Approximately $JA800 Million To Support National HIV-AIDS Response

The Government has allocated $744.22 million to support the National HIV-AIDS response in Jamaica.

Details are given in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives.

The objective of the project is to reduce AIDS-related morbidity and mortality with effective biomedical and supporting interventions, and reduce new HIV infections among key populations through behavioural and structural interventions.

For the 2017-18 fiscal year, it is anticipated that 12,500 men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) will be reached with HIV-prevention programmes (defined package of services); 3,400 transgenders reached with HIV-prevention programmes (defined package of services); 8,375 MSM to receive an HIV test and know their results; and 11,083 female sex workers (FSWs) reached with HIV-prevention programmes (defined package of services).

Plans are also in place to develop and implement a joint civil society advocacy initiative geared at increasing demand for legal reform and an effective redress mechanism by December 2017.

SEVERAL REACHED

As of June 2016, 2,349 MSM were reached with HIV-prevention programmes (defined package of services); 255 transgenders were reached with HIV prevention programmes (defined package of services); and 828 MSM received an HIV test and know their results during the reporting period.

Also during the reporting period, 87 transgenders received an HIV test and know their results; during the reporting period 765 MSM received a syphilis test and their results; 550 adults and children initiated antiretroviral therapy, with an undetectable viral load at 12 months; and 6,571 adults and children initiated antiretroviral therapy, who had at least one viral load test during the last 12 months.

The project is funded by the Government of Jamaica and Global Fund.

Meanwhile:

It's documentary season again it seems that the powers that be on the homeless front are still concentrated on immediate service needs more so than a proper shelter.

Preview these:

and

If we expect to bring down infection rates with an intertwined MSM vs transgender persons who blend in to get acceptance then we better think again. Hardly any sensible discourse comes out on other sub-cultural matters such as the prison connection, substitutional sex and so on including cruising psychologies.

If the project is to reduce AIDS-related morbidity and mortality with effective biomedical and supporting interventions, and reduce new HIV infections among key populations through behavioural and structural interventions I hope they really target the persons involved and not just expect the usual spin offs from the heteronormative driven social marketing.

Peace & tolerance

H

Scale up HIV/AIDS programmes behind bars says activist

Thanks to Carla Gullotta formerly of AMNESTY International USA in Jamaica and who now works in the prison system now the issue of prison sex has been raised openly. Bearing in mind the 1997 prison riots five months after my exit from a prison cell myself the issues of persons coming in HIV positive and or allegedly contracting HIV while incarcerated was known, persons were at one point said to be using plastic bags torn up in pieces as makeshift condoms seeing condoms are seen as contraband and attracts serious punishment if found. Others just go bareback (ass it tighter thinking and I am not gay but buttfuck) 

Suggestions on condoms in prison was met with sheer anger on one hand but other rival prisoners used the conflation of sneaking homosexuality through the 'back door' in homophobia violence to kill or harm said enemies.

Miss Gullotta penned:

The issue of HIV/AIDS among inmates continues to pose a public health risk. This delicate issue is one which requires a more comprehensive approach even as international funding to combat HIV/AIDS continues to dwindle.

Global research indicates that correctional administrators continue to struggle with meeting the needs of inmates with HIV/AIDS. This situation is further complicated by the fact that there is a taboo culture which prohibits open discussions about sexual issues behind bars.

HIV hit prisons early and hit them hard. Data indicates that the rates of HIV infection among prisoners in many countries are significantly higher than those in the general population. While most of the prisoners living with HIV in prison contract their infection outside prison, before imprisonment, the risk of being infected in prison is heightened.

The importance of implementing HIV interventions in prisons was recognised early in the epidemic. After holding a first consultation on HIV in prisons in 1987, World Health Organization (WHO) responded to growing evidence of HIV infection in prisons worldwide by issuing guidelines on HIV infection and AIDS in prisons in 1993. With regard to health care and prevention of HIV, the guidelines emphasised that, “All prisoners have the right to receive health care, including preventive measures, equivalent to that available in the community without discrimination, in particular with respect to their legal status or nationality.” This was recently reaffirmed in the 2006 framework for an affective national response to HIV/AIDS in prisons, jointly published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, WHO, and United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS.

Since the early 1990s, various countries have introduced HIV programmes in prisons. However, many of them are small in scale, restricted to a few prisons, or exclude necessary interventions for which evidence of effectiveness exists. There is an urgent need to introduce comprehensive programmes, (including information and education, particularly through peers; needle and syringe programmes; drug dependence treatment, in particular opioid substitution therapy with methadone and/or buprenorphine; voluntary counselling and HIV testing; and HIV care and support, including provision of antiretroviral treatment) and to scale them up rapidly.

Jamaica has made attempts to expand its HIV/AIDS programme in prisons, but these efforts need to be sustained if the gains made are to be lasting. At a time where there is a small window of opportunity to benefit from the little international funding that is still available for HIV/AIDS programmes, the Government should seek to tap into this funding and direct it towards correctional facilities.

Prisoners eventually return to the communities from which they come and they carry with them everything they would have picked up in prison. Scaling up AIDS/HIV intervention in prisons is therefore in the best interest of not only the prison community but also the fragile health system and the nation at large.

Carla Gullotta is executive director for Stand Up for Jamaica, a human-rights groups that carries out rehabilitation work with inmates in the island’s correctional facilities.

ENDS

Pity Miss Gullotta did not address the psychology of some of this in terms of substitutional sex or situational homosexuality or the prison wife phenomenon or 'gay for the stay' pieces to it as a layman; anal penetrative sex in such circumstances I have found is a feature even for gay men in a non conjugal visit systems or policy locally, so men fool around with other men to relieve sexual tension. The activity between the ears is not about the man in the physical as he is a means to an end but about the opposite sex and the engagement comes with rules. (need to do a post on this and go in depth)

Previous efforts to deal with some of this has not gone down well with the correctional services or warders in the system as they feel they will be labelled as gays or supporting such; warders have had a longstanding stigma and urban myth thrown at them for years, I came up and heard it that many it is believed enter the profession to gain access to men and that they have gifts of endowment due to regular sexual activity. 

