‘Couch surfing’ inappropriateness framed as assistance for displaced & homeless yet again

As November is Homeless Awareness Month on here and sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica (Wordpress & Blogger) I continue to track some of the issues out there island wide with our counterparts on the homeless and displaced fronts. Informal shelter assistance has been around forever; also called ‘couch surfing’ these days by some when the term is more befitting a tourism imperative such as the Airbnb model in terms of a small guest house accommodation or even commercial sex work activity as well more so than residency responses; as hope remains while company is true kind souls have indeed genuinely opened their doors or shared a bed, a room or even pay for a temporary rental arrangement on behalf of persons impacted by forced evictions or who are already homeless.

I can personally attest to said kindness and am all too familiar how relieved one can feel when such help comes devoid of any inappropriate conditions (mostly sexual ones) the late great party promoter Donald ‘Fay Donnaway’ Thompson opened his apartment at Gore Terrace to many a gay man and drag queens being a queen himself in late 1996 when I was released from prison during my buggery trial and short incarceration years. It worked out so well that I ended up gaining a job and DJ duties at Club Heavens and was able to help with the rent in the long run until Donald’s passing on Good Friday 2001. As a true survivor and still living in Jamaica I understand some of the issues and indeed have opened my own doors where possible to persons over the years. Funding for a more formal arrangement has slowed but the allies over the years have been ambivalent due to the pigeon-holing of the New Kingston populations by media and others coupled with the anti-social behaviours of some in the group.

Honesty and trust between the parties involved has always been glue that holds the grantor and the benefactor together in the arrangement but when deception on one or both parties creep in then it is a cause for concern, when the issue hits the road it tends to lead to mistrust on all fronts and a refusal to assist or seek assistance in fear of an embarrassing refusal and persons being duped under the guise of assistance. Previous posts have brought this to bear this inappropriate sexual advances or indeed sexual abuse in the form of the other side of homelessness apart from the lack of proper interventions by the numerous NGO republics, Foundations who you do not feel on the ground but are very active via Twitterverse and hashtag heaven, persons have been ‘assisted’ only to have the shock of their lives in the assistance by persons forced to grant or perform sexual favours to the grantor of the help under pain of eviction or loss of the gift.

Two such complaints came to hand earlier this year, one in Portmore and one in Manchester that can be confirmed, other unconfirmed instances were floating around on social media and in private groups.

Case 1: Portmore

23 year old male reached out on Facebook earlier this year for help as his mother found out he was gay and had a more social media savvy relative scout his profile only to tell her he had too many male friends who look ‘funny’ which in turn over time led to him being forced to leave home; ‘assistance’ came his way under the guise of concern and the party involved did not outright disclose his sexual interest in the young man only for him to run into challenges as the grantor started making advances at first that appeared to be a joke, they eventually became more aggressive and so serious that a pot came into play as the young man had to defend himself. He eventually was forced to reach out yet again and was able to relocate. It turns out the ‘grantor’ only grants help with ulterior motives as his photo at one point ended up in circulation and a warning issued to avoid him as he is a repeat offender of sorts.

Case 2: Manchester

A so called pastor of the pocomania faith was aiding a man in his early twenties from the deep rural parts but similarly to the above matter he found himself becoming the subject of unexpected inappropriate advances, bathroom door visits while in the shower, slaps on the buttocks by the kitchen for example and other moves. Demands in the same breath of taking on more household chores which is understandable but when it gets to strict demands becoming the norm the situation became strenuous. The man was struggling due to issues with family members and subsequently residents in the small rural area where he hails, as everyone there knows everyone else it became difficult to continue to stay there, hence he had to move just to avoid drama. After the encounters from displaced to a brick wall effectively with the pastor he was forced to go searching again and was aided by a community influential until recently after an aggressive job hunt exercise (printed resumes and walked the roads handing them out) he was successful at gaining a chef job after an audition at a small restaurant. He now is sharing a rented space with another guy.

There is not much one can do though to forewarn folks in a desperate situation to sniff for (mis)trust when assistance comes forth, these overtures are as rear as they are already and to have such one usually jumps at the opportunity. To be left with disappointments due to mistrust is heartbreaking I imagine but as always hope remains while company is true. While on hope, the weed whacking project is still going on, the now 9 persons (7 males, 2 females) have been working the four whacker machines in rotation to make some money; the issues of sporadic rainfall with drought issues were all but absent to more work came in with some growing support from LGBT and non so clients. The temporary living arrangements they had were adjusted but they have a roof over their heads at different points. The guys who had left the crew when things were slow and they entered alternate higglering in bag juices, biscuits and such have seen their business grow save and except for the police and local authorities pressure on public vending rules and anti litter act legislation.

