Lloyd D'Aguilar on The Church Preaching Itself Out Of Relevance in Jamaica

Radio host and rights advocate with his own style of advocacy Lloyd D'Agular's letter became the letter of the day and pleasantly surprisingly so seeing that the Gleaner in recent times had sunk to a low in terms of true journalism from walkouts by award winning staff from press conferences (CVCC) to the tabloid type writing on the JFJ CVCC funded sex education course.

I am not a big fan of his per say but give unto Ceasar what is due unto to Ceasar and he has been interviewing more LGBT spokespersons since his new stint at HOT102FM's Morning Edition.

With yesterday's mass rally by a hastily formed anti gay group Jamaica CAUSE and their threats to vote out any administration that repeals buggery (when that call has since changed by JFLAG though so late to decriminalization) the deceptive conflation of same gender sex with abuse is on twinned with reparative therapy and blocking any attempt to allow coverage under law for sexual discrimination.

video clip from "For The Bible Tells Me So" that made it clear that reparative therapy can be dangerous

Lloyd's letter:

LETTER OF THE DAY - Church Preaching Itself Out Of Relevance

THE EDITOR, Sir:

It appears that the last moral lynchpin of the Jamaican Church (the fundamentalist wing at least) is hatred of homosexuals.

The Church has been forced to accept human frailties - adultery, fornication, stealing, murder, covetousness - as things which secular laws either don't regard as crimes or which the State reserves the exclusive right to punish.

The clergy cannot use biblical admonitions to advocate stoning and murder for such transgressions. To do so, they themselves could be prosecuted for criminal conduct.

But now it seems as if the clerics believe that the last moral code on which they cannot concede is homosexuality.

They are gearing up to take their last stand against the 'gay agenda', which seems also to be a referendum on their own relevance. This gay agenda, which the clerics keep fuming against is, in fact, a human-rights agenda.

Morally speaking, the State does not have the right to be involved in the bedroom affairs of consenting adults - gay or straight. Nor can the Church realistically do anything about what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms.

Modern State

The premise of the modern State is that chattel slavery is over and the State, therefore, has no business regulating personal thoughts, beliefs, morality or sexual behaviour. The last bastion of this attempt to regulate personal behaviour seems to be drugs (marijuana and coke), abortion, prostitution, and homosexuality. It is, of course legal to drink, smoke and eat yourself to death.

The United States has moved decisively on the matter of homosexuality, going so far as to recognise gay marriage. Legalising marijuana may not be too far off.

The Jamaican clergy have a mortal fear that removing the buggery law will lead to legalisation of gay marriage à la the USA. The buggery law is unenforceable in any event, unless the participants engage publicly, which is a very rare occurrence, or the police decide to come kicking down your door based on evidence!

No gay agenda

There is no gay agenda in Jamaica other than that criminalisation of gay sex is a violation of the basic tenets of the Constitution. This criminalisation has led to murder, discrimination and social ridicule.

Having lost their thunder against fornication and adultery, which is considered normal human behaviour, buggery is now the Church's new clarion call.

The clerics never challenge the State over its terrorist methods against inner-city youths, such as the 2010 Tivoli Gardens massacre. They have nothing to say about institutional corruption - indeed, they have regular prayer breakfasts with state officials who are known kleptomaniacs.

Now is therefore not the time to flinch in front of clerical irrelevance. God is dead. He seems to have died a long time ago.

The buggery law must be repealed. LGBT Jamaicans must be protected against violence, stigma and bigotry. Clerical hysteria on the matter of gay rights sounds too eerily similar to the echoes of Fascism.

Jamaica either becomes a civilised state or it further descends into barbarism and proto-Fascism.

LLOYD D'AGUILAR

Campaign for Social and Economic Justice
lgdaguilar@gmail.com

ENDS

also see and hear podcasts:
Jamaica CAUSE issues Veiled threat to Govt to not Repeal The Buggery Law

(UWI) Vice-chancellor E. Nigel Harris - UWI Didn't Bow To Gays

The Hunt for Blood Continues ..... JFJ/CVCC Children’s Homes Sex-Ed Programme Under Police Investigation part 2

More Overreaction to the Jamaicans for Justice Sex Education Course & Media Senationalism

Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco that now obtains?

Professor's Bain's Testimony Threatened Foreign Funding (Gleaner letter)

Lessons to learn from The Professor Bain Matter?

Ian Boyne: Bain exercised terribly poor strategic judgement

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

'UWI had no choice but to dismiss Prof Bain' says Professor Rosemarie Bell Antoine (OAS Rapporteur)

Pro-Bain Protesters To Meet With UWI Today

Buggery the only thing that makes church butts sore?

