The Safe House 2009 Pilot for LGBTQ Youth Explained & 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 New 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

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

LGBTQ's Crisis communication takes another hit from the reiligious right

So the Love March people are at it again this time challenging the veracity of the gay lobby's stance on homophobic violence in Jamaica but using overseas cases to back their argument showing how out of touch they are with the issues attendant to the struggle over the years. JFLAG also is to be blamed for a faulty crisis communication strategy over the years as well as the cases have not been properly presented to the public in a timely and open fashion.

I am in no way suggesting that the lobby group be online the bearer of bad news but persons need to see the real outcomes for some LGBTians as proof of the claims of abuse and deaths and that strategy must also include gay on gay crimes to show that issues also occur within the community and the internalized homophobia that is affected by the homophobia and homonegativity in the mainstream as well.

What other ways are there to convince a cynical and hardlined homophobic public but to put the truth in their faces.

Here is the letter from the Jamaica Observer:

Lies and deception fuel the homosexual lobby


Dear Editor,

When members of the gay lobby accuse the church of being morally bankrupt because of a stance for sexual purity, we know that the proverbial moral compass doesn't work in every man's hand.
But it is quite logical that if we behave as if there is no God, and man is the captain of his self, living by his own rules, making them up as he goes along, we end up with everything but reality.


One must be very intelligent to be sane and at the same time insinuate that God is flawed, and that your little group of ants knows better. Let's try some simple math here, and be honest. What percentage of information that exists now in the world do you know? Add that to the percentage of history you know, plus what percentage of the future you know. If you hit one per cent you are brilliant; but still pitifully ignorant compared to God. (If you went over one per cent you are fooling yourself, but you would still be pitiful and ignorant compared to God... just saying).

The mantra of the Love March Movement, an organisation dedicated to sexual purity for Jamaica, is a scripture that sheds light on a very important question. Can anyone be ex-gay? 1st Corinthians 6:9, 11 is true and shows the power the infallible (God) has.

Don't be fooled, it says, the sexually immoral, male prostitutes, homosexuals....will inherit the kingdom of God. "And that is what some of you were", but Jesus made you clean and paid the price for your sin. So ants, under the influence of the 'Prince of Ants', say that homosexuality is part of who they are, irremovable and permanent. God says it is sin, the person is redeemable and homosexuality is a choice.

This is another classic episode of ants vs God; Who is more intelligent again? (Recall calculation above). The Word of God does say that man is born in sin and shaped in iniquity. From this view we understand that sin does affect us from birth, and the 'Prince and Afflictor of Ants', whose ultimate plan is destruction, capitalises on this rule, predisposing us to varying destructive habits. The Word, whether one believes it or not, rules the world. And it always makes sense, unlike claims to being born homosexual with the forever-evasive genetic evidence.

It is important also that one does not perpetuate lies, a man is not homosexual when he has feelings or thoughts about another man, any more than a murderer is a person who thinks of killing someone. One can control his thoughts, and actions, especially if he submits to God.

We all have shortcomings, but Jesus bore our pain that we would be free from the reign of sin. Hopefully this is an unconscious ploy to convince everyone who has had a thought about someone of the same sex, that they are gay. This is not so!

Truth reigns and we can't listen too much to factophobic personnel.

What is true is this; we are at a crossroads in our nation. Poison that shaved overpowered nations and brought them into darkness are fixed on this nation. The LGBTTTIMZ (what does the A in JFLAG mean?) lobby is putting pressure on us to repeal our buggery law. This law stands in the way of the complete resocialisation of our society. If it is touched, we lose it, if we lose it, vaginal and anal penetration will be equated.

This, of course, seems like a non-issue, but the implications are paramount. If male to male anal penetration is considered normal behaviour, then it must be taught in schools. Jamaicans in Canada are having serious issues, because the schools are teaching homosexuality as normal behaviour to their children and when they ask if the children can be removed from the classes, the parents are told they cannot!

This, of course, seems like a non-issue, but the implications are paramount. If male to male anal penetration is considered normal behaviour, then it must be taught in schools. Jamaicans in Canada are having serious issues, because the schools are teaching homosexuality as normal behaviour to their children and when they ask if the children can be removed from the classes, the parents are told they cannot!

