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

Sunday, June 23, 2013

More snags for the cruising community in 2013

Disclaimer: I have no formal psychological training but have been interested by the outdoor sex phenomenon for some decades now as applicable to Jamaican MSM experiences. I also decided to drop this one here as entries of this nature would be seen on Gay Jamaica Watch but due to the urgent legal matters that are at hand GJW will be hosting those posts only for now. 

This entry is not about the typical standing on or walking by a street corner or plaza in some city centre and employing ones gaydar to catch poon tangs that is easy and comes natural for some of us but this is about the masculine grizzly targeted thug hunting experience in a specific geographical zone complete with musk, grit, grime, industrial wasteland or green spaces (green grass hotel), sweat, pheromones, no deep emotions, non feminized elements and importantly un-attachment for that quick release of virulent pent up sexual desire in the end however short the time of contact. Some time ago when I last looked at sections of the outdoor cruising communities and sub groups under the MSM umbrella I noticed that some members were bitterly complaining that their haunting grounds were overtaken by the preponderance of homeless or displaced MSM who do not necessarily cruise in this specific sense especially from the New Kingston and Seymour Lands areas and beyond to the outskirts of Old Hope Roads when the homeless groups occupied illegally lands and houses but have since been removed by the local authorities namely the parish council with the aid of the police. Also see: Robbers target male hookers

The Jamaica Observer Clovis cartoon depiction of the problematic homeless MSM scenario relocated to the Barbican area, the online version from their website was removed following some complaints but I managed to get it scanned from my hardcopy edition of May 31, 2013, the paper has been in love hate relationship sorts ever since their first coverage of the matter when the men launched an attack at the former JASL/JFLAG offices August 23/4, 2011: MORE HERE and HERE

The migration pattern of that group has since gone northwards to Barbican as their options become less after the eviction of Jamaica AIDS Support, JAS and their LGBT offshoot Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays, JFLAG from 4 Upper Musgrave Avenue (actually an old cruising haunt for MSM and female commercial sex work spot in the early nineties when previously unoccupied) newer populations still congregate in New Kingston proper. 

The men now located at a house in the Millsborough area for now as the caretaker there has insisted that they have to leave as the situation has become untenable the proper response to that issue is still forthcoming from the relevant agencies. With the migratory pattern occurring that has not helped any the comfort somewhat of the cruisers who before when the homeless MSM were far less in numbers and more docile coexisted peacefully often overlapping as commercial sexual arrangements would sometimes result if the cruisers were not making any headway for sexual pleasure via their modus operandi. 

Now it seems the bemoaning the loss of “space” continues as they are still limited to a certain quadrant in the New Kingston area added to that the other zones are limited or have since become unworkable as recent public incidents have impacted their usage and safety. Case in point is a matter of two alleged partnered masturbators who were caught in the act some three weeks ago in downtown proper at an old haunt for generations by a man who eventually called attention to the issue, the men one allegedly a handcart operator made good their escape however but not afterwards the authorities were somehow notified and the area bushed, rubble removed and cleared so as to avoid any further “batty business” thugs were apparently ordered to or hired to watch the area for now.

That particular spot down-town and other older ruins have had incidents prior and as posted here as well but it seems to always been able to recover despite major physical changes made to it and has been used for generations of cruisers as a haunt, heterosexuals also use the area for the occasional sexual encounters and a few female commercial sex workers/substance users also operate in the area by day, they were aware of the shenanigans that took place there but it is a symbiotic relationship it seems according to my cruiser source, the men are not a threat to their business since the cruisers would stay clear when met with such hetero circumstances and vice versa. 

The groups would also exchange information and safer sex implements when available among other socializations. The old industrial factory space seems to be an irresistible attraction for men whether on the down low  cruisers or commercial sex workers as the masculinity of the environment seems to be the draw card. In speaking to one of the senior more experiences cruisers who has assisted me before in examining this issue of cruising in Kingston he said that the place just has a thing to it that he has to go to see if any men are there and according to him there is often time someone there, if not a new face then some regular. What is the draw card to me especially for far younger users or cruisers is puzzling, how do they know instinctively that that spot is for sexual connections (usually non penetrative or outer-coursal activity) is baffling, gaydar perhaps? The physical outlay of the area seems a major qualification for such a pull of these persons and subsequent sexual activity I can recall some years ago an old rice factory in Spanish Town as well (now turned the JUTC bus park) that attracted men from all over I took particular interest in the phenomenon then as it became a sight for my HIV outreach work with men who have sex with men and it was there I realized we were dealing with a totally different set of variables and practices not covered by the HIV response at all. Often times these are men with normalised lives, girlfriends, “babymothers,” even wives or just homo curious recluse who use unusual short impact sexual contact as release it seems so as to avoid too much personal contact and invasion of their psychological space. The impersonal nature of the contact, no possibility of emotional traces, the intense physical satisfaction and thrill of the hunt in doing it in public but not getting caught are also factors that I have come to understand, a kind of utilitarianism. This is of course outside of persons who do not have the convenience at their place of residence for open consensual same sex intimacy.

I will admit I too have passed through the area in Kingston for a haunt or two but it is not really my cup of tea but one thing is clear all kinds of characters are there surprisingly, some even look like your typical homophobe if seen in another setting and these are not the same populations of men one as experienced as I am see in the LGBT social scene nor in other so called cruising zones as well. This leads me to think that there are many other males though not self identifying as homosexual who prefer this kind of urban discreet rugged outdoor contact for that quickie as a release. I prefer to approach thug types in their own spaces as I have developed my skills at reading them and know the ones to avoid or to approach even when they are homo-curious or bisexual. Anal penetrative sex is not usually the chosen type of contact in outdoor spaces such as this I learnt over the years during my HIV outreach work as safety and ease of escape if discovered is crucial so less tedious activity is chosen that won’t involve removal of clothing that may impede such escape if found or caught by an unsuspecting person who may use the area to also to urinate or defecate. 