The Hypocrisy of Jamaican Anti Gay Groups & Selective Actions of Societal Ills 

Buggery, Bain, Bullshit & Buffoonery in Jamaican LGBT Discourse by 

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

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

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

Dancehall has certainly been very clear where it stands when it comes to this issue with various songs voicing clear condemnation of this lifestyle. Currently, quite a few artistes are facing continuous protests because of their anti-gay lyrics. Even the law makers are involved in the gayness as there have been several calls for the repeal of the buggery law. Recently Parliament announced plans to review the Sexual Offences Act which, I am sure, will no doubt address homosexuality. Jamaica has been described as a homophobic nation. The question I want to ask is: What are we afraid of? There are usually many reasons why homosexuality is such a pain in the a@. Here are some of the more popular arguments:

The Bible say it's an abomination

The Bible is perhaps the most popular reference when it comes to proving why homosexuality is wrong. The famous verses: Leviticus 18:22 - "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination." and Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them." The problem with quoting the Bible is that not everyone is a Christian. Also there are other things that are "abominations" in the Bible such as adultery, fornication, lying among others. Are we suggesting that people should be put to death for these transgressions as well?

Gay men prey on young boys

There is a clear difference between paedophilia and homosexuality. Paedophiles are interested in pre-pubescent children who are unable to consent to any sexual activity. Consenting adults getting sexual is very different. Also, there is a lot of concern about boys getting raped, but the attention paid to young girls who are repeatedly molested is not quite the same.

Gay men cause HIV

In the 1980s HIV/AIDS were thought to be caused by homosexuals. That theory has long been dismissed. Heterosexuals have contracted the disease and passed it on to their partners as well. As a matter of fact, anal sex is not only enjoyed by same sex couples, heterosexual couples have been entering through the back door and they face the same risks.

Homosexuals can't procreate

I personally think that this is probably the most hypocritical of all the reasons because most persons who are having sex are not trying to procreate. For many individuals, pregnancy is a consequence, not a decision. So if you are using any form of contraceptive, you are not trying to procreate.

Gay parents will make gay children

This theory is flawed because of one simple fact: Most gay children come from heterosexual households. So clearly sexual orientation is not dependent on that of the parents.

Personally I do not think that what consenting adults engage in sexually should be a matter for legislation. Sexual identity is a personal thing and should be treated as such. As for the buggery (anal sex) law, I think it is antiquated, irrelevant to 21st century life and very difficult to enforce. I mean, are there individuals looking into homes to ensure that the penis is placed in the correct hole? Regardless of how we feel individually about this issue, remember one important fact: every human being is entitled to choose who they love, including homosexuals.

Have fun and stay sexy. 

Send your questions or comments to sexychatwithshelly@gmail.com

see: Buggery could dominate review of sex laws (Observer)

Youth Ministry official accused of homo-paedophile acts takes Minister, OCA & Public Services Commission to court

One Sydney Bartley the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Culture has filed an action in the Supreme Court claiming that accusations made against him sexually molesting a boy (age not given at this time) are not true and baseless and that the attempts to separate him from his post are improper, rumours have been swirling for months since late last year of late night in office romps with young males but no definitive proof has been brought to bear with even the Minister of Youth Lisa Hanna said to be resolute in not returning to the office until he had vacated same via taking early retirement leave, the Prime Minister is said to have been also briefed on the matter.

First respondent – Minister Lisa Hanna

Second respondent – Diane Gordon Harrison (Office of the Children’s Advocate)

Third respondent – Lois Parkes (Services Commission)

Questions were posed in parliament by Miss Hanna’s opposition counterpart Miss Olivia Babsy Grange a short time ago which seemed to be related to the impasse as she wanted to know the employment status of the PM, the Office of the Children’s Advocate alongside the police had raided the youth ministry on February 24, 2014 where several staff members were questioned as to the allegations, the OCA front woman Dianne Gordon Harrison at the time had said she was under a gag order and by law cannot speak to ongoing investigations. It has also come to light that the OCA has written to the Minstry(er) of Youth & Culture based on reports they were in hand of alleged inappropriate action by the persons named now known as the PS.

The questions from Miss Grange include:

1) To ascertain whether the permanent secretary is still in the Ministry’s employ?

2) If that PS had disciplinary action taken against him, if so what conduct or breach would have triggered such action?

3) Are the rumours circulating bearing any truth in them? (bearing in mind Miss Hanna had allegedly said the PS was on leave and all was well

4) Will the minister say if the PS was suspended due to matters in the remit of an agency of the MYC?

5) Will the minister say if he was suspended when did this take effect and for what period?

6) Given rise to the suspension or other means of separation when did this come to the Minister’s attention?

I understand the sensitive nature of that position as any hint or allegations of such nature can bring the entire thrust of the entity can be brought into disrepute, Miss Grange’s questions however though plausible seem more to confirm what is out there on the grapevine more so than unearth the truth but be that as it may this one has not gone away quietly as previous. When more powerful folks get into hot water like this we often do not see such cases going so far but it dies a quick death in as far as public scrutiny is concerned although very few media outlets are tracking it. Miss Hanna has not answered Miss Grange’s parliament floor inquiry.

