War of words between pro & anti gay activists on HIV matters .......... what hypocrisy is this?

A war of words has ensued between gay lawyer (AIDSFREEWORLD) Maurice Tomlinson and anti gay activist Dr Wayne West as both accuse each other of lying or being dishonest, when deception has been neatly employed every now and again by all concerned, here is the post from Dr West's blog entitled:

A Correction

Posted on March 20, 2014by testifyingtotruth

It has been brought to Testifyingtotruth ‘s attention that the following item was

posted on LGBT activist Maurice Tomlinson’s Facebook page today, Thursday

March 20th.

In the post Tomlinson accuses Dr. Wayne West, Chairman of the Jamaica

Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS) of deliberately lying and doing bad

science for stating in the JCHS affidavit for the court case reviewing Jamaica’s

buggery law that“ anal sex is inherently infectious”

Paragraph 53 of the JCHS Affidavit states :
” The Coalition counters that the burden and impact of HIV on men who have sex with men stems from the inherently infectious practice of anal penetration. I exhibit hereto marked Exhibits WW20a and 20b, excerpts from the NAM (National Aids Manual) AIDSMAP (UK) http://www.aidsmap.com/Anal-intercourse/page/1323531/, accessed February 19, 2014, which reports that unprotected anal intercourse carries a higher risk of sexual HIV transmission than unprotected vaginal intercourse. “

Dr. West states that Tomlinson’s correction is valid and duly noted and that the

item should have read ” the inherently risky practice of unprotected anal

penetration”.

Readers of this Blog can rest assured that Dr. West and the JCHS will and are

already seeking to effect the necessary correction.

xxxx E N D S xxxxx

https://www.facebook.com/maurice.tomlinson.7
Maurice Tomlinson

35 minutes ago near Toronto, Canada · Edited

SANCTION UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR BY DR. WAYNE WEST:

Dr. Wayne West is a radiologist. He is also head of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, a fundamentalist religious group that is opposed to the recognition of the human rights of LGBT Jamaicans. Dr. West has consistently used his medical credentials to push his anti-gay agenda, even resorting to blatantly unethical behaviour, for which I personally think he should be disciplined by the University of the West Indies, Mona where he works, as well the Medical Association of Jamaica.

In court documents opposing a repeal of the Jamaican anti-sodomy law he states that anal sex is inherently infectious. This blatant lie could be excused because, after all, Dr. West is NOT an epidemiologist. He therefore does not specialize in the science of how infectious diseases are actually spread. HOWEVER, his statement is at best unresearched hogwash, unworthy of the academic standards of the university, OR at worst, constitutes ethical misconduct of the highest order.

The FACT which ANY medical practitioner MUST know is that it is UNPROTECTED anal intercourse with an INFECTIOUS partner which is “inherently infectious.” By West’s logic, simply having anal sex will transmit HIV! Not true. If neither person is infectious (i.e., negative for HIV or if positive is on effective ARV treatment) then the risk evaporates. Further, if the inserting partner uses a condom, even if they are infected, the chances of transmitting HIV are significantly reduced. Instead of admitting this simple fact (which he has been PUBLICLY called out on, even by non-scientists) West persists in repeating his lie, and has even sworn an oath to it! He is, in my humble opinion, an unrepentant bigot who wants to stigmatize and demonize gays.

I call upon the University of the West Indies to reign in this fundamentalist lose cannon, or forever risk having their good name tarnished by being associated with sham science.

ENDS

Now comes a status entry by Mr Tomlinson

This is laughable to me as both gentleman have broken the ethical lines of advocacy respectively repeatedly especially on HIV/AIDS and on legal matters concerning LGBTQ issues, only recently Mr Tomlinson denied that he has not made a decision to appeal the Supreme Court decision in his case against three TV stations 

yet his employer and attorney's have been quite clear on their decision to appeal. Then there is the bizarre revelation that in the said trial he changed his plea in the middle of the hearings with regards to the PBCJ. Then there is the matter of using old narratives in as far as MSM not havng access to safer sex implements on national television which was denied by the other persons in the said interview on CVM TV, see: Unimpressed with the CVM TV show on MSM Homelessness

The September 6th 2011 appearance of representatives from The National Council of Drug Abuse and AIDSFREEWORLD's Maurice Tomlinson to address the recent public eviction of homeless MSMS from Cargill Avenue was at best damage control to another embarrassment regarding the poor response from the relevant LGBT agencies. JFLAG WAS NOT PRESENT AT THIS CVM TV LIVE @ SEVEN Program The attempt to use old programmatic language by Maurice Tomlison to suggest MSMs have no access to condoms while the CVM newscast itself showed the movers holding the condoms in their hands they found on the site and saying the men were practising safer sex should be instructive to ALL in view.

also see:

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

or HERE for the full post

Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS continued confusion of paedophilia & consenting homosexuality.

Continued conflation between homosexuality, atheism, secularism and moral nihilism

Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica

Betty Ann Blaine & foreign religious zealots continue their paranoia & misrepresentations of male homosexuality

A marriage and another activist seeks asylum ...

Questions For Maurice Tomlinson (Gleaner letter) .........

CVM TV's Live @ 7 - Gay Brain Drain 

The evidence is overwhelming readers/listeners, you decide.

