Rural Missing Teen turns up displaced in Kingston

Even as concerns continue to be shared these many months after shock, bewilderment, disappointment and feelings of helplessness comes through as the troubling public evictions of homeless MSM and transgender persons in Kingston some of whom were residents of the only residency that was to address the growing matter of persons being forcibly evicted from their homes another disturbing report was brought to my attention via another agency that is conducting HIV prevention work with MSM island wide. The disturbing episode has been playing out itself since January of last year after a teen eighteen years of age from St Catherine has been having trouble with his parents for some time especially his father while his mother’s position changed on the revelation of the young man’s perceived sexual orientation. There have been heated arguments between the three and even a distant family member as well and some refuge was offered by another relative so as to try to diffuse the situation. That distant relative however has come in for fury from the teen’s father not to intervene and thus the remote assistance has been curtailed for now according to the teen whom I had a short conversation. He has been hanging around friends for a while in another parish without any notice to the parents as the situation became untenable thus he was perceived to be missing.

Another twenty four year old was listed as missing in the Jamaica Observer as well also from St Catherine my home parish St John’s Meadows to be precise which makes it even more disturbing he was last seen on June 19 and is of brown complexion medium built about 188 centre metres tall (6ft 2 inches), his appearance in the missing persons list has been four thus far and he is feared dead by some now as it has been so long. No predetermined circumstances have said to be the cause of his disappearance as there are no historical family feuds or related issues.

In a recent set of workshops on men’s health of which our subjected missing now found man however was to attend but only sat in on one session raised alarms by the organisers and my and that of others intervention was sought to ferret out the teen to make sure of his safety; it was another attendee at the session however who made the reconnection with him and we managed to get him to reveal his dilemma in a tearful session with myself present while in ragged clothing and clearly not in good health. Heartbreaking as it was to watch I am all too familiar with situations like this and feel more so helpless after watching the more public Millsborough Avenue issue play out, the other cases outside of Kingston, the recent fallouts in western Jamaica to include murders linked to the lotto scamming crackdown with gang feuds and now this isolated case which reminds me that the long standing issue of homeless MSM/Transgender persons pre-dates all of us including aging agencies, how many more like this are out there? For us to see these issues play out with hypocrisies coming from agencies such as JFLAG, the Child Development Agency and the National Homeless Committee not to mention the national health systems in the HIV response who also have ignored to some extent the homeless MSM as previous attempts by some outreach officers have been met with resistance and calls from the higher ups not to engage them but instead focus on more stable MSM populations, a clear indication from all sides that nobody really cares about this group but to use them when it is convenient to do so as if evident with in recent days the hypocritical position taken by some more affluent gay powerful businessmen and JFLAG itself who seem to have developed convenient amnesia when in 2011 it publicly distanced itself along with its parent agency Jamaica AIDS Support for Life in banning the men from services due to supposed “rowdy behaviour” and up to earlier last year gave the police basically the go ahead to take any legal action to address the men yet as the cops carried out the relocation and subsequent controversial demolition of the house and a another eviction some three days later at Dewsbury Avenue JFALAG issues a statement that the police were brutish?

The video footage however from the two major television stations and the two major newspapers proves no such “brutish” behaviour by the cops worse yet the same cops were the ones who previously engaged the men when they were in New Kingston so there was an air of familiarity. The recently announced Dwayne’s House proposed shelter is not yet off the ground while the men continue to be made out as victims for pity by more privileged persons instead of any real interest, just mere second hand clothing donations are not enough, where is the pyshco-social engagement, where are the screening activities to see who in the group will qualify for a shelter typed response? Instead the men are used as photo ops whilst not taking into account their safety via more exposure. It was only a couple days ago a group of youngsters made their way to Oxford Road when they were approached by men in a car hurling insults and threats while outlining that New Kingston must be cleaned of “Battyman” what is even more ethically troubling is the situation is obviously being used to soften the national homo-negative stance but to what end; as involuntary martyrs?

Some reconnection attempts have been made by the facilitator of the workshops which ended recently but to no avail leaving us worried and the young man as well as welfare issues become apparent most of us close to this scenario feel it is a waste of time to file an incident report at JFLAG as they have clearly shown their two-facedness on this issue and deception regarding the real immediate issues that are and have been screaming for attention for decades. Temporary sheltering is not enough as resources and indeed patience will run out eventually without the necessary supportive structures and programs. He has also been hanging out at parties and seen with the present newer displacees in the New Kingston area but is not known to be connected to the Millsborough/Dewsbury avenues problematic group who have since dispersed. I am stunned and almost bewildered as to the rapidity of the problem’s growth in size and scope over such a short period and as always as night follows day when there is any public agitation on homosexuality at all then there is a spike in the numbers of homo-negative incidents that follow. The trouble is who is actually setting up the needed catchment to address if in some part those outcomes due to the spike and who really cares as a me myself and I ideology takes over in the thrust for rights. Let us also not forget the omission of the homeless men from the all import International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia where a symposium on homelessness was held named in honour of one of the pioneers in Jamaican LGBT struggle Larry Chang yet the event turned out to have upset many who came into knowledge of the omission. Such is the mounting evidence of the indifference towards the least amongst us and it grows with each attempt to explain away or use public relations stunts to deflect or absolve themselves of responsibility.