Lisa Hanna has since responded to Mr Bartley’s concerns via an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court earlier this month, it includes the aforementioned letter sent to Miss Hanna by Miss Gordon Harrison on January 17 this year which considered Mr Sydney Bartley; Miss Harrison told the Minister “I wish to advise you as a matter of courtesy that the Office of the Children’s Advocate has received and recorded a complaint against the Permanent Secretary in your Ministry alleging sexual abuse of a male child” she continued that the OCA had arrived at no find whatsoever but found it appropriate that the investigations be brought to her attention, Minister Hanna responded the same day she told Miss Harrison that she found the contents of the letter disturbing on many levels and that she would move to have Bartley immediately dismissed, Miss Hanna in her affidavit also said the Prime Minister was briefed and that the PM directed Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Saunders to act in Mr Bartley’s place which became effective January 27th this year. A stamped affidavit was also filed at the Supreme Court as well by Chief Personnel Officer of the Services Commission Miss Lois Parkes where she indicated that she met Mr Bartley in the company of Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Saunders during that meeting Mr Saunders suggested that Mr Bartley be sent on immediate early retirement; that recommendation was made subsequently by the public services commission the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Miss Parkes told the court “The Governor General considered the recommendation and did not approve” in the meantime in his affidavit Mr Bartley says he is in the dark about allegations he abused a male child he said he was summoned by Lisa Hanna in October last year regarding what she described as strong rumours as several persons had communicated to her that he was having meetings late at night in his office and that she would not return to the New Kingston offices if he was present.

He went on to say that she has not given details as to illegal, immoral or improper conduct on his part he said Miss Hanna had earlier recommended that he take vacation leave while she carried out checks, he also claimed to have fallen ill, shortly after he was contacted by a news team about his going on leave and why. On October 31 another news team contacted Minister Hanna and asked her about the allegations and leave she terminated the call by saying “The Permanent Secretary is fine” as the Simpson Miller administration tries to separate themselves from him Mr Bartley also adds that he was aboard an American Airlines flight to Long Island when he was taken off the flight by immigration officers as a stop order would prevent him from travelling, he said he was scared and his mouth became dry immediately.

He said that he did not take any vacation since 2011 so he agreed to take leave providing he dealt with some matters still on his desk including the parliamentary issues to do with the appropriations committee to which he must do. He claimed in December that his two secretaries a Miss Peters and Miss White to which he was instructed to reassign the latter Miss White to the PS office which he found strange afterwards as she had a good track record while he thought the investigations were clear. Two hand delivered letters normally done by bearer was also red flags in his minds. Emails and other communications also had him concerned as the OCA were named and that the “report” discussion he should offer to go on early retirement (typed in bold underlined font) the fact that the minister wished him all the nest suggested that it was a done deal and that he should go this without getting a chance to seek legal advice etc.

The cabinet secretary proposed one of two things which he posited as “ideas” for a solution

1 Go on early retirement (taking vacation leave first then in the midst enable that application)

2 interdicted pending investigations

All this no definitive dates, times of the immoral or illegal acts of which he is accused.

What also came strange was on Tuesday January 21, 2014 the services commission rep Miss Parkes called and told Mr Bartley that he had to take vacation leave even while he indicated he would take such leave (via communiqué to senior staff) on January 27th. He took two days departmental leaves which commenced January 22, 2014 and one day sick leave January 24 which were approved.

In Miss Hanna’s affidavit she continued that the applicant/accused shared personal information with her in a meeting but given the trust reposed in the ministry he should take early leave to which he was entitled.

Let us bear in mind when it comes to allegations of improper touching or related accusations that there are two levels of investigations

1 The Office of the Children’s Advocate would be activated from which criminal charges can be brought if proof is found then disclosure is made to the accused afterwards they can prepare their defense.

Let us keep a close eye on this one folks as cases such as this only serve to reinforce sometimes the homo-paedophile justification for resisting gay rights or the decriminalization of buggery by the religious right movement and other non religious anti gay actors, one such religious anti gay voice recently posted her own questions via Facebook:

The tone of her stance is clear eh.

UPDATE March 11, 2014 - more of the affidavit and connected matters courtesy of Nationwide Radio.

Peace and tolerance

UPDATE March 12 Clovis cartoon in a kind of late follow up but the point is made:

UPDATE March 18.03.14 courtesy of RJR News:

There's a development concerning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Sydney Bartley.
RJR News has received word that Bartley has been reassigned to a senior post in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
It's understood that he will be based at the head office of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Efforts to contact Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Douglas Saunders, on Bartley's reassignment was unsuccessful.

News of his reassignment comes ahead of Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna's response to questions in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon.

Last month, the Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, tabled questions in the House regarding whether Bartley is still acting in the post or disciplinary action has been taken against him.

Bartley, who was appointed in January last year to act as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, has taken legal action to prevent the authorities from sending him on early retirement.

