And 20 years hence ...........

the very spot where the above American Airlines crashed site some years ago where my ordeal and road to change and activism began

November 9 1996 would never be the same for myself and subsequently three other co-accused gay men who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, time flies indeed and I cannot believe that a full 20 years have passed when on Palisadoes Road to be precise when were surprised by bright lights and as it turned out it was a search-light atop a police car who happened on us complete with expletives, raised decibels and a string other anti homosexual comments when they realised we were all male. Despite that fact that no anal sex was happening at the time of the encounter we were none the less charged for it or at least two of us, myself and my then dating boyfriend who now lives abroad since the episode.

You may have heard my reference my buggery case from time to time in previous posts, well it all stemmed from the bizarre sequence of events that morning.

Picture it, a young man in my twenty third year of life with not a care in the world than normal, in a decent job, a roof over my head, mom and dad were still around and relatively healthy and mortgage payments; on vacation leave only to have my life turned completely out of whack just before returning to work due the following Monday, after running some errands in Spanish Town the night before, November 8 I made my way to the barbers to get my grooming on and keep my face tight; I ran into my cousin who was having drinks at a bar and he offered and we chatted about all kinds of nonsense, I was not out yet to him so I suspect he did not out rightly know I was gay although there was talk in the family already as I had no girlfriend since my late teens full time and apart from her miscarriage I never attempted for children.

We drove off to head for home as he lives just across the same housing scheme but he said he wanted to chill some more so we ended up at a street dance off Brunswick Avenue and had a few more drinks and by midnight we finally called it quits. Arrived home and decided to take a shower when the phone rang, it was my then date who said he was bored and his best friend one of the now infamous four were out and about on the town when they offered to come get me; I hesitated as I usual do not venture out after coming in from the road; they pressed me none the less and I capitulated. In less than twenty minutes there was the toot at my gate, relatively fast since it was late, I showered and left in the car. We were having a ball, four young men with not a care in the world, we look good, we had money so what is to stop us apart from the nonsense homophobia we were about to walk into. We stopped by a popular hookup joint then known as ‘Sandringham’ but it was full so we headed to Burger King had a bite and left aimlessly out and about, the road was busy as the early air of the Christmas holidays were visible with the trademark pepper lights, tinsel and such were in full swing. So we somehow decided to drive and anywhere the destination landed us then so be it.

We ended up at Palisadoes, upon our arrival we parked just opposite the airport runway but realised we had company as other persons were there; mostly heterosexual couples doing their thing in the vehicles as it is a popular spot for that sort of thing; a refridegerated truck drove off but we did not pay it any attention and we moved closer to the sea shore where we dipped our feet in the water, then we moved to the ill-fated spot and paired off in a romantic setting then came the floodlights aimed at the car and plain clothes as well as uniformed cops came charging out; upon discovering we were all males then homophobia started; my shirt was off by then so I put it on and the other two guys who were leaning on the rear of the car a grey Toyota Corolla were ordered to allow the cops to search them.

We were hustled into the patrol vehicle while one of the officers drove behind it to the Airport police precinct and that’s when things got interesting:

Parading of us as ‘battyman’

Numerous phonecalls to alert other officers of us

A barrage of questions dotted with condemnation as to our abomination and nastiness to include ‘shitpit’ references, I guess they never actually gay men in the flesh directly before in full knowledge of their sexuality so curiosity was high

Attempts to get us to tell when and where we started being gay and that if we do not know we can change; the usual restorative mantra

A full out prayer meeting at one point as we ignored it for the most part to change us into heterosexuals again by a fire brand female officer who sounded Pentecostal like

Attempts to try to get us to give a statement despite that fact that the charge was not yet entered in the station diary; some cops dismissed the whole affair and urged the others to let us go and move on as one put it at the time words to the effect that ‘dem a decent yute dem man’ (these are decent men) maybe implying the effort should be more on hardened criminal suspects, myself and my date were ones who seemed to be targeted for getting the full buggery charge seeing we were on the backseat of the car not naked but shirts off and in a hugging position, the other two guys ended up with a gross indecency charge; we were asked to strip away from the other cops and our underwear taken to supposedly be used as exhibits. A corporal Bailey was more civil in how she dealt with us and seemed sympathetic but I had my doubts as it could have been a softening exercise to have us implicate ourselves, a tactic used by police when they know that they have a weak case with nothing to stand on.

The ordeal lasted for a 5 hours so much so I started fall asleep in the backroom of the station, by the time sunrise came we could hear the mob outside the station demanding the cops hand us over to them as word spread of the ‘four battyman dem’ so arrangements were made to take us into town itself as the jail cells there had suspects. The departure from the station was another matter as the cops had to make a passage way with their bodies as the mob waited eagerly; we were told to dash towards the jeep which we did and the mob went bezerk in their failure to get us and the police’s protection of battyman. We subsequently were taken on tour it seems to multiple police posts and precincts, namely Half Way Tree where interestingly despite no cell phone technology then prisoners/suspects were shouting from the windows of cells which one they wanted ‘the brown one’ referring to Nigel in the group. I thought they meant to exact violence but I subsequently learned later that it was for sex (despite Jamaica’s homophobia) substitutional sex in prisons or the prison wife phenomenon is very much here.

