Anti-Sodomy Laws Across The Region Should Now Tumble - UN, Human Rights Groups

As we await the written judgement on the matter, the Gleaner carried this one although it was headlined as "Anti-Gay" although homosexuality is not illegal in Jamaica:

The United Nations, local and regional rights groups, and advocates say a train has now been set in motion for colonial laws throughout the English-speaking Caribbean outlawing anal sex to tumble after a Belize court ruled that laws in the country punishing 'unnatural sex' are unconstitutional.

Jamaican defence lawyer Bert Samuels, however, stressed that yesterday's oral judgment issued by Belizean Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin "is not binding on other Caribbean courts", adding, "it (judgment) is of persuasive value only".

The ruling came six years after Caleb Orozco, 42, a gay man, filed an application challenging Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code, which calls for a 10-year prison term for "carnal intercourse against the order of nature".

The Belize attorney general has not indicated whether it will appeal.

Breaches Rights

Orozco, who heads the United Belize Advocacy Movement, argued that Section 53 breached his constitutional right to human dignity and privacy by criminalising and stigmatising consensual sexual activities between gay men, violating their right to give expression to their sexuality.

In agreeing, the judge reportedly ordered that the offending section be changed to exclude consenting sexual acts between adults of the same gender.

Benjamin also said that the court could not make a decision based on majority and public views, a reference to the strong public views held by Caribbean people against homosexuality, Breaking Belize News reported.

Church groups appeared in the case and had called for experts, including Jamaican HIV/AIDS researcher and professor, Brendan Bain, who ended up losing his job with the University of the West Indies (UWI), to present reasons why the law should be upheld.

Bain, who is suing the UWI, told The Gleaner that he would not comment on the ruling.

Benjamin agreed that removing the section would accelerate the fight against HIV, especially among men who have sex with men, who advocates argue, are stigmatised and refuse to participate in testing and treatment programmes.

Approximately 250,000 people live with HIV in the Caribbean, and while the total number of gay men in the region is not known, the UNAIDS says the prevalence rate among that group is about six per cent. Prevention, the UN says, is affected by socio-cultural and religious barriers.

In a press conference after the ruling, Orozco, who has documented his history of alleged abuse, said the sacrifices he made to bring the case were worth it.

"The people who feel the pain or who feel marginalised must step up and defend their ideals, otherwise nobody else will do it for you."

Meanwhile, Edward Greene, UN Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, said she was delighted by the decision.

"It must give impetus to the Justice for All movement throughout the Caribbean, the struggle to dismantle all forms of stigma and discrimination, and the goal of elevating the principles of dignity and respect for all."

Dr Carolyn Gomes, executive director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, said the judgment should mark "the beginning of the overturning of these archaic colonially imposed laws which, as the judgment says, do damage to the dignity, rights, and freedom of expressions of the gay community around the region".

Prosecutions Rare

Most CARICOM countries have laws outlawing anal sex, but there rarely are prosecutions.

Despite that, anti-gay lobbyists and church groups have resisted calls for changes, saying that there is an 'agenda' to impose homosexuality on the region.

"The judge has taken upon himself to rule in such a way that children will have to be taught that homosexuality is normal and same-sex marriage is normal when, as I said before, it is not normal," argued Dr Wayne West, the president of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society.

The Belizean decision comes as a similar challenge by gay rights activist Maurice Tomlinson is being mounted against Jamaica's Offences Against the Person Act, which criminalises anal sex.

meanwhile:

leading antigay voice Dr Wayne West upon realising now that he and others may not get their way in keeping antiquated laws wants to play on the public's ignorance to go the route of an obvious uninformed referendum of buggery while ignoring the chief way of the interpretation of law.

West says such an important change in societal norm should have the input of Jamaicans.

West says he believes that any change to Jamaica’s law criminalising anal sex should come from a vote by Jamaicans in a referendum and not from a court.

West notes that courts in the US overturned matrimonial laws legalising same sex marriages despite citizens voting in referenda against gay marriage.


He says Jamaica should seek to avoid such a situation, stressing that a national consensus, through a referendum on buggery, is the right way to go.

flashback audio:

Dormant anti gay feelings resurface in Florida shooting aftermath

Not surprising old dormant homophobic and or antigay feelings have come front and centre yet again in light of the Pulse Orlando Florida gay club shooting incident. In previous posts on tolerance and subsequent entries I and others have warned not to believe that perceived reduction in reported homophobic matters is not a sign to judge how tolerant Jamaicans are. Even comments as done in vox pops, comments on social media appearing to be tolerant can disappear overnight as this round of expressions show quite clearly; even as persons express some surprise if not shock at the brazenness of the shooter the corresponding sentiment openly in some instances declare those impacted by the incident deserved what they got.

This disturbing narrative has been ringing out steadily on popular Jamaican Facebook groups in particular and on Snapchat; not to mention Instagram as photos from the melee are shared, with some persons literally rejoicing; persons pour vitriol in almost endless threads. Then comes the unfortunate if not deceptive tie-in of gays by way of advocates becoming too brazen (effeminacy and light public displays of affection) or the old victim-hood line of bullying religious voices linking the Professor Bain and the University of the West Indies, UWI to the local scene and how powerful LGBT lobbyists have become as they try to change the ‘buggery law’ whilst some ignorantly also conjoin paedophilia into the mix to justify their position as per usual without any proof and sheer conflation of abuse and same gender sex.

I was never one to call signs of tolerance as definitive as changing hearts and minds aint no easy feat; while hope remains towards true harmony. There is usually a lull in between matters and narratives die after the proverbial nine days only for when another major matter such as this shooting incident then the old antigay forces come out. The comments are if not only disgusting but troubling as persons are willing to declare they would have done the act if they had the means, but one also wonders if these are just barbs for social media reflective of a narcissistic complex to supposedly ‘get a fawud’ as has been happening in recent times with all kinds of offbeat matters making appearances supported by hundreds of ‘Likes’ in other words anything to get some attention; even LGBT people are guilty of this whilst decency, boundaries and just plain common sense seem to disappear in the process.

The already lengthy string of mostly antigay comments on GLBTQJA’s Youtube page especially on the Dwayne Jones video of his last appearance prior to his murder has only gotten more graphic in threats and in numbers in recent days. My email inbox is starting to look like a list of steady threats and negative responses and justifications for the shooting; even as the repressed sexuality causation comes forth in the US media some persons are now claiming that it has always been gays who kill gays locally and that the twist added in recent days proves it. The shooter is now being reported as being a regular visitor to the very club he ended up shooting. The dismissal of claims of homophobia is on the rise which only raises yet again how to tackle the so important crisis communication in advocacy and taking each case on their own merit even this very awful tragedy.