UPDATE March 18 television news coverage:

TVJ:

CVM TV:

H

Gays must reserve thier disappointment says emailer on the Queen Ifrica matter

I got this article via email yesterday and thought it was a contributed piece but subsequently realised it was a letter to the editor of the Western Mirror that I had missed. The cancellation of reggae artist Queen Ifrica's work permit to perform in Canada after her Independence Day pro hetero-marriage stance seems to still be on the minds of many as the perception that the advocacy structure has become oppressive due to the poorly planned actions of a group of locals residing overseas. 

Agitation is appreciated by our friends abroad but they must take cue from the locals on the ground before launching overkill campaigns or actions as JAGLA, Jamaica Association of Gays Living Abroad. 

Here is the letter firstly to which I would just send this post as a response.

Queen Ifrica in performance.

The Editor, 

Dear Sir, Queen Ifrica should’ve known how sensitive gays are, and that they would’ve felt left out when she didn’t ‘big them up’ too at the Grand Gala. This may thwart her chance of becoming an official global ambassador.

However, I have watched and heard Queen Ifrica, and I believe that she is one who has been sent. Next time though, I advise her not to come ‘straight’, but instead speak in parables. Make them like the Pharisees, wonder and speculate about the meaning of your words.

Artistes are entertainers and expressionists by nature. Queen Ifrica was simply being a natural and courageous Jamaican artiste.

GAY SHOULD RESERVE DISAPPOINTMENT

The gay community should reserve their ‘disappointment’ for artistes who portray negativity such as violence, hate and disrespect, none of which Queen Ifrica had done and has ever done; she leaves those things to greater beings than herself.

It is quite a challenge for Ministers of Government to please everybody. Although government has a greater obligation to the majority of Jamaicans, it has to provide special and extra support to the nation’s most vulnerable.

Sensitivity is not vulnerability. Vulnerability factors include physically and mentally challenged states, ethnicity, gender, age and certain legacies, like socio-economic states of one’s previous and present generations; factors that one has little or no control over.

HOMOSEXUALITY IS A CHOICE

Homosexuality is a choice, or if instinctive then it’s an instinct gone awry. What Queen Ifrica said was not illegal. What gay men often do such is buggery, is an illegal action here. So it was like saluting those in the crowd that don’t steal, run the red light or murder and assault.

When government has to bow to a minority group who are not ‘vulnerable’, or to foreign establishments, you know that we are in trouble.

Queen Ifrica’s salute to heterosexuals was so innocuous, that I wouldn’t have realised. However, just like their sexual indiscretions, these gays had to ‘show up’ themselves.

The truth is, we cannot bare much more ‘slackness’ of any kind, whether political, social or economical.

It’s either the perpetrators keep it to themselves with discretion or restraint, or have it thrown out into the sea.

I am,
Andre Sheppy (BPharm),
Registered Pharmacist.medifair@cwjamaica.com

ENDS

I am sorry to disappoint Andre but staying in the closet is not an option for some LGBT Jamaicans anymore and conflating abuse with same gender consensual sex is a foolish thought. Miss Ifrica's freedom of speech may have been threatened in the eyes of some but what persons do in the privacy of their homes is their business so long as their is consent involved. Homosexuality is a biological reality whether you like it or not.

also see:

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

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

Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected

also hear my commentary that I did a little late

also hear the interview with Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica and JFLAG's Executive Director Dane Lewis on MURDER MUSIC, VITRIOL & LGBT ADVOCACY from Nationwide News the day after the Grand Gala comments by Ifrica:

older posts from sister blogs

Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel call out Jamaican government on buggery law from 2012

"Keep it to yuself mentality" on homosexuality

"Keep it to Yuself mentality" on homosexuality part 2 .... on "str8 Jamaica from 2009

The socio cultural battle is even going to be greater it seems if after buggery is decriminalized as the myths and misconceptions are ripe; it is only a pity that she could have been a possible ally to the struggle seeing that she was exposed in some sense to parts of the issues but in a negative way as hinted to in the radio interview linked above via homelessness and abuse working alongside the late Dr Heather Little White so she easily without the proper engagement/education assume that the young men she encountered were abused into homosexuality hence her stance. 

Her removal from the UNICEF program she also referred to in the clip maybe the trigger point to the grand gala outburst as she as many other Jamaicans conflate sexual abuse with same gender sex (via consent) hence persons feel children are being conditioned into the "lifestlye" when lifestyle and orientation are not one in the same. Now she and Tony Rebel have crossed over to the dark side aided and abetted by the very lgbt advocacy structure that are to help engage persons to enlightenment as the photo below shows at a recent JCHS meeting:

From left: Angela Templer, group coordinator, Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS); Tony Rebel; Dr Wayne West, JCHS chairman; and Queen Ifrica during the launch and viewing of the JCHS-produced DVD: 'Sex, Lies and Rights'. 

also see: Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD

Peace and tolerance

H

Father of gay son to religious groups: Focus on the real problem guys

In a letter to the Observer a self identified father of a non typical gay man penned the following letter, what caught my attention was the reference to one of the ridiculous causations of male homosexuality that is still used today by religious academics, anti gay groups, Christians Psychologists and theologians that an absentee father makes a boy want to be gay as he seeks to compensate for the loss through sex with men in some misplaced emotional lack.