We then ended up at Elleston Road where another display session took place much to the raucous laughter of some, we were all frightened as we did not know where this was going given the awful history of police abuse of gay men years prior often gone unabated and corrected. Then someone called my name even as I hid my face between my legs worried about what my family would think when they get wind of this; the voice was that of a police officer who I knew so Lord I melted as he would be the one to take news onwards, I never responded when he repeatedly called me and then cursed an expletive and walked muffling under his breath ‘battyman’ we made our statements after the charges were read to us and the taunts and curiosity seekers were at it as at Pailsadoes. Were then were taken to Central precinct in a bid it seems to find a place to put us on remand and again as at the previous locales the humiliation, curiosity, verbal abuse persisted.

We ended up at the Elleston Road Medical centre with now 8 cops (two of which I subsequently learned were bisexual as they came out to me years later) to be examined by the doctor on behalf of the state to prepare the doctor’s report for the prosecution/arresting officer. To think the doctor effectively had to commit buggery by fingering in a glove with lube to check the tightness or looseness of our sphincter muscles. The report later suggested spermatozoa cells were present normally at the fibres of the clothing where they should be but also at my anus (first sign of a falsified report in hindsight) as remembering no anal sex occurred and a condom that was in my pocket ended up also as an exhibit. But let us not rush it yet, we were then taken to Remand Centre in Rema and the cops their all but one all agreed to use the story of a charge of illegal drugs seeing it was at the airport stretch which is also known as a float away point for cocaine. This was done to diffuse any challenges that may come while we were in custody but one police woman decided to circulate by way of a note that were bugga man.

That’s when all hell broke loose and the beatings started; we were then separated into different cells so as to reduce the familiarity component but it was clear by our second day on lock down a cell block shanking was in order. I was able to defend myself in a way but my other pals I could hear my date pleading for no more hits. The ordeal went on for some hours before things cooled. We had court the morning in questions and the bruises were evident but despite the cops asking us to point out the culprits we kept it in as we were not sure of the aftermath. We subsequently placed in one cell which was not on lock down like the others with more hardened accused. Everything from hits with bottles, to the trademark melted plastic on skin was used as tortures to us but thankfully we made it through. The court hearings started and even there in the hallowed halls of justice we were subjected to ridicule even by one of the four judges overall who heard the case, inescapable homophobia I suppose. The judge in question asked who was doing whom? Much to the laughter of the courtroom. Some two years plus passed with the repeated mention dates as the arresting officers simply stopped attending court despite numerous subpoenas. We were advised not to give up and attend every mention date; we did and then the faithful day came when we asked the bench to throw out the matter sighting our punctuality in court and our employers (three of us were still employed) expressing concerns of loss of man hours ti which she complied and adjourned it sine die (set aside for seven years and could be recalled if the arresting officer found new evidence). By this time there was no JFLAG or groups like that so apart from words of encouragement from some, and then a more proactive Jamaica AIDS Support, JAS we had to start all over again.

Malice, verbal abuse, homophobia in various forms and gossip punctuated my life for years so much so I relocated to Kingston; I then started by disc jock stint at the Club Entourage on Christmas Eve 1996 out on bail of course thanks to JFLAG co-founder Brian Williamson. Some family members have not spoken to me since while others have (re)connected over the years. My experience has taught me lots and gave me the resolve to being the person I am today despite losing some friends to murders, HIV related diseases and a slow progress to change in Jamaica. I’ll admit at times I feel near burnout but I use the rubber band technique and bounce back. You live and you learn I guess.

Thanks for your support over the years but the journey continue.

Peace & tolerance

H

On Rev Devon Dick and the Rev Al Miller dick down

Rev Al Miller

Rev Devon Dick

I could not be in more agreement with the Reverend Devon Dick, recently appointed to the head of the local Baptist movement and has had some tolerance posturings on LGBT matters (but needs a lot more), his take on Reverend Al Miller's latest legal woes set against his credibility, truthfulness and more so in the middle of the anti gay deluge by religious voices of which Miller is one of the loudest ones.

The timing of this could not be more opportune.

Previous posts can bring some of my posts to bear.

GUILTY! Anti Gay Rev Al Miller to be sentenced Sept 15 for Perverting course of justice

Grrrrr ........... Al Miller could escape with fine

Reverend Al Miller has no moral authority (yet again) to speak on flags & correctness

Reverend Dick:

On July 22, flamboyant and charismatic preacher Al Miller was found guilty of perverting the course of justice by transporting Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, a fugitive facing drugs and firearms charges in the United States of America (US), and ignoring three attempts of the police to stop. Parish judge Simone Wolfe-Reece gave a most damning comment, claiming that the founding pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle was "less than candid with the court" (Gleaner, July 23).

This is the second time in five years that Miller has been called out by a judge for being less than candid. The first time was when Senior Resident Magistrate Lorna Williams doubted portions of Miller's account under which he lost his firearm. She found the degree of negligence of such a high degree that it was deserving of criminal sanction. (Gleaner, September 24, 2011).

The implications of these judgments are very serious and far-reaching. If Miller is not truthful, then how did he lose his gun, and what was the motive of Miller in transporting Dudus, and where was he taking him? How did he know where Dudus was, and when did he know? Is he being a fall guy, and why? The use of guns in criminality and murder is a serious problem and the power of dons and garrisons is robbing people of freedom and prosperity. The inferences are frightening.

In addition, one's integrity is very important in the vocation of a pastor. Our word is our bond. Our yea is yea and our nay is nay. That two judges have called into question the truthfulness of statements by Miller is cause for grave concern. Even if he were the owner of Fellowship Tabernacle, he needs to step down and do some soul-searching based on these judgments. It cannot be business as usual.

