Gay Jamaica Watch’s 8th blogoversary

Started in 2008 on May 8th as Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica the blog was a part of an action item following a series of stake holders and management meetings between board and parish committees of the aforementioned church was a local branch of the Metropolitan Community of churches in Florida. The aim then was to raise awareness of the SCJ with local as well as foreign support via an internet presence using an accessible platform little did I know or even perceive then that it would end up where it is today. In that same series of marathon meetings several other action items that were agreed upon and committed to by others were never carried out to this day and the reports remains on the paper or digital file it was saved on as mere archival material.

Such are the challenges and hence my frustration with the systems of advocacy in Jamaica. The SCJ blog then highlighted theological, introspective and reflection posts with a view to affirming Christ’s love for all people at that time to including LGBTQ persons as well in Jamaica and seeing we never had a space nor a church of our own to worship it was an opportune moment seized by many who would make the monthly trek to the various venues for such services. The blog also had some entries I as it administrator with some management approval looked at homophobic and other related matters in Jamaica. Readership then was on the rise as with contributions via submitted articles from the then SCJ Chair and church flock alike with some of my musings.

So overwhelming the homophobic violence reports became that the SCJ blog started to resemble a list of infractions towards LGBT people more so than the original intent of God centred principles, quotes and verses with testimony. So I decided to add another blog under the JFLAG name of which there was approval from the then management committee, over time however challenges came my way as administrator of both blogs as my writing style and that of content was not only about LGBT issues such as entertainment, homophobic, lesbophobic, transgenderism and violence but also bisexuality also I took the bold step of critiquing the very advocacy or lack thereof in certain respects in basically the same style as I do today with the blogs renamed from SCJ and JFLAG to Gay Jamaica Watch.

The renaming came about when several differences of opinion as to content mysteriously became an issue and an attempt to muzzle my entries was the last straw where I decided to rename both blogs to reflect my opinions. The inherent need to control the narratives about Jamaican LGBT issues by the establishment soon became clear and it did not sit well with myself and some of my long time followers who also transitioned with me to Gay Jamaica Watch, GLBTQJA on Wordpress and GLBTQ Jamaica (formerly JFLAG blog) on blogger. Sadly in the face of the added advantage of social media predominantly Facebook but we now see the same psychology at work amounting to a cynical labelling of representatives as “facebook advocates’ suggesting they are not in the realm of reality and or stuck in conference rooms than in the field. The more things change the more they stay the same it seems.

There have been over time some meshing of the old posts from the Yahoo groups Gay Jamaica and Battybusiness (hence the battymantings blog today); old posts that bear some relevance today have been either referenced or brought over on GJW.

And so the tradition continues with over 1500 posts to include videos and exclusive original content coupled with news stories and my two cents on current affairs matters of the day. No subject seems off limits as over 100 tags bear witness everything from hyper-masculinity to LGBT family life to the controversial MSM homelessness issues which I have been following prior to leaving JFLAG fully in 2010 as my contract expired. I since then worked elsewhere and have also been greatly assisted via donations from readers who pitch in when asked for crisis interventions for persons who I come in contact with.

I continue to express my opinions and indeed that of others as contributed pieces are also shared but move towards far more frontline work than just the investigative aspects in verifying information for entries. As before the unease by some of the open expression of ideas, opinions and so on is still alive even after all these years; suggesting we have an inherent need to control the narrative on LGBT Jamaican matters, despite the advent of social media allowing more visibility of the populations. Thanks to you my readers Gay Jamaica Watch in the 8 plus years according to the good readership figures on the Google tracking map. Apparently there were some errors prior to the last numbers I saw before. Listenership to the audio posts and podcast recordings have also been slowly rising as persons tend to be gravitating to that medium although your noted concerns that the audio is sometimes too long, the urgency of some materials do require lengthy presentations so forgive me.

Persons have been asking to also make the podcasts/audio posts downloadable especially the older ones which I may reconsider soon but for now they are not.

Challenges include:

Flash player and Skype crashes still annoy a few of my readers, again platform related issues although the mobile viewing capabilities have been greatly enhanced

Verifying information that has been reported by shady sources can be tedious in establishing truth versus grapevine depleting authenticity to matters

Meeting the needs of an ever demanding readership for content outside of text for e.g. audio, video and even live streaming requests

The need for more resources such as tools and aids to prepare more digital content

The slow movement towards one of the goals of a related website and very low funding and donations

The flood of responses via email instead of commenting directly on the blog often laced with vitriol

The limitation in the use local parlance far more than normal as mostly overseas readers do not understand them

Anti gay responses and vitriolic answers from other bloggers on the platform and members of the public

Attempts to soil reputation by surprisingly persons within the ‘LGBT community’

The overly lengthy and repetitious responses from a few readers, some trolling and stalking by so called admirers (for sex mostly) or closeted individuals who want some contact.

Competition for news space from overseas stories that seem to attract local LGBT person’s attention and a lack of following local LGBT issues saved and except for the subject matter having shock value or sensationalised. This partly due I feel to our slow divorce from the tabloid press continued tropes over the years on ‘gay matters’, after all it sells papers and raises listenership/viewership when in new media.

But all in all I and my occasional sidekick (Battyboi Bob) have weathered the storm and after eight years, several blog awards nominations both locally and abroad I press on with now four spots each with their own focus. Being one of the first gay bloggers inside Jamaica sharing some of the issues it has been a honour to have done so and I hope to continue serving as best as possible, to be honest I am proud of what has been accomplished thus far, now there are other Jamaican gay bloggers and with the blogosphere creating its own news content mainstream media has sat up and took notice which was what we wanted from the beginning, as to consistency that is another matter; but the recognition or visibility of “smaller” voices is important. Vigilance is key if we are to keep persons on their toes and the public informed of matters that would otherwise be swept under the carpet or hardly looked at.