In 1997, Lieutenant Colonel John Prescod(left in photo), then Commissioner of Corrections, suggested that condoms be distributed in the prisons as a means of stopping the spread of HIV. The suggestion sparked a riot that claimed the lives of 16 prisoners, some of whom were accused of being homosexuals and as it turns out many who died weren't actually gay but prior rivalry and a golden opportunity for a disturbance led the way to the attacks. The National AIDS Committee had recommended again in 2000 to the then Peoples National Party administration launch Mandatory medical examinations for all inmates, segregation of HIV positive inmates, legal conjugal visits, a health education programme for the prison, and permission for terminally ill patients to be allowed to die at home, were also among the recommendations made to the Government which were ignored.

Dr. Raymoth Notice (right in photo above) medical expert in the penal system had said at the time, "...We recognise that the incidence of HIV is increasing in the general population and not only that, studies have shown that the incidence of AIDS in prison is six to 10 times greater in prisons than in the general population," also he continued "the level of homophobia and ignorance as well as the lack of resources have hampered the education process a whole lot. Before we even get to the condom issue it is important first and foremost to educate the population about AIDS. But everyone has been too afraid to do anything since the riots. There is no analysis being done, no reliable data, inmates are leaving with the disease and taking it back to their communities."

Lambert Brown, the UAWU's the then first vice-president, had said that although he was still opposed to condom distribution in prisons, he had nothing against the other recommendations made.

"The fight against AIDS is not based solely on condom distribution," Mr. Brown said. "Those who are promoting condoms in prison are using the back door to promote homosexuality which is illegal." here suggesting fear.

The usual response from governments over the years when NGOs and others push for it is that the buggery law will not allow it while being afraid of the public and prison population backlash, not to mention the antigay religious fanatical penny section.

Let us see what the reaction if any will be like.

Peace & tolerance

H

Also see:
Male Rape .... nobody wants to talk about it 2011 and Should prisoners have conjugal visits? 2013

Phone Found in Prisoner’s Rectum for a Second Time in Lockup

Review condom policy for prisoners ......... 2011

Inmate attacks alleged gay prisoner

Buggery Accused Tried to Commit Suicide in Lockup .......

Man charged for assault of gay prisoner

When power differentials (of a car) attracts homophobia 

Homophobic Yet Homosocial (Repost)

Jamaica’s AIDS funding fears allayed

JAMAICA’s funding fears have been allayed, even if only briefly, with a commitment from the Global Fund to continue supporting the country’s HIV response beyond the previously decided 2018 transition deadline.

Local groups expressed concerns earlier this year that the gains made in the HIV response could be hampered if the Global Fund withdraws its support because of Jamaica’s middle-income status, forcing the country to move away from donor funding to a more domestically funded health response.

The Global Fund, which provides support to countries in response to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, allocates funds to eligible countries for a three-year period, based on the country’s disease burden and income level.

Jamaica was upgraded to an upper middle-income country by the World Bank in 2009, putting it at risk of losing the grant funding.

However, Ivan Cruickshank, chairman for the country coordinating mechanism for the Global Fund, told the

Jamaica Observer Tuesday that the grant-funding institution has committed to extending its funding support for the island.

“There was a bit of uncertainty in terms of the replenishment of the Global Fund,” Cruickshank admitted.

At the launch of the institution’s fifth replenishment in September, donors pledged more than US$12.9 billion for the next three years towards ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The replenishment conference raised nearly $1 billion more than the previous one in 2013, with the amount raised expected to save eight million lives, avert 300 million infections, and help build resilient and sustainable systems for health.

The conference was only the beginning of a three-year replenishment period and the Global Fund said then that it intends to actively work to gain further contributions in the coming months and years.

“What this means for Jamaica is that, initially, it was expected that Jamaica would’ve transitioned out of global funding at the end of this grant, but the Global Fund has actually indicated in their most recent communication with us that they are extending that period,” Cruickshank told the Observer after speaking at the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life 25th anniversary media launch at the Courtleigh Hotel in St Andrew.

He explained that the country is now being prepared for the transition through a transition-readiness process.

“… So we are not going to transition at the end of this grant cycle. What we are actually doing is preparing the country in a way that the Government and all the other stakeholders are at a place that the transition can actually begin,” Cruickshank said. “Whether that is another three years down the road, we are not sure yet, but we don’t expect that we are actually going to transition at the end of this cycle which ends 2018.”

Cruickshank, whose organisation is responsible for applying for money from the Global Fund and ensuring that all targets are met and that the money is spent as intended, and as set out in the grant application, said the long-term vision is to stop receiving funds from the Global Fund for the HIV response.

He admitted that he does not know when it will happen but said he expects that it will be discussed in upcoming Global Fund meetings.

“This grant cycle actually ends in 2018 and we have a commitment from the Global Fund to continue funding after this particular grant ends; how long it will continue is to be (determined),” he said

also see:

Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston?

Early initiation, gay sex, comprehensive sexual education and the real world

As antigay groups such as the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society in particular continue to latch on to anything they can find so as to oppose homosexuality as it were, we now see comprehensive sexual education becoming the latest target as they prey on the ignorance and fears of the masses. We saw a similar set of fear, paranoia and nonsense that flowed with the Home & Family Life Education HFLE manual some year ago so much so that the Minister of Education at the time Reverend Ronnie Thwaites played to the gallery and claimed the important manual where only one page with a set of important questions on sexuality and the ‘awful’ word homosexuality and anal sex were expunged and a new sanitized version released.

The matter came up for mention again this morning on Power 106FM where Thwaites has returned as radio show host and he went on and on about the parents and teachers in schools and the recent GSAT examinations passes and the recently made comments by him on CVM TV also came through as to grooming. Sometimes I wonder if Thwaites and others like him in thinking are feeling-less or never had urges or experimented with some sort of sexual desires?