While the young man’s father has blocked all attempts to entertain any reason on the possible reconnection the distant relative who he raged against is being coerced to re-intervene in this matter but quietly and cautiously so, we are hoping and praying this occurs in short order so as to not have this young man slip into protracted displacement then homelessness; the fear in my mind is that there are early cracks and trouble in the latter displacees in New Kingston similar to the signs I saw in the now more troublesome groups that of Millsborough, Cargill and Dewsbury avenues and with each day on the streets they become hardened with growing disaffection towards anything representing authority. This parallel society grows and causes all kinds of problems as we now see within the last few days. I am worried friends I am worried and so are many others who are now lately realising the dire straits of this issue and what some of us older and more familiar to the concerns have been warning about all along but as always the powers that be always wait until the matter reaches boiling point then a knee jerk reaction comes into effect. It was only a few posts ago I highlighted three more persons on the fringes teetering on homelessness and still no serious programs in place to even address it while it is on the streets instead there is an excuse being banded about that JFLAG cannot find a space to start their shelter, a shelter idea by the way that their parent organization rejected in the form of the Safe House Pilot 2009 and that JFLAG itself kept quiet and did not protest its closure yet moved in the space where it was housed and set up office but having to move three years later via an eviction notice as the situation became untenable and the landlord would have none of it any longer.

I guess somebody is waiting for another murder to take place so that it can be waved to the world as a homophobic killing in the new alarmist crisis reporting methodology when some cases turned out not to be as the international LGBT groups and publication readily believe and republish every word from JFLAG et al without any proper verification hence the perception of the lobby attempts to gain rights as deceptive, the games they continue play with the populations and no real effort to address homelessness since the buggery law issues are far more important, who cares about some old rowdy dirty battyman?

Sad that we don’t seem to realise yet that the welfare of this group of individuals is inextricably tied to the thrust for tolerance and acceptance in general society, after all how can there be a call for such virtuous ideals when such ideals are not demonstrably present from the leadership and indeed the body politic of the LGBT lobby/community? A recent radio discussion on RJR for example is picture proof when the parties involved arrived at a conclusion that they are not really listening to the LGBT penny section any more as the strong arm tactics are disturbing with regards to the cancellation of reggae acts shows overseas; it stands to reason that engagements and discourse won’t happen with any meaningful outcomes.

Think on these things.

Peace and tolerance



H

Bisexual dancehall publicist opens up - Says Sizzla should not be nominated for a Grammy

Despite the homophobic nature of the dancehall industry, a dancehall publicist has come out to say he is bisexual.

Rickardo 'Shuzzr' Smith recently came to the fore with his sexuality.

"I Rickardo Smith, more popularly known as Shuzzr, has been a victim, is still a victim of discrimination because of my sexual orientation. I refuse to let my life be subjected to the old colonial thought. I must embrace a new era where all men are equal irrespective of their beliefs, lifestyle and choices," said the publicist, who has worked with persons such as Gaza Kim, Blak Ryno, Patexx, Teflon, Morgan Heritage, RDX and Lisa Hyper.

He noted that at the close of 2013 he decided to "confront his inner demons."

"Years ago, I pledged to serve the ultimate master of all. Though it's been challenging, it found me straying away from his will as I understood it. I was compelled to reflect on the life I've lived and continue to live and the choices I've made. I was living a life that men deemed abominable, while others like me saw it as a blessing only few will ever be able to experience," he said.

He continued, "Whilst it was not an exemplary life at times, I felt closer to my Creator than I could ever be, and though some moments found me on my knees crying, struggling, I asked for help and it was given. God's mercy continued despite not fulfilling my end of the deal. "

'God's mercy, as Smith puts it, did not make it any easier to work within dancehall.

"Over the last three years, I've represented several dancehall heavyweights with distinct pleasure and humility, but, while doing so, I was subjected to the torture that the industry is historically known to carry," he said.

"Dancehall has always stood firm in its belief against homosexuality. As a practitioner within the industry, I have had to endure the blatant hypocritical stance over the years, but if I'm to ever be who I truly am, and be truly comfortable with myself, in my soul, I must take a stance and speak against injustice, hate lyrics, discrimination, and anything that may seek to reduce the life of one and their beliefs."

anti-homosexual stance

And, although there is still a general anti-homosexual stance in the dancehall industry, Smith says he still wants to work in the industry.

"I'm still a publicist and I hope dancehall artistes would still engage me, but, so far, I represent no one since the start of the year," he told THE STAR, noting that he is currently working as a freelance journalist.

"I've managed to build a brand and reputation, irrespective of my sexual orientation. There will always be backlash, but I'm embracing a dancehall culture where we all can have our stance and beliefs and still coexist. Judge me by my work not my sexuality."

And shortly after opening up about his sexuality, Smith also sent out a statement in which he said dancehall artiste Sizzla should have been dropped off the Grammy nomination list for the 'Best Reggae Album' category.

"In lieu of the Grammy reggae album nominations and Sizzla's performance at the recent staging of Sting, one would expect that the organisers of the most recognised entertainment award show worldwide would seek to distance themselves from the act and his pronouncements," he said in a press release.

"One cannot ignore Sizzla's contribution to the industry. However, we can't turn a blind eye to his prolonged negativity and the injustice his fellow gay Jamaicans face daily. The reggae industry over the years has produced a reservoir of talent from which such accolades would be more fitting of. Any artiste who continues in this day and age to promote homophobic lyrics and receives international recognition only helps to deter the fight for equality, justice, and freedom for all irrespective of their beliefs and sexual orientation."

Why Can't We See Past Bolt's Dress?

Star News caption

Over the past few weeks, a Virgin media ad featuring Usain Bolt has been creating quite a stir among Jamaicans. In the ad Bolt plays, his infant son, a teenager, his grandfather, himself and his wife. Personally, I find the ad funny and it delivers the message about the product he is selling – super fast broadband.

If there is any fault it could be that Bolt’s powerful brand to a great extent overwhelms the product he is selling but some Jamaicans would not have picked up the humor or that Bolt eclipses the broadband because they have been unable to get past the dress.

I shared the ad on my Facebook page and initially people responded by saying it was funny. To some it was funnier than it was to others who responded. Later on there were others who added a whole new dimension. To them the ad emasculates Bolt. How so? Because he wore a dress.