Hypocritically religious groups such as the most consistent antigay group Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship came out with some half hearted position also obligatory condemnatory sounding narrative as expressed by its puppet President and one time HIV ally Helen Coley Nicholson where she said that the LCF condemns the use of violence against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation (they finally accepted that sexual orientation is real ... oh wow!) or in disagreement over moral and religious issues. She said in part:

“Guns have never been known to kill ideas; only people, change in opinions, lifestyles and beliefs can only come with respectful dialogue which acknowledges the sanctity of life and common humanity; our weapons in the struggle for change are not carnal, those who think and act otherwise are on the wrong side and will never win the battle ..... "

The Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches also has joined to present a very pious sounding position while condemning violence specific to the shooting they did not condemn the sentiments openly expressed given rise to the very homophobia they and others fan the flames if ever so tendentiously. Jamaica CAUSE and other antigay groups/voices seemed muffed let us see if they will cough up something to seem supportive or to avoid being labelled as being silent is a sign of a serve them right stance. No statement has come to hand yet from the local Muslim community or from their radio show (unless it was missed) neither have I seen when I checked as at the preparation of this entry anything related statements from the Marcus Garvey political outfit. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had issued a message with some commiseration included but I wonder if it was just the expected statement and really not meant in principle or some obligatory condemnation. The parliamentary opposition is silent on this and seems more busy with its own internal drama for leadership positions even as when they were in power duped all of us post the 2011 leadership debate and conscience vote promise or suggestion that has not materialized.

Holness Tweet

For what it is worth the PM’s statement was statesmanlike but his appointed Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte also a former Foreign Affairs Minister decided to tweet on the fact that a rainbow flag being flown on the US Embassy locally has thrown a wrench in the wheel; has she forgotten that the embassy is US soil? Seeing that they are going through this issue she is upset and tries to clarify her tweet as a personal position. 

actual flag outside the US embassy in Jamaica (photo: Jermaine Barnaby)

Does the Attorney General not realize that she does not have the luxury of making personal opinions in her capacity as the attorney representing the government? And to do this after the leader of the land made a prime ministerial statement only to smoke it up. It is not the first time Mrs Forte has shown her truth colours for want of a better term, her stint as Foreign Affairs minister and the debates on the sexual offences bills reviews with overseas engagements are documented. She reported tweeted:

“I strongly condemn #OrlandoNightClubShooting but find it disrespectful of Jamaica's laws to have #RainbowFlag flown here. #MyPersonalView,” Malahoo Forte tweeted on Monday.

And the US Embassy was quick to respond.

“@mmalahooforte we're listening. Explain the legal reasoning? It was an attack of terror !! and!! hate, targeting the LGBT community,” the embassy's tweet read. She was involved in 2010 in this previous post: Jamaica votes In favor of the amendment to remove sexual orientation from the resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (79)

Other sensible folks though have been separating the issues and rightfully so and thanks to President Obama’s statesman role in addressing the public he has also helped to clear the air by distinguishing the possible motives and not only describing the event as a hate crime but one of terror as well; his address today definitely put Trump in his place and right-sided the discourse with clarity of thought and perspective of logic; it has now garnered a name of ‘The Obama blast’ oh if we had more leaders like this. Malahoo Forte would have been schooled after hearing that, I hope she took notes. Let us see when the dust settles and the narratives shifts to something else which happens so easily.

Falconer's tweet

 but didn't the goodly Falconer do a similar thing recently? as evidenced here: Homosexuality is sinful but should not be criminal says former Information Minister then she claims she is an ally, oh really!

populist indeed

But the added hypocrisy which is somewhat laughable comes from none other than the now opposition spokesperson on information Sandrea Falconer who when she was information minister side stepped the issue of the suggested (seen as promised) conscience vote of her PM at the time and claimed the timing was not right yet she comes out swinging using the Malahoo Forte's faux pas to score political points. This is the same woman who claimed homosexuality is a sin but must not be criminalized but has not acted as a member of the senate to make her position active or as Member of Parliament to raise the issue; yet she is quick to hop on controversies even as her party struggles in the political quicksand.

Think on these things

Peace & tolerance

H

CARICOM warned of JCHS Morality Petition Backfiring & Stifle HIV Funding

Leaders of a regional coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations sent a letter to CARICOM’s leadership, urging them not to fall prey to a regional panic in response to equal marriage. CariFLAGS likened calls in a 33,000+ signature evangelical petition to CARICOM that targets LGBT people to the Dominican Republic’s treatment of people of Haitian descent, urging the regional body to oppose both. Using a multilingual social media platform that also mobilized international support for Russia’s anti-homosexual propaganda law and the death-penalty anti-homosexuality law in Uganda, a Jamaican evangelical Christian group, the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS), has collected thousands of private signatures globally for a “civil society declaration” to CARICOM. 

They plan to deliver it to the regional organ at its Barbados Heads of Government meeting this week on sustainable development that the secretary general of the United Nations (which is targeted in the online petition) will attend. Evoking faith, family and Caribbean freedom struggles, the JCHS e-petition calls on CARICOM to adopt policies that deny rights recognition to people who engage in what they call unnatural and unhealthy sexual behaviours. 

Though the “declaration” also mentions euthanasia and abortion, it grounds its concerns and fears in six examples, all of them recent efforts in the region to promote sexual health and protect rights of LGBT Caribbean people. JCHS has in the past successfully targeted CARICOM’s HIV policy making and programmes, and weakened CARICOM leadership commitment to creating an enabling environment for reversing the Caribbean’s role as the second most affected in the world by the epidemic, which is a key threat to the region’s development. Last year, in the wake of JCHS’s mobilisation in support for Brendan Bain, the University of the West Indies lost significant international funding for HIV. Retired Prof. Bain was relieved of roles as a regional policymaker with CARICOM and UWI and censured because of conflicts of interest in court testimony solicited by religious groups opposed to CARICOM policy. 