GLBTQJA on Wordpress - is a compendium of posts from the old SCJ blog, the present Gay Jamaica Watch and GLBTQ Jamaica (blogger) with some exclusive content on entertainment and religiosity.

GLBTQJA on blogger – opened in February 2013 continues the tradition of Gay Jamaica Watch and GLBTQ Jamaica on blogger with emphasis on lesser important stories but exclusives as well on advocacy matters; opened as a temporary blog as GJW was under extended maintenance.

Gay Jamaica Watch – carries the real hard hitting materials covering advocacy review, homophobia, biphobia, HIV/AIDS matters, Buggery matters, legal issues, theocracy and religiosity, anthropologically tinged entries on hypermasculinty, press releases, effeminacy, studies, videos, party reviews and highlights, Stop murder music exclusives, metro sexuality and entertainment as well as exclusive LGBT Historical entries, audio posts and podcasts with slides and downloads

GLBTQ Jamaica - also with be eight years old this year is a more formal look at international LGBT affairs and my position on selected issues, to include asylum issues, letters to the editor, legal changes on same sex laws, European happenings, entertainment, lesbian, Years on review, transgender and bisexual issues, medical matters (to include transitioning), Jamaican/US/UK/Caribbean LGBT Historical entries, lifestyle matters, relationship issues, publications and research and advocacy (or the lack thereof) boosted with videos, slides, downloads, audio and podcast embeds.

Battymantings – is the ex-rated outlet for photos videos of an adult nature for 18 and over. It nearly got removed as blogger had adjusted their adult content policy in 2015 but much backlash from bloggers worldwide forced that decision to be reversed.

It has been a pleasure though good and rough at times serving you my dedicated readers and I hope my attempts to change the way the conversation has been had on many issues about our LGBTQIQ2S experiences has worked, judging from feedback over the years it seems so.

Contact:
lgbtevent @gmail.com
glbtqjamaica@live.com
Tel: 1-876-799-2231

Be vigilant be safe – an old way I used to end my posts with as at the time the frequency of attacks were very high and was the tag on GLBTQ Jamaica on blogger. Thank you so much for your support and remember to tuck a love gift via the donation buttons.

Peace and tolerance

H

A Justice Seeking Holy Week Indeed

A Justice Seeking Holy Week

Inspired by Kweerspirit

It's Holy Week, and while the pageantry of waving palms, sharing a water ritual, recalling ancient stories, and finally, on Easter Sunday, celebrating the resilience of life, is all quite marvelous, cathartic, therapeutic, and engaging, it is also important to remember that all of it is inspired by a prophetic voice that imperial power tried to silence with extreme violence. That voice could not die, or at least it would not stay dead. It would rise up in the power of community and continuously seek to give people their dignity back.

And so, on this Maundy Thursday of this Holy Week I affirm the sacred value of same-gender loving people. 

Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Christ lays out the model for the Eucharist or Holy Communion. During the meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including his betrayal, the Denial of Peter, and his death and resurrection. Events of the last supper play varying roles in commemoration services depending on the denomination.

In the Catholic Church, on this day the private celebration of Mass is forbidden. Thus, apart from the Chrism Mass for the blessing of the Holy Oils that the diocesan bishop may celebrate on the morning of Holy Thursday, but also on some other day close to Easter, the only Mass on this day is the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, which inaugurates the period of three days, known as the Easter Triduum, that includes Good Friday (seen as beginning with the service of the preceding evening), Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday up to evening prayer on that day.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his Twelve Apostles, "the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and the commandment of brotherly love that Jesus gave after washing the feet of his disciples."

All the bells of the church, including altar bells, may be rung during the Gloria in Excelsis Deo of the Mass (the Gloria is not traditionally sung during the entire Lenten season). The bells then fall silent and the organ and other musical instruments may be used only to support the singing until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil. In some countries, children are sometimes told: "The bells have flown to Rome."

The Roman Missal recommends that, if considered pastorally appropriate, the priest should, immediately after the homily, celebrate the rite of washing the feet of an unspecified number of men, customarily twelve, recalling the number of the Apostles.

Legislatures may try to silent queer voices, but they will rise to new heights.

Today I affirm the dignity of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Municipalities and state legislatures may try to demonize and dehumanize transgender people but the dignity of trans lives will not be erased by hate speech or fear mongering or oppressive legislation.

Today I affirm the sanctity of women's bodies and women's sovereignty over their bodies. Misogyny may try to control women and limit their choices but Justice will not abandon Her daughters.

Today I affirm the right of Muslims to live peacefully in this country without vilification or harassment. I affirm their freedom of religion and their civil liberties.

Today I affirm the courage of refugees who risk everything and leave behind all that is familiar to keep their families safe and to build a new life in what are too often unwelcoming environments. I take to heart the biblical mandate to welcome the newcomer.

Today I affirm the imperative of every person who can vote to do so at every opportunity.

Today, let us turn over the tables of hate and division and call out the peddlers of fear and bigotry and let us declare boldly that our society is meant to be a House of Goodness for All People. If this is to be a truly Holy Week, it must be a week where injustice is challenged and hope is lifted up.

Too many people have known their own Via Dolorosa, way of suffering. In Holy Week, let us not be content to accept the suffering, but let us address it and move forward to the promise of Renewal that Easter represents. 

Amen.

Peace & tolerance

H

Coming Out Day 2015: Suggestions & Tips

Today is otherwise known as US National Coming out day but as per usual when they sneeze we catch a cold and so follow the lead as the template is set, it may be difficult to come out fully in Jamaica especially those on the lower socio economic strata who are far more exposed to the earthy homo-negative responses as the national psyche still has not fully come accustomed the ever expanding sexuality spectrum. The University of Illinois and a previous post on my Wordpress blog provided this wonderful list of how to come out which I found most applicable to our local scenario. Bearing in mind we still have high homo-negativity and effemophobia that can and has translated to verbal and physical abuse coupled with rejection so tread carefully folks.

