Holness fishes for votes & exploits gay marriage fears at religious meeting

So the year has begun with a bang in a sense as opposition leader Andrew Holness decided at today's Heal the Family Heal the Nation session to speak to a false dichotomy or effectively fear mongering suggesting persons are attacking the definition and feel of the family as he knows it.

Knowing fully well that the constitution presently protects that institution and its definition and that it cannot be simply changed by the courts as was amended in the United States Supreme Court ruling and also knowing anti gay groups would be in the audience he said in part:

JLP Leader Andrew Holness

"The family as we know it is under threat but do not be afraid; continue to stand for what you believe in; trust the people keep them informed, this is a democratic society.

Ultimately it is the people who will decide what they want their families to be."

He continued telling Christians that he stands in support of them in maintaining the biblical principle of marriage and the family.

"I will not spend anytime to give a definition of the family, I don't need to; we read from the same book of basic instruction before leaving earth; we understand it Bishop, we understand it the same way how you see it and understand it is how I see it and understand it."

"I like the teachings of the holy book in this regard; I teach my children the way; my understanding of the Bible as taught to me by my parents."

Clovis touched the threat by religious groups in 2012 with this toon

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller also spoke at the event and basically tried to appeal to the audience indirectly at least in my view. She called for families to unite across the country to unite for a better Jamaica. Obviously she couldn't dare suggest otherwise in that space thus proving again to me political cowardice; especially on the perceived promise or suggestion of a buggery review that has not materialized she has to walk between the raindrops.

As part of an old podcast on hypocrisies from Jamaican politicians on homosexuality in 2009 I had commented that opposition parties when not in power tend to side on with ruling governments when it suits them let us not forget that the same Portia Simpson Miller led party sided with the then Jamaica Labour Party administration (Andrew Holness as deputy leader) headed by Bruce Golding during the Charter of Rights debate when the invented gay marriage debate was used to deny the inclusion of discrimination linked to sexual orientation in the document Portia then on her feet in the house said:


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 ..........."

Holness had effectively promised that a referendum would be in the works if the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP wins the next election, so obviously this latest exploitation by him is a shopping exercise for votes pandering to the religious right. He echoes the sentiments expressed by persons such as Betty Ann Blaine or Dr Wayne West of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, JCHS. 

Section 4 of the Jamaican Marriage Act, clearly states that one of the grounds on which a marriage may be pronounced void is that "the parties to the marriage were, at the time of the marriage, of the same sex". This section has served to define marriage as being "essentially a relationship between a man and a woman" there are 15 countries which now recognise same-sex marriage to varying degrees and have, therefore, redefined marriage. In Canada, for example, where marriage was once defined as being between one woman and one man, it now means "the voluntary union for life of two persons to the exclusion of all others".

Although the decision will ultimately be made in the legislature, the debate about same-sex marriage transcends the law. It is a political, moral, social and religious issue. In Jamaica, where there is continued resistance to the repeal of buggery laws, the questions surrounding the gradual recognition of civil partnership have not even been posed in any serious manner as a starter. The UK did not get to full marriage equality in one swoop they started off with civil unions first then developed. Similarly while in 1967 the sexual offences bill there was amended to decriminalize buggery it took some time after to bring age of consent equality after some pressure from groups and individuals such as Peter Tatchell.

It must be accepted that society will always continue to change. Whether we reform our laws in recognition of those changes or resist the changes and hold true to moral precepts, will be central to this debate with truth as the core from all angles, the main reason why we face so much opposition and seeming inability to change hearts and minds is a strong lack of credibility. A feeling of bullying still pervades the debate and deep mistrust on all sides.

Meanwhile in December 2015:

Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding has put to rest speculation that the Government could soon change the definition of  marriage in Jamaica.

Jamaican law defines marriage as being a legal union between a man and a woman.

However, with changes being made to that definition in other jurisdictions to allow for same sex marriage, Senator Golding indicates similar moves are not being contemplated for Jamaica.

