Do you think the Buggery Law should be?

The Safe House Homeless LGBTQ Project 2009 a detailed look & more


In response to numerous requests for more information on the defunct Safe House Pilot Project that was to address the growing numbers of displaced and homeless LGBTQ youth in Kingston in 2007/8/9, a review of the relevance of the project as a solution, the possible avoidance of present issues with some of its previous residents if it were kept open.
Recorded June 12, 2013; also see from the former Executive Director named in the podcast more background on the project: HERE also see the beginning of the issues from the closure of the project: The Quietus ……… The Safe House Project Closes and The Ultimatum on December 30, 2009

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Study Suggests HIV Causes Rapid Aging of Key Immune Cells

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A new study by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) suggests that HIV causes immune cells to age quicker than normal—potentially causing more rapid HIV disease progression in older people with HIV and earlier onset of aging-related diseases in younger people. These data were published January 26 in the online journal PLoS One.

Experts have noted for some time that people older than 50 tend to have faster disease progression and poorer immune recovery when they become infected with HIV than people who become infected at a younger age. Moreover, evidence is mounting that a host of diseases that typically strike the elderly—such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers—are occurring at much higher rates in people with HIV and at a younger age. All of this has led scientists to question whether HIV might be leading to accelerated aging.

One theory to explain at least some of these phenomena is accelerated aging of immune system cells in people with HIV, a condition called “immune senescence.” When people get older, and their cells have reproduced for many generations, the tips of their mitochondrial DNA—a snippet of the DNA called telomeres—become shorter and more ragged, much like the worn caps at the ends of used shoelaces. When telomeres degrade like this, the cells don’t function or reproduce well. This can cause the body to destroy those cells. It can also lead those cells to become cancerous.


To further illuminate what is happening with telomeres in HIV-positive people, Tammy Rickabaugh, PhD, and Beth Jamieson, PhD, from UCLA, and their colleagues looked at the effect of telomere length on people’s ability to produce and preserve naive CD4 cells—cells that had not previously encountered any pathogens and thus act as a reserve against future infections and cancers.

Rickabaugh’s team looked at the telomeres of four groups of people: One group consisted of HIV-negative people ages 19 to 30; one group consisted of HIV-positive people ages 20 to 32; and a third group included HIV-positive people ages 39 to 58. A fourth group was culled from a separate study and consisted of people with HIV who had been on ARV treatment for two years and whose therapy had successfully kept their HIV under control.

The team found that in the two groups of younger people, the HIV-positive group had much shorter telomeres than the HIV-negative group. In fact, the HIV-positive participants’ telomeres were as short as that typically found in people who are 20 to 30 years older.

In the older participants, Rickabaugh and her colleagues found that shorter telomeres were associated with low numbers of the type of immune cells needed to mount and sustain an adequate response to HIV and other diseases. The authors suggest this could explain why people who become infected at an older age have a quicker progression to AIDS, in the absence of treatment, and also why they tend to have poorer recovery of CD4 cells after starting ARV therapy.

What’s more, when Rickabaugh’s team looked at the group responding well to ARV therapy, they found that telomeres were shorter within just a few years of infection and that while naive cells did recover somewhat after starting treatment, they did not do so completely and remained impaired.

The authors acknowledge that while their study had different findings compared with those of some other studies, they believe their methods were more rigorous than those employed by other researchers, both in terms of the types of naive cells they investigated and because the two groups of younger participants were matched in age.

“Our findings have important implications for the health of both young and old HIV-infected adults,” Rickabaugh said. “They underscore the importance of developing new approaches to boost immune function to complement current treatments, which are exclusively directed against the virus.”

Friday, January 28, 2011

.....And I Know Somebody Heard Him [Listen for David Kato]

0 comments

Kindly contributed by Jair Trice


….And I Know Somebody Heard Him [Listen for David Kato]

by Jair, The Literary Masturbator


…and I know somebody heard him as they bludgeoned him with a hammer [Listen for David Kato]

Blood spurting from his body


Bones Breaking


Organs collapsing


His screams silenced by ignorance and fear [Listen for David Kato]


His cries for help muffled by the cloak of Christian colonialism[Listen for David Kato]


….and I know somebody heard him as he said, “I fear for my life” when they posted his name and image in the, “Rolling Stone” with the admonishment to, “hang them”

His voice fell on deaf ears [Listen for David Kato]


His death represents a dearth of compassion and unconditional love in a time when those should be valued more than diamonds and

gold


...and I know somebody heard him as he joins the ancestors [Listen for David Kato]

The countless, nameless, faceless two-spirited beings that guide us and offers peace that passes all understanding


Safe from the harassment of government and those who claim a Christ that spreads a message of hate


Do you hear him? [Listen for David Kato]


I hear him


In the wind and rain


In the still small voice in my heart that says, “go on...”


Listen for David Kato, and all the others


Speak their names


Make their lives eternal & everlasting


We are all witnesses...


