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

Friday, April 24, 2015

Bail offered in wounding case

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When fights get ugly ....


A man from the Portmore area in St. Catherine, Shawn Dunn, 21, was offered bail last Thursday, April 16, when he appeared in the Port Maria Resident Magistrate court, St. Mary on charges of unlawful wounding.


Shawn Dunn was offered bail in the sum of $180,000 with surety by senior resident magistrate Andrea Collins. He is expected to report to the Greater Portmore Police Station on Mondays and should reside at his given Portmore address.It is alleged that on Saturday, April 4, the accused, Dunn got into an argument with a young man, Davon Smith in Jacks River. Dunn and Smith got into a fight in which Dunn allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab Mr. Smith several times. 


According to the investigating officer, the incident left Mr. Smith seriously wounded. He received treatment at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, St. Ann.The investigating officer also revealed that Mr. Smith was stabbed all over his body. The officer further noted that Shawn Dunn turned himself in on Monday, April 6, but his injuries seemed to be only superficial scratches he received from the altercation.The complainant, Mr. Smith, who also appeared before the court, was allowed to sit, during the case because of pain from the stabbing incident on April 4.

When RM Andrea Collins enquired about the medical certificate, the investigating officer explained that the complainant has applied for the medical certificate at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.


DRAMA

RM Collins set the bail bond and told the accused, Shawn Dunn that he was to return to court for the case to be mentioned on July 30.However, there was some drama in the court room, as the accused was seen resisting the police officer’s instructions when he was being taken to the holding area and was gesturing angrily in the direction of the complainant that they were telling lies on him. RM Collins, who did not see the incident, asked an officer in close proximity of the incident what had transpired. When she was told, she said to Shawn Dunn and his lawyer: “He seems happier where he is at. 

Maybe he would like to remain in custody until July 30.”“I’m sorry, Your Honour,” replied Shawn Dunn at the persuasion of his lawyer. RM Collins suggested that the accused conduct had to be addressed and instructed the police officer to remove him again to the holding area.The accused was then on a second occasion led out of the court to the holding area without much resistance on that occasion.

A note

The Port Maria Court House is located opposite the Claude Stuart Park and the Port Maria Parish Church. Originally built in 1821, this fine example of Georgian architecture housed the court house and police station until it was gutted by fire in 1988. It was subsequently rebuilt and reopened as the Port Maria Civic Centre in 2000. The imposing nineteenth century court house has had several cases involving some of the country’s best known politicians tried there. The most famous was that for manslaughter against Alexander Bustamante (now National hero) in 1942.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

UK Sports store suspends staff after gay couple branded ‘battymen’

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So Jamaican parlance has made it to merry old UK and manifests its ugly self in an incident reported in the UK press and LGBT platforms. Thanks to Dennis Carney from Black Gay and Proud UK for alerting me to this via Twitter.

Thanks to the steady stream of vitriolic and homophobic murder music as 'art' imitates life and always changing names now internalized and cemented in the national psyche of not only Jamaicans here and abroad but now as this case shows other races who are also anti gay.

We have been called in Jamaica a list of ever changing stigmatizing terms and names such as:


Faggots

He-man

He-she

Chi chi man (TOK popularised) 

Shi-fu man (very old term mostly used in rural areas)

Battyman widely used and as popularised by Beenieman's All Battyman fi Dead and Capleton's Battyman fi get Boom or Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye to name a few.

Number 2 (back in the early days when the previous terms were not popularised yet), also see: Popular Jamaican homophobic words a post I did 2009.



Gavin Matthews with boyfriend Craig Hards

Sporting goods chain JD Sports has suspended a number of staff members – after a gay couple were allegedly referred to as “battymen”.

Gavin Matthews, and his partner Craig Hards say they encountered the homophobic language from staff members at JD Sports on Eltham High Street.

Mr Matthews said in a statement to PinkNews: “As I took a couple of steps in I heard from the rep behind me ‘Der battys in’it’.