“I don’t think that will change in the foreseeable future.,” Golding said.

Golding was speaking at a recently held Molynes Garden Citizens Association town hall meeting in St Andrew.          

The Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Central constituency, Dr Peter Phillips, who was also speaking at the town hall meeting, says while he strongly supports the continuation of  marriage in Jamaica between a man and a woman, the decay of  the family structure is a more urgent cause for concern.

Jamaica’s crisis

He said family life in Jamaica is facing a crisis which must be arrested as part of  the development of the country.


“We are not having settled families, 89 percent of births in Jamaica are to a single parent – that is the big crisis that we face,”

Heterosexuals need to take the blame for the so called ruin of the family just take a look at marriage/divorce rates:

Interesting times lie ahead.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:
Nicholson says JLP 'crazy' for wanting referendum on buggery law .... oh boi

Tufton on Same Sex Marriages & Growing Up ..... Charles panders to antigay position

Andrew Holness & that 'Fish' comment; politicians who exploit homophobia

Justice Minister exploits homophobia to gain CCJ support

Minister Golding trying to manipulate anti-gay sentiments 

(Jamaica Observer Editorial)

The line in the sand part 15: More shenanigans & exploiting buggery .......

Jamaica Council of Churches still not clear on the buggery law but resolute in opposing gay marriage 2013

Congratulations America! Cheers To Liberty! ....... Gay Marriage at last!

'I Want To Marry My Gay Partner' - St James-Based Lesbian Says Marrying Her Lover Would Be A Dream 2012

Lesbian couple celebrate their marriage locally ... 2012

PNP 2006, No plans to Legalise Same Sex Union (FLASHBACK)

Parliament Passes Charter Of Rights ... 2011

Gleaner - Prime Minister Golding: No to same-sex unions . 2009

When did anyone ask for gay marriage rights in Jamaica when we can't get basic tolerance 2014.

Anglican Church in the Caribbean: No to Same Sex Marriages

Opposition sides with Govt on No to same sex marriage (PNP prior to the 2011 elections win)

Gay Marriage - An Invented Issue by the christian right movement

Jamaica Council of Churches still not clear on the buggery law but resolute in opposing gay marriage

Promoting homosexuality? No, its about freedom of choice, privacy & tolerance

BUY NO RINGS, YOU WON’T WED; RELIGIOUS FEAR-MONGERING ON GAY MARRIAGE & THE BUGGERY LAW CONTINUES

No Same Sex Marriage says Prime Minister in Charter of Rights Bill Debate 2009

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

Commonwealth summit failed LGBTI people .....

No agreement on decriminalisation by government leaders 

Secretary General condemned homophobic persecution 

Lobbying made an impact, raising LGBTI human rights profile 

shared By Peter Tatchell

London - 7 November 2011

"The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, was mixed bag from an LGBTI perspective. On the positive side, Kamalesh Sharma became the first Secretary General to speak out against homophobic persecution at a CHOGM event, the ngo Commonwealth People's Forum. However, there was no agreement on the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the assembled government leaders," noted Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, who worked with Commonwealth, LGBTI and HIV/AIDS groups to lobby CHOGM.

"Huge thanks to the many Commonwealth, LGBTI and HIV/AIDS organisations that lobbied CHOGM and the Commonwealth People's Forum. Our collective efforts raised massively the profile of LGBTI rights. Although not on the official agenda of the heads of government, demands for the decriminalisation of homosexuality were a major backdrop to CHOGM. The petition and email blitz put the Secretary General and Commonwealth governments under unprecedented pressure to respect the human rights of LGBTI people.

"The Secretary General heard our message loud and clear. He stood with us, taking a lead by affirming that homophobic criminalisation and discrimination are incompatible with Commonwealth values. No Secretary General had ever said this at CHOGM. Our hope is that he will continue to give a lead by opposing sexual orientation discrimination and by urging homophobic countries to abide by the Commonwealth's human rights values.