Now it's time to testify....


facebook.com/jair.trice

theliterarymasturbator@gmail.com

theliterarymasturbator.blogspot.com

Copyright©Jair 2011



meanwhile at his funeral the unthinkable occurred:

Violence Erupts at Kato Funeral

DAVID KATO FUNERAL X390

During the funeral in Mukono, Uganda, which was attended by about 300 people, according to Reuters, the pastor grabbed the mike and began screaming, provoking strong reaction from Kato’s friends.

"The world has gone crazy," the pastor said. "People are turning away from the scriptures. They should turn back, they should abandon what they are doing. You cannot start admiring a fellow man."

As he screamed, “It is ungodly,” gay activists stormed the pulpit and grabbed the mike. They were wearing T-shirts featuring Kato's face with sleeves with gay pride colors.

"Who are you to judge others?" a female activist yelled. "We have not come to fight. You are not the judge of us. As long as he's gone to God his creator, who are we to judge Kato?"

Villagers then refused to bury Kato’s body, leading his friends to carry the body to his grave and bury it themselves.

Kato was the advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda. He was found brutally beaten to death Wednesday at his home.

He was one of many gay Ugandans threatened with death on the cover of Rolling Stonenewspaper in October 2010.

I hope after all this his body and by extension his soul will rest in peace.

Peace and tolerance

H

The International Bill of Gender Rights ..........

0 comments

thanks to TransGriot

History of the International Bill of Gender Rights

The restatement of the International Bill of Gender Rights (IBGR) was first drafted in committee and adopted by the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy, Inc. (ICTLEP) at that organization's second annual meeting, held in Houston, Texas, August 26-29, 1993.

The IBGR has been reviewed and amended at subsequent annual meetings of ICTLEP in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

The IBGR is derived from two earlier documents both of which sought to articulate basic human rights for transgendered people. JoAnn Roberts of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, drafted and disseminated a "Bill of Gender Rights" in 1991. Working independently and without knowledge of Roberts' efforts, Sharon Stuart of Cooperstown, New York, published a proposal for a "Gender Bill of Rights" in the 1991 annual meeting newsletter of the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE). Basic concepts in the two documents were similar although each author took a different approach.

Following the first annual meeting of ICTLEP in August of 1992, Ms. Stuart began the work of drafting an expanded Bill of Gender Rights which incorporated Ms. Roberts' work as well as her own proposal. A first draft presented in August of 1993 at ICTLEP's second annual meeting was extensively revised and refined in committee. Major contributors to the 1993 committee's efforts included Dr. Susan Stryker of Berkeley, California, Jan Eaton of Virginia, Martine Rothblatt of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Phyllis Frye of Houston, Texas.

In recent years major contributions to the IBGR's language and punctuation have been made by Alice of Houston, a consummate grammar and punctuation specialist.

Although she has not participated directly in the drafting of the IBGR, the contributions of JoAnn Roberts remain substantial, particularly in the first two sections of the IBGR which form the document's foundations. Ms. Roberts continues to promulgate and distribute her own "Bill of Gender Rights" as amended.

Additional amendments and new sections were added to the IBGR in 1994 and 1995. Minor changes followed in 1996. In her capacity as Gender Rights Director for ICTLEP, Ms. Stuart continues to act as the Principal Drafter and Compiler for the IBGR.


The International Bill For Gender Rights was initially compiled during the 1993International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy conference in Houston and revised during subsequent ICTLEP conferences in 1994 and 1995. It built on the original one compiled by JoAnn Roberts in 1990.


The Right To Define Gender Identity

All human beings carry within themselves an ever-unfolding idea of who they are and what they are capable of achieving. The individuals sense of self is not determined by chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role. Thus, the individuals identity and capabilities cannot be circumscribed by what society deems to be masculine or feminine behavior. It is fundamental that individuals have the right to define, and to redefine as their lives unfold, their own gender identities, without regard to chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

Therefore, all human beings have the right to define their own gender identity regardless of chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role; and further, no individual shall be denied Human or Civil Rights by virtue of a self-defined gender identity which is not in accord with chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

The Right To Free Expression Of Gender Identity

Given the right to define ones own gender identity, all human beings have the corresponding right to free expression of their self-defined gender identity.

Therefore, all human beings have the right to free expression of their self-defined gender identity; and further, no individual shall be denied Human or Civil Rights by virtue of the expression of a self-defined gender identity.

The Right To Secure And Retain Employment And To Receive Just Compensation

Given the economic structure of modem society, all human beings have 8 right to train for and to pursue an occupation or profession as a means of providing shelter, sustenance, and the necessities and bounty of life, for themselves and for those dependent upon them, to secure and retain employment, and to receive just compensation for their labor regardless of gender identity, chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

Therefore, individuals shall not be denied the right to train for and to pursue an occupation or profession, nor be denied the right to secure and retain employment, nor be denied just compensation for their labor, by virtue of their chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role, or on the basis of a self-defined gender identity or the expression thereof.