The education system is further impacted where teachers who disagree with teaching this material are in danger of losing their jobs! (eg, in California). The destruction of the society continues, there is loss of freedom of speech. If that sort of anal behaviour is normal, then marriage must be allowed as well, between men!

There is loss of freedom of religion. In England last week, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Lillian Ladele, a marital officer, had no right to refuse to marry a gay couple. She even offered to work on a different shift, so that someone else would be able to accommodate them. She was fired for acting on her beliefs!

Where is our highest court? It is in England!! If our law is repealed and a case goes to the Privy Council, do we know on which side the decision will stand?

But this country will not turn out like those. We will protect our civil rights and liberties. The rights of many will not be lost for the pleasure of a few. We are not just standing for sexual purity because God says so, we are standing for sexual purity because it makes sense! There is clear evidence that what the LGBTTTIMZ lobby wants is not equality, it is dominance!

France, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, America, Australia, all these powerhouses have been lured in by this victim, pity me, so-called "equality rights" campaign. I can hear the soft music now, and all they have got is the bowing of every aspect of their society to the aggressive, all-consuming, deception-brewing, totalitarian, ants-know-better-than-God campaign.

We should not allow homosexuality to be ingrained into the fabric of our culture and society. We must protect our families, we must protect our children, or at least protect mine. I have not even got into the medical reasons for keeping the buggery law. But I will. I welcome all fact-loving, well-thinking Jamaicans to stand with me.

We are Jamaicans, we stand for sexual purity and the family.

Daniel Thomas
Love March Movement


ENDS

The Love March Movement are connected to the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, The Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society  JCHS and other right winged religious groups who supposedly are opposed to homosexual rights in Jamaica, interestingly Dr Wayne West who is one of the founders of the JCHS has a proclivity for posts on his blog on fisting, felching and fishing practices that are done by mostly European sub groups in their msm communities. Not even local gay groups promote such activities yet an anti gay group chooses to use those practices to smear us supposedly for its shock value to his readers. Intellectual dishonesty or a fetish being masked via anti gay sentiments?

Peace and tolerance

H

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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)

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, see: MP Seeks Solutions For Homeless Gay Youth In New Kingston


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 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 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.


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Homeless MSM Challenges and relationships with agencies overview ........



In a shocking move JFLAG decided not to invite or include homeless MSM in their IDAHO activity for 2013 thus leaving many in wonderment as to the reason for their existence or if the symposium was for "experts" only while offering mere tokenism to homeless persons in the reported feeding program. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ENTRY HERE sad that the activity was also named in honour of one of JFLAG's founders who joined the event via Skype only to realise the issue he held so dear in his time was treated with such disrespect and dishonour. Have LGBT NGOs lost their way and are so mainstream they have forgotten their true calling?

also see a flashback to some of the issues with the populations and the descending relationships between JASL, JFLAG and the displaced/homeless LGBT 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

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.

Popular Posts

RJR - Surprise Yes vote by Ja on Sexual Orientation Removal from Summary Executions Resolution

Beyond the Headlines host Dionne Jackson Miller has Arlene Harrison Henry and Maurice Tonlinson on Human RIghts Day 2012 on the the removal of language in the form of sexual orientation on the Summary Executions UN Resolution - On November 21, 2012, Jamaica voted[1] against resolution A/C.3/67/L.36 at the United Nations condemning extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions which urges States “to investigate promptly and thoroughly all killings, including… all killings committed for any discriminatory reason, including sexual orientation

Homeless MSM evicted from Cargill Avenue (evening edition)



28/08/12 CVM TV again rebroadcast a story of homeless MSM and the deplorable living conditions coupled with the almost sensationalistic narrative of the alleged commercial sex work the men are involved in. Gay Jamaica Watch has been following this issue since 2009 when the older populations of MSMs who were for the most part displaced due to forced evictions and homo negative issues and their re-displacement by agencies who on the face of it refused to put in place any serious social interventions to assist the men to recovery CLICK HERE for the CLIP

Information, Disclaimer and more

Not all views expressed are those of GJW

This blog contains pictures and images that may be disturbing. As we seek to highlight the plight of victims of homophobic violence here in Jamaica, the purpose of the pics is to show physical evidence of claims of said violence over the years and to bring a voice of the same victims to the world.

