Discredited ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Group, NARTH, Undergoes Major Rebranding Effort

also see: Former 'ex-gay' leaders publish open letter saying conversion therapy is damaging

Discredited 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Group, NARTH, Undergoes Major Rebranding Effort

Unable to Shake Decades of Failure, NARTH Attempts Extremist Makeover

CHICAGO - Truth Wins Out warned mental health professionals today not to be fooled by

the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality's (NARTH) cynical rebranding effort. The group, infamous for its failed efforts to "cure" LGBT people, has launched a new website,therapeuticchoice.com, and renamed itself the NARTH Institute, which serves as a division of the brand new Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI).

"NARTH can put lipstick on this new pig, but it's the same old swine peddling junk science to desperate and vulnerable people," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "This cynical rebranding effort is an attempt to mask NARTH's past failures, history of consumer fraud, and shredded reputation. We urge mental health professionals not to be fooled by NARTH's new facelift."

Besieged on several fronts, the embattled "ex-gay" organization's new direction is an effort to confront mounting legal and legislative challenges. Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, (JONAH) an organization run by former NARTH board member and convicted felon, Arthur Abba Goldberg, is being sued by the Sothern Poverty Law Center for consumer fraud. A therapist affiliated with JONAH, Alan Downing, allegedly made his clients undress and fondle themselves in front of a mirror. This behavior echoes that of another prominent NARTH therapist, Christopher Austin, who was convicted for inappropriate behavior with his clients.

In the legislative arena, two states, California and New Jersey, have passed laws banning ex-gay therapy (aka reparative or conversion therapy) for minors. Several states are looking to pass similar measures. Explaining the purpose of the new branding, NARTH writes, "In recent years NARTH has been increasingly involved in legal and professional efforts to defend the rights of clients to pursue change-oriented psychological care as well as the rights of licensed mental health professionals to provide such care.... Adding to our board new legal and medical experts (i.e., Geoff Heath, JD, and Keith Vennum, MD) and a new clinical member David Pickup, MFT."

A second "ex-gay" organization, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) also rebranded its website, with a legal focus echoing that of NARTH's. This is no surprise, as prominent PFOX and NARTH member, Christopher Doyle, has been the chief lobbyist against bills prohibiting the barbaric practice of reparative therapy on minors. Doyle gained notoriety for what he admitted online: 

"I tried to have sex with the little girls that my mother watched in her daycare, and eventually, one of the girls told her parents what I was doing. The shame that was placed on me by my parents was more than I could bear. Rather than rescue me, teach me, and put me in counseling, the 'bad boy' was left alone to deal with all of this shame."

The huge changes at NARTH are symbolic of the implosion of the "ex-gay" industry. In the past few years, key "ex-gay" groups have shut their doors, including Love in Action, Exodus International, Evergreen International, and Love Won Out.

Last week, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) released a letter by several former "ex-gay" activists who explained that such therapy is unethical and harmful. Former Family Research Council "ex-gay" spokesperson, Yvette Cantu Schneider, also released a statement with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where she expressed regret for her participation in the "ex-gay" industry. Last year, former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk apologized for his role in promoting these groups, and the year prior, key "ex-gay" activist, John Smid, renounced his role with Love in Action - the first modern ex-gay ministry founded in 1973.

"The 'ex-gay' industry is an experiment that has failed," said Truth Wins Out's Wayne Besen. "I can understand why they would want to reinvent themselves, because things didn't work out so well the first time. However, these group are simply repackaging the same old snake oil in a fancy new bottle."

NARTH has disingenuously billed itself as a secular therapy group. In reality, this organization served as a front for virulently anti-gay religious groups such as Focus on the Family. The claim that NARTH is a secular organization is betrayed by its own rhetoric.

"We, as citizens, need to articulate God's intent for human sexuality," Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, co-founder of NARTH, said in CNN' 360 Degrees with Anderson Cooper, April 14, 2007. At the Feb. 10, 2007 Love Won Out conference in Phoenix, the "secular" therapist told the audience, "When we live our God-given integrity and our human dignity, there is no space for sex with a guy."

Although NARTH claims to be a group that offers therapy, what it does isn't therapy at all. Instead, it is anti-gay hate speech wrapped in medical language, in an effort to make it more palatable to mainstream Americans. NARTH co-founder, the late Dr. Charles Socarides, told The Washington Post on August 14, 2007, "Homosexuality is a psychological and psychiatric disorder, there is no question about it. It is a purple menace that is threatening the proper design of gender distinctions in society."


NARTH board member Gerard van den Aardweg is a frequent purveyor of anti-LGBT hatespeech. He writes in his book, Homosexuality & Hope: A Psychologist Talks About Treatment and Change:

"The person with a homosexual drive is pulled to a neurotic and conflictions existence. Stubbornly and imperviously, against all advice, despite the sorrow they inflict on their parents, young people with this problem cling to their 'choice' of what their ignorance mistakes for 'happiness.' It may be hard, but it is true: not a few of them degenerate, their youthful freshness and gladness disappear; they become weaklings in many respects - like addicts." (Ch. 2, pg. 24)

NARTH is also infamous for its bizarre theories and techniques. The group encourages male clients to drink Gatorade and call their friends "dude," because this will supposedly make them more masculine. Dr. Joseph Nicolosi espoused the idea that, "Non-homosexual men who experience defeat and failure may also experience homosexual fantasies or dreams."

NARTH board member Gerard van den Aardweg said he believes that there is a link between muscle weakness and homosexuality.

"The possible correlation between homosexuality and 'muscle weakness' could mean, for instance, that boys with deficient muscular growth run a higher risk of becoming sexually deviant because of their feeling inferior on that account...it is precisely youthful inferiority feelings about the physical appearance, body build, and the like that can motivate a development to a homosexual orientation." (Homosexuality & Hope: A Psychologist Talks About Treatment and Change, Ch. 2, p. 29)

On its website NARTH endorsed and sold a book from member therapist, James E. Phelan,"Practical Exercises For Men In Recovery of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA)." It is a veritable, step-by-step guide on how one would attempt to transform from gay-to-straight.

Phelan's peculiar book urges clients to keep a "masturbation inventory" and practice "safe driving."