Also see our diva Diana King’s coming out story on sister blog GLBTQJA: HERE

Coming out Transgender: HERE

and Making a Coming Out Plan: HERE

Coming Out

For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people, coming out is a process of understanding, accepting, and valuing one’s sexual orientation/identity. Coming out includes both exploring one’s identity and sharing that identity with others. It also involves coping with societal responses and attitudes toward LGBT people. LGBT individuals are forced to come to terms with what it means to be different in a society that tends to assume everyone to be heterosexual and that tends to judge differences from the norm in negative ways. The coming out process is very personal. This process happens in different ways and occurs at different ages for different people. Some people are aware of their sexual identity at an early age; others arrive at this awareness only after many years. Coming out is a continuing, sometimes lifelong, process.While some anxiety related to sexuality is common among college students, the problems facing LGBT people are often more difficult than those facing others. Because positive role models are often difficult to identify, LGBT people may feel alone and unsure of their own sexual identities. Fear of rejection is greater among LGBT people due to the prejudices in society against them.

Coming Out to Oneself

Recognizing your own sexual identity and working toward self-acceptance are the first steps in coming out. First, concerning sexual identity, it helps to think of a sexual orientation continuum that ranges from exclusive same sex attraction to exclusive opposite sex attraction. Exploring your sexual identity may include determining where you presently fit along that continuum.

Concerning self-acceptance, it can be very helpful to focus on the positive aspects of LGBT culture, for example, its music, art, theater, books, events, and groups. It is also very helpful to seek out positive, well adjusted and comfortable role models among LGBT people. Building on the positive does not mean that you pretend that our society is past its discrimination, fears, and negative myths concerning LGBT people, or that these things do not have any effects on LGBT people. However, these negative things are better understood as externally based rather than inherent to your identity or your orientation. Part of developing a positive sense of self is understanding that your own homophobia is also externally based, the product of societal prejudices and anti-LGBT biases that have impinged upon you for much of your life.

There are many things to think about when considering coming out. Some of the positive outcomes may be increased self-esteem, greater honesty in one’s life, and a sense of greater personal integrity. In addition, there is often a sense of relief and a reduction of tension when one stops trying to deny or hide such an important part of his/her life. Coming out can lead to greater freedom of self-expression, positive sense of self and more healthy and honest relationships.

One safe means of beginning to come out to yourself is through reading about how others have dealt with similar issues. There are many books and periodicals available on all facets of LGBT life, from clinical studies on LGBT people to collections of A coming out stories.
Coming Out to Other Lesbians and Gay Men

Often, after spending some time getting in touch with one’s own feelings, the next step is to come out to others. It is usually advisable to come out first to those who are most likely to be supportive. LGBT people are a potential natural support system because they have all experienced at least some of the steps in the process of coming out. Sharing experiences about being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender can help you decrease feelings of isolation and shame. Furthermore, coming out to other LGBT people can help you build a community of people who can then support and assist you in coming out to others in your life. Many LGBT communities offer a number of helpful resources, including local coming out groups, switchboards, social outlets, and political and cultural activities and organizations.

Coming out to other LGBT people does not need to happen quickly. Also, choosing to do so does not mean that you must conform to real or presumed expectations of the LGBT community. What is most important is that you seek your own path through the comingout process and that you attend to your unique, personal timetable. You should not allow yourself to be pressured into anything you are not ready for or don’t want to do. It is important to proceed at your own pace, being honest with yourself and taking time to discover who you really are.
Coming Out to Heterosexuals

Perhaps your most difficult step in coming out will be to reveal yourself to heterosexuals. It is at this step that you may feel most likely to encounter negative consequences. Thus it is particularly important to go into this part of the coming out process with open eyes. For example, it will help to understand that some heterosexuals will be shocked or confused initially, and that they may need some time to get used to the idea that you are LGBT. Also, it is possible that some heterosexual family members or friends may reject you initially. However, do not consider them as hopeless; many people come around in their own time.

Loss of employment or housing are also possibilities that some LGBT people face. In some places it is still legal to discriminate against LGBT individuals for housing, employment and other issues. You should take this into consideration when deciding to whom and where you “come out” .

Coming out to others is likely to be a more positive experience when you are more secure with your sexuality and less reliant on others for your positive self-concept. The necessary clarification of feelings is a process that usually takes place over time. It may be a good idea to work through that process before you take the actual steps. Usually it is not a good idea to come out on the spur of the moment. Make coming out an action, not a reaction.
In coming out to others, consider the following:
Think about what you want to say and choose the time and place carefully.

Be aware of what the other person is going through. The best time for you might not be the best time for someone else.

Present yourself honestly and remind the other person that you are the same individual you were yesterday.

Be prepared for an initially negative reaction from some people. Do not forget that it took time for you to come to terms with your sexuality, and that it is important to give others the time they need.

Have friends lined up to talk with you later about what happened.

Don’t give up hope if you don’t initially get the reaction you wanted. Due to inculcated societal prejudices mentioned earlier, some people need more time than others to come to terms with what they have heard.

Above all, be careful no to let your self-esteem depend entirely on the approval of others. If a person rejects you and refuses to try to work on acceptance, that’s not your fault. Keep in mind that this initial refusal may get reversed once the individual gets used to the idea that you are LGBT. If time does not seem to change the individual’s attitude toward you, then you may want to re-evaluate your relationship and its importance to you. Remember that you have the right to be who you are, you have the right to be out and open about all important aspects of your identity including your sexual orientation, and in no case is another person’s rejection evidence of your lack of worth or value.
Summary

The decision to come out is always personal. Whether to come out and, if so, when, where, how, and to whom are all questions you must answer for yourself. Taking control of this process includes being aware in advance of potential ramifications so that you can act positively rather than defensively. Coming out may be one of the most difficult tasks you confront in your life, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Coming out is one way of affirming your dignity and the dignity of other LGBT people. Remember that you are not alone; there is a viable LGBT community waiting to be explored, and more heterosexual “allies” are willing to offer their support than you might have first imagined.