The Right Of Access To Gendered Space And Participation In Gendered Activity

Given the right to define one's own gender identity and the corresponding right to free expression of a self-defined gender identity, no individual should be denied access to a space or denied participation in an activity by virtue of a self-defined gender identity which i5 not in accord with chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.
Therefore, no individual shall be denied access to a space or denied participation in an activity by virtue of a self-defined gender identity which is not in accord with chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

The Right To Control And Change One's Own Body

All human beings have the right to control their bodies, which includes the right to change their bodies cosmetically, chemically, or surgically, so as to express a self-defined gender identity.

Therefore, individuals shall not be denied the right to change their bodies as a means of expressing a self-defined gender identity; and further, individuals shall not be denied Human or Civil Rights on the basis that they have changed their bodies cosmetically, chemically, or surgically, or desire to do so as a means of expressing a self-defined gender identity.

The Right To Competent Medical And Professional Care

Given the individual's right to define one's own gender identity, and the right to change one's own body as a means of expressing a self-defined gender identity, no individual should be denied access to competent medical or other professional care on the basis of the individual's chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

Therefore, individuals shall not be denied the right to competent medical or other professional care when changing their bodies cosmetically, chemically, or surgically, on the basis of chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

The Right To Freedom From Psychiatric Diagnosis Or Treatment

Given the right to define one's own gender identity, individuals should not be subject to psychiatric diagnosis or treatment solely on the basis of their gender identity or role.

Therefore, individuals shall not be subject to psychiatric diagnosis or treatment as mentally disordered or diseased solely on the basis of a self-defined gender identity or the expression thereof.

The Right To Sexual Expression

Given the right to a self-defined gender identity, every consenting adult has a corresponding right to free sexual expression.

Therefore, no individual's Human or Civil Rights shall be denied on the basis of sexual orientation; and further, no individual shall be denied Human or Civil Rights for expression of a self-defined gender identity through sexual acts between consenting adults.

The Right To Form Committed, Loving Relationships And Enter Into Marital Contracts

Given that all human beings have the right to free expression of self-defined gender identities, and the right to sexual expression as a form of gender expression, a/l human beings have a corresponding right to form committed, loving relationships with one another, and to enter into marital contracts, regardless of their own or their partner's chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role.

Therefore, individuals shall not be denied the right to form committed, loving relationships with one another or to enter into marital contracts by virtue of their own or their partner's chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role, or on the basis of their expression of a self-defined gender identity.

The Right To Conceive, Bear, Or Adopt Children; The Right To Nurture And Have Custody Of Children And To Exercise Parental Capacity

Given the right to form a committed, loving relationship with another, and to enter into marital contracts, together with the right to express a self-defined gender identity and the right to sexual expression, individuals have a corresponding right to conceive and bear children, to adopt children, to nurture children, to have custody of children, and to exercise parental capacity with respect to children, natural or adopted, without regard to chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, or initial gender role, or by virtue of a self-defined gender identity or the expression thereof.

Therefore, individuals shall not be denied the right to conceive, bear, or adopt children, nor to nurture and have custody of children, nor to exercise parental capacity with respect to children, natural or adopted, on the basis of their own, their partner's, or their children's chromosomal sex, genitalia, assigned birth sex, initial gender role, or by virtue of a self-defined gender identity or the expression thereof.

The Purpose and Effect of the International Bill of Gender Rights

The IBGR strives to express fundamental human and civil rights from a gender perspective. However, the ten rights enunciated below are not to be viewed as special rights applicable to a particular interest group, i.e. transgendered people. Nor are these rights limited in application to persons for whom gender identity and role issues are of paramount concern. All ten sections of the IBGR are universal rights which can be claimed and exercised by every human being regardless of their sex or gender.

The IBGR is a theoretical expression which has no force of law absent its adoption by legislative bodies or recognition of its principles by courts of law, or by administrative agencies and international structures such as the United Nations.

In recent years the IBGR's principles have been embodied in various legislative initiatives designed to protect the rights of transgendered people. Several of these initiatives have been adopted by municipalities in widely scattered sections of the USA. Meanwhile, the rights of transgendered people are gaining increased recognition and protection in countries such as Canada, South Africa, Australia, Great Britain and throughout western Europe.

Apart from legislative reform, individuals are free to adopt the universal truths expressed in the IBGR, and to lead their lives accordingly. In this fashion, the truths embodied in the IBGR will liberate and empower humankind in ways that transcend the powers of legislatures, judges, government officials and diplomats.

As the principles of the IBGR are understood, embraced, and given expression by humankind, the acts of legislatures and the pronouncements of courts and related structures will necessarily follow. Thus, the paths of free expression trodden by millions of human beings seeking to define and express their own identities and give meaning to their lives will ultimately determine the course of our culture and civilization.