One can recall Miller being strident in calling on both P.J. Patterson, then prime minister, and Edward Seaga, then opposition leader, to resign. Even in the recent spat between our attorney general and the US Embassy, he was forceful about the US respecting Jamaican law. Clergy persons cannot be seen to be above the law.

There is the issue of what happens when pastors run afoul of the law in a serious way and they own the church. Who administers discipline? It cannot be self-discipline only. If an ordinary member is convicted in court for a serious crime, what happens? What would be the hue and cry of the Church if a politician was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and being negligent in the loss of a firearm? This case has the potential to compromise the Church in being a moral voice if it does not speak clearly and unequivocally about the need for Miller to step aside.

Resigning is not the end of Miller. It could be a beautiful story about our forgiving God when a clergyman can acknowledge sin, repent and be restored. Peter denied Jesus, the Christ, three times and was later restored by Jesus and became a mighty evangelist for God. David was perceived as a man after God's own heart partly because he confessed his sin of adultery and murder and did what God said.

Some years ago, when asked by a Gleaner editor-in-chief who was the most likely pastor to have an impact on Jamaica in the new year, I said Al Miller. Also, some years ago, he preached a powerful and practical message at the Men's Breakfast event at the Boulevard Baptist Church.

Nevertheless, it is now Miller's time to show Christian maturity and do the right thing and step down from his pastoral duties and be rehabilitated.

• Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.

also see:

Rev Devon Dick calls for Dr Carolyn Gomes (CVC/JFJ) to resign re Bain Issue 2014

HIV Positive displaced man claims he was abused by other men under the guise of assistance

Twenty-one year-old Jason Powell* said he contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) after being molested by two men who promised to help him. Since then, his already troubled life became even more turbulent. Sadly this is the story of so many others before him where persons who claim to be helping also end up hurting. Also reports such as this tend to have a deleterious effect in terms of a national perception of predatory behaviour by men on other men or boys, hence LGBT rights cannot be justified as it will lead to some supposed increase in same if granted.

According to the Star news Powell, who was abandoned at a boy's home at three years old, said he has struggled with depression, discrimination and abuse for as long as he can remember. However, he hopes his life will turn around one day.

"Sometimes I try not to think about my past, but it's very hard when you don't have anyone around you to encourage you. I don't want to continue living like this for the rest of my life," Powell said.

Powell explained that he ran away from the boy's home at 17 years old in search of relatives who would take him in, but he explained, "Nobody wanted to own me. Nobody wanted to say they are related to me. Nobody was there to help me."

abuse and discrimination

With nowhere to turn, Powell took the streets, sleeping at bus stops and begging for survival. But instead of receiving help, he got abuse and discrimination instead.

"It was very, very rough. People would see me and want to beat me. They would say, 'how dah bwoy deh walk like him a woman so? How dah bwoy deh act like him a bx$@$ man so?' People would try to hurt me," he recalled.

"You have people who would say they want to help me, but they want sexual favours in return. When I tell them I'm not up for it, they would turn on me and call people to beat me," Powell shared.

Eventually, a state agent assisted in getting Powell re-instituted into a state home, under conditions that he would help out around the home. However, his peace of mind was short lived.

He explained that a woman offered to take him into her home for the summer, and he gladly complied. While at the house, the women went overseas and left him alone in the house. Soon after, two men turned up explaining that the came to work on the house, but instead, they molested him.

"One of the guys asked me for some water to drink. When I returned with the water, mi realise that him start touch me in placed that wasn't right, and he continued touching me until the other guy came and told me to relax. Basically, that's how the two of them sexually molested me," Powell shared.

When the woman returned, Powell said he explained what transpired but she called him a liar, and sent him back to the boy's home. The matron at the home later facilitated an HIV test, which came back positive.

state owned shelter

When the other boys at the home got wind of Powell's status, he was constantly tormented.

"They found out and started using it against me, calling me a gay, and say that I'm a homosexual, and me allow man fi have sex with me, and that's how me get AIDS," Powell explained.

Traumatised and confused, Powell ran away once more, and ended up on the streets in Kingston. Eventually, he started receiving treatment at Jamaica Aids Support For Life and was allowed to reside in a state owned shelter. But the discrimination and abuse never wavered.

"Some people at the shelter keep saying dem no want any homosexuals on the compound. They are saying I am gay and I can go out there to do 'things' and get money, so I should leave," Powell lamented.

Now, the young man says he is at his wits end and is desperately pleading for some assistance to turn around. He explained that he was exposed to catering and customer service training at the boy's home and he would love a job in a related field.

"I know I have potential and can do anything that I am tasked with," Powell said.

*Name changed

All this happening while powerful resourced NGOs do not really care and as for government they are a joke as well but are quick to use political opportunism to attach themselves to LGBT causes just to get votes; especially the opposition, the same opposition now when in power made promises about conscience votes on buggery and such. Where is the Colour Pink group that claims it is the only registered entity to address LGBT homelessness?

Oh they are captured by the rest of the LGBT bureaucratic establishment.

Sigh!

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Genuine shelter assistance or hunt for fresh meat?

Man accused of extortion tried for coning lecturer of $1.2 million.......