Peace and tolerance

H

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke, Sexual Offences Bill to be updated 2014 says justice minister

(Please also see the Sexual Offences Bill Tab/Label immediately below this post for previous entries on the long debate and amendments in 2009 and before)

So the suggestion of a conscience vote on the buggery law as espoused by Prime Minister (then opposition leader) in the 2011 leadership debate preceding the last national elections was a dangling carrot for a dumb donkey to follow, many advocates and individuals interpreted Mrs Simpson Miller's pronouncements as a promise or a commitment to repeal or at least look at the archaic buggery law but I and a few others who spoke openly dismissed it all from day one as nothing more than hot air especially soon after in February member of parliament Damian Crawford poured cold water on the suggestion/promise and said it was not a priority as that time. and who seems to always open his mouth these days and revealing his thoughts that sometimes go against the administration's path. I knew from then that as existed before even under the previous PM P. J. Patterson (often thought to be gay by the public) also danced around the issue as this could mean votes and loss of political power. Mrs Simpson Miller in the meantime was awarded a political consultants' democracy medal as their conference concludes in Antigua, more HERE

additional comments via podcast recorded 23 November 2012:

also see the Chairman Bobby Pickersgill on the PNP's stance earlier this year, was this a hint of the change or rescinding of the proposed conscience vote being neatly announced?:

PNP’s Bobby Pickersgill differs on Conscience Vote route to decide on Buggery Law

 and this older entry after the PNP win in 2011

also recall the press release the PNP penned on Dec 22, 2011:

Bear this in mind as well, after digging my archives I found the presentation by Mrs Simpson Miller in 2009 (poor audio though) where she sided wholeheartedly with the then Prime Minster Bruce Golding(his speech linked) on the banning of gay marriage, gay marriage rights by the way was never asked for by the LGBT advocacy structure at that time but it was dishonestly pushed on the agenda during the Charter of Rights debate then as a smoke screen to deny us recognition in the Charter. 

The clause that had discrimination as an infraction then was also removed from the draft prior to this speech after successful lobbying by none other than the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship with support from none other than reverend Al Miller.

She said on October 20th 2009 - "Mr Speaker when we accepted the final report from the joint select committee that were looking at the bill we were completely satisfied with their recommendation of a provision to restrict marriage and like relationships to one man and one woman within Jamaica and that the provision should be specifically spelt out so that there could be no ambiguity ………. yes one man one woman (laughter in the house) and if you are Jamaican and go overseas the same applies ……….." 

So the feeling remains here or what?

"I told you so" comes to mind when stuff like this plays out but I am amazed at how naive sometimes our leading spokespersons seem or is it just to meet public relations requirements and inform public discourse I guess. A report came on yesterday's forum hosted by the Jamaicans for Justice group, unfortunately I missed the radio discourse on Nationwide which I gather was to the point on the matter,

the public forum held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, to discuss the J'can govt.'s implementation of the 2011 Recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee, the J'can Minister of Justice, Senator the Honourable Mark Golding (photo) announced yet another delay in ending the country's discriminatory laws against same gender loving Jamaicans.

TVJ News carried the Minister's remarks at the JFJ session:

plus this ...................

 
Instead of the Parliamentary Conscience Vote on the archaic anti-sodomy law that the Minister of Information advised would happen before the end of this year, the Justice Minister indicated that there will be a review of the Sexual Offences Act in 2014 to POSSIBLY address the laws which criminalizes private same-gender intimacy.


Legal Advisor to AIDSFREEWORLD Maurice Tomlinson who also has a case with the Caribbean Court of Justice as this progresses said that relying on public disapproval of gays (instead of basic human rights principle requiring protection of sexual minorities against oppressive majority views), the government has taken the cowardly decision to keep delaying the repeal of anti-gay laws. 

The Immediate Past Special Rapporteur for the UN Human Rights Committee, Mr. Krister Thelin (third from left), stated clearly that these laws were in violation of Jamaica's international commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Meanwhile the tolerance ad case also brought by Maurice Tomlinson judgement is scheduled for release from the Supreme Court on November 15th. 

also see: Caribbean Court of Justice reserves judgement on Maurice Tomlinson case on barred entry due to sexual orientation

I surmise that the change of mind by the present PNP government on the conscience vote is due to to the public's feeling of the Prime Minister's lousiness and non communicative style on matters of national importance added to that are the slow austerity measures being pursued to include job cuts, repeated trips abroad with no serious reporting on developments, the goat island fiasco and silence there as well with the Chinese and so on. This time of year also is not a good time to do any political moves as Jamaicans take their holiday season seriously as a tradition, lest we forget it was the reason why the opposition Jamaica Labour Party lost the election in 2011 when they called it in December a first in our political history. The administration also may fear that a vote in the non-affirmative may lead to undo pressure from more powerful LGBT friendly states such as the US, pressure we do not need at this time and a PNP that wants to return to power and not fall in the trap of being a one term administration as the JLP became.

also see: The Jamaican Government schizophrenic on human rights ?

and hear an interview with IJCHR's head Arlene Harrison Henry:

Not to be outdone is the powerful lobby of the religious movements who have mobilised themselves in recent years and their vote is as real as they come (or go for that matter) also see: Church Stands Resolute Against Buggery Backers says Al Miller ………… Love March Movement Lacks Moral Compass says LGBT voice and as the to and fro continues the groups still believe a false dichotomy that the LGBT lobby is about to silence them, see more HERE and HERE. Plus this older entry: Betty Ann Blaine & foreign religious zealots continue their paranoia & misrepresentations of male homosexuality
So it's official we were duped and it was so neatly done at a JFJ meeting yet JFJ has not said a word just yet, it is not yet known if JFLAG was present at the session either but who cares these days as they have made themselves so lame in the eyes of some local LGBT people. None the less here is there position on the law:

Sad that it has taken JFLAG some 13 1/2 years to accept the lesser of the two options that were available at the time post the parliamentary submission in 1998. Suggestions were made from then that decriminalization was the route to take but their management had other plans and now they are left with no choice, hence my criticism after many suggestions to them that there is too much dithering when it is time act and when they act sometimes they end up shooting themselves in the foot.