As the days passed, a video of an old interview done by Oprah with comedian Dave Chapelle surfaced. In it, the comic postulates that there is a plan afoot to emasculate black men who have become famous by putting them in dresses. He even told the queen of talk show hosts that they even tried it with him once and he refused. Good for him. That video was now being used to demonstrate why the Virgin ad was an attempt to emasculate Bolt. To others, it was a sign that Bolt was secretly gay. I had to laugh because it is a twisted view of how we define masculinity.

Back in September 1995 Amblin Entertainment released a film called To Wong Foo. In the film that was distributed by Universal Pictures and made US$47 million at the box office, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo and Wesley Snipes played three drag queens who embark on a road trip. In the almost 20 years since that film was released, I can’t recall a soul accusing the late Patrick Swayze, one of the most masculine white men in modern Hollywood of being gay, nor did they describe Wesley “Blade” Snipes, one of the most masculine men period, of being gay or being emasculated because he wore a dress and make up for the role. He also had to raise the pitch of his voice several octaves.

I must admit that didn’t like the film much but it was not because the men were dressed as women. I just thought the story was weak and to be truthful I am more of an action buff. There have been other instances in the history of entertainment when men have played women in film and not just black men. Dustin Hoffman, for example, a respected white male actor played a woman in the film Tootsie back in 1982. Did that role emasculate him? I don’t think so as not only did it raise over US$177 million at the box office, it also earned 10 Academy Award nominations including Hoffman’s nomination for Best Actor in a leading role.

What is different about Bolt’s role in the commercial and the roles played by Swayze, Snipes, Leguizamo, and Hoffman ? It’s all make believe. But for some of us, Bolt in a dress is a bit too much so there has to be some sinister motive behind his decision to do so. What I have found is that there is a lot of insecurity among us as a people. The ‘grandpa’ Bolt is portrayed as a dirty old man with many girlfriends, yet we hear nothing about that. Instead we focus on the dress as if to suggest that Bolt in a dress defines who he is.

To the contrary, Bolt’s masculinity is not so fragile so as to be shattered just by him putting on a dress, even if it was done electronically via CGI. A strong man does not or should not feel the need to prove his manhood every time he steps out of this house but in this country where men, shave their eyebrows, bleach their skin and wear super-tight pastel-coloured pants that hang below their buttocks, we surely have a strange way of defining masculinity. 

But as a letter writer recently pointed out, it may be time for us to put our house in order. In the letter titled’ ‘Bolt man enough to strut his stuff” published by the Daily Gleaner the writer in reference to the furore created over the ad, states ‘beating up our women, hiding from our children and dodging our responsibilities are what we are known for. And nowhere is masculinity to be found in all that.”

also see: Jamaica, where the sun sets in the east: Bitcoin, drag queens, voting rights

Better Health Care For LGBTs?

The age old problem of healthcare issues for the MSM particularly in the public healthcare system is back on the agenda for some although the MSM survey of 2011/2 suggests that said persons enjoyed far improved customer service delivery when 400+ persons were questioned in that survey but this article that appeared in the Gleaner today suggests something else in a sense, so is it that something has changed that is not listed here or is it a denial of what the national systems had found then?

see: Concerns for HIV prevalence rate in MSM in Jamaica & connected matters

Meanwhile the Gleaner carried:

Worried about the seeming discrimination perpetrated by health-care providers to members of the homosexual community, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) has embarked on a training programme for medical personnel.

Between September and November last year, J-FLAG in partnership with the National HIV STI Programme trained 60 public-health workers to deal with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

This was in keeping with the National HIV Strategy (2012-2017) which recommends that all categories of health-care workers be trained in human rights and in providing services for men who have sex with men (MSM) to mitigate the likelihood of discrimination.

Of the health-care workers who were trained last year, 65 per cent of them had never been trained about MSM-related health issues and 93 per cent had never been trained to offer counselling about anal sex.

The public-health workers included doctors, nurses, contact investigators, laboratory technicians, peer educators, and ward assistants from all four health regions trained.

Six persons from the National Family Planning Board were also trained.

A 10-module training curriculum covering a wide range of issues relating to the provision of services and specific issues affecting the LGBT community was used.

These included topics on sexuality, values and attitudes, sexual health of MSM, and communication.

The participants were exposed to members of the LGBT community, and a panel of six young gay and bisexual men who shared their experiences and answered questions from participants openly.

Cleared up misconceptions

This allowed the participants to see the diversity of the LGBT community, as well as serving to clear up many of the misconceptions that were held.

Focus group discussions were conducted prior to the workshop to gauge the attitudes and feelings of the health-care workers around providing services to members of the LGBT community.

Half of the participants were relatively knowledgeable about these issues but only 24 per cent scored about 70 per cent.

Following the training, one-third of the participants said the workshop inspired them to change their thinking about the LGBT people, while 63 per cent felt that they were already tolerant, some at the stage of acceptance and others are working on celebrating and promoting LGBT individuals.

The vast majority of participants said the workshop was useful to enhance their work, and that they were more exposed to the unique issues faced by LGBT people.

ENDS

We have been told over the years that healthcare providers such as type five and lower strata clinics were abusive and there is evidence of same in terms of mobbings, discrimination in service delivery and literal scorn as well but alot has changed since then but let us see of this set of interventions produce results.

Peace and tolerance

H

20 Things Gay Guys Need To Stop Doing ...................

Here's a good piece of advice for the community. This is so true and is true all across the board - young, middle aged or old. Get a like all. Read and hopefully change. 

Prepared and contributed by RYAN O'CONNELL

1. Going into a gay bar and deciding immediately that you hate everybody there. Then getting upset when no one hits on you. 