"Keep your eyes on the road, not on other peoples' cars," the therapist warns. "Focus on driving, not having sex with other drivers." (p. 30)

The author also offers a comprehensive list of 236 activities clients can participate in whenever they feel homosexual urges. This list includes: Bowling, singing to myself, watching the sky, reading maps, caring for houseplants, going to a revival or crusade, seeing famous people, crying, seeing or smelling a flower or plant, going to a drive-thru (Dairy Queen, McDonalds, etc.), walking barefoot, bird watching, smiling at people, playing Frisbee, and going to auctions. (Pgs. 93-97)

Sexism is rampant at NARTH. This is made clear in exercise 57 of Phelan's NARTH endorsed book where advises male clients what to tell their wives:

"It is up to you to help educate her about your needs. Tell her, 'I need to be the man of the house. Let me be the man of the house.' Dominant women only demasculinize men. A man has got to be the lion of the den." (p. 61)

Such retrograde beliefs is reminiscent of NARTH board member Gerald Schoenwolf, who in 2006 seemed to justify slavery on the organization's website:

"With all due respect, there is another way, or other ways, to look at the race issue in America," wrote Schoenwolf. "It could be pointed out, for example, that Africa at the time of slavery was still primarily a jungle, as yet uncivilized or industrialized. Life there was savage, as savage as the jungle for most people, and that it was the Africans themselves who first enslaved their own people.

They sold their own people to other countries, and those brought to Europe, South America, America, and other countries, were in many ways better off than they had been in Africa. But if one even begins to say these things one is quickly shouted down as though one were a complete madman."

More HERE

13,328 Jamaican MSM Reached by HIV Prevention says report on National HIV Program ........ but

A statement has come to hand in recent days that the new round of Global Fund money is now available for the national program to the tune of $506 million and as of March 2014 some 13,000 plus men who have sex with men (while excluding specific programs for same gender loving women) have occurred but what does this outreach means, only condom distribution and testing? when we know especially the least amongst us in the form of homeless LGBT youth in particular (bearing in mind Maslow's theory) how can they make safer sex decisions given the sensitivities involved?

Why for example was the HFLE manual placed as an achievement when the fiasco that played out in the public domain proved that sanitization of sexuality issues is the main reason why we have the homo-negative culture fuelling the problems of displacements?

see more on the HFLE matter:

URGENT NEED TO DISCUSS SEX & SEXUALITY NATIONALLY PART 2

Urgent need for sex & sexuality to be discussed nationally

Children’s Advocacy & LGBT Agencies inconsistent approach to Homeless MSM Youth

Missed Opportunities in HIV-AIDS outreach on the social scenes from 2010 for additional scope 

Here is the statement on the latest round of funding:

As it continues to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS infection rates in Jamaica, the Government has budgeted $506 million for the Transitional Funding Mechanism programme.

As contained in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure currently before the House of Representatives, existing gains consolidated, and activities scaled up to reduce transmission of new HIV infections, while mitigating the impact.

The project, which is being jointly financed by the Government of Jamaica and the Global Fund is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.

Targets for this fiscal year include: increasing the number of schools targeted from 43 per cent to 74 per cent, with at least one teacher trained in life-skills based Health and Family Life Education, and who has taught in the last year; and reaching 490,000 students through life skills based Health and Family Life Education Interventions in School.

Additionally 3,870 commercial sex workers (CSW); 3,030 Men Having Sex With Men (MSM); and 975 inmates will be reached through prevention activities. Meanwhile, HIV counselling and testing will be carried out for 270,000 persons; and 12,833 adolescents (in the 10 to 14 age group) and 47,800 youth (in 15 to 24 age group) will be reached through prevention interventions in out-of-school setting.

Anti-retroviral combination therapy according to national guidelines, will be provided, and 63,265 CD4 tests done according to national guidelines for 8,182 men, women and children with advanced HIV.

The programme will also provide Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing according to national guidelines to 2,497 infants born to HIV positive mothers; increase from 60 per cent to 75 per cent Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on Antiretroviral drug (ARV) reporting at least 90 per cent adherence by pill count; increase from 25 per cent to 60 per cent reported cases of discrimination receiving redress by setting; as well as increase from 162 to 176 the number of institutions adopting policies to address HIV/AIDS.

Some of the achievements up to March 2014 include: increasing the number of schools from five per cent to 43 per cent with at least one teacher trained in life-skills based (Health and Family Life Education) HFLE and who taught in the last year; reaching 289,626 students through life skills based Health and Family Life Education Interventions in School; reaching through prevention activities 20,998 CSW, 13,328 MSM, 1,866 Inmates, 90,000 Sexually Transmitted Infection clinic attendees.

Also 24,241 adolescents (10 to 14 years old) and 75,973 youth (15 to 24 years old) were reached through prevention interventions in out-of-school settings; counselling and testing provided for 200,000 persons; 7,684 men women and children with advanced HIV received antiretroviral combination therapy according to national guidelines; 27 per cent reported cases of discrimination received redress; 162 institutions adopted policies to address HIV/AIDS; and the number of individuals in stakeholder organisations trained in strategic information, were maintained.

ENDS

Owing to the fact that there are no residential responses to homelessness in particular (remembering the Safe House Pilot 2009) that can greatly help with self efficacious work and better results but simply distributing condoms which is overall what the national systems in indeed none state actors such as Jamaica AIDS Support do with very little psycho-social, psycho-sexual work (outside of AIDS 101 workshops) and if the work is so penetrative why do we still have a high rate of infection based on the last survey suggested a rate of over 33% in the MSM cohort.

It seems rather odd to me that since the 1980s we have had hard evidence of the infection and psychological issues with some four major studies in the MSM populations and yet all that has ended as a response is condom distribution and testing, there must be more in terms of personal developmental work and not just meeting targets of testing us a guinea pigs. What is even more egregious about all this is that some of the agencies who do HIV work with MSM are either owned or managed by or linked to anti gay groups albeit that in order to qualify for funding they have to take on such populations though discomforting it is and so they do not put out any extra effort to see the needed changes and life improvements for LGBT people; then to add insult to injuries the LGBT groups or allied agencies too are just doing only enough to provide some sort of track record but no major or extra effort.