“I quickly spun on my heels and stared straight at the individual who was just laughing whilst his colleague, who was no more than one foot from my side, just moved away quickly further into the store.

“My partner returned to my side and I told him in high tones ‘we’re leaving’.

“This is an outrageous homophobic hate crime and I immediately contacted JD sports customer services by email and received two days later a generic apology with a comment that they haven’t experienced this before.”

A spokesman for JD Sports has today confirmed that two members of staff have been suspended over the incident, and that one external member of staff was no longer employed by the company.

A statement to the Standard said: “Mr Matthews informed JD Sports of his complaint via the online customer service centre following the incident on Sunday 5 April.

“A new member of agency staff, who was working on a trial period at the time, unfortunately failed to properly escalate the complaint to the senior management team, who became aware of this incident on Friday 17 April. This individual is no longer working on behalf of JD Sports.

“We deplore discrimination of any kind and take this matter very seriously and took action as soon as this mistake was realised.

“Two employees from our Eltham store were suspended on Saturday 18 April pending a disciplinary hearing which is scheduled to take place later this week. The head of our customer service team spoke with Mr Matthews yesterday and he is aware of the action we are taking and will be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary process.”

ENDS

also see:
JD Sports suspends two staff members after store assistant 'called gay couple battymen'

songs such as Bounty Killa's 'Dat a True' speak to it loudly or Batty Man Dem Flex Like A Sissy ('2009') – Assassin feat. Elephant Man and Bounty Killer:

Dat A True – Bounty Killer

Intro:
They get me cross, angry, miserable/
They're liable and eligible.../
Wha happen to dem faggot?! Maggot!/
He dat plan to a next man shall put to death!/
Quote it from da bible biblically/
It's warlord, I'm killin dem spiritually/
Wha happen to my pride, wha happen to my dignity, wha happen to my liberty, wha happen to my culture, what about morality/
Man to man UNJUST!/
Wha happen to dem faggot?! Maggot?! Cross, fungus!

Chorus:
Batty nuh fi fuck an' dat a tru/
Apologize to who/
Yuh must lose a screw or few/
Yard man nuh play numba 2/
Yuh already knew/
Watch what yuh say or do/
Batty nuh fi fuck, an haffi real, man a killa weh yuh feel, fuck wha yuh believe, if dat will mek wi eat, then wi nuh wan no meal, wi rather sell copper an' no man see

Verse 1:
Man ah artist weh dem use it, mi nuh paint like da vinci/
Cocky mi gi gal so nuh bwoy cyaan pinch me/
Jackie inna mi mind, why dem wan hitch me/
Memba when ku klux klan dem a lynch wi/
Ah coulda weh dem really wan teach di pickney lunch time/
Weh dem bwoy yah livin sickly/
Stand up fi mi culture, dem can not trick me/
Ah coulda ass or mule, dem cyaan kick me/
Man ah nuh slave, so no bwoy cyaan whip me/
Through mi have mi morals, dem wan rubber grip me/
Fi no visa, me nuh mek no bwoy strip me/
Yuh mad!/
Tek back green card an hit me

Chorus

Verse 2:
Cancel two concert an still survivin/
Pat a still put on land cruiser drivin/
Fat pussy gal deh yah undo my zip/
An ah batty some bwoy come eyes 'im/
Battyman inna di church it's not surprisin/
How much yutes yuh see di priest victimizin/
Not realizin jah gon chastize em/
Evil is deep, dem ah di pope idolizin/
Dem see di judgement an' run go knife it/
Clear di way mi hot gal dem a wifey/
Gi gal dem cocky, some bwoy deprivin/
Dat bwoy conniving, mek ah man ah prize him/
Battyman get so old 'im stop hidin/
Mi nuh go a track, mi nuh support nor strike 'im/
God by mi side, inna mi heart mi abide in/
Jah 10 Commandments will forever hide 'im/

Chorus

Cross, angry, maggot, faggot, fungus, germs, baby sperms, wha happen to dem earthworms!/
You kno it's Warlord, it's a holy war, it's a spiritual war, you kno it's warlord!/
It's my culture, it's my nature, it's my experiences, it's nothin I'm fightin against, dat's how I see it, dat's how I live it, dat's how I kno it, dat's how I tell it, dat's how I show it...