"More than 40 of the 54 Commonwealth member states still criminalise same-sex relations, with penalties including 25 years jail in Trinidad and Tobago and 20 years plus flogging in Malaysia. Six Commonwealth countries stipulate life imprisonment: Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana.

"At CHOGM, there was no condemnation of Uganda's revived anti-gay bill which carries the death penalty for repeat homosexual offenders and no condemnation of Nigeria's bill that outlaws same-sex marriage with three years jail for participants and five years jail for those who witness, aid or abet a same-sex marriage.

"The CHOGM 2011 Final Communiqué included no commitment to oppose homophobic persecution and to protect the human rights of LGBTI people, despite widespread sexual orientation and gender identity abuses by most Commonwealth nations.

Read the Final Communiqué here: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/241632/301011communique.htm

"These failings contradict the Commonwealth's professed fundamental values of human rights, equality and non-discrimination. They reflect a wider failure to tackle human rights abuses in many Commonwealth member states, including gender inequality, ethnic discrimination, detention without trial, torture, media censorship and state-sponsored executions.

"There were, however, some limited CHOGM agreements which could potentially lead to future progress on LGBTI rights; albeit very slowly and piecemeal.

"Commonwealth leaders agreed that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) will be empowered to deal with serious or persistent human rights violations by member states, which could include action against countries that perpetrate homophobic persecution.

"CMAG will, in effect, be the custodian of the 2009 Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles which, the Secretary-General said in his speech at the Commonwealth People's Forum, 'includes a clear commitment to tolerance, respect and understanding. This means we embrace difference, and that includes sexual identity. Discrimination and criminalisation on grounds of sexual orientation is at odds with our values.'

"Commonwealth heads of government are committed to set up a task force to advise on the recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group. These recommendations include that member governments should take steps to encourage the repeal of discriminatory laws that impede effective responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, such as the criminalisation of same-sex relations. This task force offers some hope that that the EPG's decriminalisation recommendation might be implemented eventually, at least in some Commonwealth countries. To make this happen, we need to sustain our lobbying and campaigning efforts," concluded Mr Tatchell.

Speaking at the Commonwealth People's Forum on 25 October 2011, the Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, said:

"We recall the 2009 Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles, which includes a clear commitment to tolerance, respect and understanding. This means we embrace difference, and that includes sexual identity. Discrimination and criminalisation on grounds of sexual orientation is at odds with our values and I have had occasion to refer to this in the context of our law-related conferences."


Further information:
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation

020 7403 1790

Email: peter@petertatchellfoundation.org
Website: www.petertatchellfoundation.org

Tatchell asks EU/UK to stop aid to Jamaica

Mr. Tatchell and others including JFLAG are barking up a wrong tree I feel this time with the John Terry matter, while emotions run high because of the gruesome murder I do not think that this one can be described as a hate crime. It is well known in certain circles that Mr. Terry was involved in homosexual activities at his home and the young man in question as new information unfolds is alleged to have been seen in his company on more than one occasions. I strongly suspect this is a "situational homo' crime where a downlow man has secret relations with an affluent gay man for gifts etc which is part of a larger problem that feeds the violent homophobic reactions to the yardie gaydom.

the Jamaica Observer writes:
BY KARYL WALKER Crime/Court Desk Co-ordinator walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

THE Government has scoffed at a call from Peter Thatchell, founder of gay rights activist group Outrage for Britain and the European Union (EU) to stop sending aid to Jamaica unless the country's buggery laws are repealed.

"The Government does not expect this call by this advocate group to affect the excellent relationship between the EU and member countries which is based on mutual respect for their sovereignty and laws," Daryl Vaz, the minister with portfolio responsibility for information, told the Observer.

Buggery is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years under Jamaican law, but Thatchell would like the Caribbean country to take the law off the books, as well as institute tougher laws against homophobic attacks.