See: YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS from March 2014

HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2

Layered Stigma among Health Facility and Social Services Staff toward Most-at-Risk Populations in Jamaica

Big AIDS fight boost - Ja gets US$3.8 million from US$7-b fund

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

2007 MSM Study Reminder 

New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed 2011

Review condom policy for prisoners

Continued oversight of same gender loving women in HIV response

Peace and tolerance

H

Malta votes for civil unions, non-discrimination for transgender individuals, mutual recognition

On Monday evening, the Parliament of Malta voted to allow same-sex couples to enter civil unions and adopt children; amend the constitution to forbid discrimination against transgender people; and ensure same-sex marriages conducted abroad would be recognised.

Civil unions

The Civil Unions Act amended Maltese law, allowing same-sex couples to enter partnerships with rights and duties similar to marriage. Partners will be able to adopt children.

Claudette Abela Baldacchino MEP, a Maltese member of the LGBT Intergroup, said: “Introducing civil unions was an important step towards fully embracing true European values. This is not merely a question of minority rights, but an issue of what kind of society we want to live in.”

“As an MEP, I believe respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are the basis of any democracy. No country may call itself truly European unless it treats its citizens equally.”
Gender identity and sexual orientation in the Constitution

MPs also voted to amend the Constitution, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Malta is the first EU Member State to enshrine non-discrimination based on gender identity in its constitution.
Recognition of foreign marriages

The Civil Unions Act voted on Monday will also ensure that same-sex couples married or in a partnership from another country will see their union recognised in Malta.

Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, reacted: “I congratulate Malta for this very positive step. It’s particularly important that fellow lawmakers ensured unions conducted abroad would be recognised on Maltese soil.”

“The European Commission will perhaps see that this issue is of crucial importance. In these five years, it breached its own promise to work towards the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status documents. Thankfully, some Member States stopped waiting.”

Read more: HERE

Human Rights of Most Marginalised Must Be Protected – Portia Simpson Miller at "Justice for All" conference 2014

also see: Promised (I mean suggested) Conscience vote on Buggery law not a priority right now (yet again)

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says special provisions must be made, where necessary, to protect the welfare of persons who are among the most marginalised and disadvantaged.

She underscored this point in a speech delivered by Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, during Wednesday’s (April 9) opening ceremony for the three-day Caribbean Consultation on Justice for All and Human Rights Agenda, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said Jamaica, like most other Caribbean countries, has signed several international agreements, designed to guarantee the human rights of individuals who “have been treated with disrespect and have to continuously confront discrimination.”

These, she pointed out, include: the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the Inter-American Convention of Human Rights.

The Prime Minister said the Government of Jamaica will also shortly be introducing the Disabilities Bill to Parliament, which will “protect the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, for the first time, in our law”, as also legislation addressing sexual harassment.

Mrs. Simpson Miller contended that integrity and impartiality are “essential features” for sustaining human rights, pointing out that “like all West Indian Constitutions, ours, here in Jamaica, guarantees basic human rights of all citizens.” In this regard, she added, “the state cannot justifiably favour the rights of one part of its citizenry over any other.”

The Prime Minister noted that progress and change, though slow, has been made across the region in relation to countries’ efforts to safeguard human rights.

She, however, suggested the need to develop and advance a public education agenda for promoting the rights of everyone, and assured that Jamaica is committed to justice and equality.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said the consultation is both timely and vital in helping to pave the way for developing a formula that provides the basis for achieving a level of zero discrimination.

“The Justice for All process provides opportunities for rich dialogue of various stakeholders. These include: parliamentarians, faith-based leaders, representatives of the private sector, the youth, and civil society organizations. Through this process, we hope to identify meaningful options on which there is sufficient consensus for our governments to take action,” she added.

The forum is being staged from April 9 to 11 by PANCAP in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica; the University of the West Indies (UWI); and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM), under the theme: ‘Advancing Justice for All and the Human Rights Agenda’.

Over 90 participants from Jamaica and overseas are discussing and deliberating issues pertaining to advancing the human rights agenda, in the Caribbean. Key among these are issues deemed restrictive to the successful implementation of the Caribbean’s response to HIV and AIDS.

The Justice for All Programme, coordinated by PANCAP, is an advocacy platform aimed at increasing awareness around HIV-related stigma and discrimination and their impact on access to prevention or treatment services.

The programme is being coordinated under the patronage of St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, and United Nations Secretary-General Envoy for HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean, Professor Edward Greene.

The consultations ultimately aim to develop a PANCAP Roadmap for the reduction of HIV-related stigma, eliminate discrimination, and increase national HIV responses by creating a facilitative environment and removing discriminatory laws and practices.

British Medical Association condemns Uganda's anti-gay legislation

The BMA has demanded the withdrawal of strengthened anti-gay laws in Uganda.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni (pictured) signed a bill last week that includes toughened penalties for gay people, as well as life imprisonment for ‘aggravated homosexuality’.

The new legislation criminalises the promotion of homosexuality and comprises a potential life sentence for performing gay sex, including oral sex.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda.

The Ugandan leader said he was persuaded to sign the bill, which was passed by its parliament last year, after he consulted, among others, scientists and medical experts who said homosexuality was behavioural, not genetic ‘and could be unlearnt’.



‘Bad science’

At the signing of the bill, he maintained: ‘Since nurture is the main cause of homosexuality, then society can do something about it to discourage the trends.’

BMA director of professional activities Vivienne Nathanson (pictured right) has written to him in protest.

She writes: '[I] request that you give every consideration to the withdrawal of this piece of legislation at the earliest opportunity.'

She has also questioned the science and alleged medical expertise used to support the legislation.

She said: ‘It is deeply disturbing that any country should pass legislation enacting discrimination against any group — in this case homosexuals.

‘It is equally disturbing that the legislature was aided by so-called medical experts who reinforced bad science and prejudice.’

International outcry

The new anti-homosexuality laws have been widely criticised across the world.

The World Bank last week suspended a £54m loan to the Ugandan health sector owing to the anti-gay laws.

Norway has said that, as a result, it is redirecting millions in aid for Uganda towards human rights and democracy organisations.

Dutch aid has also been suspended and Denmark has said it is ‘restructuring aid away from the government’.