Well I am not surprised by Mr Golding's announcement just strange how the PNP administration has now gone the Sexual Offences Bill Route. 

Also see these previous posts: 
Mark Wignall on Buggery law review promise was a political sham

On Buggery and gays in cabinets with politics ............ some responses ............

The Line in the Sand for the JLP Part 14 ...... but vote ☐ PNP ☐ JLP ☑ Legalize Buggery/Anal Sex in private ........

JFLAG Position Statement on Upcoming Conscience Vote on Jamaica’s Buggery Law earlier released before the change of direction by the PNP.

Interesting times lie ahead.

Peace and tolerance

H

So Dean Moriah's murder was NOT a homophobic killing ....... ethical issues in advocacy arise yet again

As the video above showed the awful demise of a member of the MSM population in recent times many persons local and abroad were led to think this was another case of Jamaica acting out its "most homophobic label" we now see that this case is not a homophobic murder as was made to be believed and as so eagerly reported by some advocates namely Maurice Tomlinson, Dwayne Brown on his Minority Insight blog and even as far away as the United Kingdom by our good friend Peter Tatchell when he participated in a protest at the Jamaican consulate office as was carried on my sister blog GLBTQJA complete with a press release and photos of the activity. The Gleaner carried an update on September 20th on the matter as excerpted here:

UPDATE: Man Reportedly Confesses To Murder Of MoBay Hospitality Worker Dean Moriah

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer wrote:

The man held in connection with the murder of hospitality worker, Dean Moriah, has reportedly confessed to the killing.

The man, who goes by the alias, 'Mario', was picked up on Monday by the police in Oracabessa, St. Mary and was later transferred to the Montego Bay Freeport station in St. James.

He was reportedly held with Moriah's stolen motor vehicle.
He was also found with Moriah's wallet and was reportedly wearing a pair of his shoes.

It is believed he was a friend of the deceased, and was identified in a photo in Moriah's kitchen.
Moriah died on August 29 from stab wounds to his chest and neck.

His house was set ablaze by the attacker who also stole his car and cellular phone.
Moriah, who named his killer before he died, was buried last Saturday in Haughton Grove, Ramble, Hanover.

ENDS

Dwayne Brown in his own defence tried to play walk between the raindrops when he was confronted by other younger activists as to the truthfulness of his coverage of the matter on his blog on Facebook he made the following comment: "The report did not make a definitive statement as it relates to the accused affiliation with the victim...Using word such as 'believed' is one of uncertainty and speculation. the report has no proof to substantiate such belief. Beliefs aren't facts..." So it is when one is cornered they try to worm their way out of it but I am not surprised they learn from the best anyway. I have learnt over the years in this business that despite how a case may look as homophobic on the surface one has to wait for better particulars to come out before jumping to conclusions and screams of homophobia in the international arena to gain attention only to be left with a stench of liar liar pants on fire emanating from one. The grapevine had already concluded that it was non homophobic matter and in Jamaica that modality though termed as hearsay is very important given the scheme of things.

Jamaicans are very astute these days when it comes to reports on the news with certain variables involved; a (partially) nude male deceased; untouched home; stolen or missing car; possibly used condoms; neighbours accounts of male visitors etc. once those items appear the conclusion is already drawn before the real evidence is presented but the response should not be to scream homophobia the moment the story breaks. The No GAY Rage article that followed the incident in the Gleaner only served to prove that the agitations over the years have not quite resonated: CLICK HERE FOR MORE 

Lest we also forget the Big Gay Lie article from child rights activist Betty Ann Blaine where she made putrid the calls of homophobia and also never forget the parting shot from Les Green the UK born police commissioner as well where he said the gay lobby's claims were not true both can be seen HERE and HERE.

It seems we have not learnt from the numerous episodes of similar cases and even recent ones of the homeless MSM murdered on June 13, 2012 where JFLAG's ED was called out on the matter after they rushed to a conclusion only for it to be revealed it was a gay on gay crime. Dionne Jackson Miller host of RJR's Beyond the headlines had pointed on June 28 2012 that:

"The men were apparently brutally murdered with blunt instruments in the vicinity of the intersection of Trafalgar Road and Lady Musgrave Road. Persons who are homeless frequented this area; among them are young gay men who have been made homeless because of the continued intolerance of homosexuality in Jamaica.”

In an interview with me on my radio programme Beyond the Headlines a few days later, JFLAG spokesman Dane Lewis admitted that the organisation had jumped the gun, and that his later information was that the two men in question had been killed by members of the gay community. He said he withdrew that part of the statement and promised a corrected version. I haven’t seen that yet."