Thatchell's call followed the murder of British honorary consul John Terry, who was found dead at his Mount Carey, St James home earlier this month.

It is, however, suspected that Terry, who was said to be gay, was killed in a crime of passion by his lover.

"In the wake of the murder of the British honorary consul in Jamaica, in an apparent queer-bashing attack, is it time to make British and EU aid to Jamaica contingent on the Caribbean island's repeal of its anti-gay laws and its tougher action against homophobic violence," said Thatchell, who has constantly bashed Jamaica for keeping its buggery laws on the books.

Terry's nude body was found wrapped in a sheet. He appeared to have been beaten with a blunt object and an autopsy revealed that he was strangled.

Police said there was no sign of a break-in.

A note was found on Terry's body which was signed by 'A gay man'. Assistant Police Commissioner Les Green said last week that Terry's murder did not appear to be a homophobic attack.

Police statistics show that the majority of gays murdered in Jamaica have been victims of crimes of passion.

Green, meanwhile, has called on Jamaica's growing gay community to assist the police in nabbing their prime suspect.

"I am appealing to the homosexual community to provide us with information on the suspect. We need the information," Green said.

Police last week released a composite sketch of a man who Mount Carey residents said ran from Terry's house and asked for directions to the nearby resort city of Montego Bay.

The suspect, who is believed to be in his early 20s was described as being of slim build, brown complexion, and with a bleached face.

He was last seen wearing a brown shirt, brown pants, a brown cap with white on the peak and was carrying a black and grey knapsack.

Thatchell was, however, wary of Jamaica's perceived intolerance of homosexuals and accused the Government, police and health workers of aiding and abetting attacks against gays.

"It seems Jamaican police view all gays as criminals. They mostly refuse to protect them. Amnesty International confirms that gays and lesbians have been beaten, cut, burned, raped and shot on account of their sexuality," he claimed.

Peter Tatchell on Jamaican Homophobia

Politicians and pop stars are to blame

Some years ago, a Jamaican newspaper falsely claimed there was going to be a Gay Pride march in Kingston. Hundreds of people wielding guns, machetes, clubs and knives turned up at the alleged starting point of the march. They had come to kill the "batty men". Armed police turned up too – not to protect the gay marchers, but I believe to help murder them.


Under Jamaican law, consenting adult male homosexuality is a crime punishable by 10 years of hard labour. Paedophiles are treated more leniently. Men who sexually abuse girls in their early teens face only seven years in jail.


Not all Jamaicans are homophobic but it seems Jamaican police view all gays as criminals. They mostly refuse to protect them. Amnesty International confirms that gays and lesbians have been "beaten, cut, burned, raped and shot on account of their sexuality". Amnesty says the Jamaican police are themselves often the perpetrators of homophobic "violence and torture".

Gays taken to hospital after being beaten by homophobes risk the ordeal of hostile doctors and nurses. Some have been insulted and ridiculed by staff and made to wait nearly 24 hours for medical treatment.

Successive Jamaican Prime Ministers have failed to challenge homophobic violence. The Police Commissioner has done nowhere near enough to crack down on the violence. The killers of gays usually get away with murder. "It is like living in Afghanistan under the Taliban," one gay Jamaican told me.

The homophobic lynch mob mentality is worse in Jamaica than in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Not long ago, a homophobic crowd burst into a church and beat up mourners attending the funeral of a gay man.

This anti-gay hatred is inflamed by Jamaica's fire and brimstone Christian churches. The local Anglican archbishop, Drexel Gomez, is a vociferous opponent of gay human rights.

Homophobic violence is openly incited by Jamaica's leading pop stars. Some of their most popular hit tunes urge listeners to shoot, burn, stab, hang and drown queers. These songs are incitement to murder, which is a criminal offence under Jamaican law. But the government and police refuse to prosecute the singers.