Despite the experts’ advice that teaching about sex in a carefully done manner does not necessarily cause children to go simply do it; and it makes one wonder sometimes if these same persons as paranoid adults were not young once or played ‘dollyhouse’ and the little rude things that attended no sooner than our parents our guardians turned their backs. The cooled rainbow flag brou ha ha has been tied into the ever growing pile of impositions in the eyes of ever frightened antigay groups in their continued moral panic; thankfully more and more Jamaicans are coming to their senses if ever so slowly (wish it was faster) that the seeming obsession with gays is too much; even as other societal issues abound. Such sentiments were expressed on the Seventh Day Adventist run radio station NCU FM Sunday call in show Pressing Matters hosted by Dennis Chung in Mandeville. The rainbow flag and the commission of inquiry report took up most of the show but the clear separation of selective religious voices came through which I found interesting. Some callers asked where are these groups on corruption and such and yet they are so transfixed on gays?

Meanwhile what is ironic is that many persons may have passed the flag at the US Embassy at Hope Road prior to Mrs Forte’s tweet-faux pas I bet did not know what the flag meant until this controversy, so the good that can come out of this it is a teaching moment for us LGBT voices included who know the flag is for LGBT but do not know the history of it.

In a television interview on CVM TV on June 14, 2016 when asked after a public where the Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed support to the families impacted by the Orlando Pulse gay club shooting Thwaites said that the flying of a rainbow flag at the US Embassy is effectively grooming children into “a particular lifestyle that is different from the Judaeo Christian norm which is in fact the foundation of our constitutional order and I believe of our personal and national health...... ”

NATIONAL Family Planning Board (NFPB) Executive Director Dr Denise Chevannes-Vogel has said that exposing adolescents to information on sexual reproductive health will not drive them to have sex if they are not already sexually active. Speaking at an HIV forum at Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew on Monday, Dr Chevannes-Vogel came out in full support of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, which has come under recent scrutiny after concerns were raised about the infiltration of the philosophy into the education system.

Dr Chevannes-Vogel called for “frank conversations” which, evidenced by the loud applause, got the nod from the audience. Though the forum — which was held under the theme ‘Health for All: Putting Youth and Adolescents at the Heart of the HIV Response’ — sought to raise awareness about adolescent and youth-specific issues in the response to HIV and AIDS, Dr Chevannes-Vogel moved to broaden the theme to put youth at the centre of a comprehensive sexual reproductive health response and sustainable national development.

“When we look at the correlation between good, optimum, sexual reproductive health and sustainable national development, the linkage is clear,” she stated. “And as a matter of fact, that was part of the basis of the integration of HIV and sexual reproductive health; they share common drivers — the gender inequalities, the cultural attitudes, the poverty, the unemployment, gender-based violence, sexual violence, incest.”

In May, Education Minister Ruel Reid met with representatives of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society to hear their concerns and made it clear that the education ministry’s philosophical position is that gender is fixed as male and female. So the new Education minister is already showing where he is going on this which seems nowhere as he too is playing to the gallery. The orgy incident recently at Coreville Gardens of some 14 students came to mind as well as instead of gathering the obvious misguided teens to start some sustained intervention in counselling they were arrested of all things; what a lovely way to start to foster even more rebellion than already exists with teens as we once were. We wanted some independence as teens lest we forget at some point in our lives. Even though some involved were below the age of consent of 16 they were no adults found in their company which means this was a group arrangement. Careful handling such have been employed instead to the alleged verbal abuse by onlookers the teens were escorted to the waiting police vehicles.

Another incident in St Catherine at a high school where two male teens were caught in a compromising position in what has been surmised as a partnered masturbation session; both boys were described as showing each other their erect penises and touching each other, a mob eventually came down on them as other students created an alarm and gave chase. Early initiation is something that has not been adequately looked at it seems on the face of it and relying on punishment or condemnation simply because teens or even kids were caught in the act is not the way to go; that would only force them into more secrecy. With social media becoming so pronounced in our lives the proliferation of sex tapes or what were supposed to be private tapes going public is another example of what we are up against.

An old case of an obsessed male teen at a co-ed Kingston school who liked his male teacher and sought to also express his sexual desire came through which caused some trouble in 2011 finally ended some time ago; the young man was exposed to sustained counselling and getting the parents involved after much police intervention as well as the teen attempted to blackmail in a sense the teacher. The teacher almost missed a buggery charge guilty findings as more and more details came out in court while some of the cops involved have changed their stance as the facts came through. The matter has been adjourned but the teen via his mother may have to answer some sort of false accusations charges dependent on the original accused pursuit to press such charges. Our teens are way more sexually active it seems to me than my generation or generations prior. But with quibbling antigay groups and misguided thinking while the field grows the horse starves. Our education system is missing the urgently needed sex & sexuality properly prepared and age appropriate to be rolled out despite the fears being expressed by ignoramuses and leaders make bold decisions while not playing to the gallery from veiled threats.

While abstinence is also a good avenue as an option especially for HIV interventions as a part of the cadre of options we must get real, not in a world where teens are bombarded with sexualised messaging of some kind. The trick is to empower adolescents in taking up other options such as extra-curricular activities while providing adequate age appropriate information. Besides if we think as some antigay groups do by sanitizing sexuality that will stop teens from getting it elsewhere namely social media and dancehall artists who provide a misogynistic lessons in song and videos. How does one compete with all the distractions that are around these days? Yet antigay groups are living in the dark and are so behind the times.

Think on these things

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally 2012

Sexual Development through the Life Cycle ......2003

Livin' in a world they did not make: A second student rescued from homophobic attack at school 2011

Father beats son on suspicion of being a homosexual 2014

also see from sister blog GLBTQJA 2009: Insensitive Parents & Displaced MSM and Part 2 HERE

Teen forced to change schools following outing incident 2014

Student gay sex video causes a stir in central Jamaica 2014

Thwaites: Ministry alone cannot deal with homosexuality

Education Minister dismisses counsellors LGBT students issue, says it’s a 'minority' matter

Insensitive parents & Displaced MSM 2009

Ronnie Thwaites’ rubbish on flying rainbow flags grooms children into “particular lifestyle” 2016

Treating Infection of the penis, foreskin

Der. W is a young diabetic who has recently been seeing a "gummy" discharge on his penis. The penile skin has become tight and he is unable to retract the penile foreskin. Because of this, he is unable to participate in sex. He wonders what has happened and asks for a remedy. He is 19 years old and is missing his sex life! He says that going without sex for a 19-year-old male means multiple masturbation occasions!