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

MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston

KSAC working to clear streets of homeless people, will the LGBT populations be assisted

Shelter Coming For Homeless Gays reports the Gleaner (yet to materialize) 

Oh Uncle Brian .....

 with Tessa in good times

outside his home/business (Club Entourage)

I cannot believe it’s twelve years already it feels like yesterday and so much has passed since you were forcibly taken from us by sadly of all one of us who was just too greedy, simply put.

On social media namely Facebook a recent discussion which had Brian Williamson as the subject left me stunned for a time as some older folks in the group expressed some frustrations at homophobic killings especially in recent times or other forms of murders involving LGBT victims versus inter/intra-community violence especially in the homeless fields and at least two persons now residing overseas lamented that if Brian Williamson was around some of the atrocities may have been dealt with differently (not that he could stop them). Persons are still asking what is or was the purpose of JFLAG and others if all they seem to be is being preoccupied on media and on Facebook etc.; and as one person puts it ‘patting each other on the back’ (narcissistic mirroring) as the memories of Brian Williamson and the overseas based living legend Larry Chang both co-founders of JFLAG whose legacies seems to have been muddied in some sense. It is as if everybody going out of their way in bumping over each other or crabs in barrel syndrome to see can sound more politically correct and has a nice doctored online persona than anything else; covering up the ugliness underneath. Truth is hard to find these days as visibility increases and so welcomed but yuck!

Brian’s murder though in and of itself was not a homophobic matter as the matter as it was confirmed in the subsequent court case involved the liaison and assistance of one man as a newspaper vendor to which Brian funded brought or demanded another party be assisted and hence things went downhill from there. Where the earthy active homophobia came in was when the news of Williamson’s death spread in the business district and a large crowd converged at the address on Haughton Avenue, many persons celebrated Williamson’s murder, laughing and calling out “let’s get them one at a time”, “that’s what you get for your sin”, “let’s kill all of them”, while others sang “boom bye bye”, a line from a popular Jamaican song about killing and burning gay men and words to such effect. Others in-front of the very police and investigation crew who were removing the corpse even as other activists and friends arrived to confirm the news and who were emotional were told that they should be or would be next.

Meanwhile Desmond Chambers, one of two men with whom Williamson shared the three-bedroom house, told the media at the time that he did maintenance work around the property and accused two men who had visited

the premises earlier of the murder.

According to Chambers, one of the men was a regular guest of the deceased.

“I have seen him here about six times (and) anything him want, Brian give him. Brian give him money, Brian give him food and help him to purchase (newspaper) to sell on the road,” he said. 

Then a longtimer who now lives in Amsterdam asked the banger question ‘What happened to the Brian Williamson Memorial Fund launched way back in 2004/5? An action I totally forgot which was to among other things:

Help homophobic victims recover

Assist with homeless and or displaced persons (a matter that is yet to be properly executed)

Act as a fund raising mechanism with events planned for the year in which it was launched.

Well his memory is good and only left me to lament the continuity problems of either well needed programs and successful ones that have been discontinued, what is the point of launching initiatives only to have them as nice announcements then nothing comes afterwards? And the legacy of Williamson seems just relegated to a mere memory; even as homelessness back then was such a pet peeve for him so much so as he used his own space, a drapery factory and rented office spaces by day and a drop in centre of sorts by night for selected displaced gay men by night and club central (the Entourage) on a weekend; I was a pleased admirer from afar then as one of his resident DJs and the clockwork like efficiency that obtained then in his day to day management of proceedings the machines would be wheeled away to make way for the already prepared bar area hidden from sight until revealed along with the entrance to the dance floor for the club; but some of us have become so accustomed to the initiatives announcements that we have simply stopped applauding said announcements.

The true essence of the struggle is long gone and the truthfulness nearly all gone; it feels so fake these days with well pressed suited individuals and privileged folks rubbing their very privilege in the faces of not so lucky folks and then expect them to cheer it on. Micro blogging campaigns that really do not reach down to the ground as per usual continue and activities are centred around the more comfortable folks then paraded as a general practice in all spheres; in other words ordinary battyman still are not seen as important by the more privileged. Advocacy as I and others have pointed out over years has come to be just a grand show especially with the infusion and use if not over use of social media and reliance of same to lull people into a false sense of security while real on the ground matters get overlooked. It’s more about image building on NGOs part than about real work that a question that I first saw in 2010 asked openly (yet to be answered) where do advocates/operatives find so much time to be on social media with almost hourly if not minutely status updates and tweets yet so much is happening on the ground? Then the old unapproachable paradigm is only further highlighted where impacted individuals hold on to issues in sometimes shame and embarrassment and are reluctant to make reports when urged as the belief is uptown privileged folks cannot or will not help me; perceptions is a hell of a thing I guess, not to mention the feeling by some older folks (over 40) and I tend to agree of non-interest in their age cohort even in the face of life expectancy almost doubling. Worse yet with HIV positive aging folks who do not necessarily want to interact with young wide eyed, inexperienced operatives who it is felt won’t be able to address let alone understand the issues; the customer service experience is prickly and somewhat uncomfortable. Many such older men simply do not engage NGOs or such and find others in their age cohort to confide or talk to.

Uncle Brian was the one just from memory was very passionate about the real community issues and not just the longer term goal of the buggery law but it would seem his memory apart is just left to languish or if referred to tagging homophobia to his name when as the introduction in this post showed the murder was not a homophobic matter directly. Even as the interview with a print media house a short time afterwards named Desmond who lived on the property sought to explain the truth but that seemed to have been ignored over time and the push to link Uncle Brian’s murder with a homophobic motive was more important and then we wonder why the antigay voices thrive on lambasting lobbyists as deceptive! Crisis communication is still not a tool that is sharpened that it leaves no doubt when reporting on matters.