The letter writer said:

Focus on the real problem 'guys'

Dear Editor,

I am father to a gay son. As an adult preparing to have children, I always dreaded the possibility that a child of mine might grow up to be gay. In my mind at the time, gay was the antithesis of "man", and I took solace in the belief that there was no way I could raise a sissy.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, many anti-gay crusaders claim that absentee fathers and overbearing mothers contribute to gender dysphoria in children and could make them weak to homosexual temptations. You can imagine my dismay then when I realised that my last born, the second male child in the family, had an affinity for toys and activities that are stereotypically feminine.

I felt inadequate as a father, because I believed my parenting style was harming his psychological and sexual development. My son loved to read and he eventually became a teacher of literature and philosophy at a college in the United States where he now lives. He is no longer an embarrassment to me because he is the most talented, caring and responsible person I know. My son is an ambitious Jamaican, a gifted teacher and the most trustworthy friend to those who know him. There is nothing anti-man about him. I like to think our society would be better off and our homes would be more empowering spaces with men and fathers with his attributes.

Instead of condemning homosexuals who are growing tired of life in the shadows, let us focus our attention on the men who have actually destroyed our society: The "bad man dem" who count babies with "gyal ina bungle" as trophies, despite being unemployed; the "tugz dem" who rape our women and girls; the "shotta dem" who steal and murder "fi eat a food"; and the "don dem" who use violence to inspire obedience in inner-city residents and offer handouts from money got through extortion and narcotics trafficking to demand loyalty.

Many gay people have distinguished themselves in every field, because many of them understand they must work twice as hard as their heterosexual colleagues to avoid harassment and decrease their vulnerability to violence. Their sexuality is considered a handicap, so they compensate for it with excellence. Many have left our shores to contribute to the development of already affluent societies. Others remain in Jamaica donating their talents to a society that refuses to recognise their humanity.

Sherman Wallacesherman.p.wallace@gmail.com

ENDS

This same causation line was used at a recent anti gay seminar as hosted by Reverend Clinton Chisholm and guest Psychologist Dr Joan Pickney held in April of this year as they drew on old and rejected data from the US based anti gay group 

NARTH - National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality even in the face of damning criticisms and legal action taken by some of their own research fellows who claim their work was misused by the agency to promote their anti gay and dangerous reparative solutions in their eyes. In that lecture they attributed lesbianism's causation as a missing father in the home making the individual wanting to act the role of a man and persons sat in the audience absorbing this self righteous crap.

We have seen the apparent closure and apology from its leader just days ago from the EX-Gay Ministries formerly known as Exodus as well in the United States where it has been seen anecdotally and otherwise that reparative therapy does not work in a supposed bid to repair or change homosexual orientation and even some leaders themselves have been found in compromising positions with other secretively while publicly promoting change is possible in homosexuals. The APA issued a position statement on the issue in 2000: GO HERE while many US states have now raised to the level of state law proscriptions to ban such practices, New Jersey being the latest in the line doing so just days ago. All this happening while our church groups and some psychosocial professionals go in the opposite directions playing on the ignorance of a glib following.

There are some attempts to continue aspects of the defunct Exodus Ministries as we see despite the APA's statement and the obvious failing of this practice of RT: 

Five Outcomes of the Exodus Ex-Gay Reboot

Here is a clip from the documentary for the Bible Tells Me So where a leading Psychologist warns of the dangers of reparative therapy:

Good that this father is enlightened to some extent, I too always had a father and mother present physically and emotionally for the most part and that never stopped my natural feelings I had, I was not groomed into becoming gay or any older man fondling my parts and playing unto my curiosity or ignorance as is postured by anti gay religious and homophobic figures who like to claim so protection of the vulnerable imperative. Paedophilia and homosexuality are NOT one in the same and in fact the sexual orientation of a paedophile is immaterial as any adult that is sexual attracted to a child has a diagnosable disorder that can be addressed over time by psychological and pharmacological responses from the relevant experts the same cannot be said for homosexuality. We are born this way. It is not only LGBT body politic itself that has to come out on this but also allies and family members as well who have to speak in show of genuine support so as to make real tolerance evident.

Another such strong set of rebukes have been coming towards the anti gay religious establishment since their recent public agitation: (photo from June 23 march in Kingston's Heroes Circle)

Church's Priority Misplaced (Gleaner Letter)

Shame On Church - Clergyman Charges Christians to focus on real issues instead

and my posts: The False Dichotomy of the religious right .................. and Scenes from anti gay Lovemarch at Heroes Circle

Peace and tolerance

H

Tell Me Pastor: Struggling with homosexuality ..............