Chorus:
Batty nuh fi fuck an' dat a tru/
Apologize to who/
Yuh must lose a screw or few/
Warlord nuh play numba 2/
Yuh already knew/
Watch what yuh say or do/
Batty nuh fi fuck, an haffi real man a killa weh yuh feel, fuck wha yuh believe, if dat will mek wi eat, then wi nuh wan no meal, wi rather sell copper an' no man see

Batty nuh fi fuck an' dat a tru/
Apologize to who/
Yuh must lose a screw or few/
Yard man nuh play numba 2/
Yuh already knew/
Watch what yuh say or do/
Batty nuh fi fuck, an haffi real man a killa weh yuh feel, fuck wha yuh believe, if dat will mek wi eat, then wi nuh wan no meal, wi rather sell copper an' no man see

Closing:
Cross, angry, man to man, UNJUST!/
What happen to dem faggot?! Wha happen to dem fungus?! Yow, go to hell out...

NOTE: these lyrics were found on the internet. They might differ from the song.


plus songs that call for the execution of gay men by others as 'art' imitates the old generational perceptions.

Also see:
Lyrics, not gays, tearing down reggae or dancehall

Street Dance DJs Clash over Playing of Sam Smith song

Dancehall Acts with Anti Gay Legacy Feud

Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye still available on Itunes?

Should we care about dancehall acts & rumours of gaydom?

Not Impressed!!!! Beenieman ..........

Elephant Man's "A Nuh Fi Wi Fault" lyrics

Out a Road: DJs who "hit out" hiding something? ......

Dub Poet DYCR Reiterates his anti gay themed piece

Capleton's "Shot him up" .......

Sizzla Locked Up After 'Cussing' Cops

Deejays seek Obama's help for visa ...

Insensitive parents & Displaced MSMs part 2

Elephant Man's "Wi nuh like gays" lyrics

"Gay Look" for Kartel?

Bounty Killer and his B****man comments at Shaggy's fundraiser 2010

Evidence of our worst export it seems.

Peace & tolerance

H

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Gleaner Editorial: Confront Anti-Gay Bigots

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When Barack Obama referenced Angeline Jackson in his remarks to young leaders during his visit to Jamaica, it was more than a statement about the bravery of an individual and the right of people, whatever their sexual orientation, to enjoy their fundamental human rights in a free and democratic society.

It was a declaration, too, of the nature of leadership: that, at its best, it is conditioned by neither opportunism nor narrow expedience.

We hope that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller heard and was inspired to lead her administration in a frontal legislative defence of this country's gay and lesbian community to love who they wish, without fear of discrimination, official, or otherwise. In other words, it is not enough for the prime minister to designate a member of the Cabinet - as the Americans may have been advised she has done - to trove for complaints about government agencies that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and then use moral suasion in an effort to reverse such bigotry. Nor should such an initiative be secret, as it appears to be.



(photos added for this entry, not at source)

Ms Jackson was 19 when she was raped. Her rapists hid behind the chimera of their action being some kind of corrective therapy for her lesbianism. Instead of slinking off in the darkness, Ms Jackson formed an advocacy organisation, Quality Life Jamaica, for women like herself who have faced such trauma and, as President Obama put it, to push back against such stereotypes.

Said Mr Obama: "But more than anything else, she cares about Jamaica and making it a place where everybody - no matter their colour, or their class, or their sexual orientation - can live in quality and opportunity."

It was a sentiment similar to President Obama's and the bravery of Ms Jackson that we perceived in Mrs Simpson Miller when, during the 2011 election campaign, she rejected notions of a sexuality check for prospective members of Cabinet and promised a parliamentary conscience vote on the law against buggery, the major weapon of terror used to intimidate gay men.

