Donation to MSM weed-whacker project ..................

examples of previous machines

In a follow up to a previous post on the weed whacker income generating project and subsequent posts has in effect led to a donation in the form of a second hand machine. The group of seven men and two women who among other things have been doing creative things to eek out a living via selling small items, juices, alcohol at parties and street dances while juggling landscaping jobs when they come available. It was in December a cash donation came through via a church rally by a church group indeed an interfaith group of sorts, twenty five thousand, $25,000 came in as promised by the group of which I am a sitting member in working with the participants.

See this previous post on that donation: Second time donations from church penny concert/rally for weed-whacking income generating .............

Those funds have since been used to spruce up the existing three working machines and acquiring gas for backup for the participants, most of whom were former homeless or displaced MSM//trans/lesbian persons who were forced to relocate after different challenges came their way from as far as 2010.

The individual donor in this instance who asked not to be named when I indicated I was going to do a post on the gift saw the previous posts in scanning online for something totally different but followed up with a phone call which in turn led to the follow up with the almost brand new machine in good working condition. The 9 participants in the informal project have been rotating three machines that sometimes break down from time to time. Three persons who had left for other ways to turn a buck returned to the project after some struggle. Logistics also can cause an issue although that is somewhat settled as persons time their clients and scheduling so the clashes with persons is lessened. The gentleman who lives in upper St Andrew said he had recently relocated to a new home and found a new machine in his garage whilst unpacking and packing for the move. He was intent on selling it in the classifieds but was moved to donate it instead after he was convinced by what he saw on the blog(s) and subsequent conversations with myself and so on.

Potential client

I asked if he would be interested in having the landscaping services extended to him in his new home but he hesitated and I retreated in pursuing that one and he also said he has his team of workmen at his old and new residence. A thank you email and letter has been sent to the gentleman and the machine when we checked it on Saturday last was working pretty well. He enquired if the suggested replication exercise into Clarendon had been successful to which I responded that the logistics is still an issue in terms of places to stay outside their regular working geography.

Other donations

Another such cash donation via Paypal came in just after the Christmas holidays as well with has since been accounted for and converted to the tune of $JA14, 000. Another stash of relevant items also was brought to hand such as rakes, brooms, dust masks, heavy duty gloves and related tools. Those donations were in response to an email sent to selected persons and who responded positively other customers both gay and straight have been pitching in outside of the project effort as the satisfaction in the customer service experience is pleasing. The improved scheduling, the timely phone/text communications with clients at around the time when it may be suspected persons are ready for trimming the verge also helps as customers like the personal touch.

Ironically there has been very little homophobic responses to the participants maybe that could be due to the masculine presentation (despite some skin bleaching) of the assigned males involved and despite the butch identified nature of the two females they are seen as ‘one of the boys’ for all intents and purposes. There has been some encouraging of the males to reduce the skin bleaching business so as to be able to convince clients to have trust and faith in them but that has not been easily received by the fellas. It is refreshing to see something positive in the homeless department that seems to be working without major hitches, lord knows there is an urgent need for some sensible answers to some of the nonsense over the years. While monied NGOs look the other way.

On behalf of the participants in the weed whacking income generating project thanks to all who have taken the time to donate and follow up on the project and allowing the participants to conduct landscape services and the attempted replication exercise is still in the works for Clarendon despite the hick-ups.

Peace & tolerance

H

“Each one reach one” indeed is the theme as I had suggested some years ago and we unofficially use with Babbie Mason’s song of the same name to boot. Good that some Christians are doing it the right way and embracing those who are not of them. What would Jesus do indeed, in direct opposite to some fanatics who are only making the church body look stupid as they sit there and allow it to be so.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Bad gas & the weed-whacking project

Christmas nyamings, donation presentation & MSM weed-whacker project update

Penny Concert/Rally raises funds in part for MSM Weed-whacking Project

INTERFAITH GROUP PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ST CATHERINE HOMELESS MSM

Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season 2013

BUSINESS DOWNTURN FOR THE WEED-WHACKING PROJECT FOR FORMER DISPLACED ST CATHERINE MSM 2014

Second time donations from church penny concert/rally for weed-whacking income generating project

For a second time in recent years the independent break away Baptist church group/7 man committee LGBT allies have delivered even when they were not formerly obligated so to do outside of a promise. Sunday December 11, 2016 was the day on which a spirited penny concert and church fundraiser rally was held in St Catherine to include sing-offs, comedy hour, bake sale, yard sale, a short play and other activities with nuff food to go around for all. $25,000 was delivered on the very evening of the rally as it came to an end and the tally was done, a break away from tradition, apparently the goal that was set was surpassed and as before the basic figure of $15,000 would have flowed even if their bigger goal was not met. Other gifts as in last year were not there this time around but the upcoming Christmas dinner being planned may have other goodies we hope. We are thankful none the less.