The Star News feature "Tell Me Pastor" carried this piece below and though I am not a psychologist the letter seems a little off to me but read and see what you make of it, on my other blogs I have long been suspicious of some of these letters too and their authenticity as sometimes they border on sensational. The young man here says he was sexually abused as a boy and that indeed is sad and shocking but what followed has been a rollercoaster ride it seems the pastor's rebuke however is disturbing to me. Read ...............

Dear Pastor,

I am writing to you for your help. I am a male who has never had a happy moment in my life from I was 11. I was sexually abused by a good friend of my family from St Catherine. At that time, I did not understand that if anyone was caught in the act of homosexuality, he would be beaten to death. This happened in the late 1980s. I got to like it so I used to visit the man's house often. It went on for several years because I didn't know homosexuality was wrong. I was innocent to everything around me. This man has messed up my life because homosexuality still affects my life today.

Over the years, I have been with several other men and have also gone to different counsellors but the problem is still starring me in the face. I became a Christian in 1993 but I am still struggling with this situation. I have prayed and fasted for these homosexual feelings to go away, but it has not helped.

In 2001, I met a man. He treated me well and took me to rural Jamaica. He was loving and caring and we became lovers. He told me he had homosexual fantasies, then I decided to stop having sex with him and to change my lifestyle. I stopped calling him and texting him but he continued to text me with sweet words. I prayed to God for a change and was getting there, but because I am weak towards him, I fell back into the devil's track. Sometimes I wonder where is God in my situation. I never thought I would be so unhappy.

One night in the early 90s, at a big tent at a crusade, the preacher called me to the altar and told me someone has tied me down in a bottle. I want to go back to school and start my own business, but I cannot because of lack of funds.

One day I went to Emancipation Park to clear my mind and my phone rang. It was one of my lovers. He was in the presence of some girls. He was touching me up and had an erection. This man was also having sex with one of the girls. I am wondering where God is in my situation.

One day I went to his house and we got into a fight in his van and I dropped out. I have tried many times to break up with this man and we are still having sexual intercourse without condoms. We have done freaky things. His girlfriend doesn't believe we are doing these things. He is bisexual. I know I have done many bad things to him and I am asking him for his forgiveness. His girlfriend told me disgraceful things that I should do to her.

This man has helped me and is very kind to me. I asked him to give me $10,000 and he wants to know if I will pay him back in sex. I am still attending church but Ifeel condemned. Friends have turned their backs on me, but I want to thank God because He has never left me. I am 34 and cannot break free from this disease for more than 23 years now. I have had deep depression and suicidal thoughts. My own brother told me I am dunce and worthless. Please, help me.

R.B.

Pastor responds:

Dear R.B.,

I regret hearing that an adult male, who was a family friend, introduced homosexual practices to you. Unfortunately, you didn't report him and kept going to his house. As you grew up, you became a practising homosexual. That is why most psychologists say homosexuality is something learned. I do not mean to imply this is true in every case.

You felt your sexual partners treated you well and found it difficult to walk away from them. Even after you decided to change, it wasn't for long. You have written a detailed letter and have mentioned the names of individuals. As you can see, I have deleted many of the things that you have said. They are not publishable. Your motive is not just to seek help, but to expose certain individuals with whom you have had affairs.

You claim in the letter that you are a very jealous man. So while you give the impression that you are seeking help, you are really looking for revenge. You are still very much in love with a particular man whose name you have mentioned many times in your letter. I do believe you are carrying a heavy burden and believe in the nonsense that the preacher told you at the crusade meeting that someone has tied you down in a bottle.

I would like to suggest you make an appointment to see a Christian psychologist and ask him/her to help you. If you continue to believe hope is lost and someone, not you, are responsible for your behavior, you will never experience deliverance.

Yes, you were abused as a child. When you became an adult, you knew better and should not blame others for the wrong things you have done. You are responsible for your actions. Nobody has put you in a bottle. The preacher who told you that is wrong and has contributed to messing up your mind.

Pastor

ENDS

In my continued look at this for the pastor Aaron Dumas who is a psychologist and also hosts a program on Power 106fFM at nights to scold the man where he said "Yes, you were abused as a child. When you became an adult, you knew better and should not blame others for the wrong things you have done. You are responsible for your actions. Nobody has put you in a bottle. The preacher who told you that is wrong and has contributed to messing up your mind." I am baffled at this response if abuse was the origin of his struggle taking into account the power differentials that may have existed (going by the letter) between the youth at the time and this adult perpetrator then how in adult life the writer could simply come to some realization without any professional help mentioned in the piece? In power differentials the victim sometimes does not have the opportunity to say no or tell someone else especially a child (going by the letter) he may run into a backlash as other circumstances may have been present to block seeking that kind of redress. It takes years sometimes never for persons to come forward or get comfortable to even talk about the issues involved or to rehash the abuse. Now that he has come forward this is the response from Pastor Dumas? To simply indirectly dismiss the man and he is to supposed change or come to some realization by his own recognizance is unprofessional to me and smacks as a kind of dismissal of this case yet he had no qualms to suggest a christian psychologist imputing a reparative therapy course.