Participating in sexual activities is hopefully always by "choice". We can always say no and for the individual with a high libido, masturbation is a practical option and a viable alternative to sex! Sex just to "scratch an itch" - because of an urge - can lead to many harmful outcomes. One is infection, others are unwanted pregnancy, problems with committing to a monogamous relationship later in life, erectile dysfunction, partner dissatisfaction, and failed relationships. Studies show that a committed relationship will always enhance the sexual experience.

The gummy discharge that Der. W is seeing on his penis is most likely caused by an infection. A penile discharge is known as a urethritis, and with Der. W as this has not been treated, the infection may well have spread to the penile foreskin, causing an infection known as a balanitis (penile foreskin infection). When a foreskin infection goes untreated, the skin can swell and become a tight constriction, which in the uncircumcised man can prevent retraction (pulling back) of the penile foreskin (phimosis).

BLOOD SUGAR

Diabetic men are more prone to balanitis than the regular male population as their defence against infection is relatively compromised. When the blood sugar is not well controlled, the high blood and tissue glucose levels make these men highly susceptible to penile foreskin infections. The high sugar also contributes to poor healing.

Poor genital hygiene in an uncircumcised male can also contribute to a gummy discharge and balanitis. Other causes of a swollen penile foreskin include allergic reactions to soaps, sprays, creams, and condoms. Literally any substance with which the genital tissues come into contact will cause an allergic reaction in some people.

SEXULLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

When sexually transmitted infections occur in uncircumcised men, they commonly result in a penile discharge with foreskin swelling (balanitis).

Genital candida infections occur mainly in women but can also occur in men, resulting in an inflammation of the penis and foreskin. Risk factors for contracting a candida infection to the penis and foreskin would include use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppression, poor hygiene, using harsh cleansing substances on the penis, and diabetes. Symptoms include an itchy rash, swelling of the penile head, a lumpy discharge under the foreskin, and sometimes, pain with sex. Genital candida infection is not considered to be an STI.

INFECTIVE SOURCE

When there is significant swelling the entire foreskin a bacterial infective source must be considered.

Antibiotic or antifungal treatment will need to be taken orally and applied topically depending on the causative agent. As Der. W is diabetic and is also usually highly sexually active, it is very likely that he will need antibiotic and antifungal treatment. He may also require tighter control of his blood sugar levels! He should visit his family doctor or nearest clinic for examination, treatment, and a screening for sexually transmitted infections.

For men who notice this problem recurring:

• Wash the genitalia well

• Dry off well after washing

• Use unscented soaps

• Retract the penile foreskin daily and wash it

Over-the-counter antifungal creams and antibiotic creams and ointments can be applied as directed as long as the balanitis is not accompanied with a penile discharge

All penile discharges and balanitis that are unresponsive to topical over-the-counter treatment will require a doctor's visit for examination and treatment with oral medication.

Where the condition recurs frequently, circumcision is an option.

Peace & tolerance

H

Steve Lenford Harvey: 10 years gone

I cannot believe that it is so quickly time has passed that “Big Nose” has passed or I should say was tragically taken from us in a case that was bizarre to begin with and ended in arrests and trials of the accused. He was forced to leave his home on the night of November 30, 2005 in Patrick City by gunmen who invaded the house and robbed himself and other occupants; at which point a computer was perused alongside phones with text messages from where a profiling exercise ensued to arrive at a homophobic conclusion. 

TVJ Interview in Kingston 

at Jamaica AIDS Support former offices at Upper Musgrave Avenue Kingston 10

Steve was forced to drive away and killed elsewhere. It is now clear to many that the profiling was being done all along as the house was being staked out despite the fact the residence is on a main road and would be supposedly less targeted given also the middle class status of the area.

I came into contact with Lenford in the nineties while I volunteered for Jamaica AIDS Support then; the ‘For Life’ was added later and he was a Peer Educator and GLABCOM Steering Committee member as well. He also had a hand in the male netball team training and management. Then in 2006 onwards he was a member of the ‘gay church’ Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica, SCJ and choir member; I remember the rehearsal sessions which were funny as he was not one of the better singers then lol. 

He was also a politics man and an open if not staunch supporter of the People’s National Party, PNP and his beloved Mama P (Portia Simpson) I wonder how now he would react given the air of elections around and the strong criticisms of Mama P and her less than articulate style; coupled with the neglected suggestion promise of a conscience vote/buggery review. He was also a good friend of first time Member of Parliament Raymond Pryce well before his sojourn into politics as he was a volunteer as well in my time too of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life JASL before moving on to the Jamaica Consumers’ League. 

Harvey then took on his biggest work yet at LACASSO - 

Harvey became involved with Jamaica AIDS Support in 1997.He became the group's Kingston co-ordinator, and in this position primarily worked to ensure that the marginalised groups within the country – including prisoners, sex workers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people – had access to information about the HIV/AIDS virus. He was selected as Jamaica's representative at the Latin America and Caribbean Council of AIDS Service Organizations. He was also a registered delegate to the conference of the People's National Party.

Jamaican police arrested four individuals whom they then committing with murder in the furtherance of a robbery. The accused remained in police custody for almost ten years before the case came to court. At that point, the police dropped their murder charges against two of the accused. The other two, Dwayne Owen and Andrew West, went on trial and were found unanimously guilty of murder by a jury. Although prosecutors had requested capital punishment in the case, the judge sentenced them to life in prison with a minimum of thirty years before becoming eligible for parole.