The promise of sorts of assistance from the allies since around 2013 has been met several times prior with specific regards to the previously named ‘MSM Weed Whacking Project’ which has now morphed into a mixed group income generating one as two women are now full time on the now nine person group with two other pass through members; they latter two have other income generating activity they have done for themselves in vending. The original idea came about in 2012 after five of the current male members and others who have since moved on were homeless and struggling in Spanish Town and the outskirts of Portmore, after several challenges including two evictions from an illegally occupied house and land a head scratching exercise occurred hence the idea came to hand. Fundraising efforts elsewhere have been not so hot this year as the response to overtures have been low, austerity I guess, formalization of the outfit and activities was and still is the next step but with registration as a limited liability company for starters comes the mandatory minimum business tax obligation of $60,000 while NGO status may be pending for some time.

one of the working units

After some time with much trial and error with some head bumping resulting in resignations from the committee and sadly some misguided homophobia from selected church members seeped in old thinking and reshaping the interfaith feel of the effort we are still here. The participants in the project have been struggling with everything from in fighting to sporadic rainfall, effectively drought periods, reduction in business and client withdrawal as a few households consolidate in austerity times other persons have moved to newer schemes but the men do travel to get the business. Mechanical challenges with the equipment as only three of the five machines are in working order and the rotation of the machines to meet demand though problematic at first things got settled afterwards. The women came into play as beneficiaries from their own challenges thus changing the face of MSM/transgender homelessness overall in that part of town and as displaced same gender loving women become more visible ways have to be found to meet some of the changing landscape.

The donation from the rally will go a far way in repairing the two down machines as best as possible although one seems un-repairable as the parts are costly that it requires, it’s almost as buying a new. Thankfully the rainfall has been steady this year thus impacting the shrubbery growth and by extension the need to use landscaping services, another plus is the slowly growing support from LGBT owned of occupied residencies on a regular basis also helps, last year’s nymanings for example had some gay customers who attended that dinner and penny concert and who also donated cash to the members of the project as a token gift for the holidays. It has been an incident free year much to everyone involved relief as there was some concern about person’s perceived sexual orientation may cause some challenges but they did not. The enlightenment growth of some of the older ‘churchy’ members who joined the committee is commendable as several misnomers have been debunked and people learn to dispel old stereotypes of gay men and gender non conformity.

The regular competition from other whackers some with burrowed or local government owned machines who invade the market is still a challenge. They undercut prices in order to attract customers even as a few customers purchase their own machines in the case of falling prices for them and do they own landscaping thus eliminating the costs for hiring someone. Social media use was suggested to grow the business but the guys are hesitant even though it was made clear to them the marketing would be to LGBT specific audiences for starters, but if they are not ready I suggested we do not force it just yet as there has to be buy in for it to work.

Clarendon replication attempt

The activation of the idea to replicate the projects in nearby Clarendon has not taken off as expected, given the limited machines for rotation, some issues had come up some time ago with homelessness or displacement in that parish and I suggested we try and see, rotating machines for such long distances with new players may be logistically challenging. We want to target another three men for that expansion even as they engaged in ‘hustling’ to eke out a living. Rapid residential development in that part of the island is making the concept more attractive as housing developments go up. As more middle class persons move westwards from Kingston and Portmore they will need some sort of landscaping services and the evidence is clear thus far, men riding on bicycles or bikes with whacking machines, machetes and so on are visible in May Pen and nearby communities as they seek business in a competitive environment.

The committee has promised continued support albeit there are attempts to ‘convert’ participants to the faith by some but I have concerns about a reparative or restorative tinge attached to such efforts, but let us see. The concept of a gay Christian is alien to some persons thus far but with time I am expecting change.

A huge thanks to the group for the donations on behalf of the participants and as usual the funds will be managed by the designated individuals, of note last year’s donations mostly went into gasoline purchases, emergency repairs, stipends for low income periods and other unexpected expenses that were health related. The rented house where the group resides is still used by them as they slowly build on their efforts.