The need for more forensic psychiatry or psychology is clear here too as we must now begin to understand the perpetrator's profiles as well in a bid to address situations like this, we have seen and heard from the Child Development Agency, CDA express this concern as well. The training of staff as well to help children express where abuse may be present. 

Indeed inappropriate initiation is a problem overall but how to properly address these cases on the part of the victim is called into question here via this case especially when the professional handling such a matter is using a Judaeo Christian base given the Diagnostic Statistical Manuals course in categorizing deviant diagnosable behaviour. I am sorry I was not near this individual (if he is real) as I would have suggested a book by a Jamaican man who was abused as well and who documented his travel to recovery:

"The Cries of Men" tell the candid and true personal accounts of rape and sexual abuse from the voices of young Jamaican men."The Cries of Men" shares the candid and true personal account of rape and sexual abuse from the voices of young Jamaican men. By providing an in-depth look into their secret lives, author O'Brien Dennis demonstrates how one act of sexual violence can have a devastating effect on adult survivors.

"The Cries of Men" takes a virgin journey of homophobia in the realm of Jamaica's social fabric. Dennis reveals the powerful and intriguing stories of Jamaican male sexual abuse survivors, but also divulges unknown facts about Jamaican society- including the concept that homosexuality is an evil act, punishable by imprisonment of up to ten years of hard labor. Yet each week in Jamaica, there are over fifteen reported cases of sexual abuse of young men and boys, many more cases go unreported because men fear for their lives if they disclose the abuse. Dennis also provides a list of resources to assist in recovering from sexual abuse.

My answer to Peter Espeut's rubbish on Homophobia Exposed

Friday December 21 we saw an article penned by Catholic Priest Peter Espeut and the madness that lies between his ears coming forth, here is the article firstly:

Homophobia Exposed!

Peter Espeut

I must congratulate the gay lobby for conducting one of the slickest and most comprehensive public-relations campaigns I have ever seen.

In their struggle to remake the world in their own image, they have taken on every social and political institution, including the family, the school, the Church and the State. By dressing up their cause as one of 'human rights' and 'justice', they have managed to capture much of the discourse, and make gains in supposedly sensible places such as Europe and the United States of America. Even the Episcopal Church has lost its way.Describing an element of their strategy in my column last week, I wrote: "The gay lobby abuses all those who disagree with their lifestyle by branding them as mentally ill, as 'homophobic' - a word which they have concocted."

In his column last Sunday, 'The 'facetiest' red man in Jamaica' (not referring to me, by the way), Gordon Robinson, wrote: "By the way, Peter, 'homophobia' is very much a real word and a real worldwide disgrace. It's not 'concocted'. Look at the Oxford Dictionary."Gordon is usually more perceptive. The Oxford Dictionary contains words in use, whether concocted or properly derived. My point is that the word 'homophobia' has been specifically invented as part of the campaign to 'normalise' the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyle, by asserting that persons who disagree with it are psychologically disturbed.

WORDS AND MEANINGS

'Phobia' in Greek means 'irrational fear of', and 'homo' comes from the Greek word 'homoios', which means 'same', as opposed to 'heteros', which means 'different'. The word 'homosexual' refers to persons of the same sex (gender), while heterosexual refers to persons of different gender.

'Homophobia' then would mean 'an irrational fear of sameness', which is meaningless. What humans actually fear is people who are different from them (heterophobia?). 'Homophobia' is a word (poorly) concocted as a campaign slogan intended to demean straight people who believe that homosexuality is not a lifestyle to be considered normal.The word 'homophobia' was coined by gay activist George Weinberg in the 1960s to refer to heterosexual men's fear that others might think they are gay. In his 1972 book Society and the Healthy Homosexual, Weinberg used the word 'homophobia' differently, as a personality profile to describe the psychological aversion to homosexuality. He describes the concept as a 'medical phobia', proposing that those who harbour prejudice against homosexuals are suffering from a psychological malady, an irrational state of mind. There is no doubt that the intention is to brand all people of conscience (including Christians, Jews and Muslims) who genuinely believe homosexuality to be an aberration as mentally ill.
Medically, there is no such phobia, but the concocted word has caught on, and those who use it - like Gordon Robinson - are unwittingly buying into the LGBT campaign. Intolerance towards gay people there certainly is, and a real worldwide disgrace it certainly is! But worldwide mental illness? No!

But give credit where credit is due: it has been an effective slogan.

'eye-for-an-eye' approach

If the cause of the LGBT lobby is just, and rational, they should be able to advance their cause through the use of reason, avoiding abusing their opponents in the same manner as gay people are abused. Manufacturing abusive words such as 'homophobia' is the sort of 'eye-for-an-eye' approach that will make the whole world blind.But the LGBT PR campaign is one of abuse, where they attack the messenger rather than trying to refute the message. Since religion (not just Christianity) is the main opponent of the normalisation of the LGBT lifestyle, the goal is to destroy and discredit religion, to demean the noble (if embattled) institution of marriage, and to redefine 'the family' in their own image.