Following investigations, in 2005 police arrested four individuals – Dwayne Owen, Andrew West, Ryan Wilson, and Chevaughn Gibson – charging them all with committing murder in the furtherance of a robbery. Defence lawyers repeatedly complained that the prosecution had been late in handing over relevant documents to them.

The case was brought before the Home Circuit Court on April 24, 2014, however it could not proceed because important documents had not been served on the defence.The witnesses for the case, who included ten police officers and two civilians, were bound over. Senior Puisne Judge Gloria Smith stated that no further adjournments of the case would be permitted, ordering the Director of Public Prosecutions to make full disclosure to the defence, and insisting that the trial must start on May 19. In her words, "This case has been going on for far too long and has reached the point where something must happen."However, on that date the trial was postponed again due to the unavailability of a courtroom, being rescheduled for June 1. At that date it was again postponed, this time due to a shortage of available jurors, with the new date being set for July 7.

In early July 2014, the prosecution announced that they were dropping all charges against Wilson, who was declared free to go after over eight years in prison. They had determined that at the time of the murder he had been in custody at the Constant Spring Police Station.[8] The prosecution also stated that it was dropping the murder charges against Gibson, who would instead be charged with misprision of felony. After a three week trial, in late July a twelve-person jury unanimously found both Owen and West guilty of murder. The state prosecutors, Kathy Pryce and Karen Seymour Johnson, requested that Owen and West face the death penalty. However, in November Justice Lloyd Hibbert sentenced them to life in prison, stipulating that they must serve a minimum of thirty years before becoming eligible for parole. He stated that in sentencing the pair he took into account the fact that they had already spent a decade in custody. In December, both Owen and West launched appeals against their conviction.

Independently of the Harvey case, West was also charged with being involved in the murder of Jamie Lue, a financial analyst at Alliance Capital Limited, who had been abducted, robbed and killed in December 2005.

Really miss him after all these years.

Peace & tolerance

H

Health Minister Says Boldness Needed to Change Buggery Laws for HIV Prevention Work to be Effective with at Risk Groups

The Health Minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson (right), is suggesting that the country may have to take the bold step and change the buggery law, if its to further reduce HIV infection rates.

Dr. Ferguson made the suggestion yesterday morning while addressing a regional consultation put on by UN-AIDS in New Kingston.

"There are laws that are still on our books that we believe unless we have the boldness to make the changes even as we now in Jamaica enjoy a 1.7% prevalence rate; the at risk groups still remain of great concern to us, unless we move to give access; equitable access to those at risk groups in spite of the results in the last decade or more we'll just not be able to get to the zero infection that we have been talking about."

Men who have sex with men are at the highest risk of HIV infection in Jamaica.

They accounted for more than 30 per cent of new infections in 2012.

Epidemiologist and AIDS researcher, Dr. Peter Figueroa, says Jamaica has made little progress in its efforts to reduce HIV infection among homosexuals and other ‘at-risk’ groups.

"If you can start a meaningful dialogue and process so that these spheres of influence the politicians are not going to remove that by themselves because if any set of persons feel is excluded by society then it is going to be very difficult for them to actually take responsibility and ensure that we can do the things that will prevent them from becoming infected"

also see:
Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy
Health Ministry To Reach MSM, Commercial Sex Workers Through Church 2015

Caribbean Region Must Change Mindset About HIV/AIDS – Dr. Ferguson

Health Minister Ferguson on WAD '13 & FBOs fear of a Buggery repeal with future parachuted gay marriage

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS

Gay Men Are Receptive to Sexual Health Info on Hookup Sites says Scottish Study

German Study: Gay men who discuss HIV status with sexual partners are less likely to acquire HIV

St. Kitts and Nevis PM Douglas defends PANCAP’s Justice For All programme

Continued oversight or deliberate overlooking of Jamaican SGL Women in HIV Prevention?

Jamaica Increasing Funding For HIV/AIDS Programmes

13,328 Jamaican MSM Reached by HIV Prevention says report on National HIV Program ........ but

New Efforts To Halt Spread Of HIV Among Gay Jamaica Men

Concerns for HIV prevalence rate in MSM in Jamaica & connected matters

Incestuous messes, poor NGO monitoring & ever deepening mistrust about "gay rights"

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

YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS from March 2014

HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2

Layered Stigma among Health Facility and Social Services Staff toward Most-at-Risk Populations in Jamaica

Big AIDS fight boost - Ja gets US$3.8 million from US$7-b fund

2007 MSM Study Reminder

New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed 2011

Review condom policy for prisoners

Continued oversight of same gender loving women in HIV response

Easier access to public health care for HIV-infected gay men (Observer)

HIV/AIDS Deaths Dip ..but ................

Peace and tolerance

H

War Over The Buggery Law

The following is an excerpt from the Gleaner's In Focus, see the full article here

Ian Boyne, Columnist

The struggle between Christians and gay-rights activists over the buggery law is more political than practical. Its repeal or retention is more symbolic than salutary.

Gay people are freely engaging in anal sex and are not worried in the least about police knocking down their doors to arrest them. Nobody is going to report them to the police if they buy their condoms or lubricants. And this argument that gay men are effectively denied health services and hence are vulnerable to HIV infection because of the buggery law seems transparently absurd to me. It is not the existence of the buggery law that prevents gay men from visiting clinics. If any gay man is intimidated to reveal his status, that reluctance has more to do with stigmatisation, prejudice and discrimination - which would remain even if the buggery law were repealed. Once our culture remains heavily influenced by fundamentalist Christianity, that stigma towards homosexuality will remain, whatever happens legally.

Changing the buggery law would be a political victory for gays, yes, and would signal some softening of attitudes towards homosexuality in 'society circles', but on the ground, once you can't eradicate conservative religious ideas about homosexuality, you are going to have stigma, exclusion and non-acceptance. Apartheid was law in South Africa but despised by the black masses of South Africa, just as slavery was law in the British West Indies but revolted against by the enslaved. We know from our history as black people that laws don't equate to popular acceptance. So the repeal of the buggery law would be political and symbolic. That's all.