JFLAG has since removed their statement as well on the Dean Moriah matter too from their website but all these mishaps in reporting and agitations have only sought to rob the lobby of any credibility thus affecting any campaigns and position statements that may follow no matter how virtuous they are intended to be but when will all concerned learn? one would have thought that after fifteen years around they and others individual spokespersons (nominated self appointed or otherwise) would know how to handle such issues by now instead we have mistake after mistake occurring with disastrous consequences, the Queen Ifrica matter anyone? and it's lack of ownership in so far as the Stop Murder Music Campaign is concerned and letting it slip to a quickly formed overseas group with Jamaican membership who managed to get the artist work permit cancelled but ha snow left the perception of free speech stifflers added as another layer to the struggle that we did not need. But again I ask who cares? as long as the headlines are being made and the funders continue to be led so be it, truth and objectivity have no place around here.

Anyone notices locally that hardly any thing can be said as of late and local media seems not amused as to how the Queen Ifrica matter was handled? Notice too that it is only overseas online publications that are being worked to the bone to promote supposed agitation for rights, then we wonder why the cynical public that must be convinced is adamant that homosexuality is being foisted on the nation.

To get rights basically by fiat as it were or arm wrenching in the minds of the people whose minds we want to change is not by idea of full freedom as we may find ourselves always looking over our shoulders with a finger pointing opposition reminding us "you lied your way to them" I much rather preferred unfettered enjoyment of same if and when they come, after all King, Gandhi and other freedom fighters did not leave any doubt as to the veracity of their work for their struggles.

Think on these things.

UPDATE 

September 27th none other than Dwayne Brown himself and a few others tried to heckle the Prime Minister outside the UN New York building I guess in a bid to save face as the deception was spotted by those within and outside the community here is how the Gleaner carried it:

Gay Protest Against Jamaica Fizzles Outside UN Assembly

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer 
WESTERN BUREAU:
A planned protest by gay lobbyists 'Jamaica Anti-Homophobia Stand', today fizzled outside the 68th United Nation General Assembly, where Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is in attendance.

The lobbyists had posted on their blog that the group would have been joined by organisations such as Queer Nation, ACT UP and the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens in Manhattan.

But only four people turned out to protest today.

They were demonstrating against recent attacks on alleged gays and a transsexual in Jamaica.

They also want the Government to repeal anti-sodomy laws.

The lobbyists say on Saturday September 28, they will stage another protest against Simpson-Miller at the United Nations Plaza in New York.

This latest campaign follows a series of social media activities by the gay community including Jamaican born-gay activist, Maurice Tomlinson.

ENDS

So now here we are seeing the desperate grasping for straws with little success as unplanned and sparadic activities just cloud the credibility more on behalf of the rest of us and we sit or I should say others sit quietly and watch this go down and think it ok, here is a clip from the heckling:

I knew that the perceived promise by Mrs Simpson Miller when she was opposition leader in the leadership debate was nothing to hang on to, we should know by now how politicians operate and besides the present economic, ethical and legal problems now plaguing the administration I doubt we will see any buggery debate or conscience vote anytime soon.

Portia et al are just laughing at the gay lobby.

meanwhile Erica Virtue of the Gleaner after the Queen Ifrica matter said she would do her two cents on the LGBT rights issue so here it is.

Sentiments expressed by many Jamaicans but who inside the lobby pays close attention and thus prepare proper responses for stuff like this? I guess noone as they have all become so impervious.

UPDATE courtesy of TVJ news:
Suspect remanded - 

Peace and tolerance

UPDATE October 25, 2013

Protest on October 23, 2013 of Bruce Golding in the US with Dwayne Brown long after the fact of his not in my cabinet rant:

also see: Bruce Golding on “Is Jamaica Homophobic?” (Repost)

H

Maurice Tomlinson challenges the LCF's Shirley Richards for a public debate on the validity of Jamaica's anti buggery law

Well a showdown is now looming as controversial gay lawyer Maurice Tomlinson issued a challenge via an open letter that came to hand moments before the actual preparation of this post. 

A war of words has been happening yet again since an article by the anti gay Lawyers' Christian Fellowship President Ms Shirley Richards on December 9 entitled "Wrestling With Rights" where she spoke to rights matters then came a tersely worded response from Mr Tomlinson on December 11 called "A Tragic Case of Ignorance" where lambasted the anti buggery/abortion spokesperson.

Then in turn she responded in a published piece in the Gleaner entitled: “Jamaica's buggery law no violation of human rights, international obligations.” but disturbingly she plead ignorance on certain matters, a most unethical position it seemed to me.

Now comes this:

Dear Ms. Richards,

I write with regard to your column published in today’s edition of the Jamaica Gleaner under the caption “Jamaica's buggery law no violation of human rights, international obligations.”

It is incredibly disingenuous to cite an article written by Professor Vasicannie while he was serving as Jamaica’s Deputy Solicitor General, in support of your arguments. In his capacity as government employee he was bound to support a law which he personally may have found objectionable. 

What is needed is an unbiased assessment of the law, as could happen say in a court. But, as will be made clear below, you and your ilk have effectively blocked this very simple and elegant solution.

Be that as it may, the arguments you posited amount to a tortured interpretation of international human rights law as it relates to Jamaica's buggery law. It doesn’t take a “massive leap” of logic to conclude that our law would be violating a binding treaty we signed when a similar law was found to violate the exact same treaty. 

Clearly, if the Human Rights Committee was allowed to consider Jamaica's anti-buggery law as they were able to consider Australia’s law, the result would be the same. So to argue that the Toonen decision is not "binding" is just an indulgence in legalistic sleight of hand.