The IBGR is a transformative and revolutionary document but it is grounded in the bedrock of individual liberty and free expression. As our lives unfold these kernels of truth are here for all who would claim and execise them.exercise them.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Death of Ugandan LGBT Activists sparks online hate .......

0 comments
Here is one of the reports on the death pf David Kato that has sparked the comments:

Ugandan gay rights activist murdered: a horrible inevitability

By Tom Chivers World Last updated: January 27th, 2011

Grim news from Uganda. Some of you may remember a few months ago I wrote about an appalling story in that country, in which a newspaper called Rolling Stone (unrelated, of course, to the music mag) did a “name and shame” of Uganda’s “top 100 homos”, disgustingly reminiscent of a British newspaper’s similar piece about sex offenders in 2001.
“Hang them”, the front page said.
Now, of course, David Kato, an outspoken Ugandan gay rights activist, has been found beaten to death in his home. He had been attacked with a hammer. The inevitability is sickening.
Police are saying that it was a robbery gone wrong, not a hate crime, but – understandably, given that homophobia is state-sponsored in the country – other activists are profoundly unconvinced.
Last time I wrote on this, I placed some of the blame on US evangelicals who had gone to Uganda and co-authored a bill by the government making homosexuality a criminal act, although one of them - Reverend Scott Lively – did say they had gone too far by making it punishable by death. I slightly regretted that, as it removes culpability from the Ugandans themselves – homophobia is endemic in much of Africa, among Muslims, Christians and others, and the continent must take responsibility for its dreadful record in that area.

That said, Val Kalende, the chairperson of one of Uganda’s gay rights groups, would disagree with me on that point. “David’s death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by US evangelicals in 2009,” he said. “The Ugandan government and the so-called US evangelicals must take responsibility for David’s blood.” I don’t know the full extent, although I think we can agree that the evangelicals do not come out of this looking good; nonetheless, we shouldn’t use their involvement to whitewash the vicious attitudes of a lot of Africans.
We tend to think, in this country, that virulent anti-gay feeling of this kind is a thing of the past. In the main, it is, here (although sometimes, when I write on the topic and read the comments it receives, I start to doubt it) –as shown by the B&B case the other week, our legal system protects the rights of homosexuals, and bigotry is on the wane. But this is a horrible reminder that, worldwide, the battle is far from won.

ENDS

As usual the ugly comments followed on the facebook page of On The Ground News Report but there sensible ones interspersed in all the madness:

Some read as follows:

  • Rip. Lesson: If your gay keep it to yourself.

  • Seet deh....Batty bway a dead worldwide...Come off a wi case JFJ and JFLAG....Unnu wrong plus tax.

  • OGNR you really pushing it now. Anywhere in the world there is a GAY story you find it.

  • Ignorance at its highest. That's y some of these countries will never be better than they are. Ignorant asses.

  • He who is without sin cast the first stone. I wonder how pure and righteous the killers were. Leave them to God! Why are they so bothered and concerned about the salvation of homosexuals? Only God sits high enough to judge

  • Watch the morons and ignoramuses on here make thier stupid comments...

  • The funny thing about this is that some of those same evangelists are hiding in closets and were in Uganda to touch little black boys.

  • Murder is murder. Each person has a choice to decide how he or she lives. We may not agree with certain behaviour but should we kill those that offend us by their lifestyles?

  • The bible speaks about Jesus hanging out at bars and brothels, I wonder if he hung out with gay people too? Afterall, he never came to save the so called righteous!! Sin is sin, whether one lies, steal, fornicate, lust, covet or kill. So "if" being gay is a sin and it requires killing, why don't we kill are the liars, thieves etc?

  • It's amazing how many ignorant folks think it is OK to kill someone because they think and act different from you. If that was indeed legal then I guess Christians would be killing Muslims and Muslims would be killing Jews. No wonder Jamaica is having a brain drain because of stupid people like you with this belief system. Believe it or not Gay people are among you and they are here to stay and no amount of killing them will make the "disease" go away...It's a pity how some people will make openly anti-gay remarks but behind closed doors they say something totally different...Wake up people, People have to live their lives and you should live yours for you because like them or not, gay people are our Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, Priests, Bankers, Teachers..,etc. Get educated and get over it.

  • Every country that upholds such behavior WILL be destroyed (homosexuality, abortions, senseless murders, etc) are all demonic behaviors and I will not accept it just because it's the norm or because everybody else does. It's wrong and that's that. MY BIBLE INSTRUCTS ME TO ACT ON AND SPEAK THE WORD OF YHWH AND DON'T CARE WHO GET OFFENDED SO IF YUH OFFENDED OH DAMN WELL...maybe it's time you make some changes! Str8

  • You know what as much as I don't agree with homosexuality I notice in half the countries that are so homophobic the crime rates are very high, and I don't see people see multiple reports of people hunting down gunmen and theives or child molesters and beating them to death! A bunch of bloody hypocrites! You follow and uphold one commandment follow all of them and uphold all!