“Each one reach one” indeed is the theme as I had suggested some years ago and we unofficially use with Babbie Mason’s song of the same name to boot. Good that some Christians are doing it the right way and embracing those who are not of them. What would Jesus do indeed, in direct opposite to some fanatics who are only making the church body look stupid as they sit there and allow it to be so.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Bad gas & the weed-whacking project
Christmas nyamings, donation presentation & MSM weed-whacker project update

Penny Concert/Rally raises funds in part for MSM Weed-whacking Project 

INTERFAITH GROUP PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ST CATHERINE HOMELESS MSM

Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season 2013

BUSINESS DOWNTURN FOR THE WEED-WHACKING PROJECT FOR FORMER DISPLACED ST CATHERINE MSM 2014

Christmas nyamings, donation presentation & MSM weed-whacker project update

So the donation mentioned in a previous post (Penny Concert/Rally raises funds in part for MSM Weed-whacking Project) by the often referred to interfaith group was made officially on Christmas Day at a dinner and singsperation session involving all the participants in the described weed-whacker income generating project. Last year there was no treat for them as was the case in 2013 where the second one was held but this year all the stops were moved to make it happen. The shot in the arm of course was the surpassing of a penny concert fundraiser goal for the church groups involved which saw twice the original suggested amount being donated on paper; it was presented as a cash gift at the treat/dinner.

the annual packages

this year's packages also included the above

hot plate for the house where the guys are presently staying

Grocery items and two hot plates among other things were also donated a given as gifts thanks to a church sister out of pocket and my appeal to persons for some donations. I also drew up the GLBTQ Jamaica Paypal account thanks to you my loyal readers over the years some donations have come in; though small but is worth noting to assist in the process as has happened before. 

I had to leave the kitchen though on Christmas Eve early as I had an out of town DJ engagement to service (money haffi mek yah man) but the meals were diligently prepared as we did in 2012/3 with friends and church folk who wanted to pitch in more so this year than ever.

Bearing in mind this was exclusively for the MSM/L weed whackers and not the other general male mentorship program the church is more directly involved in.

We finished on the afternoon in time for the gathering.

The Menu included:

Pork flavoured chicken
Roti and curried goat
Baked chicken
Stewed doctor fish
Baked ham
Rice & Peas
Creamed potatoes
Mixed vegetables
Sorrel with or without rum
Red wine
Chardonnay
Non alcoholic beverages

Two customers who use the services of the whackers who are also members of the MSM community also passed through to show support and had made case donations of $2,000 each which helped in procuring some of the items listed on the menu. A big thanks to them for passing by and supporting ‘de ting’ as one of the guys said.

one of the refurbished machines 

The participants were encouraged to use the donation from the penny concert activity to good use and it was suggested to buy at least two new machines to offset the rotation issues with the present two. The new ones could be used and go on making use of the warranty while repairs or refurbishing can be effected to the older units and or revival of the downed machines. Fortunately with stabilized rainfall, shrubbery growth and customer count rising income generation looks good thus far.

The men also received a spruced up care package than normal from the church team who also have been assisting in covering the rent for the house some of the men and one woman in living in now. The guys also pitch in from earnings from their income; Sunday meals are usually provided by another church sister nearby but she is relocating to a new house some distance away so other arrangements may have to come into effect.

I rather like small projects like this, they are devoid of the fluff and elite cloudiness that can impact it and the pre-occupation with image as seen with some NGOs and individuals is missing so things get done way better and directly to those the activities should reach.

Hope remains while company is true, I hope this project goes on with little or no obstacles as it stabilizes. Thanks to all the folks who got involved this year.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see previous entries from here and GLBTQ Jamaica Wordpress:

INTERFAITH GROUP PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ST CATHERINE HOMELESS MSM

Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season 2013

BUSINESS DOWNTURN FOR THE WEED-WHACKING PROJECT FOR FORMER DISPLACED ST CATHERINE MSM 2014

Not surprised ..... Islamic Council Wants Buggery Law To Remain

So not surprising as the sentiments were expressed in a radio interview and a call in show on radio some weeks ago during the aftermath of the Presidential visit and the euphoria following especially the LGBT hint and the hailing of Angeline Jackson activist from QCJ.

acting President of the Islamic Council of Jamaica, Al-Hajj Mekaeel Maknoon

However I would love to ask the ICJ what explains the ever increasing popping up of LGBT Islam or Muslim groups worldwide and even in our own LGBTQ populations though small in number but they see themselves as being left out of the loop in as far as being part of the faith. As per usual the cop out line is that they (ICJ) do not support violence against homosexuals.