A successful coming out friends if not still love yah if you stay in.

Peace & tolerance

H

Breathing ...... Open Mic ...... Black History

Every now and again we find ways of breathing in the midst of all the madness that is our national homophobia and other societal phobias affecting us, last evening February 23rd was one such time when a deep breath was taken. Couture Elements a fresh new entity in the GLBTQ entertainment offerings locally hosted one of its mid week Open Mic series at its home The Couture Oasis. As Black History Month draws to a close they organizers decided to host a reflective session calling on older statesmen and women from the community and activities past to as far back as the 1960s and 70s for sharing some of those experiences.

CE logo

LEVEL UP the Lifestyle, Entertainment and Fashion

coutureelements@gmail.com

Though short the time for the night sessions and the lateness of most of the attendees proceedings went ahead as planned touching on everything from the early days of entertainment to exploring the early days of Jamaica's raw homophobia and its possible origins. Most of the attendees though in their early twenties were transfixed to the discussion which to me shows that there is indeed some desire to know about our early experiences from older living stalwarts and ordinary experienced persons. Revelations as to the early days of downtown and the missing violent streak that now obtains brought smiles to many one could almost see a kind of wishing I was around look in many of the patrons listening intently.

Statesmen "Mr. Marshall" accompanied by his longtime sidekick "John" arrived as usual late of course making an entrance as is typical of them both went straight into the meat of the matter(s) while I was in the hot seat in a wonderful exchange with a attentive audience. He reminded older folks like myself of the early problems in the community some of which are still with us such as homelessness and gay on gay violence, his reputation though as a club promoter though was the main matter of the evening. He recalled the early days of police harrassment of his establishment and the tabloid press's hounding and putting out stories casting a cloud on his activities. He remained resolute in carrying on business as he was determined to see his patrons happy at best while making that needed pink dollar.

There were other party promoters but without the rivalry that now exists with disastrous results and he expressed his concerns about the happenings briefly. He also touched briefly on the other communities such as the lesbian and bisexual communities.

All in all the evening went well with occasional humorous outbursts as persons reminisced on days gone by, a piece presented on early Jamaican life by a younger male member of the community was well received harking to the days of Horlicks (food drink for kids), Andrews salts advertisements, JBC and Dennis Hall hosted School Challenge Quiz, black and white television, early gay typed characters in roots plays, old time nine nights, jonkanoo, and other culinary references. The joke segments also were very funny and interesting here is one that was burrowed from a friend's Facebook profile:

"4 POLICE WERE TALKING WEN ONE OF DEM ANNOUNCED 'MAN I HAD A BAD DREAM LAST NITE . ME DREAM SEH TEN BATTY MAN FUCK MI OFF' ONE OF D NEX POLICE REPLIED SHUT U RAAS U NJOY IT CAUSE FROM D FUS ONE TOUCH U U SHOULDA WAKE UP !"

Healthy exchange and hopes

I hope that this kind of forumatic activity continues in allowing us to breathe especially when presented to a larger mixed audience not to bore people to death but carefully and creatively have a solid exchange with a view to have a lasting impression for positive results for the new generation, they are the ones who are going to have carry on the oral and written histories, the fight and the legacy. What is also wonderful about this activity is that it is a conversation between speaker(s) and the audience not just a presenter unloading onto zoned out persons. Another suggestion is the changing of the day to a weekend such as Fridays as many working class persons may have some difficulty attending regularly or staying the late hours as persons often time arrive late or maybe the CE can have the sessions twice weekly.

Breathe, talk, learn, share, respects, Level Up! Couture Elements ..... a wonderful experience.

They recently introduced a membership system but non members can attend for a small contribution of $500.

Peace and tolerance

H

"One yeye man ah king inna bline man country".

Ok the long awaited instalment of the "mint tea fo the Jamaican suh series" (suh means gays) is back, sorry for the delay as my previous writers for this column are otherwise engaged, anyway not to worry I will write it till they are back.

Look for the mint tea cup on the left column of this blog and click it to see past cups that have been served and enjoyed by Jamaicans and non Jamaicans alike who are tickled by our dialect as explained in English.

This Jamaican proverb captioned above, translates to say "A one eyed man is a king in a blind man's country" 

meaning: 

No matter how bad your situation seems, there is always another for whom things are worse. To put it in context we as GLBTQ people here need to be thankful to the creator or God as you see him for the fact that things could be worse.

Just look at our friends in Iraq and even in Israel where a club was bombed killing and hurting several people, where gay youths are hanged in full view in a public square and nothing it seems will come out of it, where in some African states our gay brothas are hounded and outed in the media with very little recourse and their live in danger making them involuntary martyrs. Yes we have our share of homophobic woes for several years now let us pray that it does not escalate into the uglyness we see elsewhere although it is teetering close friends.

Let us keep the one eye we have in this country and look for creative solutions towards tolerance and respect so we can realise our country's motto - "Out of many, one people"

Where we can truly live it, we are a third of the way there with some religious freedom and tolerance of Muslims, Rastafarian and Jews all co-existing with no upheavals as in other states in the Caribbean or countries in the rest of the world. We must count our blessings people and not take things for granted as who knows when things can change overnight. Let us reflect on our friends who were taken before us especially those lost to us by HIV/AIDS, several of the new generation are coping with it as we read this post. We must become vigilant people! we cannot be complacent and wait for something to happen either to us directly or someone close to us, if harm reaches one of us it reaches all of us, that's the thinking we need to begin to adopt.

Anyway until the next teapot is ready for the fire, gwaan sip dah one yah (continue to sip this one)

Lata

Luv

H

Nanny Goat neva cratch him back till him si wall (REPOST)

This proverb means that we should always wait for the perfect timing to do something. Most times that is easier said than done especially when in the meanwhile we go through twitching, itching and major discomforts.