Uncle Brian I thank you for helping in opening the door but some of the ones after you have near totally missed the reasons why, thanks for opening the door especially for me in the disc-jock, party promotion department on Christmas Eve 1996 at the very club ‘Entourage’ where you were taken from us sadly and the other DJs such as Chris Eaton, the late Boswell, DJ Ricky and the now residing overseas DJ Whiteman who had to flee Jamaica in 2008 as his life came under threat after a gay party DVD went public and the subsequent outing of those involved; Oh Uncle Brian the legendary U-Girl has left us as well and how you tried to help those young drag queens then as frustrating as it became with some limited success, U-Girl as an older patron of the club for so many years yet she was taken only yards literally from the very place; unfortunately proves that your work, your concerns are yet to be fully addressed even as your baby JFLAG is still around. I wonder sometimes how Brian would feel nowadays had he been around but that maybe a stretch. In the same breath we lost long-timer ‘Kevin’ battle queen who died of natural causes at the Kingston Public Hospital, KPH in March of this year, he is to be buried soon. Another old timer Dexter Dacres who was murdered in Falmouth Trelawny, New Haven Heights on March 9, 2016 is to be buried on June 18, 2016 at Dovecot. He was not a good dancer going from memory but appreciated the music and his critiques after a club night sensible DJs took note as he did do deep listening. Not sure if I can make it to the service though, I am not a fan of funerals as my friends know but sometimes we have to stomach it to pay our respects; especially after my experience at Kirk Lester’s service in Mandeville that made international headlines then with the mobbing at the church, thankfully the deacon was livid as to the desecration of the property and made his feelings known in no uncertain terms. When I learnt of the murder of Dacres I was not sure who it was until someone sent me a photo of him and my spirits dropped; as it is looking it seems to have been a break-in but police say they are investigating; as per usual the truth unfortunately is never found or if determined is not followed up as they ought to.

Thanks Uncle Brian and I like others miss you.

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

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

LGBTQ image/credibility takes another hit ........

So CNN carried a piece on the awful Jamaica’s lotto scamming problem and naming the late Kenrick “Bebe” Stephenson especially in the face of the death of two elderly persons in separate incidents, sadly sections of the gay community have been fingered for being involved in the crime and as some ghastly consequences flow allegedly out of the scourge in predominantly western Jamaica where Bebe also hailed and was murdered the allegations have been growing yet again. 

Here is my May 2014 post on Bebe's surprise murder:

Longtimer "BeBe" Murdered in Western Jamaica

CNN in part said:

"Kenrick Stephenson, known simply as Bebe, is credited with being the country's first lottery scammer. His hub sprang out of Granville, one of Montego Bay's poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods. Bebe trained, recruited and cultivated young scammers.

Mansions popped up, taking over land where squatters dwelled. Expensive cars cruised the streets. Scammers flashed their bling. At the gates of call centers, scammers lurked, offering money to anyone who would provide lead lists.

But even the godfather of lottery scams wasn't immune to the spiraling violence. Bebe's life was snubbed out gangland-style at the gates of his mansion in the plush Ironshore neighborhood of Montego Bay in May 2014.

Jamaica National Security Minister Peter Bunting says the scams have scarred the fabric of his country.

Showing how intricately tied scammers are within Jamaican society, Bebe was a prominent gay activist and powerful figure within the ruling People's National Party. When he was killed, a party member said he would be "sadly missed." His casket was said to be made of gold.

Top officials know that the stakes are great. If the violence moves closer to the resorts and scares off visitors, the nation's economy would crumble. Its multibillion-dollar tourism industry counts for about 90% of the economy.

"We have to have a zero-tolerance approach," Bunting says. "We need to establish that this is as much a crime as drug trafficking, as much a crime as if you held up somebody with a gun. It is in some ways even more cruel because of the age and the vulnerability of the victims."

See more from CNN HERE

ENDS

It seems the minister is using Bebe's association to separate himself and his party from the perceived hugging up of questionable persons in the eyes of the public, how hypocritical yet they embraced him when he was popular and held a powerful position on their behalf in Montego Bay.

A matter last month for example where two men were burnt in a car also had tongues wagging that they were just more than persons who ran afoul of one of the gang leaders in terms of stealing a sum of money from a stash that was to be delivered to said gang leader; when it was discovered the punishment was exacted. An arson attack at a house only this morning in Hanover of all parishes as the once peaceful quiet rural districts have seen an unraveling that is shocking to watch with one week for example prior to the anti gay rally in Half Way Tree Kingston 23 persons were murdered in the parish. We need to be careful as while we observe the issues we do not condemn persons without proof simply because the police barring their poor and missing evidence carry out a propaganda show that persons who are killed or shot are automatically guilty and deserve what they get. Our sense of feelings for others nationally seems numb.

Nationwide News carried Bebe's murder:

PNP FB post on the matter 

Go HERE

Mark Wignall on The confusing wedding of 'Bebe' and the PNP

Gleaner Editorial: In The Wake of Bebe

The police have been cracking down on the scamming problems and as the doors close in and lack of opportunity for young persons coupled with an unwillingness to work/study as the get rich quick attitude all kinds of murders, arson and crimes too numerous to keep up have been occurring. Then there is a disturbing twinning or legitimize such actions with reparations or their ability to get jobs etc so they do not see it as wrong which adds more fuel to the fire despite police crackdowns. Vybz Kartel’s song only gave such legitimization a seemingly credible look and normalization: (take note the anti gay introduction)

The recent runoff in St James under the PNP constituency representation race involving Lloyd B Smith brought lotto scamming influence front and centre as Smith lost the race he squealed corruption was the cause ad hinted by threat of public exposure if there was not a recount or re-run which came but he subsequently withdrew.