Many recover over time, at pains, as relocation and hiding are options in that process. Please view with care or use theHappenings section to select other posts of a different nature.


Not all persons depicted in photos are gay or lesbian and it is not intended to portray them as such, save and except for the relevance of the particular post under which they appear.

Please 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.

God Bless


Other Blogs I write to:
http://glbtqjamaica.blogspot.com/
http://glbtqja.wordpress.com
Recent Homophobic Incidents CLICK HERE for related posts/labels from glbtqjamaica's blog & HERE for those I am aware of.

contact:
lgbtevent@gmail.com

Steps to take when confronted by the police & your rights compromised:

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 tense

d) 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

i) 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
glbtqjamaica@live.com

Notes on Bail & Court Appearance issues

If in doubt speak to your attorney

Bail and its importance -
If one is locked up then the following may apply:

Locked up over a weekend - Arrested pursuant to being charged or detained There must be reasonable suspicion i.e. about to commit a crime, committing a crime or have committed a crime. There are two standards that must be met:
1). Subjective standard: what the officer(s) believed to have happened

2). Objective standard: proper and diligent collection of evidence that implicates the accused To remove or restrain a citizen’s liberty it cannot be done on mere suspicion and must have the above two standards

 Police officers can offer bail with exceptions for murder, treason and alleged gun offences, under the Justice of the Peace Act a JP can also come to the police station and bail a person, this provision as incorporated into the bail act in the late nineties

 Once a citizen is arrested bail must be considered within twelve hours of entering the station – the agents of the state must give consideration as to whether or not the circumstances of the case requires that bail be given

 The accused can ask that a Justice of the Peace be brought to the station any time of the day. By virtue of taking the office excluding health and age they are obliged to assist in securing bail

"Bail is not a matter for daylight"

Locked up and appearing in court:
 Bail is offered at the courts office provided it was extended by the court; it is the court that has the jurisdiction over the police with persons in custody is concerned.

 Bail can still be offered if you were arrested and charged without being taken to court a JP can still intervene and assist with the bail process.

Other Points of Interest:
 The accused has a right to know of the exact allegation

 The detainee could protect himself, he must be careful not to be exposed to any potential witness

 Avoid being viewed as police may deliberately expose detainees

 Bail is not offered to persons allegedly with gun charges

 Persons who allegedly interfere with minors do not get bail

 If over a long period without charge a writ of habeas corpus however be careful of the police doing last minute charges so as to avoid an error

 Every instance that a matter is brought before the court and bail was refused before the accused can apply for bail as it is set out in the bail act as every court appearance is a chance to ask for bail

 Each case is determined by its own merit – questions to be considered for bail:

a) Is the accused a flight risk?
b) Are there any other charges that the police may place against the accused?
c) Is the accused likely to interfere with any witnesses?
d) What is the strength of the crown’s/prosecution’s case?


 Poor performing judges can be dealt with at the Judicial Review Court level or a letter to the Chief Justice can start the process


Human Rights Advocacy for GLBT Community Report 2009

What Human Rights .............

What are Human Rights?

By definition human rights are our inalienable fundamental rights. Inalienable means that which cannot be taken away. So our human rights are bestowed upon us from the moment we are born and, thus we are all entitled to these rights. Because we are entitled to our human rights and they cannot and should not be taken away from us, we as a people must strive to protect them, government should protect them and breaches of our rights should be highlighted and addressed appropriately.

Human rights are the same for everyone irrespective of colour, class or creed, and are applicable at both the national and international level. In Jamaica, our human rights are enshrined in and protected by our Constitution. Internationally, there have been numerous laws and treaties enacted specifically for the protection of human rights.

Milestone document

Most notably of these is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration is seen as a milestone document in the history of human rights. It was proclaimed by the United Nations, in 1948, as a common standard of achievements for all nations, and sets out the fundamental human rights to be universally recognised and protected.

The Declaration sets out the following rights:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Equality before the law

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement

Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government;

Everyone has the right to education.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.