Other displaced persons though have been struggling in Spanish Town and Portmore especially, some have resorted to squatting with makeshift huts and so on which I visited in March of this year; the three men were warned about the idea but they insisted they do not have a choice.

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

also:

Young MSM/Transgender want to be treated as citizens not potential HIV/AIDS victims

Business downturn for the weed-whacking project for former displaced St Catherine MSM

Residents say gays take over Barbican house …………………

Marauding homosexuals and J-FLAG (Observer Editorial) ……………………

Two sentenced for 5 year old Torrington Park homophobic murder.

The deceased in better times

Justice served indeed. Each small victory is a way to begin to right size the longstanding issue of poor results for cases involving LGBT people as victims. Although the court systems are still creaking if only we stick and stay sensible results can come forth.

Two men were sentenced to life for the murder of a gay man after a chopping incident in Torrington Park from way back in August 2011 of Ricardo Morgan; the jury retired for 21 minutes after a two week trial and returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The deceased was a hairdresser after he was attacked by two men on the day of the incident earlier that year around 9pm the two men Shermar Salmon and Richard Lindo, evidence led by the prosecution as informed by the sole witness and the sister of the deceased stated that Salmon used a machete to chop the deceased on the left side of his neck causing severe bleeding, they say that after the hair dresser fell to the ground Lindo attacked him with a pick-axe stick inflicting several blows to the head where in the deceased succumbed to his injuries after.

The original CVM story

The crown also argued that the deceased was subject to continuous assaults in a tense standoff between the two accused and other men as well as they encouraged the homophobic stance to be enforced supposedly thinking they would be absolved or untouched by their actions as it is said to be permitted since homosexuality in Jamaica is not accepted. 

Other incidents from previous reports occurred as early as January of that year 2011 and at the deceased shop he was the subject of a man who arrived to point him out to other men as to the location and perceived sexual orientation of him as well; he reported the matter to some LGBT influentials at the time; the short lived melee had a captive audience but some persons dismissed the matter and suggested he was not a trouble maker and was earning his living honestly and that the pointing out exercise would only exacerbate matters and put the hair dresser at risk.

Residents in the area at the time had suggested more than once that the deceased was a target of verbal abuse from the two men in the area and was even urged several time to relocate but he refused. Here is another case of evasive action not being employed as the sensible option to avert challenges. This matter thankfully has ended amicably in a sense as the implicated perpetrators were not only nabbed as is not often the case in other such open attacks but tried and sentenced; with a sensible jury pool who saw the case for exactly what it is, a vicious murder with strong stigma as the motive.

Gay panic defence strategy attempted and failed

Attorneys representing the perpetrators posited that it was the deceased who provoked the situation as is often used in the deceptive gay panic defence, they claimed it was the deceased who was the aggressor on the night in question and tried to paint a picture of self defence which is an almost impossibility. Bearing in mind both men were armed with weapons against one unarmed man. I am pleased this one turned out the way it did as so many other cases have fizzled in court or the accused be it murder, extortion or common assault had the accused freed in court due to want of prosecution.

Torrington Park had featured before in similar problems and in Jones Town as well as far back June 21, 2012 in the height of our homeless population challenges police were called in to sort out a matter involving some gay men in the depressed community; I had carried the story on sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica here: SGL community members attacked in Kingston .......... some of whom were displaced and were being temporarily assisted by their friends from the area. The typical profiling of persons on either gender non conformity and so on raised its ugly head and a crowd had gathered at the gate of the house.

I wish for example the UTECH student abuse matter was resolved amicably if only the implicated man who was attacked on video followed up by going to court despite the slowness of our justice/court systems and that the guards were only charged for assault. Every victory is a win if ever so small to change hearts and minds and to make would be perpetrators think twice as to the consequences of such actions.

Peace & tolerance

H

Dormant anti gay feelings resurface in Florida shooting aftermath

Not surprising old dormant homophobic and or antigay feelings have come front and centre yet again in light of the Pulse Orlando Florida gay club shooting incident. In previous posts on tolerance and subsequent entries I and others have warned not to believe that perceived reduction in reported homophobic matters is not a sign to judge how tolerant Jamaicans are. Even comments as done in vox pops, comments on social media appearing to be tolerant can disappear overnight as this round of expressions show quite clearly; even as persons express some surprise if not shock at the brazenness of the shooter the corresponding sentiment openly in some instances declare those impacted by the incident deserved what they got.