Today we ware reminded that there is a Perfect Time for any and everything. That Perfect Time is God’s Time. Too many times we do things and not wait for that Perfect Timing causing massive delays, nervous moments and unnecessary anxieties in all our lives.

If we take notice of the trees, fruits and even animals, they too have their individual times. Take for instance the ackee that we as Jamaicans love so very much. If that is eaten before it naturally and fully opens up, it can be poisonous. Trees too have a time when they bring forth fruit, flowers and or just simply mature. All done in Perfect Timing.

We know that there are many things to be done and we want them to be accomplished soon, especially when it will make life better for us gays and lesbians in Jamaica. But if we don’t wait for the Perfect Time to move towards such things, then years of planning and years of accomplishment would be gone and then lost forever.

We’ve always heard that for everything there is a time and a season, for everything there is a place under the sun. We need to be patient and not do anything to stop our progress. It may seem long but we will get there.

Yes, it is hard to be gay or lesbian in Jamaica but we can’t get ahead of our selves and ignore Perfect Time, God’s Time in which to move forward with our ultimate plans of making Jamaica a safer place for the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

Nanny Goat neva cratch him back till him si wall. Wait, I say on Perfect Time.

Prayer

God, help us to see when it’s your time, Perfect Time. Open our eyes, ears and mind so we may be able to use them to our advantage and in harmony with this Perfect Time.

Help us to never to miss out on our opportunities. In Christ name I pray amen!

Lorenzo Martin
Lorenzo262003@yahoo.com

Manage yourself

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." – Proverbs 23:7

Have you ever met anyone with the wrong attitude? I have! The business of managing our attitude is very important since we can communicate the wrong attitude or a problematic particular perspective on life or about ourselves that makes us looks bad. Self management, including self control, anger management, and attitudinal management are all skills we need to develop as we seek to focus on living a life oriented onto the spirit.

We can decide to be pleasant persons. We can decide to live and allow joy to ooze out of our very beings because of a greater sense of inner contentment and well being. This inner contentment and well being can come from our relationship with God and a deep seated recognition that our lives are focused on the spiritual rather than the material values of life. Let’s begin to take responsibility for our attitude, let’s make a decision to radiate warmth, love, joy, peace and happiness. Once we have made that decision let’s manage ourselves, let’s be self controlled, let’s radiate pleasant attitudes.

One of the things we must never cease to remember is that whatever happens inside of us is more important than that which happens to us. We can act in such ways that we control our attitudes. Let’s seek God’s guidance for self control. 

Let endeavour to control our attitudes as we go about our daily tasks this coming week. Let us remember that the circumstances we confront are usually not the ones we construct, however you can control your own attitude to the circumstances. Don’t let the circumstance get on top of you, you take control, be on top of the circumstances with self control and a winning attitude.

Peace and tolerance

H

See an bline,hear an deaf. (Not everything that is seen or heard must be shared with others.)

“Me, Miss, me Miss,” cries the student, excitedly seeking to give what he believes is the correct response, to show his knowledge. So often too, as adults, in our desire to demonstrate how much we know we are often quick to share stories that “I know...I was there, saw it with my own eyes.”

Fuelled by our desire to stand tall and look good in the eyes of the ones with whom we are sharing, we often forget the implications of the sometimes intensely personal information that we are so eager to share. Many times we forget that the information which we are so keen to pass on may hurt someone’s feelings, may jeopardize someone’s relationship, may cause disaffection with family and friends and may even endanger one’s life. Sadly, our motivation in such situations is to come across as being aware, knowledgeable...even superior.

The exhortation to exercise discretion, ‘See an bline, hear an deaf’ is one that we would do well to heed. Sometimes, there is virtue in being quiet, even feigning ignorance. It just may make the difference between life and death. ”

***

Help me remember that while speech may be silver, silence is considered golden. In the noise and the rush of life, let me recognize that in silence I can find peace.

30 –

Laje © 2008

Who colt de game?

(It implies that someone has deliberately made a wrong move to change the outcome of the plan.)

From time to time as we see various acts of injustices meted out to persons in our society and as we examine the genesis of these acts of injustice, we are left to exclaim: “Who colt de game?” It would appear that the more privileged in our society, those who are prejudiced and those who have no interest in the rights of minorities, those who are comfortable in engaging in acts of injustices even if the acts are perpetrated against those who constitute no threat to their well being and welfare. Never mind that irrational fears are often the reasons for prejudice and bias.

The powerful does not care about minorities when they see the minority constituting a threat, despite the fact that the threat is a figment of their imagination. It is for this reason that the Bible is oftentimes interpreted to support the position of the dominant majority in so far as issues of sexual orientation and same gender loving are concerned.
It is no comfort to us that Jesus Christ was a victim in a system that “colted de game.” The leaders of the society in which Jesus lived accused him of breaking the law, yet they ignored the more important aspects of the Law. They “colted” the game because Jesus became a problem for them. He challenged their way of living and offered an alternative to keeping the Law. He offered love.

In places where obstacles have been created ( the game has been colted) to prevent people from have the quality of life that God wills, the people of faith are challenges to examine possibilities for non conformance and seize such opportunities. We need to get around the obstacles. We might also want to seize the opportunity to demonstrate our genuine commitment to a life that is energized and ennobled by the Spirit of God.

PRAY

Let us pray that for the strength to get around and over all the obstacles that might be erected in one way or another to prevent us from living in nearness and commitment to God.

Written by MEC

Monkey mus know weh im gwine put im tail tail before im order trousiz

(This proverbs means that one must know oneself before doing what others are doing.)

Often times Jamaicans are criticized for following fashion, for picking up practices that seem out of step with who and what we are. This proverb “Monkey mus know weh im gwine put im tail tail before im order trousiz” calls us to know ourselves. The issue of knowing oneself has relevance to living meaningful especially for the life of an individual oriented toward inner experiences or o spiritual realities, a life focused on God.