2. Shaming someone or deeming them unattractive for acting "femme." Not only is this some deep self-loathing shit, it also feeds into the idea that behaving in a feminine way is, in fact, bad. AKA misogyny! 

3. Feeling the pressure to act in a certain accordance of "gayness." Spoiler: you can never be "too gay" or not "gay enough." 

4. Snapping your fingers and saying something stereotypical like "OKAY, GIRLFRIEND?" to appease your "raised on Will & Grace" friends. Unless, of course, you actually like to snap your fingers and say things like that. In which case, that's fine! 

5. Killing themselves. (Seriously.) 

6. Treating their girl friends like shit. Just because you're gay doesn't mean you can call your buddies "sluts" and "whores." I have seen so many gay men make jabs at their girl friends and I JUST DON'T GET IT. What is going on with all the misogyny among gay men? 

7. Hooking up with "straight" guys. They're the forbidden fruit(cake) of the gay world but I would be wary of them if I were you. Chances are they aren't ready for this petroleum jelly and will break your heart! 

8. Slut-shaming other gay guys. There is no right or wrong way to be gay. If someone wants to have anal sex with a guy they just met, that's their prerogative. As long as they're safe, no one is getting hurt… I hope. Similarly, it's totally okay if having anal sex is a big deal to you and you only want to have it in a relationship. Gay guys spend too much time comparing themselves to other gays. Just do you, babe. 

9. Being #NotClearOn lesbians. They aren't going to bite, you fools! 

10. Complaining about wanting a boyfriend but the second you achieve an iota of intimacy with another guy, you bolt. 

11. Fetishizing your friendships with straight men. 

12. Assuming everyone you meet is gay. Although if you live in SF or NYC, this might be a little true. 

13. Ask a borderline stranger if they're a top or a bottom. Rude Girl by Rihanna! 

14. "Straight acting, masc." 

15. Hate other gay guys for no reason. It's so important to have a great big gay family. Don't alienate yourself! FIVE EXTRA THINGS GAYS NEED TO STOP DOING: 

16. Don't try and make single guys feel ashamed about how they choose to hook up/date. If I want to have a Grindr and Jack'd and A4A and any other hook up app,I am God damned well allowed to! YOU chose to be in a relationship and only have sex with one person. I am grown and SINGLE and I can have sex with however many guys I want and shouldn't have to deal with your judgement! 

17. Not dating outside your race. Pretty soon,everyone is going to be mixed and your "Whites Only" or "Blacks Only" dumb ass rule is going to be obsolete. Embrace the beauty and sexiness in every skin color. 

18. Living beyond your means. I guess its cool that you have $300 J Brand jeans and that you live in a cool loft downtown...but you have no furniture in your apartment! 

19. Botox,Fillers,ect...so many guys talk about how they want a "real man" but then get their faces done and look like Nicole Kidman. Its great to be pretty but at some point a man has to have a man's face. You stay up late,you drink too much,you smoke too much,you lay out in the sun,you laugh all the time...those lines are proof of a full life. That's sexy. Embrace them. 

20. Strictly Top/Strictly Bottom. That's so 1997. Welcome to The Age of Being Versatile. Its beautiful out here! Come check it out! Not saying that you ALWAYS have to but be a little flexible. Its more fun that way.

Thanks to Ryan for reminding us of this and the Juice Unit Team

Homosexual Label causes a fight

Happy New Year again folks and hope all is well with you my readers, thanks so much for your support over the year and best wishes for you and yours. The annual round up is coming soon as well just tidying up some activities that needed winding up.

In the meantime as issues continue to affect some of our brethren across the island here is a carry over case in the courts from 2013........

Laughter was the response from members of the public when a case in the closing session of the Half Way Tree court continued just before the holiday season. A young man named Jermaine Gray Chambers and an older man Binsford Chambers was mentioned where it was heard that the men got into an altercation with the younger Chambers after he was accused of being a homosexual in Kingston some time earlier in the year. 

The older of the two Chambers is in his late fifties is accused of chopping Gray by his knee with a machete while he gray is accused of breaking Chambers jaw. According to Binsford Chambers he was walking home from work with his gardening tools in his bag when he heard Gray saying to his apparent girlfriend “See de battyboi deh” he said he went over to ask who he was referring to but Gray responded by reigning several blows to Chambers breaking his jaw in the process.

“Him just come up to me and gi mi several lick in mi jawbone and said time mi jaw start hurt mi” said a dramatic Chambers, “X amount a thump to mi face is about a dozen,” he said sparking laughter in the courtroom, “Mi seh de boi coulda kill mi, if a stab him did stab mi him wouda gi mi a hundred.” 

Gray did not deny punching Chambers said that he was defending himself from the elder man as he threatened to chop off his head with a machete and he denied calling him a homosexual, “Discrimination is never my thing” he also said. Gray explained that his girlfriend knew Chambers and that she was telling him Gray about something else pertaining to Chambers and her landlord when she saw him she exclaimed “see him deh” to which he responded in an enraged fashion. “Him start one bag a ray ray and say him a go chop off me head with him machete and start to swing it, so me neva gi him any chance fi tek it out,” Gray said.

Shortly after he said the accused man’s sister came along and broke up the fight, sitting judge Pusey after listening to both persons involved said to Chambers “I think you’re guilty”

“Guilty of what your honour? A him bruk mi jawbone,” Chambers replied the next trial date is February 8, 2014 and their bail was extended.

'Sting' Bans Sizzla, D'Angel - Stinging Criticisms Come From Organisers

Davina Henry, Gleaner Staff Reporter

Dancehall artistes D'Angel and Sizzla Kalonji are facing the wrath of Supreme Promotions boss Isaiah Laing, after the two behaved in a less-than-complimentary manner at Sting 30 last week.

Sizzla will no longer be able to perform at Sting, while D'Angel won't even be able to enter the venue during the event.