On the other hand, Christian arguments for the retention of the buggery law are largely political, not philosophical or principled. Christians don't argue on the basis of the merits of the buggery law per se. Their arguments represent either slippery slope reasoning ('this will lead to that') or fear ('This will strengthen the gay lobby agenda', clearly giving them a political victory en route to full legalisation). They can't argue the virtue of the buggery law in itself. Something is just wrong with that philosophically.

Retaining the buggery law can't be justified simply because its repeal could possibly lead to certain consequences. Veronica Evelyn, writing inIn Focus on July 13 in an article titled, revealingly, 'Connect the dots: same-sex marriage and the decriminalisation of buggery', says: "The decriminalisation of buggery is a necessary condition for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The call for the decriminalisation of buggery does not exist in a vacuum. It is but Step 1 in a downward spiral characterised by a series of decriminalisation, enactment and amendment of laws relating to sexual behaviour."

You can't argue for the retention of the buggery law on such philosophically shaky grounds. Plus, it ignores the fact that there are jurisdictions which have decriminalised buggery and that have actually amended their constitutions to specifically outlaw same-sex marriage. Christians must be honest in their debate on this issue and not obfuscate. The decriminalisation of homosexuality does not have to lead to the legalisation or normalisation of homosexuality. No more than adultery is normalised in law, though it is not criminalised.

MUDDLED REASONING

Repealing the buggery law does not necessarily lead to same-sex marriage. We must not create hysteria by muddled reasoning. That is tantamount to lying, which is forbidden in Scripture. Attorney-at-law Shirley Richards, who has quite correctly and courageously exercised her rights as a citizen to staunchly oppose homosexuality, writes in that same July 13 issue of In Focus: "Repeal of the buggery law places us on this road which, in other countries, has resulted in minority homosexual rights taking precedence over the fundamental human rights of the majority."

Make no mistake: The legalisation of homosexuality threatens civil liberties and the rights of those of us who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds. It takes away our options of exercising personal conscience once homosexuality is normalised in law and if same-sex marriage is legalised. That has been the practice and experience so far.

But it is not true to say that the repeal of the buggery law inexorably leads us down that road. Shirley is not right that "repeal of the (buggery) law will also effectively remove the philosophy that protects true marriage". As a lawyer, she should know of those states which have decriminalised homosexuality and yet have constitutional provisions protecting man-woman marriage. Why ignore that evidence? Because we are in a propaganda war?

Dr Wayne West has been another brave and outspoken soul exercising his democratic right to lobby against homosexuality. Wayne has always sought to be reasoned - whatever you think about his efforts. But his reasoning is vulnerable to serious criticism. Wayne has trotted out a lot of incontestable statistics about the dangers of male homosexuality. The truth is - and the way Wayne speaks you would not know this - gay-rights activists accept that men who have sex with men have a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS. They accept that anal sex is a more effective means of transmitting AIDS. In fact, that is why they are (misguidedly in my view) pushing for the repeal of buggery laws to free up gays getting treatment. (I don't know of health practitioners reporting gay men who see them.)

Gay activists are saying it is because of the culture of discrimination and stigmatisation why gay men don't get treatment. Using the argument that unprotected anal sex is highly risky can't be the most potent argument against homosexuality, Wayne. Gay men can solve that problem easily by simply using a condom! So what? If gay men start using condoms regularly and the rate of infections among them goes down, would your case against homosexuality collapse?

Health reasons are not what the Bible proffers why homosexuality is morally unacceptable, Wayne. That argument leaves out lesbians. The buggery law is completely silent about lesbians. In fact, in our culture, some of the most ardent and virulent opponents of homosexuality fantasise about and some engage in threesome with women. But the Bible condemns both male and female homosexuality. The conservative Christian opposition seems more cultural than Christian and more political than philosophical. The Christians need to engage a thorough-going and rigorous apologetics against homosexuality and not engage in scattershot, slippery-slope arguments.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT

Some Christians say while it is true that the buggery law does nothing to stop people actually engaging in anal sex, at least it makes an important statement about what the society abhors. It gave Christians a basis for orchestrating the collapse of the Carolyn Gomes-founded Jamaicans for Justice (Gomes was a main agitator against Professor Bain. God, the Christians say, has brought swift judgement against her and her legacy, Jamaicans for Justice).

Christians say, let's keep this law for when buggery is illegal. Gays can't slip material into our schools, children's homes and in our media. But we could still repeal the buggery law and not have homosexuality taught as normal in our schools and public institutions.

Besides, the buggery law does not forbid homosexuality, but only anal sex - which heterosexuals can and do engage in. Our buggery law - unlike in some other jurisdictions - does not punish lesbians. So Christians are supporting a law that falls short of biblical law. Better some of it than none, some would say. But this is not a theocracy, and if adulterers and fornicators are not penalised, nor should homosexuals. It is not fair. You say that's like saying, if you can't catch all criminals, we should not catch some. No, I am saying that in a democratic society, everyone must be equal under the law and laws must be just.

The buggery law is being used as a political weapon against gay people in this culture war. Saying, "Well, adulterers and fornicators don't want to impose their views on us and take away our rights like homosexuals" is another admission that the law is being used as a weapon. A law must be inherently just. We have to do better in our argumentation against homosexuality, brethren.

Ian Boyne is a veteran journalist working with the Jamaica Information Service. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ianboyne1@yahoo.com.

European CDC cautious about PrEP ........... More research needed before European approval, EU Centre for Disease Control says

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has issued a paper saying that it cannot make a clear Europe-wide recommendation on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and that it would require clearer data on efficacy, cost-effectiveness, side-effects, resistance and its impact on condom use before making one.

Recently, two important public health organisations have recommended pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an additional prevention strategy, especially for gay men.

PrEP is already licensed for use in the US and in May 2014 the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended its use for anyone HIV-negative with an HIV-positive partner, for gay men who haven’t used condoms consistently or who have had an STI in the last six months, for people who inject drugs who have shared needles, and for heterosexuals who’ve had condomless sex with a high-risk partner.