For same gender loving persons, critical self knowledge is important but sometimes difficult. Many are still coming to grips with issues of their sexuality and find this aspect of the self problematic. Yet, we need to come to grips with who and what we are. One thing is sure; we are all God’s children. As God’s child we are definitely special and a unique person. Some of us as same gender loving persons might suffer from inability to properly define ourselves because of how we were socialized. Nevertheless, the quest for a deeper understanding of who and what we are should never be abandoned, we need to believe God to help acknowledge who we are, accept ourselves as fully whole and allow God to do what he wants to do in our lives .

This quest for deepened self knowledge might be more fully engaged as we are inhabited and energized by God’s Spirit and to this end we should pray. This process of coming to grips with ourselves, especially ourselves as persons inhabited by the Spirit might be facilitated by self analysis and some guiding questions might assist us our self examination: How do I evaluate my life:
The soundness of my convictions- As an individual do I believe that God lives and accept me as a same gender loving?

My Openness to communion with God- As an individual, do I find time to seek to commune with God and believe that God lovingly welcomes me
My faithfulness in my commitments- Do I engage in a life that concentrates its commitment upon God?
My kindness in conduct- Am I living a life in which there is a consuming passion for the well being and welfare of others and I demonstrate my concern through tangible acts of care and concern?
Yes Monkey mus know weh im gwine put im tail tail before im order trousiz. I need to come to grips with who and what I am.

PRAY

Dear God, help me to believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Keep me ever trusting you, always ready and willing to live in nearness and commitment and help me to touch other lives as the finger of God-Amen.

Written by MEC

Han go paki come (When you reach out a hand, good things come back to you)

(When you reach out a hand, good things come back to you.)

Service to others is one of the hallmarks of several great world religions. As people of faith, same gender loving people share with other people of faith the belief that goodness can overcome evil and so we are compelled to do all the good we can to all the people we can just as long as we can. In other words, same gender loving people are committed to lives in which service to others is an important aspect of living for God.

Life always involves giving and receiving. In the gospels, Jesus taught that it was more blessed to give than to receive. Reaching out a hand to offer kindness, love and support is important in all of our lives. Our belief and in fact our hope that good will come out of evil is often challenged by so many acts of evil that seem to be directed at same gender loving people. Many people in our society and even same gender loving people cannot deal with issues of same gender love. Diversity is scoffed at and abuse heaped on persons who are different and too often same gender loving people are the victims of prejudice, bias and hatred and it is difficult to navigate a path of loving service to all of human kind when we live in the midst of a hostile society.

When it comes to hatred and practising wickedness, it is easier to give than to receive. In the world in which we live, hatred, malice, abuse and injustice seem to be a fact of life. We must meet evil with the creative challenge of goodness. It is easy to try to get even with others and render evil for evil. Yet, we can choose to live life on a higher ground. We can choose to be different and not render evil for evil. We must give goodness and do not expect that goodness will be returned to us. Giving ennobles the giver, so yes the Jamaican parable is right when you reach out a hand, good things come back to you (han go paki come).

When evil is handed out we need to deny ourselves and not repay evil for evil. We need to go beyond what the world expects us to be as we pursue a life that is inhabited and energized by the Holy Spirit always remaining open to the sustaining grace of God.
Further, we must be prepared to be overruled by the will of God, to love in the midst of hate.

PRAY

Let us pray for the inner strength to give goodness instead of evil, love instead of hate, engage in acts of peace instead of war, forgiveness instead of hurt, and justice instead of injustice.
Written by MEC

Every hoe have dem stick a bush (every hoe, the garden tool has a stick for it to be used)

(Literally for every size hoe, there is a stick that size out there in the bushes for it. Further, there is someone/something out there for every one of us.)

This proverb calls our attention to diversity, to each his or her own. Each individual regardless of physical appearance, socio-economic status, academic accomplishment and other benefits of ones socialization can rest assured that there is another individual out there that he or she can connect with in a unique and special way. It therefore reminds us of our uniqueness as individuals. 

This has special relevance for us as same gender loving people. We too are fearfully and wonderfully made. We must never forget this fact and we must readily affirm God’s goodness to us. At the same time the proverb could very well be a reminder that we are made for a special purpose and openness and receptivity to the Spirit is always needed.

Sometimes people are burdened by a sense of unworthiness. In fact same gender loving people in our society are oftentimes even more oppressed because the norms and mores of the society can be extremely oppressive with respect to teachings and traditions concerning sexual orientation. 

The teaching that there is a stick for every size hoe (every hoe have dem stick a bush) is a comforting reminder that our creation was a preeminently special act of God. Further, God’s care and concern can be evidenced in how his purposes work for our well being and welfare even though there are those who try to thwart his purposes by harming us. It therefore means that we can express confidence in God‘s goodness and loving-kindness. Further, because of our confidence in the goodness of God, we can live a life of obedience to God and dependence. We can depend on the Spirit to energize and support us in our quest to live noble lives.

Do you believe that you were created for a special purpose?

Do you believe that you have someone that you were created to share your life with some one or for some special cause? 

This perspective on life could determine how you live your life. How are you living your life?

PRAY

Let us give thanks for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life. Let us pray that God purposes for our lives will become clear to us and pray for the willingness to allow the Spirit to dwell in us and guide us.

Written by MEC

Cock Mouth kill Cock (Part 1)

Yes, Cock mouth Kill Cock!!!
(the cock's or rooster's mouth will kill him) (The words we say can come back to haunt us)

No, no, No!

Get your mind out of the gutter. I not talking about that part of the human anatomy at all. Is a Jamaican saying that me sure yuh hear yuh mother using. And it simply mean seh yuh can make big pronouncements that come back round to haunt you. So watch yuh mouth.

In other words, for those of us who have a difficult time with our own Jamaican language- Be careful what you are saying because you might be signing your own death warrant with your own words. Words have power! The Bible somewhere (forgive me I’m not a bible scholar) says that “the power of life and death is in the tongue.” Now, the death that I’m speaking of is not necessarily the literal physical death. Sometimes it’s the death of your dreams or your friendship or even your love life.