"We had a meeting on Saturday and we, Heavy D and myself, came to the decision to ban Sizzla Kalonji and D'Angel from Sting. Sizzla was warned repeatedly before going onstage about not promoting hate music and he went up there and did it repeatedly. We are going international and we warned every artiste before they went on to the stage," said Laing.

"We are banning D'Angel as a patron also. We don't want your money D'Angel. Stay home. Watch the event on pay-per-view," Laing told The Gleaner.

"What kind of image is D'Angel portraying as a mother? She's saying she came to clash but that's not how the clash went. It was not about Ninja Man, she embarrassed herself. At least a five-year ban for D'Angel."

At the time of the interview, the artistes had not yet learnt of the ban.

D'Angel's phone went straight to voicemail, while efforts to contact Sizzla also proved futile.

REASON FOR BAN

The ban comes as a result of Sizzla's set where he reportedly went against agreed-upon protocol to lambaste homosexuality on several occasions.

D'Angel, who was not scheduled as a performer, took to the mic, climbing from the VIP section to tackle Ninja Man in a lyrical battle that became more than a little raunchy.

With renewed criticism surrounding the 30th staging of Sting, the promoters also released a statement distancing themselves from certain utterances and behaviour displayed onstage, calling them "inconsistent with their efforts to provide energetic and authentic Jamaican entertainment".

"Sharp lyrical exchanges and colourful performances are staples of our annual offering, however, in accordance with our efforts to internationalise the event, we strive to ensure that the performances conform to accepted standards of decency and decorum," the statement to the media read.

It continued, that of the 11 hours of superb performances, there was only 15 minutes (an approximation) which could be deemed problematic.

"We believe that our artistes will take note of the observations which will assist us in effecting the kinds of control that we have been working assiduously to maintain and introduce. We wish to commend the majority of artistes who appeared on the show and performed in accordance with the standards which are reflective of our objectives.

"We have written to the artistes about their behaviour at the event, and we are committed to further steps when and where necessary," Laing told The Gleaner, before disclosing the decision to ban the two artistes.

"We thank the public and our sponsors for their continuous support, without which we would not have been able to boast three decades of existence. We remain committed to advancing reggae, dancehall music, and the industry. We will continue to strive to improve our product and are confident that with your support we will achieve our aim," the release ended.

ENDS

Sting has always been defiant and deliberate in his approach to anti gay injurous lyrics but gets away with it more so in Africa than in Europe or the Americas for years, now we see the organizers taking some action on this. Let's see how this plays out onwards.

See previous posts:

Sizzla Rejects J-FLAG Olive Branch .......... oh really?

Sizzla's French show is off, Vybz Kartel may still perform (2010)

Sizzla Concert Cancelled from Chiemsee Reggae & Austrian Sunsplash Shows (2010)

Sizzla shows cancelled in Denmark in European tour (2009)

Sizzla show stopped in Canada (2009)

Gay hate dancehall star refused European entry visa (Flashback 2008)

Anti gay Dancehall acts Sizzla & Capleton's shows cancelled in the US

Sizzla's concert cancelled (France), Montpellier's mayor re-affirms firm stand in the face of homophobic calls ......

Sizzla Concert Cancelled in France ........... (2010)

SMM protests Sizzla in Denmark (2009)

Happy New Year

also

Sizzla no longer welcomed at Netherlands' Melkweg festival:

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (CMC) – Organisers have withdrawn a request for Jamaican dancehall singer, Sizzla to perform at the ‘Melkweg’ show later this year because of his anti-gay lyrics, the promoters have said.

They said Sizzla, whose real name is Miguel Collins, was due to perform at the March 16 show and that patrons who had already purchased tickets would be refunded.

Melkweg said it had been made aware of Sizzla’s performance at a recent show in Jamaica where he did a song against gay relationships.

Melkweg said it does not want to provide a stage to anyone who sings such “very hurtful and hateful lyrics”.

In 2007, Sizzla signed a document renouncing previous anti-gay statements. He had also promised not to sing anti-gay songs on European stages.

Peace and tolerance

H

Shelter Coming For Homeless Gays reports the Gleaner

This homeless MSM business has gotten so ugly over the past four and half years in particular that it stinks to high heaven as the lead LGBT organization literally turned its back on the men in many respects now to see this presumed turn around and interest in a section of our community is straight out hypocritical owing to the shiftings over the said four years to include suggesting that government deals with the problem when we know for political reasons that won't happen unless there is a change in the national mindset. Also see: JFLAG Urges More State Support For Homosexual Teens Living On Streets also take note of the international media's sudden interest in this and twisting of the facts as to how the populations actually got so large in New Kingston: Why Some LGBT Youths In Jamaica Are Forced To Call A Sewer Home (take note of the paraded photos of the men) as it is the repeated diversionary tactics over the years why we can't see the end in sight to this battle for rights and recognition this time it's from the recently concluded tolerance ad case that was thrown out by the Supreme Court with no proper explanation to the LGBT population as to why it happened.
Chief among the mishandling of this homeless MSM issue specific to Kingston is the egregious omission of the men from the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2013 on May 17th see: JFLAG excludes homeless MSM from IDAHO Symposium

Rihanna walking away from the Millsborough eviction scene earlier this year as taken by a Gleaner photographer

The house on Millsborough Avenue in St Andrew, from which a group of homosexual men was removed on Wednesday, was demolished July 4th 2013. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Bear in mind that almost monthly one can expect a report of some kind of a youngster or adult MSM forcibly evicted or running away from home for safety reasons. 

additional reading: Interfaith Group Pledges continued support for St Catherine Homeless MSM

Other parishes across the island have their own share of problems and populations, St Ann, St James and St Catherine comes easily to mind. A small project in St Catherine though frothed with its own challenges and phobias with the religious actors involved is still on thankfully in a sense. It was last December that the same mixed religion group in association with myself and others hosted a treat for some of the men, See: Interfaith group treats homeless MSM in St Catherine


also see more posts on the matter of homelessness from my other blogs and here: 

Hypocrisy from the pulpit on homeless MSM in Jamaica?