I imagine the council is also in disagreement in principle with the position taken by The founder of Muslims for Progressive Values Ani Zonneveld when he criticized 'deviant, draconian, and hateful' variants of Islam and advocates for LGBT and gender equality. As in Christianity, some Muslims may point to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as a justification for anti-LGBT beliefs. And as in Christianity, others disagree with that interpretation.

“It was rape; it was inhospitality; it was going against the prophet Lot’s teaching” that were the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, not homosexuality, says Ani Zonneveld. The Koran, she said, prescribes no punishment for being gay or transgender.

Zonneveld founded Muslims for Progressive Values in Los Angeles in 2007. Singer-songwriter Zonneveld felt that in many Muslim communities “a woman’s voice was forbidden,” and she wanted a progressive Muslim community to belong to. The groups has monthly spiritual gatherings, open mikes for youth, and social events for its LGBT members. In addition to the flagship L.A. chapter, MPV now has U.S. chapters in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. There are also MPV chapters in several other countries.

The Gleaner carried this today:

Acting President of the Islamic Council of Jamaica, Al-Hajj Mekaeel Maknoon, said yesterday that the Islamic community in Jamaica is against the repeal of the Buggery Act.

Speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum, he indicated that homosexuality goes against Islamic beliefs .

"The Creator has already made his judgement on that in Sodom and Gomorrah. We do not have anything to add to that, He has said it is the most unnatural act ... . His judgement is that it is unacceptable," he said.

The Imaam outlined arguments against the repeal of the Buggery Act.

"People have a right to have desires; that is the human right. It's not a human right that you have to impose your desire on other people. It is not your right to create a situation which is, in essence, by nature, diametrically opposed to the continuity of the human race," he said

According to the acting president, "the country cannot look at the situation and say you are allowed to do what you want to do until it starts to affect 90 per cent of the country and then we start to take action ... 90 per cent of Jamaicans do not engage in this behaviour and we need to respect their wishes and not legislate something like this."

Inherently Wrong

Maknoon spoke to the morality surrounding homosexuality indicating that it was inherently wrong.

"Something is either inherently wrong or right and furthermore, you cannot impose on 90 per cent of the Jamaican people, a conduct that they find abhorrent. It is unacceptable," he said.

He went on to explain, however, that Muslims do not discriminate against homosexuals.

"The man who is gay, I don't have the right over him. If he chooses to live that life, that is his life; your way is your way ... . We will not excommunicate a member who is gay, that is his life and he is accountable to the Creator of the universe," Maknoon said.

ENDS

Meanwhile in 2014 

“This new interpretation of Islam is deviant as far as I’m concerned,” says Zonneveld, pointing to the influence of Saudi Arabian Wahhabism as “a very draconian, very new teaching of Islam — very intolerant … of different cultures, very hateful, I would say, even.”

She says Saudi money has gone into every corner of the world and influenced cultural shifts in Muslim countries. For instance, she says, many mosques where men and women once worshipped together now require women to enter from the back or to worship in a separate room from the men.

“It’s a bastardization of Islam,” she says, referring to the “true spirit of Islam” as “interfaith and inclusive.”

Zonneveld emphasizes that she is calling out governments and institutions — not individual Muslims. There are progressive Muslims all over the world, she says, and in many places they face the threat of imprisonment or even death for speaking out. That’s why Zonneveld thinks that, as a Muslim in the western world, she has a duty to “highlight those voices.”

In fact, MPV obtained consulting status with the United Nations in order to advocate for the granting of individual rights regardless of cultural beliefs.

The conflicting teachings has been a source of hardening divides in the Islamic community and by extension the theologians from a Christian perspective especially on the Sodom bit and whether it was a matter of hospitality versus destruction simply due to homosexuality exclusively as is espoused by anti gay voices.

Then comes this other conflicting solution supposedly to Jamaica's problems during yesterday's Gleaner forum with the ICJ: 'Polygamy, solution to Jamaica's family crisis' this might sound good for some men seeing we raise multi-partnering as a mark of masculinity but sometimes I have to wonder.

Anyway I found another group online called Muslim Alliance which was launched January 23, 2013 at the Creating Change conference in Atlanta, GA. Building on the work of generations of LGBTQ Muslims and their allies, the new organization grew out of a working group brought together by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (The Task Force). 

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) works to support, empower and connect LGBTQ Muslims. We seek to challenge root causes of oppression, including misogyny and xenophobia. We aim to increase the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim communities, and to promote a progressive understanding of Islam that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equality.