Kibba yuh mouth. Yuh chat too much!

Yes, sometimes we really do talk too much and that can have horrible effects on different aspects of our lives. This one is for those who feel that you need to tell everyone who you are sharing your bed with and who you are sharing your life with. Notice I said everyone. I know that in this period of enlightenment, most people believe that in order to really say you are being true to yourself you have to let everyone know your sexual and lifestyle preferences. If that’s how you feel, then by all means go for it, but please be aware that you may be setting yourself up for unnecessary pain later on. And I say it’s unnecessary because people who are more discerning will be better able to be clear as to who they should share their business with.

The man on the streets has no rights to know your bedroom business. Your coworkers and acquaintances and your gym buddies don’t need to know your lifestyle choices. Stop going begging for approval from those who don’t deserve to be given so much power over your life and your choices. And if you’re not sure how to decide whether or not this person deserves to know your business, here is a simple way to help you decide. Ask yourself this question: “When was the last time this person came up to me and volunteered information about THEIR bed business?” If the answer to that is never, then you have your answer. And if you have strangers who are volunteering information about their sexual lives, then please feel empowered to call either the asylum at Bellevue or police hotline.

So then, let’s talk about friends and siblings and parents. If you are feeling compelled to tell your parents that you naturally prefer the same sex, then first of all ask yourself these questions:

Why do I want them to know? (Is it just to make me feel less guilty or do I think they are smart and mature enough to deal with this information)

How will they deal with the situation? (Will they throw stones, or throw a party or throw you out? - )

Are you emotionally, financially and mentally prepared to deal with their reaction (especially if they throw you out).

(Most Important) – Is it really any of their business?

When you get through those questions with favourable results, then by all means chat yuh business.

Until then,

kibba yuh mouth. (close your mouth)

Nicholas Steven Bruce
nicholasstephenbruce@gmail.com

Every dawg gat dem day, every puss dem 4’ o’clock(Every one has their time to shine)

We are all or we have all been expected to shine at some point or place in our lives. Shining here could be a call to a life of academic, athletic, social, ethical excellence or otherwise. Certainly as men and women who are committed to Godly lives, we need to live responsible lives of excellent quality. If we are to shine, we need to remember that we must put our shoulder to the wheel and perseverance must become the hallmark of our lives. Indeed “Every dawg gat dem day, every puss dem 4’ o’clock.”

I am always inspired by aspects of the life of Booker T. Washington, that great American educator. He hailed from humble beginnings and when he went to college he had to sweep the floor in order to help to pay his school fees. However, this was a task that he mastered. He swept the classrooms so well that his superiors were impressed with his stewardship. He allowed his light to shine as he strove for excellence in doing domestic chores.

Sometimes I get the impression that some same-gender loving people are not committed to lives of excellence especially lives of ethical excellence. In my conversations with some persons they feel so oppressed by the dogmas of the church concerning same-gender love and by other oppressive teachings that are disseminated in our society. They therefore have been led to believe that unless they change from having same-gender affairs they are doomed. With this kind of oppression, they just live without concern for ethical excellence.

However, it does not have to be so, when we accept ourselves and when we recognize that God does not discard same-gender loving people, we can lovingly find fellowship with God and his people, and live out our lives of commitment seeking after ethical excellence. In that way, we will shine and we will come to know that: “Every dawg gat dem day, every puss dem 4’ o’clock.”

PRAY
Let us ask God to help us to accept ourselves. Let us pray for wisdom, understanding and the spirit of perseverance to strive for ethical excellence.

Every dawg gat dem day, every puss dem 4’ o’clock
Written by MEC

When chicken tie up Cockroach want explanation (When chickens is tied up then cockroaches need an explanation as to why)

Mi Granny Bunchie always tell me dat chicken hunt for and peck de cockroach to death. Cockroaches therefore live with the constant threat of death. So when cockroach dem no see no chicken, dem start fi wonder if something wrong. Dem nuh say “Thank God, no chicken nuh deh ya so now!” and go bout dem business. Instead dem start fi think say cockroach a play a big trick pon dem, dem start fi doubt and dem tek whey dem self.

As God’s same-gender-loving people, God is calling all of us to goodness, happiness, prosperity, peace and love and wants tings fi go well in our lives, nuff love to flow , prosperity fi be pon wi door step and peace fi full up wi heart.
But sometimes we same same-gender-loving-people, tek on a coakroach-ish attitude and we start to wonder “Something must be wrong…Tings cannot just be so good. Something bad mus a go happen. Can God be sooo God?”

But God is reassuring us and saying to us as same-gender-loving-people, “…there is no trick, nothing hidden. What I say, is what you will get!. All I want for you is a good life, a wonderful life full of peace and prosperity. Can u open your heart? Stop look fi nuh tickery or Anansi –ism. Mi just want fi shower you all wid mi love and mi peace.
Stop look over your shoulders, but look forward. Be open and be receptive to God’s unchanging, open arms and generosity..You a God pickney.

PrayerYes Puppa God, I believe in you. I am trusting that all is well in my life and affairs. Yu have only good in store for me and I am ready. I accept it all cause mi a fi yu pickney. Amen

Written by IGM
jamaicanbattyman@hotmail.com

Mi can put on mi pot pon fire ‘bout.....””

For Jamaicans, when someone says that they can put their pot on the fire about something or someone, what they are saying is that they are absolutely sure and have faith that the particular thing will happen or that a person will deliver on their promise. Therefore if I say I can put on mi pot pon fire dat my lover will call mi at eleven o’clock, it means that without any doubt I will get a call from him at 11 o’clock.

Others have been heard to use the expression as follows:-

“Mi can put on mi pot pon fire dat Ivan will ask nuff questions; dat Ransford will water the plants”
“Mi can put on mi pot fire dat although Daunette will be late, she will arrive; dat Alton will cook great food”
“Mi can put on mi pot pon fire dat JASL will have condoms for our groups; dat Diva will bring the house down with her performance.”