This disturbing narrative has been ringing out steadily on popular Jamaican Facebook groups in particular and on Snapchat; not to mention Instagram as photos from the melee are shared, with some persons literally rejoicing; persons pour vitriol in almost endless threads. Then comes the unfortunate if not deceptive tie-in of gays by way of advocates becoming too brazen (effeminacy and light public displays of affection) or the old victim-hood line of bullying religious voices linking the Professor Bain and the University of the West Indies, UWI to the local scene and how powerful LGBT lobbyists have become as they try to change the ‘buggery law’ whilst some ignorantly also conjoin paedophilia into the mix to justify their position as per usual without any proof and sheer conflation of abuse and same gender sex.

I was never one to call signs of tolerance as definitive as changing hearts and minds aint no easy feat; while hope remains towards true harmony. There is usually a lull in between matters and narratives die after the proverbial nine days only for when another major matter such as this shooting incident then the old antigay forces come out. The comments are if not only disgusting but troubling as persons are willing to declare they would have done the act if they had the means, but one also wonders if these are just barbs for social media reflective of a narcissistic complex to supposedly ‘get a fawud’ as has been happening in recent times with all kinds of offbeat matters making appearances supported by hundreds of ‘Likes’ in other words anything to get some attention; even LGBT people are guilty of this whilst decency, boundaries and just plain common sense seem to disappear in the process.

The already lengthy string of mostly antigay comments on GLBTQJA’s Youtube page especially on the Dwayne Jones video of his last appearance prior to his murder has only gotten more graphic in threats and in numbers in recent days. My email inbox is starting to look like a list of steady threats and negative responses and justifications for the shooting; even as the repressed sexuality causation comes forth in the US media some persons are now claiming that it has always been gays who kill gays locally and that the twist added in recent days proves it. The shooter is now being reported as being a regular visitor to the very club he ended up shooting. The dismissal of claims of homophobia is on the rise which only raises yet again how to tackle the so important crisis communication in advocacy and taking each case on their own merit even this very awful tragedy.

Hypocritically religious groups such as the most consistent antigay group Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship came out with some half hearted position also obligatory condemnatory sounding narrative as expressed by its puppet President and one time HIV ally Helen Coley Nicholson where she said that the LCF condemns the use of violence against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation (they finally accepted that sexual orientation is real ... oh wow!) or in disagreement over moral and religious issues. She said in part:

“Guns have never been known to kill ideas; only people, change in opinions, lifestyles and beliefs can only come with respectful dialogue which acknowledges the sanctity of life and common humanity; our weapons in the struggle for change are not carnal, those who think and act otherwise are on the wrong side and will never win the battle ..... "

The Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches also has joined to present a very pious sounding position while condemning violence specific to the shooting they did not condemn the sentiments openly expressed given rise to the very homophobia they and others fan the flames if ever so tendentiously. Jamaica CAUSE and other antigay groups/voices seemed muffed let us see if they will cough up something to seem supportive or to avoid being labelled as being silent is a sign of a serve them right stance. No statement has come to hand yet from the local Muslim community or from their radio show (unless it was missed) neither have I seen when I checked as at the preparation of this entry anything related statements from the Marcus Garvey political outfit. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had issued a message with some commiseration included but I wonder if it was just the expected statement and really not meant in principle or some obligatory condemnation. The parliamentary opposition is silent on this and seems more busy with its own internal drama for leadership positions even as when they were in power duped all of us post the 2011 leadership debate and conscience vote promise or suggestion that has not materialized.

Holness Tweet

For what it is worth the PM’s statement was statesmanlike but his appointed Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte also a former Foreign Affairs Minister decided to tweet on the fact that a rainbow flag being flown on the US Embassy locally has thrown a wrench in the wheel; has she forgotten that the embassy is US soil? Seeing that they are going through this issue she is upset and tries to clarify her tweet as a personal position. 

actual flag outside the US embassy in Jamaica (photo: Jermaine Barnaby)

Does the Attorney General not realize that she does not have the luxury of making personal opinions in her capacity as the attorney representing the government? And to do this after the leader of the land made a prime ministerial statement only to smoke it up. It is not the first time Mrs Forte has shown her truth colours for want of a better term, her stint as Foreign Affairs minister and the debates on the sexual offences bills reviews with overseas engagements are documented. She reported tweeted:

“I strongly condemn #OrlandoNightClubShooting but find it disrespectful of Jamaica's laws to have #RainbowFlag flown here. #MyPersonalView,” Malahoo Forte tweeted on Monday.

And the US Embassy was quick to respond.