The World Medical Association, whose president is Ugandan psychiatrist Margaret Mungherera, has also sent a letter to Mr Museveni on the issue.

also see

Uganda President ratifies Anti-Homosexuality Bill; MEPs: ‘Suspend political agreement with Uganda!

Denmark, Netherlands cut aid to Uganda over anti-gay bill .............. others pending

Caribbean LGBTI Citizens Demand Action from Commonwealth Leaders

Saint Lucia is among fifty-three (53) member nations included in a report calling on Commonwealth leaders take action to stop widespread human rights abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. “SPEAKING OUT: The rights of LGBTI citizens from across the Commonwealth” is published by the Kaleidoscope Trust in advance of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka this November 2013. It features United and Strong, Saint Lucia’s sole LGBTI representative organization, with a testimony from U&S secretary Jessica St. Rose.

Kaleidoscope Trust notes that this report is compiled by the biggest ever coalition of LGBTI organisations from across the Commonwealth. Speaking Out documents human rights abuses against LGBTI people and demands that Commonwealth leaders take action.

Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, penned the foreword of the publication. He quotes Archbishop Desmond Tutu who said, ‘All over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are persecuted…We make them doubt that they too are children of God – and this must be nearly the ultimate blasphemy.’

Dr. Ramphal reminds that, “For most of the countries of the Commonwealth, the desecration of our fellow citizens began in the law. The unreformed law of England was transported through criminal codes by imperial masters to far-flung outposts of empire….today 41 of 53 Commonwealth countries have virtually the same legislation enacted almost as a matter of course by colonial administrators – not by the societies they governed. That law is still on our statute books – a relic of empire that has no place in a modern Commonwealth. As with the abolition of slavery, the decriminalisation of homosexuality in our time must be an act of law.”

In the introduction Dr Purna Sen former head of human rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat and Chair of the Kaleidoscope Trust, says to Speaking Out “is a vivid testament to why that organization (Commonwealth), which claims in its Charter to be ‘implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination’, continues to let down millions of its own people... Over half the countries in the world that criminalise homosexuality are in the Commonwealth.”

“But the voices in this report reflect demands that are not going to go away just because Presidents and Prime Ministers try to close their ears to them. The people whose testimonies are contained here refuse to be silenced. Sooner rather than later the Commonwealth is going to have to tackle the justice deficit that leaves some of its citizens without the rights to which all are entitled.”

Speaking Out calls on all Commonwealth governments in countries which continue to criminalise same-sex sexual activity to repeal this legislation in accordance with:

• The Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international instruments.

• Article II of the Commonwealth Charter.

• Recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group adopted by the Foreign Ministers of all Commonwealth members.

As an immediate step towards meeting the obligations set out in these and other commitments to equal rights for all citizens it also calls on all Commonwealth leaders to:

Engage in meaningful dialogue with their own LGBTI communities.

Put in place an immediate moratorium on the enforcement of existing laws criminalising homosexuality.

Commit to open and free debate across the Commonwealth on the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Support public education initiatives to inform the people of the Commonwealth about the case for LGBTI equality.

Support the right of an LGBTI Association to register with the Commonwealth alongside all civil society organisations and be free to express its views and engage in public debate.

Fully include LGBTI people in development and other programmes on an equal basis with the rest of society.

Commit to include a discussion on equal rights for LGBTI citizens as a substantive agenda item at the next CHOGM.

In Saint Lucia, consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal under indecency statues, and some same-sex sexual activity between men is also illegal under anal intercourse laws. Indecency statutes carry a maximum penalty of five years, and anal intercourse carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

– ENDS –

More on the report at: http://kaleidoscopetrust.com/speaking-out

Scenes from The Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference in Guyana

by SASOD Admin:

This saw 35 women from 14 countries coming together to share, learn and build lifelong connections and friendships. Partnerships may have also come out of this; I know love did.

This strengthening activity was made possible because of effective coordination of the organizers: St. Lucian human rights organisation United and Strong Inc (U&S) and from Curacao, Fundashon Orguyo Korsou/Curacao Pride Foundation (FOKO). 

The theme was: “Strengthening the invisible woman and empowering her to leadership.” And that’s just what it did. The aim was to help build the advocacy strengths and help us to understand and deal with LBT women’s issues. For us to return home and advocate from a point of understanding of our rights, our strengths, our weaknesses and with the knowledge that there are others we can call on for help if we need it.


Some of us in a group (c) photo courtesy of Amina Doherty

The CWSDC was funded by a combination of partners. The Caribbean Forum for the Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), Arcus Foundation, ARC International, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), Council for Global Equality, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation For Justice and Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights. Importantly to point out also is, the conference was tragically planned at the time of Curacao’s first week of LGBT pride celebrations to give support, and also a few activities were incorporated with the conference. 

One such activity was the award ceremony in recognition of persons who contributed to the LGBT movement over the years. Kenita Placide of United & Strong Inc, Mario Kleinmodig and Dudley Ferdinandus of FOKO and Faye Ferdinandus of CariFLAGS along with many others were recognised. Many of us celebrated in the pride events; for some of us, it was our first pride celebration.

Some of the women celebrating pride

Our facilitators were mostly women, women with gusts of inspiring strengths, which was very refreshing. They covered Self-Defense (our first activity in the mornings), Proposal Writing, Leadership, Violence in Same-Sex Relationships and recognising it, and much more. Many of our days were packed with group discussions, finding new ways to strengthen our capacities. For some, the night outs after each day’s session worked as an outlet to forge new friendships, and re-energize to return to the next day’s session with vigor.

Murder Music Campaign needs local leadership/ownership once again

Sigh

Whenever I read articles such as this one in today's Gleaner as penned by the present JFLAG Programs Manager it just shows up the lack of understanding the lay of the land and the real deal when it comes to the murder music campaigns and the categories of artists who were and are specifically tracked and targeted. Why hasn't the older advocates assisted the newbies to understand the issues? and to think JFLAG penned the tersely worded press release in response to Queen Ifrica's Independence Day rant with the very first sentence and indeed paragraph setting the tone for what was to come where it read prior to its editing on their website 

"J-FLAG notes with profound disappointment the anti-gay animus expressed by Queen Ifrica at the Grand Gala on August 6, 2013. Her sentiment is an example of the unabated divisiveness we continue to allow to take prominence on the national stage. Queen Ifrica’s remark is similar to the vitriolic sentiments which came from Tony Rebel at the celebrations last year and should have never been allowed again.
We are surprised this happened on the day the Prime Minister urged us, in her Independence Day Message, to accord respect to people so every Jamaican can feel a sense of belonging in our society.