CariFLAGS, the region’s 18-year-old coalition of leading LGBT organizations, says the impact of JCHS’s current petition, and any CARICOM embrace of it, may be similar. They believe it will likely result in the transfer of millions of dollars in funds from global HIV donors, which is earmarked for addressing policy, stigma and discrimination, from CARICOM to civil society groups like theirs. An initial CARICOM application for such funds was turned down on its first round. They believe CARICOM must stand up for principle if it wants to continue to lead the region’s response to HIV. They urged CARICOM leaders to ensure neither Dominicans of Haitian descent nor Caribbean LGBT people are cast out of justice, citizenship or the nation. CariFLAGS’s mission is to build Caribbean nations where LGBT people enjoy full fruits of citizenship, and to build cultural understanding, policy, litigation and domestic movements that enable that. CariFLAGS serves on the regional coordinating mechanism for the Caribbean HIV response. 

-###-  

The actual letter

Dear CARICOM Heads of Government, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, and CARICOM Assistant Secretary General Douglas Slater Ensure Leadership & Funding to Preserve Healthy, Just Caribbean Societies Caribbean peoples dearly treasure freedoms that our fore-fathers and mothers valiantly fought and died for. Freedom for our bodies, and for our ability as individual Caribbean people to self determine, no matter our gender, race, faith or social station. 

We, their descendants, must routinely and soundly reject new forms of colonialism and injustice, and any attempts at re-interpretation of international human rights that in their very definition deny such rights to particular groups of people whom others define as undesirables or unholy because of their aspirations and desires. In the twenty-first century, we cannot be writing people out of justice, citizenship or the nation, whether they are of Haitian descent or lesbian and gay. 

We especially cannot engage in such social violence through a rhetoric of faith and family. Single people in our families, people in non-marital unions, and family forms that have disobeyed those seen as “decent” by our dominators are among the most Caribbean forms of kinship—ones that buttressed our collective resilience and dignity. Many in our region are in a panic over a court decision in the United States, which has joined 20 countries, with a combined population of over a billion people, where civil marriage to someone of the same sex is an option. 

This panic builds on earlier anxieties some have been stirring up in the region that Caribbean citizens using our post-Independence institutions of justice (including international conventions to which our nations have voluntarily committed) to achieve bodily autonomy and dignity they have been denied since colonialism will prevent the efforts of some faiths to ensure that a specific “moral” order holds dominion over the region. 

The Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS) has made CARICOM’s HIV response a special target of their dominionist advocacy and agenda of faith-based social injustice. They have appointed themselves as “cultural watchmen” in preserving an old order they see under threat. They promote collaboration between churches and public health officials to keep legal regimes of sexuality-based stigma and discrimination firmly in place. 

Their destruction of PANCAP’s hard effort and consensus-building around Justice for All, a bold initiative to address health justice issues that drive HIV, is well known. Their advocacy and the ambivalence of regional political leadership has cost us important gains in a critical area of Caribbean human development—as our regional institutions have failed to engage us in an expansion of sexual and reproductive rights that would lead to improved health and prosperity. 

Instead, we remain the second leader in the world in the harmful impact of HIV, and our region’s best collective intelligence about how to end that is under consistent assault by a forceful minority seeking to deny rights to other minorities more vulnerable than they. Soon these forces’ skillful advocacy will also cost us key resources that support HIV infrastructure, personnel and services. JCHS has placed a petition on an international internet platform that also campaigned for the Russian “anti-propaganda” law that forbids public promotion of the rights of LGBT people, and for Scott Lively, the American evangelist being sued in US court there over his role in promoting the Uganda death-sentence homosexuality law that punished people for not turning in homosexual family members. 

The petition, in English, French and Spanish, and open to anyone with internet access in the world, encourages “allies from around the world” to sign; but names are kept from public view. Some 35,000 such “signatures” will be presented to you when you meet in Barbados this week, at the very moment when the region’s HIV response is also under critical scrutiny, and close to $12 million in global funding for this threat to the region’s health, economy and sustainable development hangs in the balance. 

JCHS would love to see this funding and the human rights work and accountability it is intended to support go away. Their petition pointedly labels scientific knowledge on sexuality “false”, and appeals for you to protect them in spreading junk science and other misinformation . Do not give in to panic. Hold fast to the collective principles of our regional HIV response: an evidence-basis for our understanding and interventions; creation of an enabling environment and mitigation of stigma and discrimination; and an inclusion of affected communities in charting the response. Remember that human rights is grounded on equality for all and non-discrimination. Your steadfastness and leadership are needed now more than ever. 

Do not give in to the mob. Ensure CARICOM is in the best position to secure global AIDS funding for the region we are urgently at risk of seeing go to other grantees. As you meet in Barbados to plan for Vibrant Societies and Resilient Economies, please send a clear message that neither can be achieved through discrimination, and that a post-2015 sustainable development agenda must expand sexual and reproductive rights and health across the region and include a robust, human rights- and evidence-based HIV response. Discrimination and casting people out can no more be tools for addressing HIV, sexual diversity, development and building families in our 21st century Caribbean than they can for our brothers and sisters of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic who are victims of the same human rights niggling and narrow mindedness our JCHS colleagues encourage you to adopt. 

We welcome other civil society groups and regional leaders to join our call. 

Signatories:

Dane Lewis JFLAG

Colin Robinson CAISO

Tieneke Sumter 

Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities

Restorative Therapy Advocate & Anti Gay Voice on Trial for Perverting the Course of Justice

Also see: REVEREND AL MILLER’S OWN MORAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST & ANTI GAY CAMPAIGN

Leading member of the newly formed anti gay group Jamaica CAUSE who had the June 29 rally, Pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle and a strong proponent of restorative therapy Rev Al Miller is on trial for aiding a fugitive. Sadly this is the voice that has been at it for over a decade trying to block LGBT rights of any sort even at the Charter of Rights level where he and Lawyers' Christian Fellowship founder Shirley Richards got removed the only small protection from discrimination due to sexual orientation in the 1999 draft when JFLAG made their parliamentary submission, sadly the J did not adjust their call from a full repeal of buggery to decriminalization so we have had to live with the grief all these years hence the strong opposition since.

The case has been carried by various media, here is an excerpt from the Gleaner's take:

A police sergeant yesterday testified that minutes before the 2010 capture of then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the Reverend Merrick 'Al' Miller led police on a high-speed chase in St Catherine after twice ignoring their attempts to stop his vehicle.

Det Sgt Winston Radcliffe gave evidence that at one point in the chase, his police service vehicle was travelling at 130mph, but still could not keep pace with the popular pastor's "heavily tinted" sport utility vehicle (SUV) with Coke on-board.