Mrs Simpson Miller and her Government have done little publicly to advance this issue, which requires a major public-education campaign and would benefit from her unique skills of communicating with most Jamaicans.

GOVERNMENT CONSTRAINED

It is easy to understand why Mrs Simpson Miller and Government may be tentative. A Bill Johnson poll for this newspaper last year found that 95 per cent of Jamaicans were in favour of retaining the buggery law. And while more than 80 per cent agreed that gays were not treated fairly in the society, two-thirds felt that they that should not enjoy the same rights as straight people. In other words, it is right for the law and other institutions to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Such attitudes are fanned by fundamentalist Christians, whose unevolved fire-and-brimstone interpretation of scripture helps, in too many circumstances, to reinforce bigotry and constrain governments keen on socially progressive and transformative actions. Put crudely, they influence votes. It would make sense that the fundamentalists undertake a review of their bearings.

At the same time, Mrs Simpson Miller might find that the hold of the fundamentalists and the bigots might be not as powerful as they assume if her leadership advances to the protection of people like Angeline Jackson.


ENDS

Nothing much to add except to reference the Quality Citizenship Tab immediately below to see other posts by date order, new ones appear first including this post so scroll down for more.

As this old Clovis toon implies it's about winning election so explosive matter such as Buggery/Homosexuality may not really get the attention they deserve or be made to become political capital harvesting tools.


In the meantime see:
Health Minister Says Boldness Needed to Change Buggery Laws for HIV Prevention Work to be Effective

Member of Parliament Lloyd B Smith on Of Buggery & Rationality

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

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

Opposition leader (JLP) reiterates his call for a referendum on Buggery ...


Non Governmental Organization Consultant says JLP suggested Referendum on Buggery is not a good idea

Opposition Leader sides with antigay groups on Referendum on The Buggery Law

Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again) says Prime Miniister

Holiness, hypocrisy and homosexuality …Pastors and the buggery law debate

Foreign Affairs Minister says Govt should be cautious on gay rights issues in Jamaica

Promised Conscience Vote on Buggery in Jamaica was a fluke,

PNP’s Bobby Pickersgill differs on Conscience Vote route to decide on Buggery Law

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

The PNP's first 100 days ............. buggery review looks far away

PNP's Damion Crawford says it's highly unlikely buggery review will happen ........ it's not important now 2012

CVM TV @ Sunrise on the Buggery review & JFLAG's 100 days hope for meeting with PM

Gleaner's associate editor on no to theocracy

Milk River PNP Councillor says no to buggery repeal ..............

Monday, April 20, 2015

Kicked Out! Lesbian told to leave home by father as he can’t stand the site of her

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Another case of stigma by appearance and perceived sexual orientation

As more reports come in of problems in the home and communities based on supposed abhorrence predicated on perceived sexual orientation I am a bit concerned as the response systems also seem not to be working in as far as formal LGBT ones are concerned, the lesbian in question did make a report at the insistence of a gay friend and she attempted to do so to an advocacy group but all they seem to have done is collect the report by phone and then no major follow up by them; instead she had to be calling them for what to do next or for further engagement and evidenced by her frustration as she reaches out for advice and some financial intervention.

One hopes that the stipend arrangements for such cases I had redesigned are still in place to assist such individuals or least tweaked for persons who find themselves in such challenges as this one. Fine that reports are being taken but the follow up and closure outside of asylum is still an administrative hiccup it seems.

The matter like most others these days came to my attention via social media which positively affects actions to closure and crisis reporting and a rather lengthy text message from an intervening party who was also included in the social media linkage and at whose house the 22 year old evicted lesbian is staying temporarily. She is also not fully employed which like similar displacement/forced eviction cases makes recovery difficult as support systems as in this community based assisted shelter response the person being assisted is left to the mercy of the kindness (however long it can last or is offered) of that time.

The 22 year old woman who hails from Manchester has been having a series of arguments with her father, according to the young lady who allowed me sharing the matter says her father would repeat a certain line in his rebuttals or rebuke that he cannot stand the site of her as if to send a subtle message that she had to go without saying it in so many words.