It is time British and EU aid was made contingent on Jamaica repealing its anti-gay laws and protecting its citizens against homophobic violence.

Peter Tatchell's Response to Hyacinth Bennett's representation of his comments

please see Sexual Offences Bill Debate - Senator Hyacinth Benneth's Summary Remarks 26.06.09 for the remarks.

British gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of the London-based gay group OutRage! said:

Jamaican MPs are misrepresenting my views on the causes of homosexuality.

"The scientific evidence on the cause of sexual orientation is set out in the book Born Gay. It demonstrates that genes and hormonal influences in the womb are major factors that cause people to be gay or straight. It is simply not true that people choose to be homosexual or bisexual. “I dispute the claim that a gay gene causes homosexuality. In my view,genetic and hormonal explanations of gayness are important and significant, but they are not adequate and sufficient. Homosexuality is definitely not a conscious choice. “A person's sexuality is largely influenced before their birth and is firmly established by the age of six. It cannot be changed by so-called treatments and cures.

This opinion is supported by the world's leading biological and psychological authorities. I am dismayed the way some Jamaican MPs have misrepresented my views in defence of the country's anti-gay laws." "The fundamental truth is that it does not matter whether people are born gay or not.

Gay people are human beings and therefore we deserve equal human rights. A person chooses their religion and politics, but that does not mean that persecuting them because of their beliefs is justified. “It is time the heterosexual majority stopped fretting over the causes of homosexuality and ceased victimising the gay minority. Live and let live is the best policy. Love for gay people is the true Christian response, " he said.

LINK

English Catholics defy Vatican?

A Catholic Rebellion?

In contrast to the homophobia of the Pope, Catholic Bishops in England and Wales are urging understanding and acceptance of gay people

By Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner

The Guardian – Comment is Free - London – 11 December 2008

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/11/gayrights-catholicism?commentpage=1&commentposted=1

A pastoral leaflet authorised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales is creating more than a few ripples throughout the Catholic world.

http://www.everybodyswelcome.org.uk/docs/gay.pdf

In a marked departure from the constant stream of anti-gay
denunciations by the Vatican, it urges clergy and churchgoers to be respectful and welcoming towards lesbian and gay people.

The leaflet, which is distributed to dioceses, is entitled:
"What is life like if you or someone in your family is gay or lesbian in their sexual orientation?...and what can your parish family do to make a difference?

Unusually for an official Catholic publication, it acknowledges the "oppression" suffered by homosexuals:

"As a group that has suffered more than its share of oppression and contempt, the homosexual community has a particular claim on the concern of the church."

Indeed, the leaflet includes a disarmingly honest admission of the role played by the Catholic Church in the victimisation and marginalisation of lesbian and gay people. It quotes comments received from lay Catholics during its Listening Day survey:

"The continual message from the church is that homosexuality is so, so dreadful. Our gay son just hasn't stood a chance…My brother is gay; the church has been very intolerant of him."

This frank admission of past failings is brave and honourable, as is the suggestion that Catholics should "express appreciation for the gifts that homosexual Catholics bring to their faith community."

Exuding love, compassion and empathy, the leaflet goes on to advise priests and parishioners:

"Try not to assume that everyone is heterosexual….Avoid stereotyping and condemning….Remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful; a careless word can mean another experience of rejection and pain."

The leaflet's suggested reading list of seminal Catholic statements on homosexuality does not, notably, include any statements from the Vatican. It omits all Papal documents denouncing homosexuality and endorsing legal discrimination against lesbian and gay people.

Catholic traditionalists have, predictably, condemned the leaflet's liberal message and accused the English and Welsh Church of defying Vatican orthodoxy.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08112602.html

One English critic, Father Ray Blake, has described the leaflet as "troubling" because it does not mention the traditional Catholic teaching that homosexuals should live a life of chastity.