Radcliffe said when police finally used their vehicle to force the SUV to stop on the soft shoulder along Mandela Highway and ordered the occupants out, Dudus emerged wearing a black and green peak cap, clear eyeglasses and a black curly wig.

The evidence came as Miller's long-delayed trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice got under way in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Miller, through his attorneys, has insisted that the police were, at all times, aware that he was taking Coke to surrender to authorities.

Radcliffe's testimony provided a behind-the-scenes look into how the islandwide manhunt ended for the former Tivoli Gardens strongman and convicted drug kingpin, who is now serving a 23-year prison sentence in the United States.

The police sergeant told the court that on June 22, 2010, he got information that led him and a team of three constables to position their police car near the entrance to the Bog Walk gorge in St Catherine. He said a short time later, Miller's RAV4 exited the gorge travelling with a Subaru Impreza motor car.

Radcliffe said his team began trailing the two vehicles before requesting assistance from police control and other units that were in the Spanish Town area at the time.

He testified that another police vehicle, which joined the trail after he requested assistance, was used to block the path of the Subaru, while his vehicle was positioned "about one car length" behind the RAV4, bringing both vehicles to a halt.

"The RAV4 SUV pulled out from behind the Impreza and continued towards the [Highway 2000] toll road. I activated the emergency equipment [the flashing lights] on my vehicle and gave chase," said Radcliffe, as Clerk of the Courts Larona Montague-Williams led him through his evidence.

He said he caught up with the SUV a short time later and used his police vehicle to block its path, forcing the driver to stop.

"Myself and my team alighted from our vehicle and moved towards the RAV4 when I observed the front driver window rolled down and the driver identified himself as 'Al Miller'," the sergeant testified.

He said Miller then rolled the window back up, "pulled away from the service vehicle, drove past it, and headed to the toll plaza".

"We drove on to the highway eastbound towards Kingston in an effort to catch up with the RAV4 that was travelling at a very high speed," the sergeant said, noting that his vehicle was travelling at 130mph, but was still about half a mile behind the SUV.

However, Miller's lead attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, challenged this claim, suggesting to Radcliffe that there was no second stop.

While conceding that he did not record the second stop in his notebook, the police sergeant insisted that it took place, triggering an exchange with the attorney.

"You know the importance of preserving your notebook for the purpose of a trial, right?" Samuels-Brown questioned.

"I don't know about preserving it for trial. I know about having them for reference," the sergeant responded.

"Where is that notebook?" the defence attorney pressed.

"I have absolutely no idea," the policeman responded.

He testified that a team from the St Catherine South Police, which was part of the chase, later used their vehicle to force the SUV to a stop on the soft shoulder near the "cane cart crossing" along Mandela Highway.

Radcliffe said Coke was handcuffed and placed in a police car, while Miller remained in the driver's seat of the SUV.

The sergeant said he approached Miller and asked why he did not stop when he was signalled to and the clergyman told him "he was taking Coke to the US Embassy as officers were there waiting for him".

The trial continues today.

ENDS

Old Clovis cartoon with outgoing Commissioner 

Lasmay's take at the time

Sadly this is the man who we must fear or wants to stop LGBT rights or recognition from progressing and even labeling us as "aliens" as he did at the Jamaica CAUSE rally meeting as carried on CVM TV

I hope they find him guilty as he obviously was aiding a fugitive escape the law of the land and his arrogance and refusal to step aside at the time from the church and other leadership positions was even more so troubling to show the lack of integrity he has and seems more interested in power and image more than dignity and truth which are supposed to be God centered principles eh.

The Observer's take: Lawyer accuses cop of lying as trial of Al Miller starts

UPDATE July 26 2014

LAWYERS FOR THE Reverend Merrick 'Al' Miller yesterday questioned a retired police superintendent about a public plea the popular pastor made to then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to turn himself in on the condition that he had the "commitment of the authorities" that they would ensure his safety.

The questions by Miller's lead attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, were in reference to a public letter the clergyman wrote in June 2010, which was published by this newspaper during the time of the islandwide manhunt for the former Tivoli Gardens strongman and convicted drug kingpin.

"Are you aware that there was an open letter published in one of our national newspapers in which Reverend Miller wrote 'be assured that I and others will do everything to ensure your safety and we have the commitment of the authorities'?" Samuels-Brown asked retired Superintendent Wrenford Robinson during cross-examination.

"I did not see that appeal," Robinson replied.

Coke was found in Miller's sport utility vehicle along Mandela Highway in St Catherine on June 22, 2010, but the popular pastor has maintained that the police top brass were, at all times, aware that he was taking him to surrender to authorities.

Robinson is the third witness to give evidence in Miller's trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice, which got under way in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Court on Thursday. The trial has been adjourned until September 10.

ENDS

Peace and tolerance

H

Member of Parliament Lloyd B Smith on Of Buggery & Rationality

The following appeared in the Jamaica Observer today bearing in mind Mr Smith is a now sitting member of parliament and publisher of the Western Mirror paper and that JFLAG's change from a full repeal of buggery to decriminalization still seems to have gotten some notice as indicated in second to last paragraph although his take on crisis communication and indeed homophobic versus non homophobic murders is way off base, I do not think though if a conscience vote be called tomorrow we could rely upon Mr Smith to vote in the affirmative of removing or amending the law as he seems too fickle to me but you decide as politicians are nervous these days given the hysterics of some religious voices and antigay groups.

Lloyd B Smith

Jamaica CAUSE antigay rally in Half Way Tree June 29 2014

"Every dog have him day, every puss him twelve o'clock." — Jamaican proverb.

Homosexuality is not a crime in Jamaica. Anal sex, described by statute as buggery is a criminal act that can attract a maximum sentence of 10 years. Case in point, some time ago, a Montegonian resident was arrested and charged by the police after he was caught in a romantic embrace kissing another man. When the matter was brought to court, the accused was freed as the presiding judge declared that there was no legal basis or precedent on which the accused could be convicted.

Jamaica being a Christian country sees many of its citizens using the Bible as their reference point in terms of expressing their abhorrence of buggery, which is condemned as an abnormal act deserving of death. Interestingly, the Bible also condemns fornication and adultery — both of which attract similar punishment but do not attract a similar level of violent rejection by modern-day Christians.