“@mmalahooforte we're listening. Explain the legal reasoning? It was an attack of terror !! and!! hate, targeting the LGBT community,” the embassy's tweet read. She was involved in 2010 in this previous post: Jamaica votes In favor of the amendment to remove sexual orientation from the resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (79)

Other sensible folks though have been separating the issues and rightfully so and thanks to President Obama’s statesman role in addressing the public he has also helped to clear the air by distinguishing the possible motives and not only describing the event as a hate crime but one of terror as well; his address today definitely put Trump in his place and right-sided the discourse with clarity of thought and perspective of logic; it has now garnered a name of ‘The Obama blast’ oh if we had more leaders like this. Malahoo Forte would have been schooled after hearing that, I hope she took notes. Let us see when the dust settles and the narratives shifts to something else which happens so easily.

Falconer's tweet

 but didn't the goodly Falconer do a similar thing recently? as evidenced here: Homosexuality is sinful but should not be criminal says former Information Minister then she claims she is an ally, oh really!

populist indeed

But the added hypocrisy which is somewhat laughable comes from none other than the now opposition spokesperson on information Sandrea Falconer who when she was information minister side stepped the issue of the suggested (seen as promised) conscience vote of her PM at the time and claimed the timing was not right yet she comes out swinging using the Malahoo Forte's faux pas to score political points. This is the same woman who claimed homosexuality is a sin but must not be criminalized but has not acted as a member of the senate to make her position active or as Member of Parliament to raise the issue; yet she is quick to hop on controversies even as her party struggles in the political quicksand.

Think on these things

Peace & tolerance

H

Teacher found dead in home, crime of passion is suspected by cops

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Up to late afternoon on March 9 the Trelawny police were working to apprehend the killer or killers of a St James High School teacher whose decomposing body was discovered at his home here yesterday morning.

The deceased has been identified as 53-year-old of Dexter Dacres of New Haven Heights, Granville, Trelawny.

Read from the Observer: Teacher's decomposing body found at Trelawny home

A reliable OBSERVER ONLINE source revealed that among the things removed from the house yesterday morning was a note that read:

"I killed him because he tried to rape me"

Condoms and lubricants were also said to be found in the English language teacher's bedroom.

According to the police, they were summoned to the swanky New Haven Heights, Trelawny neighbourhood, by residents, who detected a stench coming from the home of the teacher yesterday morning.

Upon their arrival, the cops discovered the decomposing body, with multiple stab wounds, wrapped in a sheet.

The body was removed to the Doyley's Funeral Home.

The teacher was said to have been last seen on Saturday in the company of a boy who he said was a relative of his, residents say.

Dacres, who reportedly started working at St James High in January, is said to have got along well with students and members of staff there. He was said to have also paid special interest in slow learners, a senior teacher at the school revealed.

The Falmouth police are probing the incident.

Meanwhile a Vice Principal at St. James High School, who gave her name only as Mrs. Panton, says the staff is shaken by Mr. Dacres’ death.

Commanding Officer for the parish, Superintendent Clive Blair says relatives had reported Mr. Dacres missing 

Superintendent Blair says the Police are theorizing that Mr. Dacres was killed in a crime of passion; as per usual the cops always default to that description no sooner than they figure or suspect the matter involves MSM as victims or perpetrators.

This case reminds me of the John Terry matter where a similar note was left on the scene as reported yet the killers and the case can't seem to get anywhere. 

Previous posts guide us in that regard:

British Consul John Terry's Murder Case Fails to Get Started Yet Again! 2014

Security guard charged with John Terry's murder as new DNA evidence is unearthed 2010

Hope they solve this one as so many have gone cold after much hype and initial shock of the news.

here is an older podcast i had done on the conflation with crimes of passion versus genuine homophobic matters:

Peace & tolerance

H

Ninja Man's Gay Son fled Jamaica after Numerous Death Threats

Ninja Man's Gay Son fled Jamaica after Numerous Death Threats

Only on February 4 I posted (LGBT population image takes another blow ...... gay lovers held for lotto scamming) my concerns and a case involving alleged lotto scammers and how it has helped to spoil our image overall as LGBT people. Now comes this latest one involving another alleged person but this time it stems from a video he posted online.

Best of life reported:

Son of dancehall veteran Desmond Ballentine, stage name Ninja Man an friends allegedly fled Jamaica yesterday because of threats from armed thugs Best of Elite has gathered.

We understand that the “Jamaica Town” artiste has 29 kids allegedly by 28 different women, one of whom is involved in the same case he is going to court for- and another who is gay.

Ninjaman recently distances himself from his son after social media began buzzing with a video of the dancehall deejay’s gay son driving car that was a part of a political motorcade. After all it’s election season in Jamaica.

A video from the nomination motorcades showed a car with gay men clad in their orange shirts and bands, sitting on windows and gallivanting just as how the females would.

One of the persons videoing said that the driver of the motor vehicle was Ninja Man’s gay son while the others were his friends. The men were not hiding and were in line with the motorcade.