Although I am an atheist and a strong critic of Catholic homophobia (and sexism), I applaud this leaflet. It is a welcome, positive initiative which will bring great comfort to gay Catholics and their families. Its sympathetic, understanding message is a huge improvement
on the stern, uncompromising homophobia of most Vatican pronouncements on homosexuality.

Indeed, I hope the Catholic Church in England and Wales will encourage the Vatican to adopt this leaflet for use by Catholic dioceses worldwide. Its broader dissemination would help counteract the ignorance and prejudice that exists among many clergy and laity.

But I would also add the following caveat: the loving, respectful tone of this pastoral leaflet is undermined by the homophobic content of the Catholic Catechism and by the Pope's frequent endorsement of discriminatory, anti-gay laws. In particular, the Vatican policy of condemning loving, stable same-sex relationships is not only ethically
wrong; it risks undoing the good, kind intentions of this leaflet.

The Catechism, which sets out the basic doctrines of the Roman Church, reflects the pre-scientific ignorance and anti-homosexual prejudice of the medieval era; describing same-sex acts as a "grave depravity" and "intrinsically disordered." It states that lesbian and gay relationships are "contrary to natural law ... and do not proceed from
genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved."

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.html

The Vatican identifies homosexuality as a deep-seated personality disorder and psychological flaw; variously condemning same-sex acts as "grave sins….objectively disordered….(and) intrinsically immoral."
Even people who have a gay orientation but abstain totally from sex are condemned by the Pope as possessing a "tendency towards an intrinsic moral evil." In October, the Vatican ruled that chaste gay men should be barred from the priesthood and this month it again vilified same-sex marriages and announced its intention to oppose a UN General Assembly statement calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality worldwide.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5268745.ece

The English Church's pastoral leaflet challenges these outdated,
bigoted attitudes. It reflects the growing acceptance of loving,
loyal, long-term lesbian and gay relationships by grassroots
Catholics.

It is also a fitting tribute to the late Cardinal Basil Hume and a
continuation of his valiant, but often tortured and incomplete,
attempts to move English Catholicism towards the acceptance of gay
people and gay human rights.

I know from my personal dialogue with Cardinal Hume in the 1990s that
he was personally pained by the Vatican's intransigent, heartless
homophobia. He tried, as best he could, to distance the English Church
from Rome, with nuanced theological pronouncements that discreetly
differed from those of the Pope. Although his distancing was far too
subtle for my liking, I appreciated his efforts.

It is good to see Cardinal Hume's more gay-sympathetic theology
reflected in this pastoral leaflet. He would be happy and proud.
Congratulations and thanks to the Catholic Bishops Conference of
England and Wales. Now please reform the Catechsim - or publish your
own non-homophobic English version.

Vatican's anti-gay witch-hunt continues

The Pope's plan for psychological tests to purge gay men from the priesthood is a new low

By Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner
The Guardian - Comment is Free - London - 20 November 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2008/nov/20/comment-vatican-gay-testing-priests


The Vatican has announced the "psychological screening" of all new applicants for the priesthood, in a bid to weed out men who are deemed to be psychologically flawed. It has taken this initiative following the widespread sexual abuse of children by its clerics.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/vatican-moves-to-bar-gay-priests-14046126.html

In a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from the child sex abuse scandal, one of the main aims of these psychological tests is to weed out gay men, not paedophiles.

The Vatican identifies homosexuality as a deep-seated personality disorder and psychological flaw; condemning same-sex acts as "grave sins," "objectively disordered", "intrinsically immoral" and "contrary to natural law." Even men who have a gay orientation but abstain totally from sex are condemned by the Pope as possessing a "tendency towards an intrinsic moral evil."

Accordingly, the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education has issued a new document, Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood.

It proposes psychological tests to root out men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" from seminaries.