What is also conveniently ignored is that anal sex is practised among heterosexuals; meaning that men commit buggery on women. In the meantime, Jamaican law puts buggery in the same category as bestiality. It is common for donkeys, goats and cows to be singled out for such an act. Indeed, a female goat in Jamaica is oftentimes referred to as "dem boy gal"; thus the ram goat is the much preferred meat to be curried and eaten by many sceptical Jamaicans.

The Bain/UWI saga has opened up a can of worms, as it is felt by concerned churchgoers that the 'Gay Agenda' is becoming too much in their face. The introduction of seemingly provocative and unsuitable sex education material in a number of private children's homes by a Jamaicans For Justice-led effort has added more fuel to the fire. And so, on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Half-Way-Tree Jamaicans from all walks of life and various religious persuasions took off the gloves and came out punching, insisting that the buggery law should be kept as is, and that marriage should continue to be a union between a male and a female. The reported rape (buggering) of a male jogger by two alleged thugs also got the nation into a frenzy fuelled by the national media that have sought to over-sensationalise this issue.

There is nothing wrong with the Church taking such a stance. What would be wrong is if hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and violence are the weapons used by these followers of Christ to fight the Gay Agenda. To a large extent, some sections of the gay community had become too barefaced and so were seen as wanting to overpower the heterosexual community. But this gay issue is a far more complex one than is being imagined.

To begin with, Jamaica is not a homophobic society as has been posited over these many years based on the many violent deaths that have befallen gay men— some of them high-profile and well known individuals. A careful analysis of many of these murders will reveal that the majority of the victims were killed by someone close to them; either a lover or someone who is being used and then refused. Young men who have sex with men for money also can become very violent if they are "outed" by their seducers. There are also cases where promises are made and not kept in terms of financial rewards or expensive gifts. Then there is the tragic incidence in which an individual is infected with HIV on the 'down low' and ends up giving his girlfriend or wife. All these scenarios, and other such vexing situations, can lead to a bloody end and, indeed, crimes of passion.

In the meantime, we have to be careful as a nation that we do not take extremist positions. There has to be a middle ground to be found because, as renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell once said with respect to world peace, it is either co-existence or no existence.

Jamaica or the World is not going to wake up one morning and find no homosexuals around. Like the poor, they will always be with us. Which church choir does not have at least one gay soul singing his or her heart out praising the Lord alongside his/her straight brothers and sisters? So what is needed is to establish some ground rules based on appropriate education, tolerance, and a respect for citizens' human rights as guaranteed in the Jamaican Constitution.

In this context, I am of the view that every generation and succeeding ones to come must deal with issues of sexual lifestyle and morality in a timely and rational manner. In this vein, I do not think that Jamaica, at this time, is ready to accept same-sex marriages. But I do believe that decriminalising buggery should not be seen in the narrow way as those who object to it are doing. In that the State ought not to interfere with what goes on in the private space of consenting adults. Is it that doors should be kicked down to catch persons in the act?

In the final analysis, we all need to take a deep breath and then debate this controversial matter in a way that does not make us descend into barbarism or, even worse, neo-fascism. Lest we forget, Hitler started to persecute homosexuals before turning on the Jews, who he sought to annihilate.

Finally, it ought to be posited that not all homosexuals seduce little boys in the same way that not all heterosexuals seduce little girls. Even more intriguing is that research has shown that not all gay men indulge in anal sex and not all gay men behave like a "bitch" or lesbians like a "butch". And those who help to perpetuate this myth are indeed homophobic, no doubt unsure of their own sexuality. As Bob Marley has sung, for some who scream the most, we would be amazed if their night should turn to day.

George Weinberg, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Society and the healthy homosexual" (in which he coined the term homophobia), proposed that those who harbour prejudice against homosexuals, and not homosexuals themselves, are suffering from a psychological malady, an irrational state of mind. Weinberg, though supposedly heterosexual himself, became a leader in the ultimately successful struggle to have homosexuality removed as a diagnostic category from the DSM — the professional therapeutic handbook. Indeed, he has argued that genuinely straight men do not oftentimes react violently to homosexuals; it is those who suffer from sexual insecurity.

The bottom line is — no pun intended — that, while most Jamaicans from all indications are against same-sex marriage, a stance which should be respected and upheld by them is that it is imperative that the rights of minority groups, which include gays, should be respected and upheld as well. Let he that is without sin cast the first stone.

Lloyd B Smith is a mmember of Parliament and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the People's National Party or the Government of Jamaica. Comments: lloydbsmith@hotmail.com

JFLAG Tries to Clarify its Agenda

Dane Lewis is Guest Columnist in the Gleaner today as the newspaper tries to balance out itself subsequent to some weird performances publicly and in writing by some of its senior writers and "journalists" they published a piece by the Executive Director of the J, sad that a fifteen year old organization which I was once proud of and associated with has to be trying to clarify its position when its late change to the call for decriminalization (it says 2 years ago) of the buggery law versus its original call for a full repeal has gone for the most part unheard and irrelevant as many including legal minds dismiss the change as a public relations stunt and anti gay groups and even pro-gay commentators are still stuck in the language of "repeal."

It seems JFLAG has not reached out to these voices with any meaningful effect to advise them of the change but I still hear persons such as Lloyd D'Agular on his radio show using the word "repeal" even on a CVM TV interview alongside the very Mr Lewis; he post the anti gay rally on Sunday June 29th in HWT used the word and Mr Lewis never even tried to use the opportunity to at least hint to the position change. Mr D'Agular's last letter to the Gleaner on June 30th was clear "....The buggery law must be repealed. LGBT Jamaicans must be protected against violence, stigma and bigotry. Clerical hysteria on the matter of gay rights sounds too eerily similar to the echoes of Fascism." See: Lloyd D'Aguilar on The Church Preaching Itself Out Of Relevance in Jamaica, he clearly has not gotten the message and he is an ally and a loud one too.

In June 2013 these sets of flyers were circulated on social media and in my Facebook group not by JFLAG representatives but by CARIFLAGS - Caribbean Forum for Liberation & Acceptance of Genders & Sexualities ones indicating the change in position but on the national level such a posture was not adopted it seems and now when it is too late in a sense seeing the anti gay voices have taken over the conversation on homosexuality JFLAG chooses to cough up something?

Sad that JFLAG did not listen to its own advisers and concerned voices at the time even when I was involved there to go with decriminalization but the incestuous arrangements with the leaders with other groups although networking is crucial in the NGO world cause clashing imperatives to slow down or kill pro-activity. HIV prevention always seems to get the interest and is usually made to trump LGBT interventions and decision making by the very board members and management committees.