And as you well know, the Jamaican government has effectively taken away the option of the HRC reviewing our law. If States are permitted willy-nilly to ignore the recommendations of international human rights bodies, what then is the point of being signatories to treaties that fall under the purview of these bodies? 

Thankfully, however, the Inter-American Commission will be called upon to hear this matter as two petitions have been filed before that body seeking a determination of the law’s validity in relation to the American Convention on Human Rights. This Convention is yet another binding human rights treaty that Jamaica has signed. You also know that we could have settled this matter internally if the LCF had not convinced our Parliamentarians that the law should be saved from any review by our own local courts. 

The LCF website has even gone further by encouraging the government NOT to amend the anti-buggery law in any way (even to correct the gross aberration where anal rape carries a 10 year sentence while vaginal rape carries life imprisonment) as you know that would open the law up for judicial review. This would allow any court to find that criminalizing the private sexual acts of consenting adults violates basic human rights principles found in a free and democratic society.

If you are so confident about the validity of the anti-buggery law, why have you led the charge against re-enacting it in the Sexual Offences Act as well as preserving it from constitutional challenge under the Charter of Rights?

Finally, I understand you are a parent. Kindly tell me then if you are so committed to preserving the anti-buggery law that you would wish your adult child to be sentenced to 10 years at hard labour for engaging in consensual same-gender intimacy behind closed doors, as is currently provided for in the legislation?

Ms. Richards, I challenge you to a public debate on the validity of Jamaica’s anti-buggery law, at a mutually convenient time. The matter is certainly serious enough to warrant such public ventilation of the issues.

Regards,
Maurice Tomlinson
Former Human Rights Lecturer
University of Technology, Jamaica

Human Rights Day: LGBT Stand in the morning, theocratic concert in the evening ...

My second post in observance of the day and it does not get any better than this in Jamaica, never a dull day as some vibrant young activists with support from controversial AIDSFREEWORLD legal advisor Maurice Tomlinson pulled off a silent protest earlier this morning at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston just before the infamous giant nude statues of the male and female representations. As the religious right movement seeks to monopolize their attention from the public regarding their strong opposition to any buggery review and or repeal/decriminalization.

Yesterday we saw Betty Ann Blaine leader of the new nation coalition and also a part of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society a religious entity funded by foreign religious groups as well dedicated to supposedly fight homosexuality, Miss Blaine also a child's right activist of Hear The Children's cry has been vocal before about children getting buggered if buggery is repealed and while she has been quiet since her last public outing on the issue that of the Big Gay Lie article in the Observer following an outgoing UK police Asst Commissioner belittling of homophobic incidents she now says she will take to the streets of needed to fight it as government should not repeal buggery but there should be a referendum on the matter.

Yesterday in the Gleaner the JCHS held a meeting that was reported on where a South African religious figures encouraged the bigoted stance taken by the group, it is ironic that years ago these related religious groups and personalities were highly critical of the local LGBT lobby that we used foreigners to aid our cause strange now we are importing hate on a theocratic platform. 

Also see: End Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities says Gleaner's Associate Editor

They also took out the same ad on HIV/AIDS rates in France they did here locally last year this time in a Trinidad Newspaper, talk about a coordinated approach Caribbean wide and the money backing their activities? ... when homeless persons and the least amongst us need help religious groups spend hundreds of thousands on ads to infringe on others privacy and freedom of choice.

They are also planning a concert at the same venue where the stand took place, the main speakers will be US-based international human rights lawyer, Susan Yoshihara, and a Jamaican residing in the UK, Kwabena Peat, who will present his story of how his rights of freedom of conscience and employment have been destroyed as carried in the Observer.

Under the theme 'Celebrating God: The Giver of Rights', the concert will be an extension of an international conference: Human Rights, International Law and the Family, to be hosted by both the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society and the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship both groups continue to deliberately mislead the public on trumped up rhetoric that somehow homosexuality is equal to or causes paedophilia and also equating the call for tolerance as supporting fisting and felching, both extreme forms of gay sex practised more so OUTSIDE of Jamaica in MSM subgroups in Europe (leather, skinhead and biker communities) but the chief instigator of this line of argument is Dr. Wayne West.
JFLAG in the meantime has released yet another statement, this time at least Mr Dane Lewis the agency's ED participated in the stand. The release reads:

Government Must Take Urgent Actions to Respect LGBT Jamaicans

J-FLAG Celebrates 14 Years Promoting Rights for LGBT Jamaicans on International Human Rights Day

December 10, 2012 | Kingston, Jamaica
Today, J-FLAG celebrates its 14th year working to promote the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Jamaicans.

We have noted progress, which demonstrates our ability as a people to respect our friends, families, classmates and coworkers, among other people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This progress was reinforced by studies, which show that one in five Jamaicans now respects and/or accepts the rights of LGBT Jamaicans and would support an addendum to the Charter of Rights to include non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Other notable progress includes:

· Minister of Health, Hon. Fenton Ferguson’s recent statement that Jamaica should repeal the buggery law

· A willingness by politicians from both political parties in the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament to engage around issues affecting the LGBT community.

· Strengthened relationship with the police, including the Office of the Police Commissioner, which has led to an increase in LGBT persons reporting to the police and the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Police Ethics and Diversity Policy

· Public dialogue on homophobic bullying and human rights much of which has been through the media and several organisations

· Training among public health professionals from St. Ann, St. James and Kingston & St Andrew to improve service delivery that is respectful of the rights to health of LGBT persons

· More gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are accessing health facilities for services related to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

· Proposed research through the Ministry of National Security to understand LGBT persons’ perception of insecurity and victimization

Notwithstanding this progress, much work remains to be done to ensure that all Jamaicans are treated equally and has equal access to services including education, health and justice.