  • I say get rid of as many as u can ppl this world is turning into sadum and have too much so call interlect supporting a lifestyle that bares no morals or benefit of its kind to society. They as benefical as the number zero has no prepose I say get rid of it, if u have a dead branch on a tree u cut of before it grain the life out off the entire tree homosexual or like a dead brach.

  • you fail to realise that homosexuality is not a choice, Its something that they are born with and as for heterosexuals not "throwing their sexuality in their faces" what do you call people kissing in the subway or in restaurants? Jamaica isn't "homophobic" and the ignorant people commenting on this thread should realise that. Homophobia means "an irrational fear of people who have sex with someone of the same sex". I have often been to strip joints in Kgn, Mobay and Ocho Rios and see women dancing on stage and other women up there OPENLY kissing, touching and actually having sex with them and the men...and some women in the crowd go wild..Why is that accepted but 2 men aren't? There is no such bullshit as one sin is worse than the other so if you believe that it is a sin then adultery, stealing etc should all be judged as harsh too by society but it isn't. People fear what they don't understand and only with education can the country change. As it is the blind is leading the blind and no-one is thinking for themselves..

  • I wanna know what would happen if the government just out of following the commandments, found all those men who beat that man and explain to them that 'you just took someone's life hence you will be punished!' what dem would do?

  • I find it most interesting how people can quote the Bible (the most translated and interpreted book of all times) to justify, hatred, slavery, oppression of women etc. Then they pull on the Sodom & Gomorrah story to again, to justify their hatred of homosexuals, do you even know what that story is about? If you are one to live by the Bible, remember only God will judge humanity, gay or straight, not you.

  • stupid people arguing about gay shit. yall will never agree some think them feh dead, some think they should be accepted. lets all just agree to disagree. who the hell knows why the kill this batty bwoy and who really gives a fuck other than the fact that it is sad that a person was killed. yall go find productive things
    to
    do
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • same men who are advocating violence against gays are often times the same ones who are, let me say it plainly, sucking their girls pussy and fucking them in the arse...what does that make you? Let's round y'all up and send a bullet to the head, shall we? *laced with sarcasm*

Go here to see the rest of the thread

Interesting sections of radio is also doing some subtle things with the playing of songs that have undertones of anti homosexual messages and using gunshot type special effects looping them repeatedly and in the dancehall medium that means gunshots for whoever depending on the context played.

Peace and tolerance

H
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A look at the fear of the feminine (Effemophobia) by Jamaican standards & how it drives the homo-negative perceptions/homophobia in Jamaican culture/national psyche.



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After catching midway a radio discussion on the subject of Jamaica being labelled as homophobic I did a quick look at the long held belief in Jamaica by anti gay advocates, sections of media and homophobes that several murders of alleged gay victims are in fact 'crimes of passion' or have jealousy as their motives but it is not as simple or generalized as that.

Listen without prejudice to this and other podcasts on one of my Soundcloud channels

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Aphrodite’s PRIDE JA tackles gender identity, transgender misconceptions .....



Nationwide New Network, NNN devoted some forty five minutes of prime time yesterday evening to discuss the issue and help listeners to at least begin to process some of the information coming from the most public declaration exercise as done by Jenner. Guests on the show were Dr Karen Carpenter Board Certified Clinical Sexologist and Psychologist, ‘Satiba’ from Aphrodite’s P.R.I.D.E Jamaica of which I am affiliated and Lecturer (Sociologist) and host of Every Woman on the station Georgette Crawford Williams (sister of PNP member of parliament Damian Crawford); one of the first questions thrown at Satiba by host Cliff Hughes was why has Jenna waited so long at 65 years old to make such a life changing decision?

Satiba responded that many transwomen have to hide their true identity in life .... given her life when she was younger she was a star athlete she would have been under tremendous precious to stay in from the expectations by the public and her team etc, also owing to the fact that she had a family as a man with children one may not want to upset the flow at that time until the kids are old enough. There is a lot of burden of guilt that some persons carry in weighing the decisions of coming out or transitioning so suppression of one’s true self is the modus operandi.

Dr Carpenter cautioned after a heated exchange:

“We really must remember as professionals we must stay in our lane I will never pronounce as a Sociologist cause I am not a Sociologist ............When we have an opportunity to speak publicly we must be careful of what we say unless it is extremely well informed......”


Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica, APJ launched their website


Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica, APJ launched their website on December 1 2015 on World AIDS Day where they hosted a docu-film and after discussions on the film Human Vol 1






audience members interacting during a break in the event


film in progress

visit the new APJ website HERE

See posts on APJ's work: HERE (newer entries will appear first so scroll to see older ones)

Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Homophobia - What are we afraid of?


Former host of Dr Sexy Live on Nationwide radio and Sexologist tackles in a simplistic but to the point style homophobia and asks the poignant question of the age, What really are we as a nation afraid of?