Indeed we have had some members in the LGBT community if we really want to be honest in lotto scamming and we have seen persons get rich almost overnight with flashy lifestyles and such; such involvement in fact was a deterrent to the homeless LGBT visibility predominantly in Kingston but with the fall from grace of several leaders including Bebe the populations that used to be aided by some of the rich folk are left to languish thus adding to an already cancerous problem which also explains the increase in numbers over the years. Several drag queens and personas on the party scene have been on the radar for years as the police with overseas federal agents investigate and crack down on them. We have seen arrests of some faces overseas while others have said to have sought asylum allegedly in running from the arms of the law.

Persons like Bebe was also involved in some interventions prior to his sudden rise in power as part of the People’s National Party, PNP machinery as its western Vice president and also a party promoter in Montego Bay at the now defunct Calabash Club where I carried out contracted disc jock services then. 

see: BIG BLOW FOR HOMELESS/DISPLACED MSMS IN WESTERN JAMAICA ….. 2011

THUGS WARN DRAG WEARING SCAMMERS 2012

ATTACK AT AN LGBT PARTY IN WESTERN JAMAICA 2013

The club also featured in a police crack down as carried on my GLBTQ Jamaica Wordpress blog when some displaced/homeless persons were forced to leave as cops virtually destroyed the facility in a raid allegedly without a search warrant. JFLAG and others went on the defensive to try to allay the fears and perceptions that gays were involved and some members of the police high command felt vindicated of their strong suspicions of the suggested involvement some time ago. My resident DJ days at rival club Club Heavens tried to fill in the gap with their management but to no lasting avail as funds were not available for upkeep and development which is one reason why my blogs agitation on homelessness is so consistent as the persons who seem more interested in addressing same are the same persons who are of questionable character more so than the formalized NGOs and LGBTQ advocacies.

Sadly when persons who are involved directly or indirectly in advocacy or inventions alongside non-governmental organizations and advocacy who are of questionable character it is bound to cause some smearing or scarring of the NGOs involved. One can remember the rebuff meted out to a popular drag diva and others who offered money to a Safe House LGBT homeless outfit in Kingston and the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life management said they could not take such grants as it couldn’t be verified as legitimate. Then there was the police raid as JASL in 2010 with no less a person than Mark Sheilds then seeking out a suspect who was making such lotto scamming calls from JASL’s offices then when it was located at 4 Upper Musgrave Avenue and the person was a staff member close to the project then prior to its premature closure. Another popular trans/drag persona who was seconded for spokesperson duties for JFLAG and who now resides overseas is also under investigation I was able to confirm some time ago; but she now lives overseas and those in the know are wondering will she fall especially after the arrest recently and plea deal of another major network man on the US and who has been squealing naming persons in exchange for a lesser charge or possible prison sentence. A recent extradition as well of another main person as described by the police also has had some gitters or shock waves sent in some quarters.

I am deeply disturbed and concerned as before on other related issues that this latest spotlight on lotto scamming placing LGBT persons as key players and leaders may hurt an already far less credible LGBTQ advocacy overall and the bent image nationally speaking. A recent gunman invasion of a house in upper St Andrew only adds my unease as allegations of reprisals ring loudly on money stolen allegedly by a rival scammer. Walls of disbelief in terms of crisis communication linked to advocacy already cripples the work in the struggle and the voices are seen as liars or mis-leaders albeit some unethical and dubious words and actions from some only adds fuel to the fire. We have to separate the issues here and also be mindful of who is who and who is doing what and when. These things have a way of coming back to bite us in the ass as it seems with the CNN report; radio discourse surrounding the matter and indeed some social media comments although overshadowed by the uproar on the Cameron/prison deal/govt damage control stills holds a seemingly majority attention; suggests gays are dishonest overall and must therefore not get any rights and that the very recently concluded Cameron visit has implicit a secret LGBT agenda of deceit and forced homosexuality. Sadly Cameron said move on with the business of slavery but locally we say move on when it comes to murders of girls as the four students recently, atrocities and homophobia, ignoring ethical considerations when working with placing persons of questionable character in certain positions is disturbing to say the least.

Let us see the response to this if any to this latest salvo and twinning of advocates and questionable characterizations or behaviour.

Peace and tolerance

H

Queen Ifrica claims ...Gay people loved her music

Queen Ifrica says that her songs have been embraced by members of the homosexual community.

Speaking in a video that has gone viral on social media, the Lioness On The Rise hitmaker says her music has been comforting to gay men who have been victims of rape or incest.

"I have worked extensively with people from the gay community since I did Daddy Don't Touch Me There," said Ifrica.

The reggae artiste said she has spoken to 'confused homosexuals' who called her brave for choosing to sing about touchy topics such as incest in her work. Ifrica added that, "Some of them, their fathers were the ones responsible for breaking them into that lifestyle."

She expressed pride at her choice of topics for her music. "I feel proud of myself that I am able to stand in a time where it is taboo and cliché to speak the truth about anything that has to do with self-development and self- awareness," said Ifrica.