“These successes speak to the progress we are making as a people in respecting the humanity, dignity and equality of LGBT persons,” said Dane Lewis, J-FLAG’s executive director. “However, given that we have a vibrant LGBT community, much more still needs to be done so we can more forward as a cohesive and just society that intends to become the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”

In a regrettable departure from this progressive path, on November 21, 2012, Jamaica voted against resolution A/C.3/67/L.36 at the United Nations condemning extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions which urges States "to investigate promptly and thoroughly all killings, including... all killings committed for any discriminatory reason, including sexual orientation." Additionally, recent incidents of vigilante attacks on perceived gay persons continue to undermine the achievements and call into question the national commitment to equality for persons of diverse sexual orientation.

The 2012 Boxill Survey shows that about one million Jamaicans believe the government is not doing enough to protect the LGBT community from violence and discrimination, we therefore remind the Prime Minister, Hon Portia Simpson Miller, of her commitment in December 2011 and urge her to take urgent action to protect and promote the rights of LGBT Jamaicans.

We encourage all Jamaicans to embrace our common humanity as a people. We implore Jamaicans to be respectful to everyone as we help make Jamaica a safe, cohesive and just society where we can live, work, raise families and do business. Together we can loosen the chains of prejudice, inequality, crime, violence and intolerance, which continue to stifle our country’s progress. Let us as a people help to build Jamaica so that we can realize the vision of a safe, cohesive and just society.

J-FLAG is willing to assist the government in its efforts to protect and promote the human rights of all Jamaicans, regardless of their socio-economic status, sexual orientation, health status, disability, work, and political and religious persuasions.

ENDS

Sadly yet again the social justice issues are left out but seeing it's HRD the message should be outwardly focused so I will support this one this time. The gentleman who was murdered via multiple gunshots on November 17th will be buried this Saturday December 15, 2012, I may not be able to attend, the matter of the homeless MSM group in Kingston still is a major concern and WILL NOT BE OVERLOOKED because of today's stand. As only days ago we saw another public spectacle with some of that group and the proposed shelter that was slated for opening on December 1 has been put back for all kinds of reasons.

As I was preparing this post I received a post update note from a fellow blogger who just posted an entry on the very subject of homelessness entitled: 

Haunted: Homophobia & Homelessness in Jamaica

Interesting that it is the mainstream media who has to carry the plight of the men repeatedly, (August 2012) JFLAG itself hardly speaks about the groups openly but only when forced to address the issue when it comes up. 

Their voices count too despite their anti-social behaviours, what is required are the needed stabilization/diligence building and re-socialization interventions along with the shelter ideas. We are still reaping the world wind of the dubious closure of the previous Safe House Pilot in 2009 where some of these same men were apart of that response to the issue. Funny too that it is where JFLAG's office now sits. Priorities please!!!!!

see this post from 2009: Homeless MSM to feel the pinch as JASL issues ultimatum then we started to see the early consequences of the previous shelter's closure: Complaint of "Freaky Gays" Harassing New Kingston .. and Homelessness still a major problem the cracks had gotten wider to the present scenarios. 

click below to see more - 

The pilot homeless shelter programme – the original truth

also see from the June 13th (non-homophobic)double murder click: 

JFLAG’s needs to accept some responsibility for the Trafalgar Murders ….. homelessness not properly addressed

Click the Homeless MSM tag immediately below this post for previous entries

The Robert Carr Doctrine released ..............

The following was released on July 17th by the MSM Global Forum and is deemed a set of Principles for Doctrine a Meaningful Response to HIV Among the World’s Key Affected Populations but after reading the document in its entirety I found nothing specifically on LGBT homelessness overall or hints to any related pyscho social support to enact behaviour change and or help them through self efficacious activities to arrive at an emancipated state, why are LGBT homeless populations not being given any serious attention and focus by LGBT advocacy structures in the Caribbean is puzzling to me given the rises in numbers and fallouts over time.

Bearing in mind Dr Carr was once among other things Executive Director for Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Chairman of JFLAG's Management Committee I would have thought some more thought from Jamaican perspective given our current realities would have been brought to bear.

Many homeless LGBT persons especially MSM locally resort to commercial sex work to survive and in so doing engage in risky and dangerous behaviours mostly in outdoor settings which lead to literal errors in negotiating condom use or closing a deal in order to make a buck literally speaking, what about those realities? Apparently the MSM Global Forum does not see homelessness as a priority now or have it included specifically in the cadre of HIV prevention messages and programming and is missing from this doctrine so named after Dr. Robert Carr as it were.

a section of the document seems to cover it remotely where it says:

"The end of the HIV epidemic lies with our capacity to develop targeted, tactical, and multi-tiered approaches. Interventions and services are needed at the biological, behavioral, interpersonal, familial, community, social, cultural, and legal levels. All

stakeholders, at multiple levels, must act comprehensively, concurrently, over a sustained period of time, and with respect to the HUMAN RIGHTS and DIGNITY of MSM, people who use drugs, sex workers, and transgender people, including those living with HIV. Although difficult, COALITION work is transformative, and holds the key to unlocking our collective potential to end the epidemic. Ultimately, our success depends on how well we can work together to respond to those most in need." 