It is regrettable that the government has not been able to guarantee non-discriminatory performances from artistes for such a high-profile function as the Grand Gala. We encourage the government to follow the example of reggae and dancehall promoters and their sponsors who consistently draft contracts proscribing penalties for the use of indecent language, discriminatory rhetoric, and incitement to violence. Independence celebrations showcase the best of Jamaica’s indigenous artistic and cultural expressions, and are held to a high standard from their inception.

As the nation passes the 50 year mark and enters a new epoch of its history, we must zealously work to protect the dignity of all Jamaicans without any distinction. We have all pledged to play our part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race. These words are especially poignant in such a celebratory period of our nationhood. We are therefore compelled to reflect on these and other patriotic words of commitment found in our National Anthem and Pledge.
Jamaica cannot become the place of choice to live and raise families unless respect and dignity can be given to the entire Jamaican family. As we celebrate Jamaica’s 51st year of independence we must also celebrate the importance of peace, democracy, justice, and equality for the continuation of our prosperity as a nation."

ENDS

The redone release now reads as follows

J-FLAG notes with profound disappointment the anti-gay remarks expressed by Queen Ifrica at the Grand Gala on August 6, 2013. Her sentiment is an example of the unabated divisiveness we continue to allow to take prominence on the national stage. Queen Ifrica’s remark is similar to the sentiments which came from Tony Rebel at the celebrations last year and should have never been allowed again.
We are surprised this happened on the day the Prime Minister urged us, in her Independence Day Message, to accord respect to people so every Jamaican can feel a sense of belonging in our society.

It is regrettable that the government has not been able to guarantee non-discriminatory performances from artistes for such a high-profile function as the Grand Gala. We encourage the government to follow the example of reggae and dancehall promoters and their sponsors who consistently draft contracts proscribing penalties for the use of indecent language, discriminatory rhetoric, and incitement to violence. Independence celebrations showcase the best of Jamaica’s indigenous artistic and cultural expressions, and are held to a high standard from their inception.

As the nation passes the 50 year mark and enters a new epoch of its history, we must zealously work to protect the dignity of all Jamaicans without any distinction. We have all pledged to play our part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race. These words are especially poignant in such a celebratory period of our nationhood. We are therefore compelled to reflect on these and other patriotic words of commitment found in our National Anthem and Pledge.
Jamaica cannot become the place of choice to live and raise families unless respect and dignity can be given to the entire Jamaican family. As we celebrate Jamaica’s 51st year of independence we must also celebrate the importance of peace, democracy, justice, and equality for the continuation of our prosperity as a nation.

ENDS

Then came the ill fated nationwide radio interview with Tony Rebel (Independence Day infraction 2012), Queen Ifrica and none other than the person of Dane Lewis the ED of JFLAG who ended up mum as to the use of the words " "vitriloic" and on some "anti gay animus" note when u go to the link you will see the edited release without the words that caused Tony Rebel especially to ridicule Mr Lewis live on air and forcing him to capitulate in a sense that has left the local as well as foreign LGBT persons up in arms, Mr Lewis could not answer a direct question asked of him by Rebel on the vitriolic description then it is no wonder why this JAGLA group came from nowhere to tackle Queen Ifrica themselves although I would have much preferred she be allowed to attend the show she was booked and commit the infraction on foreign soil as was done with other acts such as Sizzle during my time when I was involved in the SMM campaign locally. I fear JFLAG now finds itself having to defer to the calls of the populations and cannot continue to be impervious to them, one wonders if such deferring will also take place with the homeless? Obviously this one was poorly handled and they allowed ownership of the struggle to shift to not only Ifrica, Tony Rebel but also more and more disgruntled LGBT folks who are questioning the stewardship of the goodly J.

Now Mr Jaevion Nelson pens the following 

Reggae and dancehall are our brand; they're in our vein and culture. It helps in retaining dominant and widely held beliefs, norms and practices and influencing how we interact with each other.

Around 1992, when Buju Banton released Boom Bye Bye, Jamaica seemingly embarked on a trajectory where it gained international notoriety for its treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. With so many songs - apparently there are at least 200 from as early as the 1970s - it wasn't very difficult for people (foreigners?) to believe Jamaica was, indeed, the 'murder music' capital and 'most homophobic place' on earth.

Many Jamaicans are strongly opposed to these descriptions, but the number of mob attacks, murders, abuse and other forms of harassment betray efforts to contest this characterisation. There has been noted progress over the years, but anti-gay attitudes remain commonplace. The brutal murder of 16-year-old Dwayne Jones reminds us that much more needs to be done to protect the rights of LGBT people.

It is unlikely to not hear speakers belting songs endorsing anti-gay attitudes at any event. That's the Jamaica I grew up in. That's what I heard on the bus to and from school every morning and evening and that's still the reality of many Jamaicans.

Nuff artistes like Queen Ifrica still a sing seh dem 'doh waan nuh fish inna [dem] ital dish'. This 'ital dish' is the reason Queen Ifrica has been criticised by concerned Jamaicans, some of whom are human-rights defenders; and the reason why her performance at Rastafest in Toronto was cancelled.

LGBT rights activists have seemingly walked into the trap of Shirley Richards, the former president of Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF), that LGBT rights are part of an agenda to silence Christian values. Richards has been craftily (mis)using some cases where people were sanctioned for disrespecting the codes and practices of their employers. To Richards, these employees were just exercising their freedom of speech and conscience.

RESPONSIBILITY

The truth is, freedom comes with responsibilities. It isn't a licence to spew disparaging remarks about people. Furthermore, there are limitations to freedoms, and people will protest when they feel you are (mis)using your freedom to (directly or indirectly) cause harm. That's what the group of gay and lesbian Jamaicans abroad, JAGLA, did when it successfully got the organisers of Rastafest to cancel Queen Ifrica's performance.

Only time will tell whether or not JAGLA's actions will 'teach' Ifrica a lesson, mute her, or make her more respectful of the rights of LGBT people. I am anxious that this might only make her angry and cause Jamaicans to resign in their fears about gay rights and people's freedoms.