MASGD hosts a retreat for LGBTQ Muslims and their partners each May.

In the UK:

Imaan supports LGBT Muslim people, their families and friends, to address issues of sexual orientation within Islam. It provides a safe space and support network to address issues of common concern through sharing individual experiences and institutional resources.

Imaan promotes the Islamic values of peace, social justice and tolerance through its work, and aspires to bring about a world that is free from prejudice and discrimination against all Muslims and LGBT people.

In September 1998, a group of us were brought together in London by an advert placed in the Pink Paper by visiting founder of Al Fatiha Foundation, the US gay Muslim group.

Back then, Muslims who were gay were not part of a discernible group. If anything we were part of a larger, mostly London-based Asian presence that congregated at gay Bhangra clubs like Club Kali and Shakti - if at all.

The need to reconcile Islam with sexuality seemed to coincide with a coming-of-age of a particular generation of gay people from Muslim backgrounds born in this country that had witnessed the growth of a gay culture in England.

Peace and tolerance 

H

also see:

What Does Islam Really Say About LGBT People? (advocate magazine)

Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: Islam - Sunni and Shi’a

Press statement: Times article on gay Muslim terrorists sensationalist and damaging

Muslim LGBT Group Against Violence on Facebook

More Pastoral Inappropriateness & Under-aged Victims... Silence from The Selective Religious Anti Gay Fundamentalists?

A random search of the numerous cases of suspected sexual assaults, rape and other atrocities to under aged teens and boys as well reveals a frightening set of results yet I do not hear anti gay religious groups smarting from their little rally in Half Way Tree on Sunday June 29 harping on a 25,000 attendance yet all the speeches there none of their own was castigated for breaching their position of trust and indeed real sexual grooming and not the allegations of same of the JFJ facilitators of the sex ed course as if teaching a class can allow inappropriate preparation for abuse by the counsellors in such a setting.

My BIG question as of late of late is where are the LGBT Christian voices of those of Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica or the Interfaith participants such as those from The United Theological College, why have they not spoken up yet?

Such religious hypocrisy however MUST be pointed out repeatedly and I intend to do so at every chance I get, here are some recent stories of pastoral sexual assaults, it is only a pity it had to take the foolishness and antics from anti gay groups like Jamaica CAUSE to have to unearth such awful issues:

March 2014:
A pastor is currently in police custody since March of this year, after he allegedly threatened to kill an underage girl because she ignored his sexual advances.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the pastor, who is in his 50s, was, for weeks, sending the 14-year-old girl lewd text messages stating he wants to have sex with her and that "he wants her little body."

THE STAR understands that the child is related to someone close to the pastor.

send gunmen

According to reports, when the child dismissed the pastor's advances, he allegedly became angry and threatened to send gunmen to kill her and her family, if his demands were not met.

The terrified girl notified a member of her family about the text messages and the pastor's threats and a report was made to the Spanish Town police.

But drama unfolded on Saturday when the police went to arrest the pastor at his St Catherine residence that he shares with his wife.

According to reports, the police spent over an hour beseeching the 'man of the cloth' to exit the house, after he reportedly locked himself inside, when they arrived.

After the police failed to convince him to exit the premises, it was reported that the pastor's wife, who was not at home during the incident, was called to give the police entry to the property.

The pastor was subsequently arrested.

The Spanish Town police confirmed the incident, but stated they could not provide any details as the matter is currently being investigated. 

ENDS

February 2014 - Pastor Beats Wife:

Residents from a western Jamaica community are crying shame on a pastor who it is alleged showered some telling blows on his wife after she accused him of having an affaire with a teenager from the district.

THE STAR understands that more than two weeks ago, the wife, who shares cellular phone use with the pastor, had the phone when a text message came from the girl for her husband. It is further understood that the text was not to her liking, and the pastor was accosted and questioned.

It is alleged that the frightened pastor became angered with his wife's constant questioning about the text message and his affaire with the teenager, resulting in a heated argument and him throwing the blows on her. This, it is reported, resulted in a security guard who was passing the couple during their arguing, having to intervene.

utterly concerned

It is further understood that the situation was so ugly that the wife disappeared for a number of days from her nearby place of employment, raising several questions as to her whereabouts from her colleagues, who became concerned.

It is alleged that the security guard, who is also employed where the pastor's wife works, was ordered transferred after the wife revealed that he was responsible for spreading the news about the fracas involving the couple.

THE STAR has learnt that the incident is hot on the lips of many community residents, many of whom are calling for the pastor to be removed from being in charge of the church he leads.

