG are thinking? and understand how they are perceived by the public whose minds there is need to engage and change from homo-negativity.

the 2012 document

The Gleaner carried this:

Jamaican employers and politicians have more "positive and open" attitudes towards some gay issues than the general public, and interests groups such as the gay lobby are being encouraged to leverage that perception to their benefit.

Market Research Services Ltd made the recommendation in the 2015 Awareness, Attitude & Perception Survey about Issues Related to Same-Sex Relationships, conducted for Jamaica's leading gay lobby, the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG).

The survey of employers, politicians, and members of the general public was done between June and July last year.

RESULTS POSITIVE
It has returned some results which the researchers believe are "positive" and can be used by J-FLAG to develop a "strategy" to address the general negative attitudes towards same-sex issues.

For example, employers (39 per cent) and politicians (42 per cent) appeared to be more open to the idea of expanding the meaning of sexual intercourse than the general public.

The level of tolerance is also higher among politicians and employers than the members of the general public.

Meanwhile, although the majority of employers and politicians shared the view that gays experience the 'same emotions' as heterosexuals, the majority of the general public disagreed.

The researchers say the favourable results should prompt "J-Flag and other similar interest groups to consider first engaging employers and politicians in discussions".

"These entities (employers and politicians) are opinion leaders and influencers on the general public. Positive attitudes among these groups may be leveraged to advantageously impact attitudes among the general public," Market Researchers Services argued.

The survey involved a sample group of 1,003 comprising 33 politicians, 28 employers, and 942 people from the general populace.


It covered all parishes and has a margin of error of plus/minus three per cent.

ENDS

But with politicians dithering yet still on the matter I wonder if during the engagement they only answered the questions to suit the thrust of the study so as not to be blamed for encouraging pervasive homophobia and then avoid being accused of double standards.

Recent utterances however has shown any sensible person with common sense that they have two mouths.

Also see:

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

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

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

As the referendum is pending let us see where things go.

Peace & tolerance

H

Over 50% of J'cans would kick out there gay kids study finds

So in confirming what we already know and in pursuit of 'evidenced based advocacy' a follow up article on the study on LGBT awareness was highlighted in today's Gleaner today. The numerous reports since the beginning of this year and official figures from JFLAG from last year reflect the steady nature of forced evictions.

also see yesterday's entry: Survey of employers, politicians etc says 4% jump in Jamaicans 'hate or reject' homosexual relationships

Almost half of Jamaicans say they would throw their children out of their homes for being gay, resurrecting the issue of homelessness reportedly affecting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Jamaica.

The finding is contained in the 2015 Awareness, Attitude & Perception Survey about Issues Related to Same Sex Relationships.

The survey of employers, politicians, and members of the general public was done between June and July last year by Market Research Services for Jamaica's leading gay lobby, the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG).

Forty-seven per cent of the 942 people who made up the general public cohort indicated that they would not allow their child to live in their houses if he or she was gay or lesbian.

Seventeen per cent was indifferent, and the remaining 36 per cent said they would allow their gay child to remain in the household.

That view is cemented by the 75 per cent of the general public who say they would feel uncomfortable living with gays.

CONTRASTING POSITION

Employers and politicians, however, shared a contrasting position when questioned whether they would allow their gay child to stay at home. Fifty-two per cent of the 33 politicians said they would keep their gay child.

A higher percentage (57) said they would allow their gay children to remain in their household; the rest were either indifferent or completely disagreed.

Meanwhile, even if some Jamaicans would allow their gay children to remain in the household, most of them, according to the survey, were indifferent to, or totally disagreed with, allowing any mixing with their siblings.

In 2013, following the police-removal of alleged homeless gays from sections of upper St Andrew, J-FLAG argued that LGBT identity in Jamaica was "shaped and coloured by displacement".

The lobby said then that the Government was not doing enough to respond to homelessness and called for a specific strategy to deal with the situation.

The general attitude by Jamaican households towards gays should not be surprising given that the 2015 survey has also pointed to increasing levels of 'hatred' for homosexuals, as well as a stagnant low level of tolerance.

The survey involved a sample group of 1,003 comprising 33 politicians, 28 employers, and 942 people from the general populace. It covered all parishes and has a margin of error of plus/minus three per cent.

here is Dane Lewis of JFLAG expanding on the issues from a recording via a remote device on Newstalk 93FM with host Sharon Hay Webster (linked to the JLP):

Frankly JFLAG needs to always be reminded that their decision to not stand up to the Jamaica AIDS Support's board in 2009 to close the only shelter idea specific to homlessness via stigma, discrimination and homophobia has not been forgotten. It is precisely one of the reasons why some of the issues have persisted for so long; the problem is the moral authority or lack thereof with regards to the goodly J and speaking to the issues.

The MIllsborough house that was illegally occupied by the populations in Kgn in 2013, they have since returned to it as this previous post shows: 

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

Bearing in mind the Safe House space then was a blessing in disguise as the previous occupant a Reverend gentleman gave it up when he was approached on the tenets of the project and he agreed with the impetus. Now we have been repeatedly told that a space cannot be found and funding is low even as previously held funding was eventually returned to the donour.

As we wait for the next phase in this part of matters and announcements after announcements yet nothing materialises. 

also see from sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica:
Jamaican edition of Gaycation TV series angers viewers

The Challenges of Running a Queer Homeless Shelter in Jamaica

Insensitive Parents & displaced Adolescent MSM part 4

Peace & tolerance

H