In the video, the Below The Waist singer also said that she is determined to continue to express her opinions freely.

"We don't live in a world where you can go about and just do what you want anymore. We are censored, we are under scrutiny, there are elements among us that want to be gods," said Ifrica.

The artiste said she will continue to speak the truth for the people who are now afraid to voice their opinions because of the 'censorship' of opinions by those who "think they are the ones who raise the sun."

Faced backlash

In 2013, Queen Ifrica caused controversy during a performance at the Independence Grand Gala when she declared,"All a di people wah inna di stadium, put you hand inna di air, all straight people, man an' woman me seh".

Since then, Ifrica has faced backlash from activists from the homosexual community, especially abroad which have caused her to be removed from shows in Canada and the United States.

Earlier this month, two sponsors of the Edmonton Reggae Festival in Canada where Ifrica is one of the headliners, withdrew their sponsorship from the show citing concern for Canadian promoters inviting anti-gay performers to the country.

But Ifrica responded to the sponsors' pulling out by stating that, "Don't try to shut me up and put me in a corner and then you're able to walk around freely, that's injustice."

The musician said she desires dialogue with those who oppose her views. "If we really want to have a world where there is coexistence in it where people live alongside of each other then we have to learn how to dialogue," said Ifrica.

A press release from the Edmonton Reggae Festival announced that performers including Queen Ifrica along with I-Wayne and Capleton will have a code of conduct to adhere to in their performance at the festival. The code of conduct bans "defamation of character or group", this includes defamation on the basis of sexual preference/lifestyle, economic status, gender, ethnicity and religion.

Flashback to this interview with her and Tony Rebel alongside JFLAG's Dane Lewis in 2013 after the first infractions at the National Stadium:

Homelessness Awareness Week May 10 - 16 activities overlooks LGBT populations?

So it would seem as the activities and public relations rounds seems to suggest a generalization of homelessness with no reference in sight to MSM/Trans populations. Not that one is asking for special treatment for this group but the issues have been screaming for attention for some time now as continued clashes with other populations in the homeless belt prove (windshield wipers & loader men), reported homophobic attacks by members of the public and increasing numbers of displaced youth join the groups islandwide. 

The latest radio discussion on the matter this morning proved same as when the host of the Morning Watch on LOVE 101FM (a religious station I might add) Reverend Marvia Laws asked about that group specifically no proper answer came from the panelists as they preferred to generalize the challenges.

The least amongst us are still just that it appears and as JFLAG and other groups gear up for IDAHO 2015 the homeless is nowhere is sight in terms of the theme of resilience for LGBT Jamaicans. But then again we must forget the January war of words and stones at their offices from which they have since moved as the deteriorating relationship with the NGOs and sections of the MSM/Trans populations continue.

Here is the background to this year's awareness theme:

Background

This year, for the first time, the National Council on Drug Abuse through the Tek it to Dem outreach Team will be hosting HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK under the theme HOMELESSNESS: BEYOND AN OPINION, BEYOND AN IMAGE, BEYOND THE STREETS from May 10-16.

The idea behind this week of activities is to create a space where issues surrounding homelessness (contributing and exacerbating factors) can be discussed openly; where the homeless can receive recreational services, a significant part of holistic care; and, where there can be frank and open discussion about how we feel as a nation about our homeless, tackling stigma and discrimination. We also want to be looking at a coordinated response to alleviate the conditions of the homeless - housing issues, social security concerns and community education and participation.

The week is based on four pillars

– Respect, Compassion, Reach and Family. 

Byhosting this week the NCDA wants people to look beyond their assumptions about the homeless and, instead, consider their vulnerability and the circumstances
that led to their existence on the streets. The four pillars Respect, Compassion, Reach, Family were chosen because we want society to:

Show respect to the homeless, rather than abuse them;

Feel compassion, rather than disdain;

Reach out, rather than ignore; and

Embrace them as family; rather than condemn them to a life of loneliness.

We are, after all, Out of Many ONE PEOPLE

Objectives:
Raise public awareness about the situation of homeless persons

Spotlight the project and the services available through the project

Expose clients to experiences necessary for mental and emotional wellness

Collaborate with civic, faith based, NGO and private sector entities to deliver medical and holistic services to the homeless

Galvanize n support for social security provisions for the homeless

Communication Objective:
Correct negative perceptions associated with homelessness
Rights based approach to working with and taking care of the homeless.

Activities include:
A trip to the Zoo for 50 homeless persons on Tuesday, May 12

Homelessness Supplement – in the Jamaica Observer for Wednesday May 13

Friday May 15 – Health Fair at Marie Atkins Night Shelter, 65 Hanover Street

Saturday May 16 – Family Day at Webster Memorial 53 Half Way Tree Road starting at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The activities seem to be based on a religious perspective more so than one of real inclusivity despite sexual orientation and or homosexuality. Allegations of some MSM/Trans homeless persons being scooped up by the local authorities prior to the US president's visit is also a major concern but what is one to do when the interest is elsehwere from both LGBT and non LGBT and governmental bodies and individuals.

Think on these things

Peace and tolerance

H

Jamaica Coalition For A Healthy Society Obama Protest Fizzles In Mona

Members of the Jamaica Coalition for A Healthy Society and other groups were staging a protest in Mona at the intersection of Mona Road and Araila Drive. Due to the traffic changes and the security features to accommodate the bubble the President operates in when on state or working visits very little audience saw them in action hence a laughable exercise as said by some.