This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a comprehensive set of prevention guidelines (also see below) or HERE which continued to recommend “the correct and consistent use of condoms” as a highly effective HIV prevention strategy, but which also included the new recommendation that “Among men who have sex with men, PrEP is recommended as an additional HIV prevention choice within a comprehensive HIV prevention package”. This was widely misreported as the WHO wanting all gay men to take PrEP.

No European agency has issued a public statement on PrEP since March 2012, when the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published a consultation paper on PrEP. In the end this consultation was never completed. European agencies may therefore have felt under some pressure to make a statement on PrEP.

The ECDC has now issued a paper taking a much more cautious line on PrEP. It comments that “PrEP is an antiretroviral therapy-based HIV prevention strategy which merits some mention” and in an accompanying presentation says that it “shows promising prospects for inclusion in the ‘HIV prevention toolbox’ in Europe”.

There is no common approach on PrEP across Europe, the ECDC comments. Apart from the never-completed EMA paper, the British HIV Association/British Association for Sexual Health and HIVissued a statement on PrEP in which they said they wanted to see more European research before making a decision on PrEP. There are two scientific studies of PrEP currently underway in the UK and France, PROUD and IPERGAY, (PROUD’s principal investigator, Professor Sheena McCormack, was also an author of the BHIVA/BASHH statement) but they will not report efficacy data for a couple of years. Because of this, the ECDC says that “This makes it difficult to provide a clear recommendation at present that would apply to the entire European Union”.

The ECDC says that “despite some encouraging results, a number of questions remain unanswered regarding PrEP. For example, the cost-effectiveness of PrEP in the long term requires further investigation, as it is likely to depend on high levels of adherence to the treatment.”

There have been many papers modelling the cost-effectiveness of PrEP. The ECDC mentions one based on the US setting that computes that PrEP could be cost-effective in terms of preventing HIV infections, but would still be very expensive. If 50% of high-risk gay men used PrEP (taking the CDC’s definition of unprotected sex in the last six months), this would prevent 30% of HIV infections over the next 20 years that would otherwise have occurred, and reduce HIV prevalence in high-risk gay men from 31% to 23% - a 26% relative reduction. This PrEP programme would cost $2.1 billion every year for the next 20 years; taking HIV infections avoided into account, it would still cost $1.8 billion. The paper cited found that PrEP would be cost-effective by US standards only if it cost less than $5475 per person per year or if its efficacy was more than 75%.

A number of other modelling papers on PrEP’s cost-effectiveness have found that, in various global settings, it could be everything from cost-saving to completely unaffordable, depending on two crucial factors: the price paid for PrEP drugs and how tightly it is targeted at people whose risk of HIV, to quote an early paper on the iPrEx trial is not just “high, but imminent”.

ECDC acknowledges PrEP “could be particularly effective for persons at very high risk of HIV acquisition, such as sexual or injecting partners of people living with HIV” but says a number of questions need to be answered before a Europe-wide recommendation is possible.

These include:
Can countries afford to invest in PrEP? HIV treatment costs are only going to increase.

Is it justifiable to provide ART to HIV negative individuals before having reached sufficient ART coverage for people are HIV positive?

Will PrEP divert resources away from other prevention activities?

Given the high costs of PrEP, how do we determine who will be eligible?

How will we ensure that adherence is maximised?

Will the use of PrEP impact on condom use? If so, will overall transmission risk increase or decrease as a result of PrEP?

The ECDC concludes by saying that “Future research needs in the use of ART for prevention of HIV transmission should focus on obtaining the evidence on the efficacy of ART in reducing onward sexual transmission in the wider population” – in other words, that the public-health effectiveness of ARV-based prevention strategies in general, and not just PrEP, needs more research and evaluation in Europe.

ENDS

While the WHO issued guidelines sometime before, see: 

World Health Organization, WHO Urging Gay Men To Take Antiretrovirals, Says HIV Cases High In Group 

also see this video that has me on the fence still about this PrEP, see what you make of it:

World Health Organization, WHO Urging Gay Men To Take Antiretrovirals, Says HIV Cases High In Group

download/read the report HERE 

Let me just be clear I am having mixed feelings about this new call.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging all sexually active gay men to take antiretroviral drugs to reduce the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Problem is are we sure what are the side effects when one stops taking these system altering drugs that go to the core of the immune systems and metabolic areas?

According to a BBC report, the organisation says the move may help prevent a million new HIV infections over 10 years.

Officials warn rates of HIV among gay men remain high across the globe.

However, activists suggest this could discourage the use of condoms - one of the best methods to stop the virus spreading. The "chemical condom" psychological concern is real as persons may abandon such traditional practices for safer sex and instead latch on to a "take a pill" get a thrill philosophy abandoning any care and vigilance for reducing risk. When is it for example is one to take these pills prior to sex, immediately, two hours how long before and how long after if one is on let's see an orgy or a multiple day sexual activity?

The vagueness of this call is disturbing to me and I wonder if this is another way to make money for drug companies or extend the life of the cogs of HIV prevention so careers can be saved, was it really ever about finding a cure of different treatment that would or could lead to less drugs?

According to the WHO report, men who have sex with men are 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population.

Health experts say offering antiretroviral drugs to all at-risk men - known as pre-exposure prophylaxis - will provide an additional way to prevent infection, together with condom use. I supported the concept at first but after seeing the new push and some of whom who are behind it I like many other gay men worldwide are questioning its veracity and relevance and indeed necessity when so much other research is out there such as the German patient and the bone marrow transplant etc.

When taken consistently by people at high risk, studies show the medication can reduce the chances of getting HIV by up to 92 per cent.

Scientists say encouraging this group of men to take these pills could lead to a 25 per cent reduction in new cases across the globe.

So a pill can stop transmission and at how much percentage of coverage, will persons who use PrEP still need to use a condom?

The BBC report also said:

'Exciting approach'

Health experts say offering antiretroviral drugs to all at-risk men - known as pre-exposure prophylaxis - will provide an additional way to prevent infection, together with condom use.