DEMOLISHED! Millsborough House Torn Down After Rowdy Squatters Evicted

Homeless MSM in New Kingston arrested in raid for stolen goodsHomeless Awareness Month: Flashback to New Kingston's Displaced MSM

Tense stand-off between homeless MSM and Security team in New Kingston

'Don't come back here' - Maxfield residents warn gay man after publicized eviction

More forced evictions reported for 2013

And MSM continue to be ready material for data collection ..... what about the interventions

Parents issues ultimatum for suspected gay man to relocate

Displacements due to possession of women's clothes ............

The Gleaner published today:

Following months of complaints from residents in New Kingston about a group of homeless gay men terrorising their community, there are now plans to build a home for the young men.

The proposed shelter, Dwayne’s House, which is being named after 17-year-old cross-dresser, Dwayne Jones, who was reportedly killed by a mob in July, is said to be in its initial stages.

Human rights activist Yvonne McCalla Sobers said since October a group of activists and attorneys have been working at creating a space for the mostly teenage males who were chased out of their communities and now occupy the sewers and gullies in New Kingston.

At the beginning of this month, police raided one of the gullies that the men are said to be occupying in New Kingston and several stolen items were reportedly confiscated from the site.

McCalla Sobers said the group was working with various stakeholders to identify a secure location and funding for the construction of the home.

The shelter will reportedly cost close to $16 million to construct and will initially cater to 17 to 20 persons.

However, while the activist said the home might not be able to accommodate them all in the first stage of the project.

Representatives from the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays says more than 40 persons who were either kicked out of their homes by family members or had to flee attacks from their communities have sought assistance from the group.

ENDS

Check out the Homeless MSM tab immediately below for all the posts since 2009 on the matter to include the initial eviction of the previously homeless MSM in the Safe House Pilot Project.

also my podcast in response to the Dwayne House announcement:

Some good news on the homeless MSM front ..... guarded & waiting part 2: Dwayne's House Project to include a link to the website.

The still unoccupied old Dahlia Dental Centre (above) along Upper King Street nearing the York Park Fire station that was air-marked to be a shelter by the previous JLP administration in 2010 yet it is left to overgrowth and animal usage. This was to address the persons who use the St William Grant Park and adjacent areas, if successive governments are not dealing with mainstream homelessness why do some folks believe that said govts must or is going to provide shelters for LGBT people given the political sensitivities involved.

Peace and tolerance

H

Gleaner claims new backlash towards the gay lobby due to MSM homelessness in Kingston

Here we go again but the backlash unlike the impression being given by the Gleaner has always been there dear North Street but that is ever since the new wave of homeless MSM in New Kgn have become extroverted unlike their predecessors coupled with visibility of the faces in advocacy there is bound to be a spike in homo-negative responses has history has taught us. The late response to this issue is well documented on this blog just check the homeless MSM tab HERE, not a month passes that I am not just disheartened by the non interest in directly responding to this by JFLAG et al yet they speak with such eloquence on it when asked and try to pass the responsibility to government in terms of sheltering when we know given the present climate votes are more important for political parties. The Jamaica Observer also spoke to the matter and concluded the men were abandoned by the respective agencies including LGBT ones: Marauding homosexuals and J-FLAG (Observer Editorial) …………………… The LGBT tolerance quotient nationally has been affected not by the homeless MSM in New Kingston and their shenanigans or their visibility in and of themselves but the credibility of the lobby over the years in terms of proper crisis reporting and plain truthfulness of same in terms of abuses, murders and homophobia.

also see: Homeless MSM in New Kingston arrested in raid for stolen goods

So many suggestions have been given to this issue even more none LGBT state actors such as Families Against State Terrorism convenor Yvonne McCallah Sobers where she went into great detail in a paper she prepared and was seen by the relevant persons at JFLAG yet they barely paid it any attention in the final analysis, she suggested for example: 

"Homeless gay men in New Kingston therefore face complex problems because they are:

1. Visibly homeless in an upscale community.

2. Homeless in a society seemingly without compassion or political will to address the shelter needs of the homeless, and evidently unmoved by the shelter and security needs of the homeless.

3. Openly gay in a society that is anti-gay, and where influential gays feel compelled to conceal their sexual orientation.

4. Sufficiently aggressive and organised to draw attention to their existence by creating mayhem

QUESTION: Who can help to shift the Jamaican culture toward tolerance of differences, in particular sexual orientation?

Answer: Parties with responsibility for leading this cultural shift include –

· Politicians: Review of the buggery law and other laws (such as the vagrancy law) used to harass gays; public and private statements that support the right of every Jamaican to protection from the State; legislation that prohibits discrimination based on health or sexual orientation.

· Pastors: Emphasis on religious positions that promote love rather than hate; tolerance for rather than condemnation of human differences; unity rather than fragmentation of families; care and protection rather than rejection and abandonment of vulnerable youth.

· Musicians: Promotion of “peace and love” messages to replace “burn and destroy” messages, with willingness to self-monitor with respect to music that encourages hostility toward gays.

· Media: Provision of information on sexuality and sexual orientation in ways that increase understanding of and tolerance for differences, especially in youth coming to terms with their sexual identity .

and see: And MSM continue to be ready material for data collection ..... what about the interventions for the recurring issues

also see: Tense stand-off between homeless MSM and Security team in New Kingston on sister blog on GLBTQJA in September 2013

We must NEVER for get the egregious mistakes by our advocates with regards to homelessness:

The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes

The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009

JFLAG excludes homeless MSM from IDAHO Symposium on May 17th 2013

More MSM Homelessness Issues while agencies shift responsibilities

but I will wait to see if the new Dwayne's House initiative as announced recently will fly and not just another fly by night PR stunt to stave off scrutiny, lord knows we have had many of those before to no avail.