It had fizzled by the creation of this post thanks to reports and updates from a reader residing nearby. The head of the group Dr Wayne West was featured on a post I did on GJW: 
Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues April 2014, on his blog he continues his HIV is a gay disease ploy as a main feature of his advocacy as evidenced in his latest post: Blacks particularly at risk for HIV : White Liberals make 1st black president poster boy for LGBT “sexual rights” plus these from my archives.

Continued conflation between homosexuality, atheism, secularism and moral nihilism

Dr Wayne West’s continued intellectual dishonesty on fisting felching & chariot racing by homosexuals in Jamaica

Church's Priority Misplaced (Gleaner Letter)

Shame On Church - Clergyman Charges Christians to focus on real issues instead

and my posts on perceived LGBT bullying: The False Dichotomy of the religious right .................. and Scenes from anti gay Lovemarch at Heroes Circle

The protestors say they are mourning the loss of free speech under the Obama administration which is a blatant lie when under Obama more openness has come forth on many fronts. They believe that Christians have lost their freedom of religion especially on issues dealing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT). 

The group said the Obama administration appointed a special envoy to focus on the LGBT matters in February and this a sign that the goal is to champion those rights across the world.

The group came out at about 8:45 this morning handing out flyers showing among other things, scientific data about the dangers of men having sex with men continuing their HIV is a gay disease ploy as if heterosexuals do not also are at risk for infection due to unprotected sex and so on.

Members of group said they will remain at the location until about 12 pm.

What was the point of all this when noone is interested at this time in such rhetoric except those who are not forward thinking, following the heckling of the Prime Minister in New York prior to the visit came out swinging with a press release reinforcing old stigmatizing beliefs of bullying by gay activists and said it has noted an online letter to US President Barack Obama by various Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups in that country urging him to advocate for rights of local members of that community during his meeting with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Caricom Heads of Government this week.

In light of this, the JCHS said it is anticipating that the Government will uphold its reported commitment made at the Caricom Heads of Government meeting last July to seek the full and informed consent of the Jamaican people on such fundamental issues.

“We commend the Honourable Prime Minister for her recent bold stance in New York and urge her to maintain this position in her upcoming meetings,” the JCHS said, adding, “We urge her to continue defending the truth, that there are no reports of abuse by the Jamaican State against homosexuals, that MSMs have no impediments to access to health care, that Jamaica’s model for HIV/AIDS treatment is praised around the world.”

In a statement released to the media yesterday, chairman of JCHS Dr Wayne West said the coalition has also taken note of the recent US State Department’s appointment of its first-ever special envoy to advocate globally for the “sexual rights” of LGBT people. Jamaica and other Caricom nations, it said, have been named as countries to be targeted for the repeal of their buggery laws.

“The JCHS takes this opportunity to remind the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica and other Government officials that LGBT ‘sexual rights’ and lifestyles are not supported by the majority of Jamaicans,” the JCHS said.

This, it noted, was made clear in last September’s Bill Johnson poll as well as with the presence of over 40,000 Jamaicans attending the combined Jamaica CAUSE rallies in Kingston and Montego Bay last June and November.

“Additionally, 140 organisations from 11 Caricom territories representing hundreds of thousands of Caribbean nationals rejected attempts to change our laws through the PANCAP Declaration (June 2014).”

“The Caricom Heads then agreed to defer discussions on this declaration pending further national consultation,” the JCHS noted. The coalition said it denounces violence against all people, be it children or “such self-described LGBT persons” and affirms the inherent dignity of every human being.

“We make a clear distinction between the discrimination against persons and discrimination against behaviours that are high risk for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),” the group noted.

“Whilst we fully endorse programmes to eliminate discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, we reject attempts to restrict or stigmatise social discrimination against unwholesome behaviours. We reject efforts to encourage or legitimise behaviours that are high risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

Behaviours that are socially dysfunctional and have a demonstrably high statistical association with diseases cannot be endorsed,” the statement said.

The coalition said the group is calling on the Jamaican Government to protect every citizen by preserving the true fundamental rights and freedoms as currently enshrined in the constitution.

“We are horrified at the human rights abuses suffered by countless ordinary Americans – bakers, florists, firemen, pastors, parents, teachers, IT specialists, lawyers and navy chaplains among others – who have had their freedoms of conscience, speech, religious liberty and parental rights crushed all in the name of LGBT ‘rights’."

The hypocritical stance by the JCHS on their HIV is a gay disease campaign is disturbing and laughable in one as even in the very organization strong allegations suggest that some of its members are gay and bisexual and are virtually conflicted in their advocacy.

Sad instead of tolerance based on God centered principles we have theocracy at work.

also see:

Obama Hails Jamaican Lesbian Advocate's Work

President Obama told young leaders at the town hall meeting at UWI that we should care about the rights of every human being

"..........regardless of who they love"

while highlighting the difficulties Angeline Jackson experienced growing up as a lesbian in Jamaica and her work in ensuring that people get a better quality of life

"no matter their colour, class or sexual orientation can live in equality."

also see this letter: Healthy coalition nonsense! from the Jamaica Observer and Why The Obsession with Gays Shirley Richards?


Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Homophobia - What are we afraid of?

Anti-LGBT discrimination and violence is unacceptable everywhere. This is US policy globally, as we discussed here in Jamaica today.
— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) April 9, 2015

also my latest podcast

Peace and tolerance

H