Deeply rooted in this beautiful Jamaican saying is absolute certainty about something and complete assurance in someone. Such certainty results from really knowing this person, what they are likely to do or not to do. It comes from repeated exposure to the individual and being very familiar with their patterns of behaviour.

We use it today to challenge members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to develop the reputation of being reliable and trustworthy; it challenges us to become someone who is true to our word. Many of our LGBT brothers and sisters would love to be able to say about us:-

“Mi can put on mi pot pon fire dat you going to be there for me; tell the truth; be impartial; respect my relationship”
“I will put mi pot pon fire dat you will return the money you borrowed; play the part that you said that you would play; help build the community; treat other LGBT member with respect and honour.

Today is a brand new day that allows us to start all over again and begin to develop a reputation of being someone for whom others can put on dem pot pon fire.

Prayer treatment

Father Mother God, please help me as I develop the skills of reliability. Help me to trust myself and therefore to allow others to trust me.

Written by IGM
jamaicanbattyman@hotmail.com

“When bull ole, him feed a fence side” (Caution comes with age)

In thinking about this commentary, I remembered the frequency with which my grandmother used to use it and felt that I could re work it to be more directed to my younger brothers and sisters within the gay, lesbian ,bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community.

For the record, although I am only 30 years old, as a teenager I was deeply involved in the GLBT movement in Jamaica. I often times resented older folks sharing their knowledge with me. They were always quick and ready to tell me to do this, avoid that, listen to this message, take this into consideration etc. I often felt that all they wanted to do was to take sexual advantage of me and so many times I would brush off their suggestions by muttering under mi breath or thinking to myself “Gallang yah, you old, yu can say anything”

As I got older and more experienced I found myself wanting to give advice to every GLBT youth that I came across. Yes, some of them were very cute and sexy but my main objective was to impart some of my knowledge to them so that they would not also make the mistakes or bad judgments that I made. I genuinely wanted to save them from falling into any pot holes into which I had dropped. But they made me taste some of the same medicine that I would give to elders when I was younger. They too did not want to hear what was being said by me(the older person) because in the back of their heads might have lingered the thought “him waan tek advantage a mi”. Some might even have said behind my back, “Gallang yah, you old, yu can say anything”. One effect of this is that the older person therefore becomes reserved and refrains from giving any advice and becomes very measured in what is shared and the risk taken. This is what the proverb means by the convenience of the fence side in old age as opposed to exploring the unlimited and untamed pastures in youth.

The reality is that with age comes wisdom and clearly the words of the wise and foolish should be listened to. The moral is that older folks have wisdom and experience to share and can provide you with some suggestions. They must be cautious about what they do and how they go about doing it. Youth, you have the strength, the energy, and the skills of the 21st century and are destined to do a good job and to change the world. The challenge is that both the ole bull (older persons) with all their experience and maturity; and the young bull (younger persons) with all their energy and vigor have to work together to achieve the ultimate of building better lives and developing the GLBT community. One cannot do without the other.

Stay well, be strong, have faith, and work together.

Prayer

Father Mother, God in your eyes you do not see the divisions of young and old. Therefore help us all to feast on the wealth of knowledge and experience that you have for us as GLBT persons. Help us to come together in love and learn one from the other as we thank you for this beautiful gift of life.

A God sen you come, mi dear. God sen you come

Grandma Bunchie did not see the physical food that she was to cook for dinner for her four children who would be arriving home from school any time now. Although she had no idea where a suitable meal was going to come from for them, she refused to sit back and lament about that fact. What she did instead was to pull up her faith-faculties. She went outside, got dry wood, got kerosene oil, got matches and proceeded to light a fire.

Then she got her largest cooking pot, filled it with water, put salt and other seasonings in it and allowed the water to start boiling. As she did this she focused more and more on her faith faculties knowing that she did not have the answers, she did not see physical food but that God would deliver. She knew that if she had to explain to someone what she was doing, they would think of her as a raas mad woman. But she was resolute in her faith and continued as she hummed “All to Spirit I surrender”” She was therefore not surprised when Miss Cherry her next door neighbour came over and offered her a huge bag of grocery items, cautiously explaining that she had received more than she would be able to use and “...seeing as how you have the children, something just whisper and tell mi to come and share wid you. I hope that you do not mind.”

As Grandma Bunchie graciously accepted them, she assured Miss. Cherry that she did not mind at all because “Is God send you come Miss Cherry, God Send you come”. As they parted, Grandma Bunchie lifted her eyes to God, thankful that again He had delivered but also more and more aware that the faith-faculty cannot go wrong. She was therefore not in the least perturbed when her four children arrived home with four other children because she had more than enough to share.There are many different lessons in this story for us as bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender Jamaicans. In our own personal lives and as a community we have had to rely purely on the grace of God to keep us going.

It is only our belief in God that protects us and makes life liveable from day to day.As we dream of achieving certain things that seem too big (meal for four children)to happen in our life time, the answer is to take the small first steps (light the fire, set on the pot), take the lead in one way or another and leave the rest for the Spirit (All to Spirit I surrender) to achieve.Focus not on what the popular culture is saying (raas mad woman). Most will see us unnatural, weird etc. But place instead your energy and attention on the goals to be achieved. What others think of or say about us is none of your business.The facts are the facts (no food in the cupboard) but you do not have to live by them. Instead live beyond them not pretending to have all the answers Expect big things to happen (large cooking pot) Celebrate small victories (groceries arrived) Acknowledge the source (God send you come) Share with others (I decide to share wid you) Think about others (arrived home with four other children)Move to the promptings of the Spirit (something just whisper and tell mi to come and share wid you) Prayer Treatment Holy Spirit, I believe in you and know that with you on our side, we are a majority. I therefore take the small first steps to achieving success in my personal and communal lives.

Thank you Spirit. Thank You Spirit!!!!!!!