The Gleaner published today:

The Enemy Within - Aggressive New Kingston Homosexuals Causing Fresh Backlash Against Community

The police take into custody a number of young men believed to be homosexuals who are allegedly responsible for a series of robberies in New Kingston. -Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

There are growing fears that the rowdy and sometimes criminal behaviour of a group of homosexual men in New Kingston could erode the strides that have been made towards greater tolerance of homosexuals in Jamaica.

Nonetheless, Dane Lewis, executive director of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays says the rambunctious gathering - which in the past has been fingered in robberies, theft and other antisocial behaviour - highlights the issue of persons being evicted from their communities because of their sexual orientation.

"It is unfortunate. Some of what they have done may be eroding some of the trending towards greater tolerance, but I think it continues to highlight the reality that our young people are being kicked out of their homes," Lewis said at a Gleaner Editors' Forum last week.

While condemning the acts of violence reportedly carried out by the mainly cross-dressing men, Lewis argued that sometimes the group is blamed for acts carried out by heterosexuals.

He said he found no issue with how some in the homosexual group express themselves through dress which, on many occasions, involve wearing make-up, female clothing and heels.

"They have a right to their gender expression and identity, and to express themselves as long as they don't infringe on anyone else," argued Lewis.

"The gentlemen who wish to 'bleach', wear women's attire shouldn't offend anyone; they are expressing themselves. My only concern is the risk of violence that they expose themselves to. But everyone should be free to express themselves."

HIDING VS FLAUNTING

In the meantime, Susan Goffe, chairperson of the human-rights group Jamaicans for Justice, questioned claims that the New Kingston-based men are flaunting their sexuality publicly, which is offensive to many Jamaicans.

"People in their minds seem to feel that someone who is homosexual should do everything in their power to hide their sexual orientation," said Goffe.

"For example, somebody would look and say, 'I don't see him with a girlfriend'. What is he suppose to do? Should he have a pretend girlfriend, as people do, in order to hide?

"And in terms of how you walk, how you speak, your gestures … . Are you supposed to hide all of that?" she asked, agreeing with Lewis that these men should be free to go about their business safely.

Lewis agreed, while claiming that many of the gay men who are in New Kingston were either threatened or violently displaced from their communities.

ENDS

You decide readers but this where we have reached and to think this is not the time to have these distractions when albeit the lobby has gone mainstream and a pending court case to challenge the buggery law via Javed Jaghai when this particular matter hits home on the credibility tied to crisis reporting.

also check out my comments via podcast:

and

also see: JFLAG Urges More State Support For Homosexual Teens Living On Streets

J-FLAG Disappointed With PM's Unfulfilled Promise, Though She Remains Best Hope

also see a Gleaner account of two evicted persons: 

Living A Nightmare

Peace and tolerance

H

Some good news on the homeless MSM front ..... guarded & waiting part 2: Dwayne's House Project site opened

The last time I was optimistic when it came to this longstanding matter of displaced, forcibly evicted and abandoned MSM I was left dazed and disappointed as the then announced shelter by JFLAG which was to have opened in December 2012 did not materialise or we were lied to at a town hall meeting on November 7, 2012. Now comes this project that is supposed to handle the New Kingston homeless issue yet MSM homelessness is an all island matter and dealing with this alone is a drop in the bucket. Also it would be interesting to see if the older displaced will be included in this project and those who were rejected by JASL when they were turned out on the street after the close of the Safe House Project in 2009.

See: Some good news on the homeless front ..... guarded and waiting and my podcast from blogtalk radio at the time:

Here are the goals they the DH group say they want to achieve:

http://dwayneshouse.org/

Establishing the Dwayne’s House (DH) programme is an attempt at a new beginning. The programme is named after Dwayne Jones, the youth who was killed because he attended a dance in female clothes.

There is much to learn from what worked or did not work in the past. At the same time, the new beginning will require commitment to beginning anew.

Seeing to the needs of the homeless will therefore need a determination to stay the course especially when the going is rough. Complex and perhaps thankless tasks will need to be approached with a philosophy that requires those of us who are moving this programme forward to:

a. Understand who the homeless are. Each person’s situation is unique, and each person will have a different reason for being homeless or for remaining with the group of homeless youth even if they have the option to go home.

b. Educate ourselves about the homeless. This means acquainting ourselves with the profiles of the DH youth, and finding out what they need. We can help by giving them our attention, noticing them, talking to them. Some may have mental challenges, given repeated experiences of abandonment, stigma, and discrimination.

c. Respect the homeless as individuals – DH youth need the same courtesy and respect we would accord to our friends, families, or work colleagues. We need to treat them as we would want to be treated if we needed help.

d. Respond with kindness. How we respond to the youth can make a huge difference in their lives. Our attitudes will show no matter what we may say or do. If we ignore, dismiss, patronise, or look down on them, we are likely to have an entirely different reaction than if we treat them with kindness.

e. Provide food. A sandwich can make a big difference to someone who is hungry (as in have not eaten for a few days and don’t know when next there may be a meal of any sort).

f. Give money. Donate to non-profit organisations that are serving the homeless (as distinct from going through the motion while showing disdain for the homeless).

g. Donate clothing. Clothing in good shape but no longer being worn can be a boon to homeless persons. We can direct the clothing to organisations addressing the needs of the homeless.

h. Donate a bag of groceries. Give a bag of nonperishable groceries to an organisation for the homeless, or organise a food drive for the homeless.