They tend to go for partnered masturbation or solo masturbation while watching another male either masturbate also unbeknownst to them being seen or if another should urinate the proverbial glory hole type voyeurism but in an outdoor scenario. Oral/anal activity may occur such as rimming if convenient my cruiser friend advised me that he often heard of some men carrying a bottle of water on their persons for a quick enema which is not surprising as many male commercial sex workers do so as well to make themselves presentable to their clients, sadly the HIV response locally is yet to move progressively to make fleet and other such types of implements available and indeed engage these sub groups under the MSM label.

Scatting and such practices do not factor here in Jamaica although the site as indicated earlier is used as a bathroom since the public restrooms charge for usage so persons avoid them.

Exhibitionists also pass through occasionally according to my trusted senior cruiser friend (who also still wants me and him to hookup) but they come few in between for open masturbation usually alone but more so after a shower or rain when less passers-by are around but enough persons to give them the drive to publicly masturbate seeing that is their urge and incessant need sexually speaking. The two aforementioned partnered masturbators were said to be frequent pass-throughs and my cruiser contact seems still concerned of how they got caught, he even speculates that maybe another would be cruiser may have been upset at the two pairing and not himself being a partner to the act.

In early 2011 that entire section in downtown was bulldozed I can recall under the then Jamaica Labour Party JLP administration when a certain mayoral candidate was around as the area falls in the constituency of that party and some years prior to that a nude handcart man was found dead in the vicinity the cause of death was not clear but a newspaper report suggested he was raped as tests revealed anal trauma. The once vibrant Emancipation Park area in New Kingston that was also a haunt prior to its construction and which attracted persons even after it became a public thoroughfare seems to have lost its fervour. Vendors, police patrols and car parking have since crowded the spot and the occasional exhibitionist as well are not so prevalent any more as an amusement park sits across the street attracting many children, exhibitionist have a particular aversion to carrying out there act in front of children which also is another mystery to me psychologically speaking although it makes some sense as they are not paedophiles so prepubescent persons would not fit their intended profile for near public erotic exposure.

Some questions come to mind some of which I have asked before I believe;

What would attract this set of MSM to these outdoor spots?

Why do they not also social on the main LGBTQ scenes?

Outdoor sex implies an element of danger hence the attractiveness of it?

Why is effeminacy not a prominent trait in this group of MSM?

Is hyper-masculinity or forced masculinization (including aesthetics) a means of protection in these outdoor spaces to avoid profiling or suspicion?

Another incident that came to hand was in western Jamaica by a certain beach front stretch this time however penetrative sex was involved both persons just barely escaped the doom as men swooped down on the unsuspecting couple who were allegedly in high ecstasy while making love. While not a direct cruising matter it was only this month I posted on GLBTQJA of a male couple in St Catherine who had to flee their community after being caught in the act by the grandmother of one who arrived unannounced. Such are the challenges that sometimes cause persons to seek alternate outdoor secret arrangements to compensate for lack of space apart from the other attractive reasons relative to the individuals involved. In that same post I also examined a previous incident in the same parish by a man made water course where a partnered-masturbating male couple were caught and the police also got involved to literally save them from a thrashing from an angry mob that converged after the men swam to safety and retreated in bushes on the opposite side of the canal.

Such are the risks with hook-ups and outdoor cruising but with all those issues persons still seem drawn to the practice/phenomenon I guess an old English adage the closer you are to danger the further you are from harm has some resonance in this somewhere as who would often suspect raunchy illicit sex in open spaces quite unexpectedly? After all female commercial sex workers also use this form of hiding right under your nose ideology too, many of them do engage clients in car parks and inside motor vehicle unbeknownst to passers-by as one would never suspect that activity to close by. Parts of Central Park in New York comes to mind despite police patrols and a vagrancy law I believe but men hook up none the less, France for example has red zones where outdoor sex is allowed undisturbed be it homosexual or heterosexual and the infamous bathroom glory hole cruising is a special feature of French gay male culture. Many Jamaicans who go or now live there have told me the erotic stories. Amsterdam is noted for these zones as well married with open substance use as well whether Jamaica will ever get to this kind of progressive thinking is left to be seen seeing that policing homosexuality is still a major priority in the face of the disease control, The religious/biblical fundamentalist anti-homosexuality imperative; protecting vulnerable youth from homosexuality, as conflated with paedophilia; the imperative of the ‘unnaturalness’ of homosexuality and the imperative of the purity and authenticity of a primordially homosexuality-free global African culture all of which drive our entrenched or hardened positions towards male homosexuality in particular. If we can’t even get passed just making same sex intimacy private for consenting adults on the face of a “keep it to yourself” public sentiments then how are we going to allow some unconventional personal freedoms (though not impeding others) in public spaces?

Sex; we seek it, we enjoy it how some go about it may be unconventional at least bizarre at best but it’s the human condition I guess, after all if we did not have buildings to contend with we may have all been doing it in the bushes.

Peace and tolerance

H


also see: 

Some cruising challenges .......... 2011

Doing 'business' in New Kingston ...

The Cruising community’s dilemma .....


Fame FM's "Uncensored" on Piercings, Men fighting ...

Thugs caught lovemaking forced to flee for their lives 2013

Down low gone mad, Biphobia, or Sexual Abuse?

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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.


Other Entries you can check out

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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.