Matters came to a head however over the Christmas holidays in 2014 after a gathering at the house of family members and afterwards another one of those sporadic arguments commenced and continued according to the distraught lesbian far longer than usual as was due to her mode of dress for the evening as she was in a white suit presenting as semi butch, the shirt she claimed to have worn was mans and this did not sit well with her father; he claimed at the time it was inappropriate and that as his daughter she was to have presented herself better to the other family members who by the way outwardly do not really express any sign of abhorrence when I asked her if she felt such from them. Sometimes one can get signs from them as well which can suggest how far the rejection of lesbophobia as in this case has spread or is spreading.

The relationship according to the lesbian which was already tense changed for the worse over time and the final blow came in another holiday just ended in Easter interspersed with arguments and standoffs, he then told her the damaging words as usual and issued the ultimatum, his fears according to him was compounded by a revelation that neighbours and others were talking about his manroyal daughter and how she wanted no man.

“Mi nuh want nuh raasclaat manroyal round me, dutty gal......” (I want no [expletive] man royal around me, you dirty girl) the emphasis on ‘manroyal’ is crucial and has factored in previous cases of lesbians and transmen mistaken as lesbian presented aesthetically with masculine features. This hatred of the masculine present in biologically born females is substantiated by songs such as Beenieman’s Man Royal claiming he does not want to seen with such identified or looking persons. So our women also are profiled in this awful misunderstanding of sex, sexual identity and sexuality; a lack most visible in our school systems for several generations hence in part the ignorance playing itself out as in this case in family and community challenges.

He also allegedly went as far as to suggest she should find a man and have a sex life as if to imply some corrective sexual action would hetero-normalise her orientation and by extension her look, a suggestion that has also factored in cases I have seen during my time at JFLAG’s crisis intervention’s desk and via reports to my blog links and so on.

Thanks to the informal crisis shelter assistance from a young man in Porus Manchester for now and she is talking to a cousin in another parish to relocate and find an online job with PPL Register as I suggested to her in a subsequent conversation by phone. There are other stories and unconfirmed reports that I and others are tracking as the traditional spike that occurs when LGBT matters are most public seems evident yet again. Owing to a most public of them all and a shot in visibility by no less a person than the US President during his visit to Jamaica while positive in one sense has a price for some of our brothers and sisters but sometimes inevitable martyrdom is unavoidable, even if LGBTians do not necessarily subscribe to the cause of the struggle they may be affected by the spin offs positive or negatively from same.

As more displacements occur islandwide the trends seem to be suggesting more same gender loving women are factoring as victims and are older as well, just a basic scan islandwide which I attempted in late 2014 proved to me there is a challenge for the population overall and there is hardly any funding for family preservation or re-integration work just now. I am not sure if Obama’s visit will assist or change that department. Our New Kingston group friends have since scattered after the police removal in December 2014 and the outcome presented itself via a brawl just some days ago as one of them was accused of stealing a phone and another phone stealer was sentenced in a dubious case. Other minor clashes with the public have been reported as well but unconfirmed, since the dubious closure of a pilot project in 2009 the welfare and haphazard social issues that attend to MSM/Transgender displacement/homelessness have skyrocketed.

Also see my last post on MSM eviction that I was able to confirm:

Hope this sister keeps her head up and builds from this temporary fall.

Peace and tolerance

also see:



Housing Minister seeks funds for Shelter from NHT Money ....... Will the LGBT Homeless be Assisted?




or the podcast I had done at the time


H

CISOCA Head: buggery cases for boys decreasing, interventions less successful in abused girls

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Speaking at a special media briefing on April 18th the head of Centre for Investigation for Sexual Offences in Child Abuse, CISOCA Superintendent Enid Ross Stewart she highlighted the decrease in Buggery cases for boys, she said that there were only five main cases in train since the start of the year and others have gotten some closure from last year. She highlighted a case of a boy in his teens who opened up to his parents on an abusive situation with a male adult as the perpetrator but when he was taken into office for the CISOCA team to have the resident psycho-social interventions to take effect he closed down on them and denied the allegation even in the absence of the parent in the room during the engagement.