It seems like homosexuality is on everyone's tongue. From articles in the newspapers to countless news stories and commentaries, it seems like everyone is talking about the gays. Since Jamaica identifies as a Christian nation, the obvious thought about homosexuality is that it is wrong but only male homosexuality seems to influence the more passionate responses. It seems we are more open to accepting lesbianism but gay men are greeted with much disapproval.

Dancehall has certainly been very clear where it stands when it comes to this issue with various songs voicing clear condemnation of this lifestyle. Currently, quite a few artistes are facing continuous protests because of their anti-gay lyrics. Even the law makers are involved in the gayness as there have been several calls for the repeal of the buggery law. Recently Parliament announced plans to review the Sexual Offences Act which, I am sure, will no doubt address homosexuality.

Jamaica has been described as a homophobic nation. The question I want to ask is: What are we afraid of? There are usually many reasons why homosexuality is such a pain in the a@. Here are some of the more popular arguments MORE HERE

also see:
Dr Shelly Ann Weeks on Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation


Sexuality - What is yours?

Promised conscience vote was a fluke from the PNP ........



SO WE WERE DUPED EH? - the suggestion of a conscience vote on the buggery law as espoused by Prime Minister (then opposition leader) in the 2011 leadership debate preceding the last national elections was a dangling carrot for a dumb donkey to follow.

Many advocates and individuals interpreted Mrs Simpson Miller's pronouncements as a promise or a commitment to repeal or at least look at the archaic buggery law but I and a few others who spoke openly dismissed it all from day one as nothing more than hot air especially soon after in February member of parliament Damian Crawford poured cold water on the suggestion/promise and said it was not a priority as that time. and who seems to always open his mouth these days and revealing his thoughts that sometimes go against the administration's path.

I knew from then that as existed before even under the previous PM P. J. Patterson (often thought to be gay by the public) also danced around the issue as this could mean votes and loss of political power. Mrs Simpson Miller in the meantime was awarded a political consultants' democracy medal as their conference concludes in Antigua.


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



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

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

This is laughable to me in a sense as both gentleman have broken the ethical lines of advocacy respectively repeatedly especially on HIV/AIDS and on legal matters concerning LGBTQ issues

The evidence is overwhelming readers/listeners, you decide.


Fast forward 2015 and the exchanges continue in a post from Dr Wayne West: Maurice Tomlinson misrepresents my position on his face book page and Blog 76Crimes

Tomlinson's post originally was:






Urgent Need to discuss sex & sexuality II






Following a cowardly decision by the Minister(try) of Education to withdraw an all important Health Family Life, HFLE Manual on sex and sexuality

I examine the possible reasons why we have the homo-negative challenges on the backdrop of a missing multi-generational understanding of sexuality and the focus on sexual reproductive activity in the curriculum.

also see:

and





Calls for Tourism Boycotts are Nonsensical at This Time





(2014 protests New York)

Calling for boycotts by overseas based Jamaican advocates who for the most part are not in touch with our present realities in a real way and do not understand the implications of such calls can only seek to make matters worse than assisting in the struggle, we must learn from, the present economic climate of austerity & tense calm makes it even more sensible that persons be cautious, will these groups assist when there is fallout?, previous experiences from such calls made in 2008 and 2009 and the near diplomatic nightmare that missed us; especially owing to the fact that many of the victims used in the public advocacy of violence were not actual homophobic cases which just makes the ethics of advocacy far less credible than it ought to be.

See more explained HERE from a previous post following the Queen Ifrica matter and how it was mishandled

Newstalk 93FM's Issues On Fire: Polygamy Should Be Legalized In Jamaica 08.04.14



debate by hosts and UWI students on the weekly program Issues on Fire on legalizing polygamy with Jamaica's multiple partner cultural norms this debate is timely.

Also with recent public discourse on polyamorous relationships, threesomes (FAME FM Uncensored) and on social.

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Do you think Lesbians could use their tolerance advantage to help push for gay rights in Jamaica??

Violence & venom force gay Jamaicans to hide



a 2009 Word focus report where the history of the major explosion of homeless MSM occurred and references to the party DVD that was leaked to the bootleg market which exposed many unsuspecting patrons to the public (3:59), also the caustic remarks made by former member of Parliament in the then JLP administration.

The agencies at the time were also highlighted and the homo negative and homophobic violence met by ordinary Jamaican same gender loving men.

The late founder of the CVC, former ED of JASL and JFLAG Dr. Robert Carr was also interviewed.

At 4:42 that MSM was still homeless to 2012 but has managed to eek out a living but being ever so cautious as his face is recognizable from the exposed party DVD, he has been slowly making his way to recovery despite the very slow pace.

Thanks for your Donations

Hello readers,

Thank you for your donations via Paypal in helping to keep this blog going, my limited frontline community work, temporary shelter assistance at my home and related costs. Please continue to support me and my allies in this venture that has now become a full time activity. When I first started blogging in late 2007 it was just as a pass time to highlight GLBTQ issues in Jamaica under then JFLAG's blogspot page but now clearly there is a need for more forumatic activity which I want to continue to play my part while raising more real life issues pertinent to us.