Ninja Man revealed that he has nothing to do with whether his son want to be straight or gay.

“I have nothing to do with anybody and their life,” the Gorgon said. “It’s not me who curse you its you who curse yourself. So if you condemn yourself it is not me who condemns you. I reach a stage in my life where I am just living for me, my god and my music.”

“I am not going to let what a man want to do with him life be a stress to me,” Ninja Man added.

ENDS

There is now talk of the Dutch authorities revising their asylum policy in terms of Jamaica but as at the preparation of this post it was not confirmed; the talk is cases may be reviewed far closer than usual.

Oh boi, what is next for us now?

Peace & tolerance

H 

additional coverage: listen carefully to the disbelief of homophobia in Jamaica and abuse.

LGBT population image takes another blow ...... gay lovers held for lotto scamming

A lottery scam is a type of advance-fee fraud which begins with an unexpected email notification, phone call, or mailing (sometimes including a large check) explaining that "You have won!" a large sum of money in a lottery. Sadly because of associations and allegations of involvement involving gays or with some of our msm brethren it has had an impact on the credibility of the LGBT rights efforts and crisis reporting.

According to the Star:

The St Andrew North police raided a popular apartment complex along Constant Spring Road and arrested four homosexual men under the Lottery Scam Act, after lead sheets were allegedly unearthed from a bin.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the operation, which was conducted on December 25, was intelligence driven.

According to police reports, a bin inside their apartment was searched and the lead sheet was pulled from a pile of garbage. THE STAR also understands that the men chastised the police, claiming their Christmas cleaning was being disturbed.

THE STAR gathered that while the men were being interrogated they confessed to a certain lifestyle.

A source close to the investigation told our news team, "Two of them are brothers along with their significant other."

The men are to face the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court soon.

The source also told THE STAR that at least two of the individuals committed the act while allegedly being on bail for a similar lottery scamming offence.

They were charged by the Constant Spring police and remain in custody.

ENDS

Supt Fitz Bailey

We have had to deal with the remnants of such accusations in the early 2000s with a damning sweep by Superintendent Fitz Bailey at the time of gays involvement; of which we have not recovered to date. 

Bebe in good times before he was murdered

Then associations with the late Kenrick 'Bebe' Stephenson and his connections to the ruling PNP govt as a local representative has only sought to cloud the issue with the very same PNP administration trying to distance itself from him even in death through its or I should say our National Security Minister Peter Bunting. 

If future arrests such as this continue and persons are found guilty it may very well continue to play into the hands of those who use this to promote homophobia and denial of LGBT rights as the two are inextricably linked.

Think on these things.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

LGBTQ image/credibility takes another hit ..

J-FLAG Welcomes JCF's Withdrawal Of Homo-Criminals Claim 2011

Stereotyping from the police .... 2011 

Fish, Foul Swimmer And Scammers ....... 2012

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

Peace & tolerance

H

Alleged gay man on robbery charge remanded

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

Charged with robbery with aggravation is Desmond Joseph. 

He pleaded not guilty to the offence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sigh

Peace & tolerance

H

To the disbelievers ............Yes, J'can LGBTians are still forced to leave Jamaica

I was fuming earlier today after a radio show had a call in segment where the issue of JLP leader Andrew Holness's 'FISH' comment he made at a public meeting on Saturday last at another installment of the poverty to prosperity sessions. The comment came after he reminisced on his young days swimming in the Rio Cobre river and an audience member blurted "No Fish Round 'Ere" 'Fish' is a derogatory term for gays and is the more politically correct form than the crass 'battyman' he said "After mi a nuh fish ... no fish round 'ere" to wild cheering from the crowd. I guess that is a barb for the call on a referendum on buggery he is willing to support.

see: 
The line in the sand for the PNP part 10 : Buggery referendum & more CCJ

Opposition leader (JLP) reiterates his call for a referendum on Buggery

Jamaican Opposition Leader says he would allow homosexuals in his cabinet ....

The issue was raised in a call in segment and the matter of crisis communication (GAY & BISEXUAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS & CRISIS COMMUNICATION) credibility in terms of homophobic violence in Jamaica is concerned came up. The caller and host (never bothered to check names) dismissed such calls as lies and agreeing with anti gay voice Betty Ann Blaine when she made similar remarks at the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS at a rally in Kingston.

This has been a major challenge over the years overall and from my entry into the frey in 1996 it has been an uphill task to convince more of the public with a view to changing hearts and minds from homophobia to some tolerance.
The ever increasing numbers of persons who have left us is sad in a sense to see but persons have to consider their safety and if leaving is the option then so be it.