ENDS

March - After getting bail ... PASTOR ON SEX CHARGE AGAIN

A Jamaican-born pastor in the United States who was last year accused of repeatedly raping a teenage girl has now been accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl while on bail.

THE STAR understands that the pastor was taken into custody last Thursday when he was making a court appearance in the previous case.

He is 40-year-old Reverend Michael Clare, the pastor of the Harvest Worship Centre International, and the principal of the Harvest Preparatory Academy in New York.

According to a www.ncbnewyork.com report, Clare has been charged with one count of rape in the second degree, one count of sexual misconduct, three counts of sexual abuse, one count of criminal sexual act in the third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child.

It is alleged that the sexual offences occurred on at least three occasions from June 22, 2009 through June 30, 2011 at the school where he serves as principal .

Further allegations are that the victim was a 14-year-old student at the Harvest Preparatory Academy at the time of the first encounter and was 16 years old when the relationship ended in June 2011.

It is reported that the judge set bail on the new case at US$350,000 ($29.75m) cash or US$200,000 ($17.4m) bond and also raised the bail on the first case to US$350,000 cash or US$200,000 bond.

He is also reportedly prohibited from being around children under 16 years old and ordered to surrender his passport.

In Clare's previous case of alleged rape, he is accused of engaging in a three-year sexual relationship with a member of his congregation which allegedly began in April 2006, several months before the victim's 13th birthday, and continued through January 2010, sometime after the victim's 16th birthday.

ENDS

March 2014 - Woman Raped by "God's Messenger"

A St Catherine man who reportedly told a female he was a messenger from God and could heal her was granted bail in the Linstead Resident Magistrate's Court on a charge of indecent assault on Tuesday.

Travis Barton of Ewarton was granted $200,000 bail with one or two sureties.

Allegations are that on December 12, last year, the complainant was walking in Ewarton when Barton, whose head was wrapped in a red turban, approached her and told her he was a revivalist and received a vision. He reportedly told her in that the vision she was having some serious problems and he was able to assist her, however, she needed to give him her telephone number.

She was later convinced to visit the accused man's house.

The court heard that the complainant became suspicious when the accused started to rub her body with olive oil and Kananga water, while tying a piece of cloth around her belly and telling her he wanted to heal her pain. She was then touched inappropriately and fled the house.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police and Barton was charged.

Barton's attorney, Earl Hamilton, made a successful bail application to Resident Magistrate Vaughn Smith. He told the court his client was a victim of circumstance as the complainant did not want people to see her coming from the accused man's home, hence she concocted a story that she was assaulted. The lawyer said that was farthest from the truth and his client will prove his innocence.

ENDS

There so many other cases including high profile ones, remember this one? - 

Former pastor convicted of raping 2 teen girls in US, faces deportation to Jamaica

or the popular Daniel Findlay matter which I carried earlier on this blog? see: Anti gay religious voices where are they? .... Pastor charged with sexual assault

Pastor Daniel Findlay, charged under the Sexual Offenses Act with three counts of sexual assault with a person under 16 years and one count of grievous sexual assault, was told his case will be tried soon.

Findlay, 36, from Lower York in St Thomas, appeared in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. His lawyer was absent and so was the complainant. After exploring the possibility of sending a taxi for the complainant, the magistrate advised the accused to make his attorney aware of the next court date.

"Your case will start soon, as the complainant is not here. You should return to court on August 7," the magistrate advised. She also told the mother of the child to ensure that her daughter is present at the next hearing.

Findlay's bail conditions of $250,000 with stringent measure remains. The bail conditions include two sureties, reporting to the police six times each week and residing with his father. The accused has also been ordered to have no contact with persons under the age of 16 years old.

Finday was identified as a person of interest by the Morant Bay police earlier this year, and was picked up in Kingston after he made arrangement with the police to hand himself in.

ENDS

Pastor on Buggery Charge - 2008 case unresolved

A pastor accused of molesting several boys appeared in the Port Maria Resident Magistrate's court Thursday.

The case against Donald Stewart, who is facing 30 counts of indecent assault and buggery, is set for hearing on December 11.

Stewart was granted bail in July in the matter which is being heard in-camera.

Stewart who was a supervisor at a boys' home in St Mary was charged in July following allegations that he assaulted several of his charges.

The case caused outrage from rights groups when it came to light in July, with Jamaicans for Justice lamenting that enough was not being done to protect the welfare of children.