Donations presently are accepted via Paypal where buttons are placed at points on this blog(immediately below, GLBTQJA (Blogspot), GLBTQJA (Wordpress) and the Gay Jamaica Watch's blog as well. If you wish to send donations otherwise please contact: glbtqjamaica@live.com or lgbtevent@gmail.com



Activities & Plans: ongoing and future
  • Work with other Non Governmental organizations old and new towards similar focus and objectives

  • To find common ground on issues affecting GLBTQ and straight friendly persons in Jamaica towards tolerance and harmony

  • Exposing homophobic activities and suggesting corrective solutions

  • Continuing discussion on issues affecting GLBTQ people in Jamaica and elsewhere

  • Welcoming, examining and implementing suggestions and ideas from you the viewing public

  • Present issues on HIV/AIDS related matters in a timely and accurate manner

  • Assist where possible victims of homophobic violence and abuse financially, temporary shelter(my home) and otherwise

  • Track human rights issues in general with a view to support for ALL
Thanks again for your support.

Tel: 1-876-841-2923




Peace

Information & Disclaimer


Individuals who are mentioned or whose photographs appear on this site are not necessarily Homosexual, HIV positive or have AIDS.

This blog contains pictures that may be disturbing. We have taken the liberty to present these images as evidence of the numerous accounts of homophobic violence meted out to alleged gays in Jamaica.

Faces and names withheld for the victims' protection.

This blog not only watches and covers LGBTQ issues in Jamaica and elsewhere but also general human rights and current affairs where applicable.

This blog contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please view labels, post list or exit.

Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics.

This blog is not designed to provide medical care, if you are ill, please seek medical advice from a licensed practitioner

Thanks so much for your kind donations and thoughts.

As for some posts, they contain enclosure links to articles, blogs and or sites for your perusal, use the snapshot feature to preview by pointing the cursor at the item(s) of interest. Such item(s) have a small white dialogue box icon appearing to their top right hand side.

Recent Homophobic Cases

CLICK HERE for related posts/labels and HERE from the gayjamaicawatch's BLOG containing information I am aware of. If you know of any such reports or incidents please contact lgbtevent@gmail.com or call 1-876-841-2923

Peace to you and be safe out there.

Love.


What to do if you are attacked (News You Can Use)


First, be calm: Do not panic; it may be very difficult to maintain composure if attacked but this is important.

Try to reason with the attacker: Establish communication with the person. This takes a lot of courage. However, a conversation may change the intention of an attacker.

Do not try anything foolish: If you know outmaneuvering the attacker is impossible, do not try it.

Do not appear to be afraid: Look the attacker in the eye and demonstrate that you are not fearful.

This may have a psychological effect on the individual.

Emergency numbers

The police 119

Kingfish 811

Crime Stop 311

Steps to Take When Contronted or Arrested by Police


a) Ask to see a lawyer or Duty Council

b) Only give name and address and no other information until a lawyer is present to assist

c) Try to be polite even if the scenario is tensed) Don’t do anything to aggravate the situation

e) Every complaint lodged at a police station should be filed and a receipt produced, this is not a legal requirement but an administrative one for the police to track reports

f) Never sign to a statement other than the one produced by you in the presence of the officer(s)

g) Try to capture a recording of the exchange or incident or call someone so they can hear what occurs, place on speed dial important numbers or text someone as soon as possible

h) File a civil suit if you feel your rights have been violated. When making a statement to the police have all or most of the facts and details together for e.g. "a car" vs. "the car" represents two different descriptions

j) Avoid having the police writing the statement on your behalf except incases of injuries, make sure what you want to say is recorded carefully, ask for a copy if it means that you have to return for it

What to do


a. Make a phone call: to a lawyer or relative or anyone

b. Ask to see a lawyer immediately: if you don’t have the money ask for a Duty Council

c. A Duty Council is a lawyer provided by the state

d. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police

e. Tell your lawyer if anyone hits you and identify who did so by name and number

f. Give no explanations excuses or stories: you can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decided

g. Ask the sub officer in charge of the station to grant bail once you are charged with an offence

h. Ask to be taken before a justice of The Peace immediately if the sub officer refuses you bail

i. Demand to be brought before a Resident Magistrate and have your lawyer ask the judge for bail

j. Ask that any property taken from you be listed and sealed in your presence

Cases of Assault:An assault is an apprehension that someone is about to hit you

The following may apply:

1) Call 119 or go to the station or the police arrives depending on the severity of the injuries

2) The report must be about the incident as it happened, once the report is admitted as evidence it becomes the basis for the trial

3) Critical evidence must be gathered as to the injuries received which may include a Doctor’s report of the injuries.