I will refer to a previous case I highlighted on this blog via two posts, bearing in mind that not all cases result in an asylum opportunity:


1) A Homophobic sibling, tolerant family members, forced evictions & an interrupted re-integration process

2) Gay man forcibly evicted from Birdsucker Avenue

Ramario Allison is now residing in Amsterdam after several challenges he and friends have had to face, I'll use his case as I am very familiar with it and the above photo was shot by me in Half Way Tree in 2014 as myself and the co-founder of APJ arranged some crisis intervention then.

He is now safe and here are the photos to prove it disbelievers of Jamaica not having homophobic violence:

Ramario at one of APJ's lymes .... he looks frass lol

Ramario at APJ's Seizmic Training 

an emotional closing speech at Seizmic APJ's training session consoled by friend who also is now in Amsterdam after he had to leave as well due to challenges

also see:

Aphrodite’s P.R.I.D.E. Jamaica Seismic Project Summary 2014

Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica's 'Seismic' Project wraps ......

Transgender Awareness Week: Taboo Yardies Screening in Kingston 2013

Transgender Awareness Month .......... Diva Whitney & more

Betty Ann Blaine on Big Gay Lie

So it is clear we have some long ways to go and reports keep coming in. As expected the heightened public advocacy is bound to bring a spike in numbers.

In October I had prepared a summary of the ones I am close to and have confirmed: Reported homophobic cases: January - October 2015 and there are those that more established agencies are handling and individuals.

also please donate to help GLBTQ Jamaica or Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica; see: Thanks for your donations

use the donations button (Paypal) and the page should look like this below:

So the truth has been told.

Peace and tolerance

H

Reported homophobic cases: January - October 2015

To view previous entries on this blog go HERE(GLBTQ Jamaica blog) and HERE for newer entries as listed by last posted first including this blog post so scroll down when loaded to see others. Reports can be made via email: lgbtevent@gmail.com. Now my latest report ...........

The following is a list of some recent homophobic case reports as compiled via multimodal sources including direct face to face interviews and corroborated matters from third parties.

Just by the numbers and continued made reports that come my way and that of my network sources it can be concluded there is a spike in challenges. A mix of extortion, police harassment, forced evictions, community/residency originated attacks, the peeping Tom phenomenon and profiling make up the case load in this entry. The trigger for this is a little hard to pinpoint as one could also conclude that the increased visibility of advocacies and an almost mainstreaming of same alongside the doubling of antigay group activities may have had an impact on homo-negative feelings whilst at the same time also gaining some traction in the tolerance department at more middle socio-economic levels.

Same gender loving women have also seen some jump in the numbers according to what tracking I was able to do and are listed where permitted on my sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica with the latest being a pepper spraying one by police in West Kingston.

Now to the present list:

January
Case 1 (Cosmetologist)
Date of incident: 16/01/15
Age: 23 Sex: Male

Returning to Jamaica after four years abroad, he set up a business in a small plaza nearing the Retirement Rd area, he was robbed of cash and other items valuing approximately US$45,450.00, EU$53,000.00 and or JA$70,000.00, assaulted with weapons including a gun; his property vandalized and was illegally evicted from the house he had rented by a mob of approximately fifty people. Apparently he was being watched and a plan hatched to commit the crime from both the business and residency in a bizarre web of deception. He suffered multiple injuries to the head and body, his arm was fractured, his front teeth were shifted out of place as a result of the beating he received and his doctor has recommended corrective surgery. He was also hospitalized for three days. He is trying to gather the funds towards the medical treatment while renting equipment to keep business going.

All this was as a result of his landlord accusing him of being gay, locking him in the house and went and called the neighbours. This also suggests the peeping Tom or profiling phenomenon at work here as well in our culture.

The matter was reported to the police

The landlord was arrested and charged for her involvement in the incident

The matter was still before the court.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Case 2 (Accountant)
Date of incident: 26/01/15
Age: 33 Sex: Male

A man and his lover were accosted by two police officers who saw them sitting in their car by the roadside. They were verbally abused by the police and were threaten that they are going to lock them up because they are “batty man”. There has been a marked increase of the cop shakedown problem and extortion in exchange for lesser charges or doctoring doctor’s reports with regards to buggery when caught in a ‘compromising position.’ The documents for the car were taken away along with other person belongings including their wallets. The cops weren’t wearing their badge numbers as is required on duty. The men were escorted to the bank machine by the officers who demanded money not to lock them up or to tell their community and workplace they are gays. They got JA$20,000 and demanded an additional sum. They were also threatened, that if the matter was reported to the police they are going to “get them”.

This is a separate matter from my previous blog entries on two cases of police shakedowns that are in court now in St Catherine. There are two other unconfirmed matters involving police attempting a shakedown of alleged homosexuals in Kingston and Montego Bay.