“...when he came to us he said no because he was comfortable speaking to his mother but now he is at CISOCA where he has to speak to one or two officers ....... more persons are getting into his private space; we now have an obligation to record his statement and ask the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution to assist us in going forward.”

She went on to also share that boys seem better to respond to the interventions overall as they feel really violated when paedophiles abuse them and often go through the processes and attend court when needed with support provided to parents, she said girls however take longer in abuse matters and their resolution.

She never gave any figures during the public stage of the exchange.

The unit’s plan for this year were outlined for this year where she went into some detail as to the blitz campaign and branding on JUTC and other buses for example, newspaper, social media and radio campaigns with messaging encouraging persons who know of abuse or where abused as children and now are adults to contact CISOCA of come forward. She says she wants to encourage girls and boys to report early so the interventions can be rolled out to bring closure to matters earlier.

She said many persons are also doing the latter:

“We would have find in recent times that persons who were abused are coming forward to tell us I was abused when I was twelve, thirteen, fourteen; we have about five such cases as we speak.” When asked about the statute of limitations on such cases and late reporting she responded: “No” As for police who are accused of sexually based crimes she continued that many accused persons with that dilemma have been cooperating she said “The list is about 25 as this morning we were taking some off cause of new updates ........ We’re really sanitizing the list and um we had about 25 still remaining on that list, there are police, teachers before the court ....... we’re not looking at those we are actively investigating."


also see a case from January: Cop arrested by CISOCA

“Even if the victims say they don’t want to continue we have an obligation because they may be members of an organization so we must continue; so we send that file; that is one of those files that must go to the Deputy Director of Public Prosecution for a determination.”

CISOCA also said that it will not be deterred by the status of persons in probing allegations against them “An allegation has been made and so the rumour; I don’t like the rumour; rumour dem spreading now; so put it before the court and if it is that you are not guilty they’ll go free but once I hear about the matter, I have a statement I am going to pursue it,” said Sergeant Claudette Hepburn Community Safety and Security Office within CISOCA.

Recent disturbing inappropriate sexual contact allegations with minors and men of the cloth is also a challenge to which CISOCA’s coverage has widened to though not mentioned in this latest engagement but given the Cherry picking and hypocrisy but sections of the Christian community on an anti gay quest they pay little or no attention given to such societal ills yet they have all the strength and money (given the media blitz and full paged ads on a Sunday that are not cheap)and no interventions for victims, no attention to the homeless given recent disturbing reports of said persons rounded up by authorities in preparation of The US President visit earlier in the month.

also see:


National Children’s Summit for Jamaica Conference Centre for August Excludes Sexuality Issues  

The arrest rate for under 16 girls was also raised “Some of these cases are really cold case files we have dug up and made arrests in them; and so we have made more arrests compared to last year but the reporting of the act itself is really on par with last year for under the age of fifteen for rape; it is really a cultural problem our girls and our parents communities believe that once a girl gets to a certain age they should be having sex and it is wrong; we are really destroying our girls.” Said Miss Enid Ross Stewart. The disturbing belief that young men having sex with minors or with a virgin will cure sexually transmitted diseases is still a challenge in today’s Jamaica, it was a challenge for me as well in HIV prevention work I was involved in at the Ministry of Health under the early days of the PLACE project. 

On sex with very young virgins to cure disease Mrs Ross Stewart made this disturbing revelation.

“We had one such report this week, our doctor called me to say ....um ..... She calls me Madame Ross I am looking at a case that disturbs me and I am saying what are you talking about? .......... a young girl nine years of age ....... the young man that had sex with her is twenty years old because she now has an STI all because the young man believed if he had sex with her his STI would go.