But shouldn't displacement and homelessess be tied into the loop as well?

Have a read of the rest of the release and download the PDF for further review:

Marginalized Populations around the World Unite,

Call for Revised Approach to Global HIV Epidemic

Global networks of gay men, people who use drugs, sex workers, transgender people and people living with HIV put forth new strategy for more effective global AIDS response
July 17, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) – As HIV rates continue to climb among marginalized groups around the world, the major global networks of gay men, people who use drugs, sex workers, transgender people and people living with HIV have put forth a series of joint recommendations for a more effective global AIDS response. The recommendations were released earlier today in a set of principles entitled “The Robert Carr Doctrine,” named for the well-respected international AIDS activist who passed away one year ago.

“For the past thirty years, the global AIDS response has been characterized by ‘one size fits all’ programs that fail to address the drivers of the epidemic among the world’s most at risk populations,” said Dr. George Ayala, Executive Director of the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF). “Stigma, discrimination, violence, and criminalization block access to HIV services for gay men, sex workers, people who use drugs, and transgender people.”

“With HIV rates skyrocketing among these groups around the world, we can no longer ignore science for politically expedient solutions,” said Dr. Kevin Moody, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). “It is time for targeted, tailored, multi-sector community-led responses.”

The Carr Doctrine calls on all stakeholders to re-think the global response to AIDS, urging actors to recognize that HIV is not just a public health issue, but rather a symptom of underlying societal inequities and injustices. Accordingly, the Doctrine calls for a coordinated strategy at behavioral, social, structural, and legal levels.

“In our collective experience across each of these populations, we have found that a coordinated response is key to addressing HIV effectively,” said Ruth Morgan Thomas, Global Coordinator of the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP). “A country cannot claim to prioritize sex workers in its national AIDS strategy when that country’s police are actively arresting and brutalizing sex workers. What good is it to supply people with condoms when the police use condoms as evidence of sex work, arresting the people who carry them?”

The Carr Doctrine represents the first time that the global networks of key affected populations have come together to forge a shared strategy. Each network is largely made up of community activists and organizations, all working to address the epidemic among their respective constituencies.

“The history of HIV is largely a story of people standing up to protect their communities when no one else will,” said Dr. Eliot Albers, Executive Director of the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD). “While each key affected population is unique in its own right, we all have this in common. After thirty years of AIDS, HIV services remain out of reach for the vast majority of our constituents. It is time we stood together to demand the response our communities deserve.”

The launch of the Carr Doctrine was timed to coincide with the start of the International AIDS Conference, taking place the week of July 23rd in Washington, D.C. The organizers of the conference have hailed this year as a potential turning point in the epidemic, citing the development of new technologies like pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention.

“Scientific advances like pre-exposure prophylaxis are exciting of course,” said Mauro Cabral, Co-Director of Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE). “But they will fail to make a dent in the epidemic among key affected populations if legal, social, and political barriers continue to impede access to services. In order to create lasting change, science must be balanced with rights-based structural intervention – they are two sides of one coin.”

The HIV Epidemic among Most-At-Risk Populations

A Johns Hopkins-led review of HIV prevalence in 38 low- and middle-income countries found that gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are more than 19 times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population, yet the Global HIV Prevention Working Group has estimated that only 9 percent of MSM around the world have access to HIV prevention services.

According to the journal Health and Human Rights, only an estimated 22% of female sex workers in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to HIV prevention services, despite infection rates as high as 54%, 68%, and 73% in Burkina Faso, Zambia, and Ethiopia, respectively.

According to a systematic review published in The Lancet, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (IDU) was 20-40% in five countries and over 40% in nine. Yet worldwide, only an estimated two clean needles were distributed per IDU per month, eight IDU per 100 received opiate substitution therapy, and four HIV-positive IDU per 100 received antiretroviral therapy.

According to the World Health Organization, transgender populations around the world face HIV prevalence rates of between 8% and 68%. Very little data exists on access to HIV services among transgender populations.The full text of the Robert Carr Doctrine can be found online at http://www.msmgf.org/files/msmgf//documents/RobertCarrDoctrine.pdf.

here is an excerpt:

RE-STRUCTURE the response

HIV is not just a public health issue. The current response to the epidemic is underpinned by the faulty assumption that HIV is solely a public health issue. Efforts to address the epidemic are therefore centered on a narrow range of actors and strategies. In reality, the epidemic is a symptom of underlying societal inequities and injustices. A National AIDS Council that prioritizes key affected populations is severely compromised when the rest of that country’s government continues to arrest, harass, and violate the rights of MSM, people who use drugs, sex workers, and transgender people, including those living with HIV. Similarly, scientific advances in HIV prevention and treatment, while welcomed and strongly encouraged, are wasted when communities shouldering a disproportionate HIV disease burden are blatantly denied access to services or cannot access them safely. Bilateral and multilateral funding strategies that fail to prioritize investment toward 

hardest-hit populations, civil society advocacy, and community development will inevitably fall short of achieving an “AIDS-Free Generation.” Structural factors drive the HIV epidemic, so our solutions must address those factors as well. Small-scale interventions targeted at the individual level are important, but they are not enough.  

Maurice Tomlinson delivering the lecture on July 21, 2012

Go Here for More

You decide, interesting that we have to get such a comprehensive timeline from FAREEEEENNNN!!!!! (foreign territory) instead of here towards the LGBT community via some general forumatic activity.

click the "Homeless MSM in Jamaica" tab immediately below for previous entries on the subject

Questions For Maurice Tomlinson (Gleaner letter) .........