These guys received numerous calls on there cell phones from these officers demanding money or they will be “outed”.

The matter was reported to the police however

After two weeks some of the guy’s personal belongs were returned

Had to move from community because of fear

There have been no more calls

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Case 3 (Customer Service Representative)
Date of incident: 26/01/15
Age: 22 Sex: Male

Related to Case 2
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Case 4 (Unemployed)
Date of incident: 23/01/15
Age: 28 Sex: Male

Young man along with six (6) others were verbally abused (called batty man, sodomite) at a training session they were attending by a group of on-lookers who later hurled objects at the training session forcing the participants had to run away for safety. The session was on barbering and had persons with unusual hair styles etc which may have contributed to the perceived view of the persons being gay.

The men returned to the venue to defend themselves as they saw fit and returned stone throwing at a particular house nearby; the occupants stayed in and hurled hateful remarks and a lengthy exchange of colloquial expletives ensued before the cops showed up and calmed tempers to maintain the peace. This one there was clear fight back by the targets of the attack and rightfully so.

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Case 5 (Unemployed)
Date of incident: 25/01/15
Age: 28 Sex: Male

A man along with one of his male friend was at the plaza in Kingston when they were accused of being gay by two men just by simply standing in a space, clearly profiling factors in this case as yet still aesthetics is a measuring factor of one’s perceived sexual orientation unfortunately. They chased them away from the plaza and called out to others on the street to beat them because they are gays. They eventually made good their escape with one only suffering a kick on the bottom and his pants partially cut off his body by one of his accusers with a knife. They ended up laughing after the fat while counting their blessings

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Case 6 (former Sales Representative)
Date of incident: January 2015
Age: 21 Sex: Male

A young man had some friends over his house in Portmore again, his neighbours slashed his friends car tyres resulting in a repair cost of JA$15000. This may have stemmed from a small house event he hosted over the holidays prior and may have had prying eyes spotting the guests etc.

Later that week he woke up to see a sign on his gate that reads something like:

“No Chi Chi here leave we lick Chi Chi man and men DANGER”

This is not the first time such an action has been taken by perceived homosexuals in the community.

His family did not know he was gay, they started accusing him and asked him to leave because he was gay, and they were fearful for his safety and theirs. He had to quit his job, move out of the community to re-locate approximately 60 miles away while job hunting as word got to his employers and for a peaceful life he resigned to avoid further issues.

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February
Two reported cases
Case 7 (Waiter)
Date of incident: 22/02/15
Age: 20 Sex: Male

A young man shares an apartment with a male friend. He takes care of his little brother who often visits his house to collect money for school. On February 22 when his little brother visited shortly after there were police officers at their gate asking if they had two school boys in the house. He explained to the officer that the little boy is his brother and his brother’s friend.

After his brother and the police left, a group of about 30 persons entered the compound chanting anti gay songs and throwing stones and bottles. The broke into the house and attempted to beat both occupants, with knifes, iron, pipes, sticks and stones to which they miraculously resisted. They escaped out of the house and were followed by the mob that chased them in the streets and continue verbally abusing /jeering/threatening them. They escape saving their lives.

When they returned to the house later that evening it was near empty as their belongings were gone and furniture damaged, valuing at some JA$275,000.00. Photos were taken of property damage but not release for use to substantiate this report upon repeated request.

I have no choice but to accede to the client’s wish.

The man suffered two major head injuries and various abrasions.

The matter was reported to the police

One person was arrested

The matter was still before the courts

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Case 8 (Student)
Date of incident: 22/02/15
Age: 20 Sex: Male
Related to Case 7.

Lost belongings valuing JA$275,000.00 and cash JA$ $45000.00 that was in a drawer of a chest of drawers. Suffered minor injuries, cuts, abrasions and swellings.

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April
Two reported cases
Case 9 (former Farmer now unemployed)
Date of incident: 01/04/15
Age: 23 Sex: Male

Young man spent sixteen (16) months in prison. While in prison he was accused of being gay and received several threats. After returning from prison he went to live with his uncle, who worked in the prison. A short while after his very uncle started calling him “batty man” and told him he had to leave the house, he destroyed some of his personal belongings valued at some JA$37,000.00 and chased him out of the house. The matter was not reported to the police because of fear. He has since sought shelter at my house for a short time and then moved on to stay somewhere else has been couch surfing ever since.

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Case 10 (Unemployed)
Date of incident: 13/04/15
Age: 19 Sex: Male

Man was walking along the street downtown early in the morning around 6am in West Kingston nearing the market district when he was pounced upon by three gunmen and two onlookers who accused him of being gay, they robbed him the sum of JA$7,500.00 (he just pulled from the ATM machine) and US$1750.00, they also hit him beside the right eye.