The group also heaped blame on the Child Development Agency, for not being more proactive in its duties to uphold child protection regulations.

ENDS

Clarendon pastor on sexual assault charge

The Clarendon pastor who was arrested earlier this month on allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14 year old girl will have to spend more time behind bars.

29 year old Orane Ellis who is charged with rape and grievous sexual assault was remanded when he appeared in the Clarendon Circuit Court yesterday.

He is to return to court on June 7.

The pastor was arrested on May One by personnel from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, CISOCA.

It was reported that a complaint was filed with the police that he held the teenager and forcefully had sex with her.

ENDS

A letter today in the Gleaner claimed homosexuality is a sickness lol - 

"THE EDITOR, Sir:
Congratulations to the Church for making its voice heard in the Half-Way Tree Square mass rally two Sundays ago against what many regard as the growing menace of homosexuality in Jamaica today.

I salute those who turned out to demonstrate for what most of us call decency and to protest against men going to bed with men and women with women. And let us say it up front: The fact that many people 'in the Church' support this kind of rogue behaviour only goes to reinforce what many have long suspected. Much of 'the Church' is a big part of the challenges we face as a society. Is it any wonder that many of those we have lost at the hands of their homosexual 'lovers' were supposedly outstanding churchmen?'

Homosexuality is an aberration. Sure, in a homosexual's 'other life', he, or she, may become an outstanding artist, a seminal scientist or a university president, but that is another matter.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

Trouble is, those who engage in it are also citizens of the State (just like those whom the medical services used to send to Bellevue Hospital) and, accordingly, have the same constitutional rights as the rest of us. What they do not have is any right to foist their strange and unnatural lifestyle on the rest of us or use it as a ploy to extract favours and concessions from us or from the State.

With every respect to all concerned, a man who lusts after, and enters the anus of, another man in an amorous embrace has to be sick somewhere. Maybe in his head!

I have no wish to take away their right to go to bed with each other, but let them do it in the privacy of their homes, cars, behind trees or wherever.

LLOYD A. VERMONT
Sirtryltd@cwjamaica.com
Stony Hill, St Andrew

ENDS

TO which my simple response was:

I suggest we bombard his email, silly letter writer. Funny too that nowhere on Jamaica CAUSE's communications does it speak to any of these concerns as to their selectivity and silence on when one of their own molest especially under aged persons.

Their statement released on June 29th is very limited in scope for a Christian group, winning souls whatever the condition for Christ is nowhere to be seen, who are they to judge and define others?

Peace and tolerance really needed in this time as the crackpots come to the fore, homosexuality is the only thing these folks see as the enemy nothing else and when they are cornered on that they search for proper explain-aways to look all concerning yet they are silent on:

Political corruption

Police excesses

Other crimes

Embracing the outcasts (wouldn't Christ do that?)

Murders

Missing Kids almost daily

Real care for minorities ...... etc.

That is what real Christians focus on and along side charity they think logically, sensible advocates and those concerned about abuse do not fan the flames of national hysteria and moral panic as those only provide more cover for abusers to continue to hide and abuse or start the process of sexual grooming unseen by those who ought to be vigilant as we are too busy arguing and distracted by the very hysteria that was created.

May God help us as theocracy is slowly shoved down our throats,

H

Interfaith group treats homeless MSM in St Catherine

A Merry Christmas to you my readers and indeed this is a apt occasion to do this entry as I do not normally post on the holidays but photos and a short video clip of a treat that was put together by an inter-denominational group nearing the Spanish Town area for some young gay and bisexual men for the most part outside of the other treats held was sent to me via email. Unfortunately with strict instructions I cannot share them at this time I hope at least I can bring to the public's attention soon however.

The interfaith group who had expressed some interest earlier this year in assisting three of the young men after a series of incidents involving them and others in several forced evictions similar to those of their Kingston counterparts with the local authorities moving the men from all points they occupy and obstruct. However in St Catherine it was residents who made those decisions with some disastrous consequences such as the reported chase and attempted flogging of a group who illegally occupied an empty house in the Sydenham area and men supposedly ran them out of town and boarded up the structure after the owners residing overseas were informed of the squatting activities by the men.

Other challenges present themselves in the town itself as the men at one point occupied under the bridge upon entering Spanish Town nearing the hospital but were chased away allegedly by thugs from the nearby squatter settlement opposite the river. 