There is a fair bit of information available, such as the activist reflection on fighting 'murder music' by Colin Robinson and Akim Ade Larcher (2009), which is instructive for our analysis of what ensued recently (seehttp://sta.uwi.edu/crgs/november2009/journals/akimadelarcher.pdf). Their experiences and views are noteworthy.

At the end of the day, I am sure Queen Ifrica, as do most Jamaicans, still believes music doesn't influence our behaviour. For many, it's really just a song - it's metaphorical. Furthermore, Jamaicans do not understand activist-speak and, as a consequence, it is difficult to comprehend why saying 'no fish roun' here' is problematic.

Dr Marcia Forbes' book Media, Music and Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica is a good case study for music and behaviour. That is why, while I am not suggesting JAGLA did not engage Ifrica, dialogue outside of polarised spaces is so important in all of this.

Noted Jamaican scholars have opined that songs such as Buju's Boom Bye Bye and TOK's Chi-chi Man are merely lyrics and not an incitement to harm any person. Arguably, this is valid, but one cannot ignore how music contributes to mainstreaming and perpetuating anti-gay attitudes and the application of these songs by Jamaicans. After all, we easily recite lyrics and Bible verses when we mete out punishment to LGBT people.

All of us are somehow complicit. No single group can be held responsible for the anti-gay attitudes replete across Jamaica. We believe that saying 'no fish inna mi ital dish' is OK as long as it didn't explicitly 'encourage' violence. That's a big problem with our culture. It's one of the reasons we ignore students bullying their peers until there is blood.Not so long ago, we shunned (through our music) people who engage in oral sex - that's now a thing of the past. I sincerely hope we can say that about 'murder music'. As Tanya Stephens said (in an interview with me in 2010), "It wouldn't hurt artistes to stop spreading messages of hate in their music."

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.

ENDS

While Ifrica's words may not be out rightly inciteful given the temperature of the nation (just listen to talk radio) the slightest "push" can lead and have led to ghastly consequences, whenever the agitation becomes more pronounced and precise and public there is always a spike in homo-negative cases and challenges. Just take the cases in the last month or so that have made news post the Dwayne Jones matter and the We are Jamaicans Campaign that is interpreted in some circles as an imposition of foreign lifestyles with big money behind it. How do groups and advocates then expect most virtuous messages as tolerance (even though erroneously demanded) resonate with the ever hardened public and especially since the ifrica mishap? Early songs in the reggae genre dealt with anti gay sentiments via a biblical perspective even though voiced by Rastafarians in the form of King Sounds & The Israelites - Spend One Night inna Babylon (1978) one of the earliest homo-negative tracks in the dancehall era however was Chuckle Berry's "No Gay Man" in 1991 then his follow up "Made(ly) in Love where he frankly said he does not rub-a-dub with men. Simpleton's "See it Deh" came in 1993 that pushed the unnaturalness as it were of male homosexuality. Then in the late nineties came Capleton's Shot Him Up, Pure Sodom, Ready When You Ready and Bun Out a Chi Chi. 

The infectious kumina/revival genre sounding dancehall track done by Wickerman - Gurlz Dem Gungo Walk was released in 2001 revived the short quiet period as Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye still reigned supreme while Beenieman was to add his voice to the long line of acts both popular and unknown with "All Battyman Fi Dead". Not to be outdone is Sizzla who was one of the first acts to be engaged during the early years of the SMM where at first attempts were made to persuade artists no to perform the offending tracks using moral sway via the promoters and influentials but that didn't work and by the time we looked tricks were used on stage to sneak in materials such as a live band striking chords of the offending song that is known verbatim by the audience who willing sing them while the artist remains mute on stage then claims they never performed them directly. Thus the campaign's strategy was changed to what it became and taking on a life of its own by the more astute overseas allies who continued the work.

Strategy is everything and each artist has to be engaged differently and not grouped as caustic as the more fervent five. Overseas allies be they local or foreigners need to take the lead from the ground before going on frolics of their own, now we are left with a new layer to penetrate in the national pysche that being the oppressed becoming the oppressor.

Peace and tolerance

H

also see:

Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected

Also see: Tolerance, when the oppressed becomes the oppressor from 2009

Shirley Richards breaks silence on the Queen Ifrica fiasco

 Gov’t Hush Hush On Gay Pressure …As Promoters Forced To Pull Queen Ifrica From Canada Show

Queen Ifrica's "Freedom of Speech" & advocacy found wanting

August 26, 2013
Nationwide radio's Emily Crooks during her What's On My Mind segment of her show gave her two cents alongside Naomi Francis co-host, I am total agreement with her, JAGLA over reached in this case:

'I SPOKE FOR WHAT I BELIEVED IN' - Queen Ifrica defends Grand Gala performance after JFLAG backlash

suggested reading: CLICK HERE

Peace and tolerance

H

The United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM Issues Press Release On Recent Statements By Various Leaders

channel5 Belize photo of Caleb Orozco leader of UNIBAM

The United Belize Advocacy Movement, UNIBAM has issued a press release in which it applauds statements of support for diversity recently shared by various leaders. In the release, UNIBAM acknowledges statements made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on support for diversity as well as the Gender Policy asserting the rights of individuals in Belize. 

 The release quotes Prime Minister Dean Barrow as saying quote “There can be no discrimination in terms of employment opportunities, in terms of access to health care, in terms of the services that the society offers. 

This administration certainly is not concerned about what happens in the bedrooms of the employees of the government; there are constitutional protections for public officers, properly appointed, and even with respect to open vote workers there can never be any kind of interference, any kind of surveillance, any kind of concern about the sexual orientation of the employees of government." End quote.

It also acknowledges words of the leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca in which he stated quote, “I am the leader of a political party that embraces all Belizeans. I have Belizeans in my party who are homosexualsand we embrace all Belizeans...that will make for a stronger and vibrant party that is reflective of Belize and our society." End quote.