i. Volunteer our professional services. The youth can benefit from training in whatever skills we have. In particular, doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, and dentists can treat the homeless in clinics. Lawyers are always needed to help with legal matters.

j. Volunteer our hobbies. We can use our interests to help the homeless gain useful skills in areas such as cooking, repairing, gardening, and photography.

k. Volunteer for follow-up programs. Once the homeless are on their way to integration, they need advice, coaching, counselling and follow-up programmes. Particularly if they have been on the streets for a while, homeless youth will need help with re-socialisation.

l. Tutor homeless children. A Youth as long as 12 years old can be thrown out of their homes. They therefore lack basic schooling, and so a tutor can make the difference between integration and continued alienation. An investment of time here could make all the difference.

m. Advocate on behalf of homeless youth. We can talk about the plight of DH youth to our friends, write letters to the newspapers, share information about homeless youth on our FB page, and generally share our enthusiasm to enable these youth to become whole and socially productive.

n. Involve local business. Supermarkets and restaurants as well as clothing shops may be willing to donate to food and/or clothing drives. one of the easiest ways to involve local businesses is to organize food and/or clothing drives.

o. Employ the homeless. Those who become employable will need jobs. Even if we cannot provide the jobs, we can lobby for these youth to be employed, and support them when they are hired.

p. Help the homeless apply for State/NGO help. Agencies may not be able to reach these youth as they have no mailing address. So we can help to direct them to where help is available.

q. Stand up for the rights of the homeless. These youth have exactly the same fundamental rights and freedoms as any other Jamaican. We need to stand up with them to ensure their rights are respected.

r. Contact our Member of Parliament and relevant Ministers. Campaigns of letters, e-mail and phone calls to politicians, in addition to letters/articles to media and calls to talk shows may help to stimulate these persons to address issues related to homeless gay youth.

s. Push for homelessness prevention programs. Civil society and state agencies may need education on the social impact of homelessness, and on what steps families and communities need so that youth do not end up on the streets. Homophobia in Jamaica may need to be addressed frontally.

also see: JFLAG Urges More State Support For Homosexual Teens Living On Streets I hope that this is not another smooth over again to diffuse criticisms and scrutiny only to leave the men abandoned yet again as the closure of the 2009 Safe House Project has taught us.

also see:

The Quietus ......... The Safe House Project Closes

Homeless MSM to feel the pinch as JASL issues ultimatum (where it all began to go downhill) 

Concerned sources claim that ... Boys kissed, fondled by male teacher

A three day old tabloid news headline has been gaining some momentum on mainstream media via the talkshow circuit as the matter of some male students alleged fondled at a school by a  male teacher who is said to be a repeat offender. I am concerned as are some others as the conflation with same gender sex and abuse comes up again for scrutiny, that perception has been a major obstacle in the struggle for rights and recognition nationally for LGBT rights. 

I am in no way supporting abuse of teens or early forced initiation by any adults but cases such as these cannot and must not be used to generalize predatory motives by adult consenting male homosexuals. Adults who are attracted to prepubescent persons or even teens and act out such such have been deemed as a disorder not homosexuality in and of itself; but the Star News profits from these kinds of stories as per usual. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM clearly deals with this kind of deviant behaviour but homosexuality was long removed as a disorder from 1973.

Here is the story from the Star News:

SHELDON WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter

Strong sexual allegations have been made against a male teacher at a high school in St Catherine, who has been accused of fondling male students.

It is also been alleged that the teacher is a repeat offender.

"He is unstable moving from school to school for similar offences," a concerned person told THE STAR.

It is being alleged that the teacher has taken a liking to some boys enrolled at the school and has acted on his desires.

"Him holding down male students to kiss them and him asking male students about their penises," an informant shared with our news team.

Further claims are that the educator arrives at the institution in the wee hours of the morning before school begins so he has time to enjoy himself with the students.

Inappropriate

"He is at school at inappropriate times like 5 a.m. with the boys," the source revealed.

A probe by our news team revealed that the school administration met Wednesday to address the complaints. It is unclear if the participation of the boys is voluntary or involuntary.

Head of The Centre For The Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), Deputy Superintendent Veronica Gilzeans, could not be reached as calls to her phone went unanswered.

However, Corporal Terry-Ann Warren of the unit, revealed that information on such cases cannot be disclosed.

"I am not aware of that report and even if I had I couldn't give it to you. CISOCA deals with sexual allegations and child abuse and that in itself will tell you how sensitive such matters are," she said.

We were unable to make contact with any representative of the school's administration.

ENDS

As the article says the participation of the boys is unclear whether they were willing or forced but some questions come to mind yet still:

The informant; do they realise that not reporting such matter to the police is a crime?

How did the informant know such details to tell the Star

Is the Star news serious and realise that male teachers are a rare species and to publish this kind of story may leave an impression that male teachers maybe freaks.

If the concerned persons knows of this why haven't they reported this (outside of the police) the ministry of education or the Jamaica Teachers' Association, JTA so someone can take action if the story is to be believed.

Callers to the various shows have been lumping this kind of behaviour as a reason not to repeal or decriminalize buggery hence persons are holding hard and fast to this thinking, how to break the matter of consent versus abuse is ticklish as the advocacy is much to be desired in that department, the tabloid press has been allowed to run roughshod for years with the lobby being silent outside of the missing sex and sexuality education for generations of persons in the school systems. The recent HFLE matter as well brings to bear the issue as well where our Minister of Education says he is not allowing students to be "conditioned" into seeing homosexuality as natural and normal.

We have a long way to go to change minds.

also see: Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally; podcasts from the Minister and anti gay group Lawyers' Christian fellowship driving the fear mongering imperative as per usual.

also see: Urgent need to discuss Sex & sexuality nationally part 2 and the accompanying podcast of my commentary.

Peace and tolerance

H