4) The description must be clearly stated; describing injuries directly and identifying them clearly, show the doctor the injuries clearly upon the visit it must be able to stand up under cross examination in court.

5) Misguided evidence threatens the credibility of the witness during a trial; avoid the questioning of the witnesses credibility, the tribunal of fact must be able to rely on the witness’s word in presenting evidence

6) The court is guided by credible evidence on which it will make it’s finding of facts

7) Bolster the credibility of a case by a report from an independent disinterested party.

Sexual Health / STDs News From Medical News Today

VACANT AT LAST! SHOEMAKERGULLY: DISPLACED MSM/TRANS PERSONS WERE IS CLEARED DECEMBER 2014





CVM TV carried a raid and subsequent temporary blockade exercise of the Shoemaker Gully in the New Kingston district as the authorities respond to the bad eggs in the group of homeless/displaced or idling MSM/Trans persons who loiter there for years.

Question is what will happen to the population now as they struggle for a roof over their heads and food etc. The Superintendent who proposed a shelter idea (that seemingly has been ignored by JFLAG et al) was the one who led the raid/eviction.

Also see:
the CVM NEWS Story HERE on the eviction/raid taken by the police

also see a flashback to some of the troubling issues with the populations and the descending relationships between JASL, JFLAG and the displaced/homeless GBT youth in New Kingston: Rowdy Gays Strike - J-FLAG Abandons Raucous Homosexuals Misbehaving In New Kingston

also see all the posts in chronological order by date from Gay Jamaica Watch HERE and GLBTQ Jamaica HERE

GLBTQJA (Blogger): HERE

see previous entries on LGBT Homelessness from the Wordpress Blog HERE

May 22, 2015 update, see: MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston



THE BEST OF & Recommended Audioposts/Podcasts


THE BEST OF & Recommended Audioposts/Podcasts 




The Prime Minister (Golding) on Same Sex Marriages and the Charter of Rights Debate (2009)


Other sides to the msm homeless saga (2012)


Rowdy Gays Matter 21.08.11 more HERE



Ethical Professionlism & LGBT Advocates 01.02.12 more HERE


Portia Simpson Miller - SIMPSON MILLER DEFENDS GAY COMMENT 23.12.11


2 SGL Women lost, corrective rape and virtual silence from the male dominated advocacy structure


Al Miller on UK Aid & The Abnormality of Homosexuality 19.11.11


Homosexuality is Not Illegal in Jamaica .... Buggery is despite the persons gender 12.11.11 MORE HERE 


MSM Homelessness 2011 ...my two cents


Black Friday for Gays in Jamaica More HERE


Bi-phobia by default from supposed LGBT advocate structures?


Homeless MSMs Saga Timeline 28.08.11 (HOT!!!) see more HERE


A Response to Al Miller's Abnormality of Homosexuality statement 19.11.11


UK/commonwealth Aid Matter & The New Developments, no aid cuts but redirecting, ethical problems on our part - 22.11.11


Homophobic Killings versus Non Homophobic Killings 12.07.12


Big Lies, Crisis Archiving & More MSM Homlessness Issues 12.07.12


More MSM Challenges July 2012 more sounds HERE


GLBTQ Jamaica 2011 Summary 02.01.12 more HERE


Homosexuality Destroying the Family? .............. I Think Not!


Lesbian issues left out of the Jamaican advocacy thrust until now?


Club Heavens The Rebirth 12.02.12 and more HERE


Should gov't provide shelter for homeless msm?


National attitudes to gays survey shows 78% of J'cans say NO to buggery repeal


1st Anniversary of Homeless MSM civil disobedience (Aug 23/4) 2012 more HERE


JFLAG's rejection of rowdy homeless msms & the Sept 21st standoff .........


Atheism & Secularism may cloud the struggle for lgbt rights in Jamaica more HERE


Urgent Need to discuss sex & sexuality II and more HERE


MSM Community Displacement Concerns October 2012


The UTECH abuse & related issues


Beenieman's hypocrisy & his fake apology in his own words and more HERE


Guarded about JFLAG's Homeless shelter


Homophobia & homelessness matters for November 2012 ................


Cabinet delays buggery review, says it's not a priority & more ...........................(November 2012) prior to the announcement of the review in parliament in June 2013 More sounds HERE


"Dutty Mind" used in Patois Bible to describe homosexuals


Homeless impatient with agencies over slow progress for promised shelter 2012 More HERE


George Davis Live - Dr Wayne West & Carole Narcisse on JCHS' illogical fear


Homeless MSM Issues in New Kgn Jan 2013 .......


Homeless MSM challenges in Jamaica February 2013 more HERE


JFLAG Excludes Homeless MSM from IDAHOT Symposium on Homelessness 2013


Poor leadership & dithering are reasons for JFLAG & Jamaica AIDS Support’s temporary homelessness May 2013 more HERE


Response To Flagging a Dead Horse Free Speech & Gay Rights 10.06.13