Case in point the JFJ CVCC funded sex education ongoing fiasco, all the evidence of clashing imperatives are infront of us yet homeless LGBT people need far more attention but does JFLAG/CVCC look at them really?

Enough of me now to Dane's piece:

Those who advocate against the recognition of equal rights for sexual and gender minorities, most commonly referred to under the umbrella term 'LGBT', usually do so by using slick propaganda, unsubstantiated facts, and uncorroborated anecdotes to create a climate of fear and portray the pursuit of equality and rights for LGBT people as something sinister. A largely uncritical public makes this a relatively easy task.

The notion of a so-called 'homosexual agenda' is designed to alienate LGBT people and encourage paranoia and suspicion. This is a strategy that has been, and is still being, used in several countries, including Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Guyana, Nigeria, Kenya, and, most notably, Uganda.

This alienation creates an 'otherness' in the homosexual which necessitates hostility because of the ill will he is presumed to possess toward wholesome values and attitudes. In other words, the homosexual is viewed as an intrinsically antisocial and anti-Establishment rebel who cannot be allowed safe refuge lest he be given the latitude to fulfil his evil agenda.

To be clear, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are motivated by all of the same hopes, concerns and desires as every other Jamaican. We, too, want to be able to earn a living, be safe in our communities, serve our country, and take care of the ones we love. That is the Jamaican agenda, not a homosexual one.

Commitment to equality

This commitment to equality is one we are proud to share with our fellow patriotic Jamaicans.

The term 'the gay agenda' was first used in public discourse in 1992 when the Family Research Council, an American conservative Christian group, released a video series called 'The Gay Agenda' as part of a package of materials campaigning on the immorality of homosexuality and the supposed clandestine effort to re-order society in favour of the homosexual. This publication had a very specific doctrinal origin and in no way represented mainstream ideology at the time. Nonetheless, the idea took root and the demonisation of the male homosexual at the height of the HIV pandemic became widespread through political devices such as 'the gay agenda'.

Other persons have sought to use another text - 'The Homosexual Agenda: exposing the principal threat to religious freedom today' - as further proof of the existence of this sinister agenda at work. Not surprisingly, this book is a product of the Alliance Defence Fund - an organisation which is essentially the genesis of the anti-gay movement in America. Its work has spawned the export of religious intolerance into places like Uganda, which, at the moment, is whipped into a hostile, anti-gay, religious frenzy.

J-FLAG's mandate is locally owned and driven by the needs of a diverse community of LGBT Jamaicans. It has long been aimed at engaging Jamaicans at all levels in rational dialogue about the challenges faced by this community and how they can be addressed. Neither J-FLAG, nor the diverse community it represents, has ever sought to attack religious freedom to advance our human-rights goals.

Instead, we have consistently spoken to the respect for all views: political, religious and otherwise. It is this respect for and celebration of diversity that represents the realisation of our dream of a peaceful and harmonious Jamaica.

However, we must bear in mind that the freedom to express hostile and discriminatory ideas is not immunised from challenge by virtue of its iteration in the Constitution. Nor is it bolstered because of freedom of religion and the privilege certain ideologies are presumed to have. These freedoms exist in balance with each other while taking particular account of the plight of the underprivileged so as to ensure justice and equity.

WHY REVIEW BUGGERY LAW?

Sections 76 through 79 of the Offences Against The Person Act, which we collectively refer to as 'the buggery law', is a colonial-era imposition of Victorian values that was introduced to the colonies in the mid-19th century. Then, as now, it is highly problematic for several reasons, which has led to its review or repeal in several jurisdictions, including the country of its origin, Great Britain. It does not distinguish between consent, public or private acts of sexual intimacy, and lumps bestiality with buggery.

J-FLAG has consistently called for a revision of the law to exclude the private consensual intimate relationships of adults from criminalisation. In so doing, the review of the law would have to provide specific protection for our children and also put non-consensual acts of buggery on the same level as rape, without regard to gender. Additionally, in any review process, the act of bestiality should be separately and adequately criminalised.

A further necessity in this reform process would be a thorough examination of the relevant provisions in the Offences Against the Person Act and the Sexual Offences Act with the intention of promoting justice and equity. As it stands now, the maximum penalty for buggery is 10 years at hard labour, whereas by contrast, the Sexual Offences Act provides for a minimum penalty of 15 years to a maximum of life imprisonment for any person found guilty of vaginal rape.

It is, therefore, plain to see that the retention of the buggery law in its current iteration is not sufficiently protective of children, is not equitable with respect to the applicable punishments, and is injurious to the dignity of LGBT Jamaicans.

Some have argued that changes to the law will result in an increase in the number of cases of child sexual abuse. This is a baseless claim and further evidence of the desire to create hysteria.

It is important for us all to appreciate that it is not necessarily the existence or harshness of a law that prevents the abuse of our children but the surety that the perpetrator will be caught and appropriately punished. Impunity creates injustice. It is, therefore, critical that the rule of law be upheld in the interest of the preservation of equity and justice.

OUR COMMON INTEREST

We share the dream of a Jamaica where the family is strong and healthy. To this end, our family reintegration programme seeks to reunite LGBT youth with their families after they have been pushed from their homes and communities and forced to live in less-than-ideal situations. We also work to prevent displacement by sensitising and empowering family members with parenting tools for vulnerable youth in a hostile environment such as ours. This is our duty as patriotic Jamaicans.

Jamaica's Emancipation is founded on freedom and the protection of the dignity of the person. J-FLAG recognises the diversity of thought and opinion that makes up this plural democracy on which we were founded and seeks only to ensure that LGBT people are recognised as full citizens endowed with the same rights as all other Jamaicans.

Just as Jamaica's motto reads 'Out of Many, One People', we are convinced that LGBT Jamaicans ought never to be excluded from the Jamaican family.

Dane Lewis is executive director of J-FLAG, a gay-rights lobby. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and admin@jflag.org.

ENDS

So the step-n-fetchting continues even after my and others departure from the J, sadly not many folks are open like me to show our sheer disgust as to the slowness to act and lack of vision by JFLAG collectively.