I am still concerned also about the continued conflation of paedophilia and homosexuality and hence justification by anti gay voices to block attempts at achieving rights and recognition, thankfully the goodly folks at CISOCA overall thus far are now aware of the difference and treat with specific case types with diligence and understanding, there is still some room for improvement as a recent matter that I was close to was staggered by old beliefs subscribed to by the police involved in prosecuting the matter.

Peace and tolerance

More:

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

Switch-hitting in a Gang War Case ...............

0 comments
A very disturbing bit of news with strong leanings to alleged switch-hitting factoring in a murder case in St Ann has had some persons disturbed as more has come to light with revenge killing resulting of a bisexual man (known to persons who know) he was not directly involved in the feud but was simply at the wrong place and the wrong time it seems.

Jamar 


Previous gang war in February of this year in the depressed and volatile Steer Town community led to the spilling of blood in the street in Ocho Rios at the weekend of February 20 with the shooting death of an area resident.

Sources connected to steer town and police said a woman played a role in luring out and slaying of 23-year-old Jamar Robinson who was believed to be involved in a recent murder in the Steer Town community. Robinson shot dead Friday night, February 20, was the third person from Steer Town, midway between Drax Hall and Davis Town, to be murdered this year.

NOT REPORTED

Before that Friday’s slaying, the most recent murder of a Steer Town resident took place on Saturday evening, February 7 when a man was shot dead in supposed revenge. Police had issued no report of that incident that came to attention of this newspaper only as North Coast Times investigated reports of growing panic and fear in the community. The man was said to operate a car wash but no other details were available.

Just two weeks earlier, another Steer Town man was murdered on the edge of the community. He is 23-year-old David Ellis also called ‘Ozzy P’ of Damhead, Steer Town, St Ann. He was shot and killed on Thursday, January 22, along the Roaring River Main Road.

Police reports are that about 6:15 pm residents heard explosions and called the police. Ellis’ gunshot-riddled body was found. Reports say three men had walked up to him and opened fire before running away.Saturday night’s shooting comes following a show of force by at least seven armed men in Steer Town last Thursday, ahead of a funeral service for Ellis, Saturday.

SHOW OF FORCE

Reports are that men were seen massed in an area in the community and as a police patrol approached, the men fired a barrage of shots in the area. Residents say they were shocked given that the police were no more than 100 metres away when the men opened fire.

Police sources said they were stepping up their operations in the area and expressed concern over the future of Steer Town, a community with dozens of squatters and high levels of unemployment.Friday night’s shooting was a hit, though police have little details about it. However, investigations by a media outlet revealed that Robinson was blamed for a murder in the area. It is not clear if it was for the death of Ellis. However, reports were that some gang members said they had to “make a duppy” to avenge the death of Ellis, before he was buried.A woman was said to be involved and lured out Robinson, under pretense at a romantic night together. 

He her in Ocho Rios. The were walking along the road in the area of DaCosta Drive, part of the highway in front of Taj Mahal shopping centre when at least two men appeared out of bushes and shot Robinson three times, one of the bullets striking him in the head.

The woman was unharmed and escaped. It is not clear if she left in a car that had taken the men to the area.
Police were called to the scene. A senior officer told The Times Monday that all weekend police were working on the case but he refused to say whether they had any leads or theories about what had happened in that case. Jamar is said to have occasionally had contact within the LGBT entertainment scene but very low keyed.

We have seen previous cases of switch hitting allegedly causes challenges and murder as well for example in these previous posts:

LADY SWITCH HITTERS & THE BOYFRIENDS WHO COMPLAIN … (CROSS-POST FROM BLOGGER)

Star News: “They Were Lesbians” or HERE from GLBTQ Jamaica


Also see: Jamaica : Lesbian Shotta Killed Man in quarrel over women Hope some closure can be brought to this a warfare generally is causing all kinds of challenges.


Peace and tolerance

H
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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.

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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.

Some Popular Posts

Are you ready to fight for gay rights and freedoms?? (multiple answers are allowed)

Did U Find This Blog Informative???

Blog Roll

What do you think is the most important area of HIV treatment research today?

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