UNIBAM also thanks Special Envoy for women and children for her public statement on tolerance and against discrimination. Recently, Audrey Matura Shepherd announced her resignation from OCEANA and during a press conference explained that one of the reasons had to do with an article she wrote in which she expressed her opinions against homosexuality and was allegedly attacked by the LGBT community for expressing her views. But in today’s press release UNIBAM says that quote “Oceana’s work remains valued in Belize and UniBAM remains supportive of its effort to secure a balance in the country’s development process. It is clear that the country is at crossroads struggling in balancing development and rights. Thoughtful reflection, respect and fair treatment must hold true for all.” End quote.

more here on the Youtube Channel of Jamaican secularist Clive Forrester with an attorney from the UNIBAM legal team in the recently concluded trial there:

June 6, 2013 UPDATE

Caleb Orozco - Representing as an LGBT activist at the OAS courtesy of Channel 5 News Belize

 

"My agenda is really not new for the Belizean public, it's one of rights and my bias remain LGBT citizens but this time what we're doing is working with our traditional partners within the hemisphere. Over thirty activists that looks at transgender issues, that looks at gay issues, lesbian issues and collectively what we've done is we've worked with some sensitization through a declaration. And the second one it looks at discrimination and all other forms of intolerance. The discussion is a little bit more complicated because adapting a convention does not necessarily mean that it's law and so I believe we have a process of domestication like any process you will have a difference of opinion. Extreme Christian right looking to define or in this case make a statement around the family and our correlation all came together to an understand that the narrow definition of family does not reflect the reality of single parent homes, it does not reflect the reality that there are gay and straight couples who take care of children and who are parents and as such there is a strong disagreement over that."

Orozco says this is his seventh OAS meeting that he’s attending as an LGBT activist.

UPDATE June 6, 2013

Very Early HIV Treatment May Limit "Seeding" of Latent HIV Reservoirs, Study Finds

Early HIV treatment, specifically during acute HIV infection, can limit the virus from forming HIV reservoirs in central memory CD4+ cells, according to study results presented at CROI 2013 in Atlanta, Ga.

Researchers in Thailand screened 52,767 patients for HIV using both nucleic acid tests (NAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. Only 89 were identified as having acute HIV infection. Of these, 75 were enrolled in the study within three days and then started on antiretroviral therapy within an additional two days.

Lead author Jintanat Ananworanich, M.D., presented findings on the first 68 participants. The median age was 29 and 91% were men who have sex with men. The median duration of infection at baseline was only 15 days.

The patients were separated into three groups by Fiebig stage:

There were 24 patients characterized as Fiebig 1, meaning they tested positive for HIV RNA within 15 days of infection, but negative for p24 antigen and negative on a third generation ELISA test.

Only 7 patients were characterized as Fiebig 2, meaning they tested positive for HIV RNA and p24 antigen within 20 days of infection, but negative on a third-generation ELISA test.

The majority, 36 patients, were characterized as Fiebig 3, meaning they tested positive for HIV RNA and p24 antigen, as well as positive on a third generation ELISA test, within 25 days of infection, but negative on a Western blot.

At the time of diagnosis, Fiebig 1 patients had the lowest levels of median HIV DNA compared to the Fiebig 2 and 3 groups. "As the Fiebig stage progresses, there's more seeding of the reservoir," Ananworanich stated. Notably, 92% of the Fiebig 1 group had undetectable integrated HIV DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), compared to 29% of Fiebig 2 and 53% of Fiebig 3.

By week 12 after starting treatment, the median HIV DNA levels of those in the Fiebig 3 group mirrored levels seen in patients who have been on treatment for five years. By week 48, the Fiebig 3 group had HIV DNA levels similar to elite controllers. Interestingly, the Fiebig 1 group had HIV DNA levels similar to elite controllers throughout 96 weeks of treatment. In terms of integrated HIV DNA, 93% of all groups achieved undetectable levels by week 48.

To attempt to determine where HIV established and maintained its reservoirs, the researchers ran additional tests, including leukapheresis, a procedure that separates white blood cells from blood samples. After 24 weeks of treatment, integrated HIV DNA was detected in CD4+ cells, but not PBMCs, B cells or CD8 cells. 

However, even within the CD4+ cell subset, only two out of five patients had detectable levels.

The researchers looked even further into the subsets of memory CD4+ cells to possibly identify the reservoir location. They found that central memory T cells had low infection frequencies when compared to transitional memory and effector memory T cells. 

Anaworanich pointed out that in chronically infected HIV patients, the central memory T cells show higher frequencies of infection and typically rank first or second as a reservoir site. 

Her team's finding that the reservoir in the Thai patients, after early treatment, is actually in the transitional memory and effector memory T cells could lead to new strategies in reservoir eradication, she said.

While these results are promising, Anaworanich noted that the sample size was small and that they had yet to determine the levels of replication-competent virus in these patients. The next steps could include analytical treatment interruption to identify correlates of a functional cure or a therapeutic vaccine.

HIV rates among MSM in the US & St Lucia are up .......

download the Report HERE

The findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detail the most recent HIV/AIDS numbers in the United States. They show that in 2010, there were 47,500 people who were newly infected with HIV, down from 2007's number of 53,200. The authors of the report noted that the rate of new HIV cases in the U.S. has stayed at around 50,000 each year since the '90s.

From 2008 to 2010, black women experienced a 21 percent decrease in new HIV infections (from 7,700 to 6,100). But overall, African Americans are the racial group most affected by HIV (with an HIV rate almost eight times higher than white people), comprising 44 percent of all the new infections in 2010.

The report also showed that young men who have sex with men experienced a 22 percent increase in new HIV infections during the same time period (from 7,200 to 8,800). Men who have sex with men -- a term used by researchers to focus on behaviour and bypass issues of sexual identity -- comprised about 78 percent of new HIV infections in men in 2010, and 63 percent of total new HIV infections in both men and women that year, the report said.

Young people were the most likely to be newly infected, with 31 percent of new infections occurring in people between ages 25 and 34. Twenty-six percent of new infections occurred in people between ages 13 and 24, and 24 percent of new infections occurred in people between ages 45 and 54. People ages 55 and older made up five percent of new infections.

Earlier this year, a report from the United Nations Program on AIDS showed that North America had around 1.4 million people with HIV in 2011, and about 20,000 people on the continent died from the disease that year, Reuters reported. And in 2011, there were a little over 34 million people with HIV around the world.