Even as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus on this day (actual birth date not known but the Council of Nicea had made this so) and as sections of Christendom locally twist the true message of Christ and pour cold water on the hate that has become so normative in God's name towards homosexuality or their wrongly placed perceptions of it, it is refreshing to see a group throwing away their stereotypical lenses and looking beyond to the human condition, a trait missing it seems from some of these theocrats who prefer to bask in their self preserving salvation, even in the midst of religion there is individualism yet they complain about excess, The homeless overall, the rejected and elderly and destitute are eyesores for some of these religious persons who spew hatred and bigotry in God's name it seems and is more of a "if your are not one of us then we won't share with you or know you" message being sent. 

What about the outcast? lest we forget the story of the woman with the alabaster box, Peter et al and not all LGBT people are atheists either as some would like to promote since the stepped up prominence of that section of the community. Some of us do not have a problem or question the existence of God but it's how the word is being twisted via all kinds of self amended theologies to suit the agenda, the very same kind of intellectual dishonesty and gymnastics the gay lobby or some figureheads of it is accused of is the very same strategy that is being used by theologians and so called holders Doctors of Philosophy under a Christian guise. 

The interfaith team consisting of pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventists, A church of God leadress and others numbering eight in total had approached the situation as aforementioned by providing short term odd jobs for the three young men they had identified to work with at first when the Syndenham incident occurred they thought the men were just homeless generally not ascertaining that there was more to their situation that the typical displaced youth on the street would have experienced. Then the real conditions became known to the group who were already assisting other dislocated populations as well, the stories however were flying out of the men as two members of the interfaith team took particular interest in the men after listening intently over time according to two of the men who related their encounter. 

At first there was some resistance by the church of God representative and the Seventh Day Adventist as well seem a bit reserved and literally kept communication to a bare minimum in some instances and was described as very abrupt in engaging the men, it was after a series of phone calls with another community influential at the local health authority in HIV outreach and my subsequent involvement via a set of gay men's health workshops in the parish that seem to had led to a change of heart leading to this pleasant news coming forth. 

The men were treated at a church compound last evening with only themselves and the members of the team along with a pastor who prayed over the proceedings, I subsequently tried to find out if the prayer or any of the actions by the participating persons seemed suspect or reflected a form of reparative therapy message (not those exact words used) the men for the most part said no, the influential was also present and said it was purely a gesture by the group who had received some donations from their various sources and decided to split the items which included shoes, items of clothing, books including Bibles and personal effects/toiletries the men also were allowed a bath and a change of clothes then three hot meals, soup, the main course - a choice of chicken/curried goat or beef and then Christmas cake with sorrel drink.  

The gesture though seemingly small is powerful in my estimation as a mixed group given the recent public discourse of religion, marked differences  denominations and so on are put aside and an active alliance is alive and well.

The interaction thereafter was said to be very sobering for both the men and the interfaith group and there is another one such tentatively scheduled for New Years Day, the men have also been invited to watch night services. Good to know that this kind of outreach is happening and reflects the more real sides to what the work of the Lord is all about, not just for buffed egos of theologians but on the ground work getting ones hand dirty with real people, service is the rent we pay on this earth not platitudinous garbage with millions of dollars to boot when they are people who need help, people like Wayne West, Shirley Richards, Peter Espeut and Betty Ann Blaine need to take a page out of this group's action.

They intend to work with the men though sadly resources are limited to assist the others who are involved in commercial sex work and so on for gain a living, the ministry of health's regional authority only insofar as HIV prevention do engage the men via their outreach officers but that does not address the pysho-social and fiscal needs of the men who fear off a little better than their Kingston counterparts, they for now can crash as several spaces including the home of another former party promoter and one does pass through my address for the occasional shower and package of rice, beef etc I can get from my sister in law who is an elder of a community church nearby.

Typical SCJ layout on a Sunday morning somewhere in Jamaica

Previous Interfaith discussions (and they were just that) from a theological standpoint (LGBT leader led) that involved distinguished Reverends, theologians from United Theological College, Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica Kingston (SCJ) an offshot of the Miami based MCC now defunct and others died in the water just after 2010 which centered primarily on tolerance, acceptance and human sexuality. 

It is instructive, the actions of this progressive interfaith group (not LGBT led this time around but focused non the less) pity however it had to be done quietly for now so as to avoid any untoward response from some of the crazies within the church in general, that is a sad observation and commentary of the church to make but it is a reality, we have seen persons literally chased from or read out of congregations by pastors and church brethren.

Tolerance indeed in action this should teach us all.

also see: Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress of promised shelter (with a podcast included)

Peace and tolerance

H