Peace and tolerance

H

The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC) response to anti-gay mass meeting comes late in the day (Observer Editorial)

Late in the day indeed as the Observer editorial noticed (agreeing with them on this one but the gay-baiting in recent times hell no!) but the bypassing of the CDA in the JFJ/CVCC funded Sex ed manual is obviously being used by the writer to further obfuscate the bigger discussion of the conflict of interest in the Bain matter, although in the end the CVCC/JFJ's own conflict of interest came through quite clearly; sadly our advocates have failed to properly and timely speak to current issues, I am not surprised as it is the some of the same folks who are JFLAG who also sit on the CVCC so no wonder we cannot have clear separation on decision making and various imperatives and dithering hinder pro-activity.

Two questions also come to mind:

Why isn't the JCSC statement on their or JFLAG's website in full for such an important time as this?

Why didn't the Observer just publish the damned thing in full?

The Press Association of Jamaica, PAJ released a short statement on the matter of the press conference of CVCC as well:

In light of the current public discussion surrounding the press conference convened last week by the Caribbean Coalition of Vulnerable Communities, the Press Association of Jamaica wishes to state:

1. The role of the journalist is to ask questions and seek answers on behalf of the public and to pursue the sole agenda of getting to the truth.

2. It is expected that journalists will always be respectful in the conduct of their duties as we equally demand the respect of the people we interact with on a daily basis.

3. The press is the voice of the people and cannot be shut up or shut down at will in any democracy, regardless of threats, condescending tones, remarks or any other means to belittle or denigrate.

4. The PAJ is urging journalists to operate by the agreed Code of Practice at all times as we continue the quest to serve the public.

ENDS

The Observer editorial published today read as follows:

The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC) -- whose membership includes J-FLAG, the gay lobby group -- has issued a very sensible statement, spurred no doubt by Sunday's well-attended mass meeting by the church and allied groups against homosexuality.

The sentiments expressed in the JCSC statement issued on July 1, 2014, are well considered and, in our view, are a viable basis on which the Jamaican nation can conduct the social negotiations about the homosexual lifestyle, repeal of the so-called buggery law and about finding a way to ensure that we can all get along, despite our differences.

Pity, of course, that the statement came so late in the day and had to await, apparently, the flexing of its considerable muscles by the church and the many groups that massed in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.

As we have pointed out time and again in this space, the gay leadership must accept responsibility for the manner in which it has conducted its campaign to secure rights for the homosexual constituency. We continue to believe that the society in general, including the church, had been gradually ceding space to the gay members of the Jamaican family, until the perceived bullying began, evidenced by the Professor Brendan Bain issue and latterly the infiltration of private homes for children with anal sex material.

Prior to that, there was the attempt to slip similar material into the school textbook stream, without the kind of consultation and approval that goes with the process. Assuming that J-FLAG approved the statement, we hope that some important lessons have been learnt. In this vein, we highlight and commend the following excerpts from the JCSC statement:

"The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition is deeply concerned about the manner in which the current debate about the repeal or retention of the sections of the Offences against the Person Act related to anal intercourse is being conducted. We urge all the individuals, groups and organisations involved to advocate their cause in a manner which reflects a greater spirit of mutual respect and consideration.

"Whatever our differences...Every Jamaican citizen is deserving of a hearing and of equal protection under the law of the land and under the principles of human rights to which we are signatories...We need to bring an end to inflammatory and dismissive statements and to the stigmatisation of entire groups based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, religious convictions or other difference of whatever kind. Indeed, such approaches invariably lead to social strife as well as intentional and unintentional harm...

"We, in all our diversity, share a common humanity. None of us is well served by the hard line, condemnatory or disrespectful tone of many utterances on the topic. We must exercise care that we do not create divisions so deep that we lose the potential for working together on some of the many other challenges we face as a nation. We call on all the actors in the debate to set an example of leadership grounded in a willingness to permit all voices to be heard."

ENDS

I find it ridiculous that after so many newscasts in days on the Jamaica CAUSE movement coupled with a snapshot of their press conference where their real goals which include:

1) threats to government not to repeal buggery (although JFLAG's late in the day change to decriminalization has fallen on deaf ears thus far)

2) blocking any attempts to allow legislation protecting individuals from discrimination due to sexual orientation

are quite clear it is only a short interview on CVM TV and on RJR that the agency could have done when they are known for churning out press releases from what I call the conveyor belt (even while I was there) when the J is needed they are soft in coming but otherwise they overkill.

Years of work and some gains have been lost all due to poor management again on the agencies part and conflicting imperatives while the real frontline issues that are screaming for attention get sidelined. The homeless LGBT youth in New Kingston are getting some attention again via a radio special and the defunct Safe House has not been even hinted to; yet another whitewashing of the abandonment of the older populations of homeless and displaced MSM mostly due to rowdy behaviour yet the psycho-social interventions were never even rolled out to address them.

Step-n-fetch-it advocacy once again befalls us, at least those of us who are looking for more than just mere dribble and only remote feel goodness.

Peace and tolerance indeed is needed, tolerance to continue the slowness and lack of pro-activity from JFLAG with all the incestuous obligations of its management elsewhere and from the madness out there with hysteria and paranoia ruling the day.

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

H

The Gleaner Editorial to Anti Gay Group - In Whose CAUSE?

So at least the Gleaner has been slowly redeeming itself via its editorials maybe written by external persons but a so called set of senior staff writers seem to prefer to dive into the realm of tabloid journalism, walk out of press conferences(as the material do not suit them) and near inciting of attacks of LGBT persons while seeking to discredit the crisis communication arm of the struggle and the incident listings over the years.

The Press Association of Jamaica, PAJ released a short statement on the matter of the press conference of CVCC as well:

In light of the current public discussion surrounding the press conference convened last week by the Caribbean Coalition of Vulnerable Communities, the Press Association of Jamaica wishes to state:

1. The role of the journalist is to ask questions and seek answers on behalf of the public and to pursue the sole agenda of getting to the truth.

2. It is expected that journalists will always be respectful in the conduct of their duties as we equally demand the respect of the people we interact with on a daily basis.

3. The press is the voice of the people and cannot be shut up or shut down at will in any democracy, regardless of threats, condescending tones, remarks or any other means to belittle or denigrate.

4. The PAJ is urging journalists to operate by the agreed Code of Practice at all times as we continue the quest to serve the public.

ENDS

Truth be told there are some crisis cases that have been kept alive by mainstream media that cannot stand up to scrutiny from now till eternity such as the Peter King, Brian Williamson or even the last one Bebe Stevenson matters as those have been deemed more on the line of exploitive cases and other extraordinary circumstantial causations but it does not mean that there are not genuine homophobic cases leading to serious injuries or casualties.