When taken consistently by people at high risk, studies show the medication can reduce the chances of getting HIV by up to 92%.

And scientists say encouraging this group of men to take these pills could lead to a 25% reduction in new cases across the globe.

Dr Rosemary Gillespie, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "We already know if someone has HIV, using treatment drastically reduces the likelihood of them passing it on, as does using condoms.

"The idea of treatment as prevention is not new, but the idea of extending treatment to HIV-negative people from high-risk groups is.

"Pre-exposure prophylaxis is an exciting approach, and likely to be one of a number of ways in which we can reduce the spread of HIV in the future.

"However, we need to evaluate how effective it will be in preventing HIV among gay men."'Progress threatened'

She says until the results of UK trials are known, condoms and regular testing remain the best weapons against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

And while the number of people dying of Aids is falling sharply, the WHO says key populations need more attention.

According to the report, transgender women are almost 50 times more likely to have HIV than other adults, a level similar to that seen among people who inject drugs.

And sex workers are 14 times more likely to have HIV than the general population.

"Dr Gottfried Hirnschall of the World Health Organization said: "Failure to provide services to the people who are at greatest risk of HIV jeopardises further progress against the global epidemic and threatens the health and well-being of individuals, their families and the broader community."

ENDS

more questions:

Where are the psycho social developmental pieces to this?

We are just reduced to penis sticking or penis taking sex crazed folks?

Where are the cognitive engaging activities especially for young homeless MSM who are facing other challenges for survival? 

What about promoting healthier relationships between men who have sex with men?

Is abstinence out the window now, even for adolescent gay persons so as to delay sex until thy find the right partner?

I have said it before and I will say it again all we are to these HIV prevention specialists are statistics and targets to be met we seem not to have a mind or can have healthy normal lives in their eyes so we are reduced to only interested in sex. Hardly any discussion around person-hood, healthy socialization, acceptance or those kinds of self affirming issues or development.

MSM Global Forum (MSM activist professional club as I see it) gladly jumped on the bandwagon even without questioning or mentioning some of the psycho-social considerations that MUST be aligned with HIV prevention, our homeless MSM/Trans population has proven that beyond the shadow of a doubt:

The MSMGF said in its release: (some positive sections highlighted in yellow)

"The guidelines aim to: provide a comprehensive package of evidence-based HIV-related recommendations for all key populations; increase awareness of the needs of and issues important to key populations; improve access, coverage, and uptake of effective and acceptable services; and catalyze greater national and global commitment to adequate funding and services. The new guidelines describe numerous important interventions that, in combination with one another, represent a comprehensive continuum of services. Guidelines include:
Explicit language around the correct and consistent use of condoms with condom-compatible lubricants;
A new recommendation on offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for MSM as an additional HIV prevention option; and

Considerations for offering PEP to key populations in need.
Moreover, the MSMGF applauds the emphasis on the importance of human rights and health equity. 

The guidelines stress:
Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support as fundamental to realizing the universal right to health;
Enhanced community empowerment of key populations through the implementation of interventions, including interventions designed to prevent and address violence; and Review and revision of laws to promote the implementation and enforcement of anti-discrimination and to protect the rights of key populations.

The MSMGF commends the 2014 Consolidated Guidelines for considering elements common to all key populations as well as highlighting specific issues and risks unique to each group, including for the first time separate sections and recommendations for transgender people. The MSMGF staff was intensely involved in the development of these guidelines, serving on the guidelines development group and steering group, as well as conducting a study commissioned by the WHO on the values and preferences of MSM regarding use of antiretroviral therapy as prevention.

“Implementation of the recommendations contained in these guidelines must incorporate a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the drivers of HIV vulnerability, including the role of structural factors play in stopping key populations from seeking out and accessing health services, particularly the stigma among many health care providers toward members of key populations,” said MSMGF Executive Director Dr. George Ayala.

“We are pleased that the new guidelines have responded to evidence on the health benefits of PrEP,” said Dr Ayala. “However, the PrEP recommendations for MSM and transgender people are fraught with challenges that need urgent attention. The MSMGF’s values and preferences study indicated potential complications of PrEP roll out among MSM in settings where basic HIV services like condoms, lubricants, and HIV treatment are difficult to obtain, or where basic services not already guaranteed to those who need and want them. In addition, MSM worldwide are worried about potential side effects and costs, and targeted education campaigns are needed to clarify PrEP’s implications. The guidelines’ recommendation on PrEP must be tempered by the needs and concerns of MSM on the ground, especially in resource-limited settings.”

The MSMGF looks forward to engaging with the WHO and other stakeholders in order to disseminate the guidelines and support their use by departments of health for national programming, and by community-based organizations for advocacy and service provision."

ENDS

So even the gate keepers have hugged this up wholesale with lip service to empowerment once again, we have seen this before.

also see

YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS

Gay Men Are Receptive to Sexual Health Info on Hookup Sites says Scottish Study

German Study: Gay men who discuss HIV status with sexual partners are less likely to acquire HIV
St. Kitts and Nevis PM Douglas defends PANCAP’s Justice For All programme

Continued oversight or deliberate overlooking of Jamaican SGL Women in HIV Prevention?

Jamaica Increasing Funding For HIV/AIDS Programmes

13,328 Jamaican MSM Reached by HIV Prevention says report on National HIV Program ........ but

New Efforts To Halt Spread Of HIV Among Gay Jamaica Men

Concerns for HIV prevalence rate in MSM in Jamaica & connected matters

Health Minister Ferguson on WAD '13 & FBOs fear of a Buggery repeal with future parachuted gay marriage rights

Incestuous messes, poor NGO monitoring & ever deepening mistrust about "gay rights"

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

YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS from March 2014

HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2

Layered Stigma among Health Facility and Social Services Staff toward Most-at-Risk Populations in Jamaica

Big AIDS fight boost - Ja gets US$3.8 million from US$7-b fund

2007 MSM Study Reminder

New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed 2011

Review condom policy for prisoners

Continued oversight of same gender loving women in HIV response

Peace and tolerance needed indeed

H