The matter was not reported to the police

He received stitches for his stab wound at the hospital.

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May
Two reported cases
Case 11 (Police Officer)
Date of incident: 27/3/15
Age: 32 Sex: Male

Man was attacked by three (3) security officers employed to a Security Company. He was standing awaiting a taxi when one of the three security officers approached him and accused him of being gay via profiling and started verbally abusing him firstly then beating him with batons and kicks in the New Kingston area; he was later joined by the other two security officers. They beat him with their batons all over his body. As a result of his beating his right arm was broken. The matter was said to have been reported to the police who we are told is doing an investigation.

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Case 12 (Unemployed)
Date of incident: 13/03/15
Age: 21 Sex: Male

Bisexual was inside his house watching a gay movie in Greater Portmore St Catherine.

His landlord overheard sounds that were audible from the film via a surround sound system (stupid move I imagine but) and went and called five (5) other community members. His landlord knocked his door and asked to speak to him outside, when he went outside he was attacked suddenly by the five men, he was beaten with a machete (the siding), cut with a knife, hit in his eyes and kicked. He made good his escape to a nearby friend. The matter was not reported to the police because of fear. He managed to return to the address to retrieve his belongings with friends; he was jeered and mocked as he packed the landlord was not present at the time but was called via cellphone and his remarks reportedly was he should leave as there was a plan to return and destroy his things and beat him again if they saw him there.

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June
Case 13 (Customer service Representative)
Date of incident: 01/06/15
Age: 25 Sex: Male

Man talking to a friend at his gate on June 1st in the Kingston 3 Vineyard Town area. After his friend left he went inside his house after which he heard a group of people shouting “battyman”, “chi chi man” leave out here. Apparently the men were being monitored and the occupant of the house had been peeping Tom phenomenon for some time; his singleness as a man without a woman is a traditional marker for MSM who get profiled and then attacked. He then heard a banging on his door, to his surprise the door was “hacked” off, but they were hindered by a security grill. He ran into his bedroom for hiding while calling the police and shouting out for help. While crouching on his bed the mob break open his window and threatened him to leave by the weekend

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Case 14 (Unemployed) (cruising community member)
Date of incident: 25/09/15
Age: around late 30s Sex: Male

Cruiser at old cruising site after a quick partnered masturbation session in Kingston as is customary at that spot was unaware his and his partner’s actions were being observed; maybe due to less covert movements by the parties involved. The third party sought out an attack group of men nearby from an arcade who arrived with implements and hurling hateful and threatening words.

The men quickly redressed themselves but were cornered for a moment in the spot; as a cat is trapped in a corner and springs in defense such was the strategy used to dodge or dart between the angry group of men. Injuries gained from the swinging machetes and old metal implements such as old pipes used as weapons were hits to the head, back, neck as one of the men fell facewards while attempting their escape, he regained his stance quickly and left the scene with the mob now further angered as they could not hold the men. The chase ensued for a good distance when they got away through traffic at a stop light intersection leaving the mob livid that they were not able to exact their attack as intended.

I ran into one of the men some time after and I offered to photograph the healing wounds but he declined, a challenge I have always had from victims when approached for stronger evidence but it comes with the territory.

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October
Case 14
Date of incident 21/10/15 (Unemployed) (homeless)
Age: 22 Sex: Male

Man went to the police station along with his family members to report an incident.

On entering the station there was a group of soldiers who were outside saying derogatory things about him. He went inside and asked for an officer and was told there is no such officer. Upon leaving the station a group of police officers were standing on the steps hence blocking the exit. He asked for excuse to pass, and an officer made it clear to him that kicking him was part of his duty, he then kicked the young man down the steps and he also told his other colleagues that he was gay and they all started laughing and offering him more kicks and gunshots.

In his defense he had a box of milk in his hand which he throw at the police and ran.

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ENDS

There are several other reports and second hand information that are not yet confirmed or even corroborated which makes getting a near true picture of atrocities difficult and this entry/list does not include case reports made to other crisis intervention centric outfits. None of these reports to my certain knowledge were made to other outfits as at the time of the sit down or telephone interviews with the clients.

The heat is on for our brothers and indeed trans brethren and same gender loving women with bisexuals included. It may not be an overall trend but more cases came my way in the beginning of the year as opposed to recent times although the unconfirmed matters a bulked in the middle of the calendar.

Big thanks to my allies even strangers who reached out including supportive str8 folk and other agencies who shared the work with me

Peace and tolerance is indeed required

H

suggested additional reading:

GAY & BISEXUAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS & CRISIS COMMUNICATION 2014 from sister archive blog on Wordpress.