Meanwhile in St Lucia the National AIDS Program Secretariat, NAPS is reporting today that the rates are up especially for those who do not disclose their preference or are on the downlow. 

This was the same group who called for the repeal of the buggery law in August last year.

St Lucia like Jamaica grappled also with homosexuality in schools and while not going the route we did with out Home and Family Life curriculum and the suggestions of reparative therapy for supposed abusive lesbians in schools earlier this year they seem to have taken a more mature approach based on reports:

Discussions on homosexuality should be included as part of sex education on the island's schools, so says former chief medical officer, Dr. Stephen King. Dr. King says that students are constantly grapple with issues of homosexuality and need to be educated on the issue. The statement comes as Dr. King says that a health study conducted by the Pan Health Organization (PAHO) indicates that many children have homosexuality tendency and confusions during puberty.

Students are struggling with issues of homosexuality and need education and guidance on the matter. That’s according to former Chef Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen King. As a result – he believes sex education should include conversations on homosexuality as it is part of human sex behaviour  The statement comes weeks after a female student was allegedly sexually assaulted by three other females at a secondary school on the island.

Dr. Stephen King says findings from health surveys show many children engage in homosexuality and conversation on the matter would actually lessen confusion on the issue. The pathologist by profession added that discussions at schools would also help to reduce stigma and discrimination and stop the violation of human rights against gay individuals.

See more HERE: Homosexuality in schools in St. Lucia 

UPDATE December 24, 2012

UN Secretary-General's remarks to special event on "Leadership in the Fight against Homophobia" - New York, 11 December 2012

Secretary-General's remarks to special event on "Leadership in the Fight against Homophobia"
New York, 11 December 2012

Thank you all for coming to this remarkable meeting. What a meaningful way to commemorate Human Rights Day. I welcome all of the activists, supporters and others here today.

The very first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

All human beings – not some, not most, but all.

No one gets to decide who is entitled to human rights and who is not.

The United Nations has a proud record of combating racism, promoting gender equality, protecting children and breaking down barriers facing persons with disabilities.

We have a long way to go in all of these areas. But we are turning the tide on discrimination in both law and practice. Slowly, some old prejudices have started to dissolve.

Yet others remain in place, with horrendous consequences.

Around the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are targeted, assaulted and sometimes killed. Children and teens are taunted by their peers, beaten and bullied, pushed out of school, disowned by their own families, forced into marriage … and, in the worst cases, driven to suicide.

LGBT people suffer discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity at work, at clinics and hospitals, and in schools – the very places that should protect them.

More than 76 countries still criminalize homosexuality.

I am pained by this injustice. I am here to again denounce violence and demand action for true equality.

Let me say this loud and clear: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are entitled to the same rights as everyone else. They, too, are born free and equal. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their struggle for human rights.

I am proud that as Secretary-General I have a global platform to highlight the need to end violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The United Nations should lead by example. I recently reiterated to all senior managers that discrimination against staff on the basis of sexual orientation will not be tolerated. I have also asked that the UN’s rules and policies be examined to ensure that the rights of our LGBT staff are protected.

More and more governments are working to tackle homophobia. Last year, the Human Rights Council adopted the first UN resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, which expressed “grave concern” at violence and discrimination against LGBT people.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights published the first UN report dedicated to the problem, which was then debated at the Human Rights Council, marking another UN first.

The past decade has seen far-reaching reforms in Europe, the Americas and a number of Asian and African countries ... and extraordinary shifts in social attitudes in many parts of the world.

I applaud Argentina for introducing some of the most progressive legislation in the world on same-sex partnerships and gender recognition. I am pleased that we are joined today by Blas Radi, from Argentina, who helped drive the gender identity law adopted there earlier this year.

I also welcome Olena Shevchenko who leads an important human rights effort in Ukraine.

In a number of countries, including Ukraine, draft laws have been proposed that would criminalize public discussion of homosexuality – potentially making meetings such as this one illegal. I deplore these kinds of measures wherever they are introduced. They threaten basic rights, feed stigma and lead to more abuse.

We are also pleased to have Gift Trapence, a prominent human rights defender from Malawi. When I visited Malawi in 2010, two young men had just been sentenced to 14 years of hard labour for the so-called “crime” of celebrating their wedding. At my request, the then President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them, on the very day when I asked him, but he defended criminal sanctions. Now under the new leadership of Her Excellency President Joyce Banda, Malawi is weighing possible changes in the law. I hope Malawians take the opportunity to turn a page.

Distinguished friends,

We must all speak out against homophobia, especially those who are considered leaders in society as well as others in the public eye.

Let me say a big Bienvenido to pop sensation Ricky Martin. Muchas Gracias!
You are a wonderful role model for LGBT youth and for all people. Thank you.

I am again honoured to share the stage with Yvonne Chaka Chaka – a global superstar and a champion of development, including as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria. Thank you very much.

Yvonne, you are known as the Princess of Africa. Today, you are our Queen of Equality.

Our guests – and you here today – have helped to open a door. We cannot let it close.

It is an outrage that in our modern world, so many countries continue to criminalize people simply for loving another human being of the same sex.
In many cases, these laws are not home-grown. They were inherited from former colonial powers.

Laws rooted in 19th century prejudices are fuelling 21st century hate. In other cases new discriminatory laws are being introduced.

These laws must go. We must replace them with laws that provide adequate protection against discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

This is not optional. It is a State obligation, based on the principle of non-discrimination – a fundamental tenet of international human rights law.

We also need a broad public education effort to spread understanding and counter fear.

When I meet with leaders from around the world I raise my voice for equality for LGBT people.

Many leaders say they wish they could do more. But they point to public opinion as a barrier to progress.

I understand it can be difficult to stand up to public opinion. But just because a majority might disapprove of certain individuals does not entitle the State to withhold their basic rights.

Democracy is more than majority rule. It requires defending vulnerable minorities from hostile majorities. It thrives on diversity. Governments have a duty to fight prejudice, not fuel it.

I am deeply grateful to the cross-regional LGBT core group of Member States for bringing us together. I hope many other countries will join you.

You and I and people of conscience everywhere must keep pushing until we realize the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all people. The freedom, dignity and equal rights that all people are born with – must be a living reality each and every day of their lives.

Thank you very much.