Estimates of the number of gay men in Catholic seminaries and the priesthood typically range from 25 percent to 50 percent, according to a review of research in the US by the Rev. Donald Cozzens, author of The Changing Face of the Priesthood. A similar proportion of priests is thought to be gay in the UK and Europe, including a number of bishops and cardinals.
http://catholicexchange.com/2002/03/21/95251/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_rcc.html

The new Vatican document states that seminary candidates should undergo psychological evaluations whenever there is a suspicion of personality disturbances or doubts about their ability to live a celibate life, such as any manifestation of masculine weakness or a homosexual orientation.

When assessing a candidate's ability to be celibate, the Vatican document insists that "it is not enough to be sure that he is capable of abstaining from genital activity" but that it is also necessary "to evaluate his sexual orientation".

It advises that would-be priests must have "a positive and stable sense of their own masculine identity."

Surely all this makes Pope Benedict himself a prime candidate for psychological testing and exclusion? After all, he wears a dress, loads of jewellery, Prada shoes and has a penchant for high church, high camp ritual and theatrics. While I don't want to indulge in stereotypes, Benedict is not exactly macho. In fact, he's quite effeminate. He is also surrounded exclusively by men, has an unusually young and handsome
male private secretary and has no known close friendships with women.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/04/21/amd_pope-gaenswein.jpg

He would not be the first gay Pope. There have been several others, most scandalously
Pope Julius III (1487 to 1555), who was more a pederast than a homosexual. He took a 13 year old boy as his lover and made him a cardinal at the age of 17, showering him with such wealth that he became one of the richest men in Europe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Julius_III
http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/julius_III.html

Anyway, I digress.

Commenting on the new Vatican document, Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, advises:

"The candidate does not necessarily have to practice homosexuality. He can even be without sin. But if he has this deeply seated tendency, he cannot be admitted to priestly ministry precisely because of the nature of the priesthood, in which a spiritual paternity is carried out. Here we are not talking about whether he commits sins, but whether this deeply rooted tendency remains...It's not simply a question of observing celibacy as such. In this case, it would be (required for him to have) a heterosexual tendency, a normal tendency."
www.catholicherald.co.uk/articles/a0000409.shtml

This indicates a serious hardening of Vatican homophobia. It reverses the previous Catholic stance that only same sex acts are wrong, not the homosexual condition itself.

Cardinal Grocholewski elaborated:
"In a certain sense, when we ask why Christ reserved the priesthood to men, we speak of this spiritual paternity, and maintain that homosexuality is a type of deviation, a type of irregularity, as explained in two documents of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith....Therefore it (same-sex love) is a type of wound in the exercise of the priesthood, in forming relations with others. And precisely for this reason we say that something isn't right in the psyche of such a man. We don't simply talk about the ability to abstain from these kinds of relations."

The Vatican is recommending that the people who do the testing should have "solid human and spiritual maturity", and a "Christian concept of the human person, sexuality, the priestly vocation and celibacy". In other words, conformity to homophobic Catholic doctrine takes precedence over professional qualifications.

It is now revealed that the Catholic Church in England and Wales has jumped the gun. They have already introduced psychological tests for candidate priests.

Who conducts these tests? What are their qualifications? Have the tests been vetted and approved by a professional psychological authority? What is their scientific validity and reliability? Do they operate within a professional code of conduct? Is there sufficient protection for vulnerable applicants exposed to these procedures? Even if candidates consent to being tested, is that sufficient? These are questions the Catholic Church has not answered.

The Vatican's new policy aimed at excluding gay men from the priesthood is bigoted and hypocritical. It will encourage dishonesty, fuel homophobia and lead to Vatican sex spies snooping on trainee priests.

If these rules had existed in the past, many existing archbishops and cardinals would have never been allowed to enter the priesthood. Given the high proportion of gay clergy in senior positions in the Vatican, this new policy is rank hypocrisy.

Instead of paving the way for witch-hunts and purges of gay seminarians, the Pope should concentrate on rooting out child sex abusers. Sadly, the fundamentalists in the Vatican have often chosen to protect paedophile priests, while hounding gay clergy. Shame!

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