As the furor in a sense continues over former local advocate and lawyer Maurice Tomlinson controversial departure from Jamaica in the form of asylum in Canada and a marriage which he complained that photos were published of his wedding that originally occured way back in August 2011 yet he supplied them to the Star News Canada while the local newspaper simply republished them. Some persons have been vigorously trying to defend his actions obviously missing the point of ethical professionalism needed and missing in this latest open blunder and is reflective of the self serving nature of our or so self appointed representatives when most of the time they speak on our behalf supposedly without any meaningful consultation for a more balanced points of view from the LGBTQIQ2S body politic.


Was this letter even penned by a member of the community really or a homophobe posing as such? 

As for his students well they are up in knots along with the administration of the University of Technology, here is the letter from a member of the community, pity their name was not placed. Also what is glaring is that other former activists have left Jamaica without any cloudy and controversial circumstances as the reasons for their departure was clear as crystal to everyone. The letter reads as follows:

Questions For Maurice Tomlinson

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IN YOUR editorial on Tuesday, you made mention of the fact that as law students, those who Maurice Tomlinson teach should take into consideration Section 13 (3)(a) of the Charter of Rights in Jamaica's Constitution which speaks about the right to life. As a member of the Lesbian Bisexual Gay and Transgender community, I know all to well the negativity, such as threats and physical attacks, that we as lesbians and gays have to go through at times.

I can also relate to what the students are going through, especially those who have to work while attending school.

I might get a backlash from the community for what I'm about to say, but who gives a damn?

Mr Tomlinson, being a well-known activist, is fully aware of the dangers members of the community face, and as a well-thinking adult, he could have gone about things differently. There's no way his marriage could have remained a secret with him being a well-known activist, and more recently, with him receiving the David Cato award. Mr Tomlinson should have foreseen the current events. It's no business of mine what goes on in Mr Tomlinson's personal life, but he needs to answer a few questions.

1. Why didn't you put a plan in place for your students in the event of incidents like this?

2. Why couldn't you have ended the semester and then take care of your personal life (your wedding)?

3. I'm sure you are capable of using our current technology. Why didn't you plan webinars and make use of various related tools for your students?

It was very rude of Mr Tomlinson to just tell his students to sit in with other lecturer(s).

I'd be very upset too.

Concerned Gay

ENDS

Also see the post below for more as there have been other members of the community including the intelligentsia who have expressed some outrage at the whole matter and the timing of the wedding article, the timing of the departure of Mr Tomlinson from Jamaica (January 10, 2012) and then the subsequent travel to London to collect the David Kato award and cash grant along with it just looks too suspicious and manipulative of the systems for personal gain. The systems seemed to have been worked especially the lobby for the award in London so enough publicity had to be done via TV appearances and a leaked hint to the wedding in Canada which originally took place in August.

This comment when first made/posted was deleted from a Facebook group where JFLAG operatives converge by one of the administrators who work with the organization I have since gathered. Another dangerous precedence for muzzling and or dictatorship and the prescriptive nature to the rest of the community? yet we ask for tolerance elsewhere.

it stated:
Frankly, from reading this article, I don't get a sense of someone who's been forced to "flee". People who "flee" don't have a return date scheduled. If someone is fleeing for their life because of circumstances beyond control, how exactly did he suddenly regain enough control to be able to"schedule" when his safety concerns had been resolved? What I do get a sense of is someone who's taking advantage of the reputation that Jamaica has gained, and using it to his own ends. That is, how convenient that such "safety concerns" emerge as significant right around the same time when he goes to London to go pick up his award?
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/jamaican-activist-tomlinson-wins-first-david-kato-award

And who told the newspaper that he was away from work? Let me guess....

Suffice it to say, this story reeks of unprofessional and unethical behaviour on Maurice's part. It may well be that faculty members in Jamaica can and do mistreat students however they want - cancel classes, don't show up, don't give the students their grades, etc. - with no repercussions. But to use homophobia as the excuse for not showing up, ad to have the administration in knots over how to deal with this crisis, when I'm sure they sense that things are not as they appear - that is beyond selfish and self-involved.

I am totally sick and tired of lgbt Jamaican individuals manipulating the already hostile situation at home by making themselves into scapegoats and victims, just so they can appropriate resources and attention for themselves. I was wondering where the leaked story of the wedding was going, and I can already see.

In my opinion, there needs to be a total news lockout against Maurice Tomlinson unless what he's talking about or doing DIRECTLY involves broader community, and there's sufficient corroboration of his accounts. He is being very manipulative in his conduct, and is harming the movement in many ways. Others have pulled similar stunts in the past, but Maurice is taking the situation to a whole other level. And he's counting on the silence and gullibility of lgbt Jamaicans as well as the fears of straight people to help him accomplish whatever he's set his mind to, and which won't benefit anyone but himself. Enough already."

Obviously this one is being kept alive as the letter above is published by the Gleaner. While some days ago Mr Tomlinson gave a statement via AIDSFREEWORLD 

Remarks by Maurice Tomlinson, AIDS-Free World’s Legal Advisor on Marginalized Groups, upon receiving the inaugural ‘David Kato Vision and Voice Award’ London, UK, January 29, 2012, 6:00 PM


more on audio

 Ethical Professionlism & LGBT Advocates 01.02.12 by glbtqja4 

Peace and tolerance


H