Here is the Gleaner's editorial firstly:

As last Sunday's anti-gay rally organised by evangelical Christians confirmed, Brendan Bain's sacking by the University of the West Indies, and its supposed implication for free speech, was merely a springboard for something more significant: the fundamentalists are continuing their transformation into a formidable political movement.

An estimated 25,000 people turned up at the rally - a number of which none of the Jamaica's political parties would be unmindful. In that context, a significant, if under-reported, message of the rally was the call for evangelicals to get themselves on the voters' register and thereby be in a position to vote in the next general election. For now, the policies they want to influence are those related to gay rights, or more specifically the retention of the law against buggery, which is the basis for the illegality of male homosexuality.

"As the church and citizens go to vote, that (any policy to remove the buggery regulations) would certainly be one of the issues that would be considered," explained Stevenson Samuels of the New Testament Church of God and the leader of the evangelically grounded group called Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation (CAUSE).

But gay rights are hardly the boundary of their concern. In fact, many of the persons who are at the centre of CAUSE previously campaigned for a restrictive law on abortion, in addition to their effort, with success, to have the Jamaica Constitution define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

So, while they may not be as politically battle-hardened as their American counterparts, they are not without experience - and apparently money to finance their activities. Nor is this foray on to the political battlefield by Jamaican Christian fundamentalists an entirely new phenomenon. In the 1970s, they spoke loudly against the perceived intention of Michael Manley's People's National Party (PNP) to turn Jamaica to communism.

irrelevant issues

The ideological issues of three and a half decades ago are no longer relevant. Today's Jamaican evangelical leadership, like their cousins in the United States, are fighting the so-called culture wars, intent on turning back a liberalism that sees same-sex sexual orientation not as a fundamental right, but as an intolerable aberration. Viewed through this prism, Professor Bain's affidavit to a Belizean court in favour of a church group seeking to maintain that country's anti-buggery law - even as he heads an HIV/AIDS health-delivery organisation whose mandate includes the elimination of stigma and discrimination against vulnerable groups - is understandable and right.

In the immediate circumstance, the posture of the fundamentalists is hostile to the PNP, which forms the government, whose leader, Portia Simpson Miller, has declared not merely tolerance, but inclusiveness towards gays. She promised a parliamentary conscience vote on the buggery law.

The Opposition wants to put the issue to a referendum, for which it has the support of CAUSE - quite understandable, given Jamaica's social and political dynamics. But even as it perceives immediate political gains from the current policy congruence with the evangelicals, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should act with caution in engaging in an opportunist embrace with this constituency. We, in this regard, draw the JLP's attention to America Republican Party and its capture by radical fundamentalism/Tea Party movement, rendering it incapable of formulating a broad, inclusive agenda, worthy of a modern, functional state.

The opinions on the Gleaner's page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.

ENDS

Jamaica CAUSE's agenda is clear as shown in this clip from a press conference they had added to that as well is the intent to block any coverage under the Charter of Rights to protect persons from discrimination due to sexual orientation as done by their predecessors the Lawyer's Christian Fellowship under the leadership of Shirley Richards and aided by fugitive assisting integrity challenged Reverend Al Miller. 

Sadly as I have postured elsewhere the case file management systems and regular updates by the relevant agencies in this case JFLAG are much to be desired so the response is lacking in terms of bringing to bear the realities on the ground. It is indeed sad that a section of the religious community is up to this suppression of personal freedoms when they are pushing a false dichotomy of persecution of freedom of speech supposedly but after the last four weeks or so their own fear-mongering may become the beginning of their undoing sadly since hardened positions have been drawn.

also see:

Jamaica CAUSE issues Veiled threat to Govt to not Repeal The Buggery Law

Anti Gay Group Jamaica CAUSE told We're Not Into You! Gays No Threat To Straight Folk

Betty Ann Blaine Deliberately Conflates Same Gender Attraction & Child Abuse at Christian Anti Gay Mass Rally & in Public Advocacy

More Overreaction to the Jamaicans for Justice Sex Education Course & Media Senationalism

Betty Ann Blaine on Poverty, children and the Buggery Law .... and that awful confusion of homosexuality with paedophilia 2012

Hardened Positions by Religious Fanatics & Their LGBT Detractors Will Only Leave More Blood on the Floor

Anti Gay Voice & 'Child Rights' Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine Taken to Task on Public Advocacy

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

Justice Minister reiterates his personal position on the Buggery Law, Anal Intercourse, Consent & Privacy, government position

J-FLAG now advocating for decriminalisation of same-sex acts

Pastors Push Enumeration As Hedge Against Buggery Repeal (Gleaner July 1 2014) obviously the JFLAG change in the call to decriminalization has gone unheard deliberately or unnoticed. So much for pro-activity from our goodly advocates

The False Dichotomy of the religious right on the LGBT advocacy Godlessness

Espeut, West says “Homophobia” was invented to abuse Christians as hate speech

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

Church claims future victimization if buggery is decriminalized in Jamaica

Spilling homosexual blood .... Observer Headline 29.11.09

Lesbians Do Have Morals 2009

More gay marriage paranoia & hijacking of the homosexual debate by fanatics 2014

Professor's Bain's Testimony Threatened Foreign Funding (Gleaner letter)

Lessons to learn from The Professor Bain Matter?

Anti Gay Voice & 'Child Rights' Advocate Betty-Ann Blaine Taken to Task on Public Advocacy

Ian Boyne: Bain exercised terribly poor strategic judgement

The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria

Anti gay religious voices where are they? .... Pastor charged with sexual assault

'UWI had no choice but to dismiss Prof Bain' says Professor Rosemarie Bell Antoine (OAS Rapporteur)

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

Betty Ann Blaine on Poverty, children and the Buggery Law .... and that awful confusion of homosexuality with paedophilia

Blaine will be her own victim (Observer Letter 11.08.10)

Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society continues its “HIV is a gay disease” campaign with more deception added

What goes on in the minds of the overly religious?

BETTY ANN BLAINE’S ARRANT NONSENSE REQUEST OF PETER KING TAPES

THAT WON’T STOP AIDS, BETTY ANN SAYS GAY LAWYER

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

Comments from the PNP quarters aren't helping the situation either in some sense as there are differing views on the way forward

MP Raymond Pryce often labelled as gay gave his opinion recently at a Jamaica Observer forum.

Peace and tolerance really needed at this time as the silly season continues, hope we can ride this one out in one piece.

H