George Davis, in a well-researched column ('Is Jamaica ready for the 'coming out' party?' Gleaner, December 12, 2012), demonstrates how "homosexuality is now firmly mainstream after years of strategic effort to have it permeate popular media". He writes: "But how did we get here? How did homosexuality wriggle its way into the mainstream, to be front and centre everywhere we look? The answer is startlingly simple: television." By first capturing Hollywood, the LGBT lobby is winning the media war.But I disagree with George on one point: He calls the LGBT victory an "immutable reality". The LGBT public-relations campaign (posing as a campaign for 'human rights' and 'justice') can be easily exposed and discredited as irrational and illogical and nonsensical. But if no one consistently answers and refutes these foolish arguments, people may believe they are true.

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and Roman Catholic deacon. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.

ENDS

Normally I do not respond this kind of garbage these days but when one is going to challenge the struggle in this manner while using the very homophobia to lace the article and then discount the value of the lives lost over the years all because of fear we are on a slippery slope with these religious zealots who use sanctimonious crap to push their hate. 

my answer to Peter Espeut's rubbish  .... 

"Homosexuals didn't capture Hollywood they were always there but you were in a church pew somewhere for the most part while the real world passes you by. Does Rock Hudson ring a bell?

Interesting you're part of a religious group that killed free thinking women and choose to continue to enforce an absolute monarchical system in the modern world while relegating women as back burners not to take up leadership positions ..... wow!!! talk about impositions. Lest we forget the horrible challenges England had to go through to get out from under Rome while your Church had Spain in the palm of their hands executing Protestants in the name of God ....... Protestant revolution indeed ....... Hurray for Elizabeth R 1

Concoctions eh?

The Council of Nicea linked to your Catholic order who supposedly decided when we celebrate Easter, who were to be published in the Bible as know it and the very Christmas holiday we are about to have in the coming days. The rejection certain of certain gospels etc yet pederasty and other types of open same sex relations were very much apart of Roman culture and the the Greeks from which you quoted "homoios" (excluding anal rape as humiliation) Was St Paul's condemnation via the Romans on his aborted visit to Corinth a concoction as he did not understand the difference between exploitive same sex activities versus long term monogamous healthy same sexed unions? 

The word "Homosexual" did not arrive in or near our language until 1868 when it was first used in Prussia now known as Germany under the infamous paragraph 145 legislation which the very points we are using today of privacy and consent were postured in the one of the first pieces of progressive legislation dealing with homosexuality.

Quietly keeping paedophilia in your Catholic faith under raps before dealing with the pyshco-sexual issues arising from forced celibacy and you're worried about consenting adults? that's a laugh.

Who says gay people for the most part want to procreate? and we can if we want to by various means including surrogacy then again in the name of heterosexism/ procreation what a fine job has been done when people like you drive in your vehicles passing the homeless, wind-shield wipers, your silence on the children in lock-ups  the rapes, the thousands of missing kids and you are worried about same gender lovers and children, probably we should be allowed to adopt and see how best to alleviate the problems and DO NOT tell me that homosexuals who raise children are going to make them gay as that is NOT TRUE as evidenced globally. 

Oh! you have no children, oh dear!!!! .......... childless yet worries about procreation, ugh, do you masturbate regularly or is that a sin too? 

And prey tell what about those priests who do each other in the rectory or hide under the guise of the cloth while enjoying the company of men to satisfy their same sex urges?

Besides your are late (yet again) on many fronts, same sex couples can produce an embryo from the selected stem cells of both partners, the catch is however you need a surrogate mother to carry it to birth and that can be easily arranged simply via a contract or agreement usually for secure couples who can prove they are financially secure in raising a child or children.

Homosexuality is more than just how we have sex .......... idiot!!!!! GET YOUR HEAD OUT our bedrooms or breaking your neck to peek through the keyhole to figure out who pushes what into where.

So the umpteen numbers persons who have simply been profiled or perceived to be gay and end up dead, dislocated, made homeless, becoming asylum-seekers elsewhere for safety or chopped up were not valued lives or means nothing to you (a man of the cloth) the fact that you seemed more worried about a word and "concocted" motives in your own mind than the actual fear or loathing of persons simply because they express themselves differently than you, what were those persons reflecting, give us a word what those perpetrators of violence or stigma were and are doing towards those victims?

Your piece reflects the sad state of affairs some persons are in locally when it comes to tolerating difference which is the bigger picture without having to go down a path of the very fear that is homophobia itself and that homosexuals are out to "homosexualize" everything else ............do you think we are contagious?

Homosexuality - A Biological reality

Homophobia - a Lifestyle choice

Your choice is clear as reflected in this piece.

Stick to the environmental issues where your expertise lies.

APA Board of Trustees Approves DSM-5

At its December meeting today, APA’s Board of Trustees approved the final diagnostic categories and criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The trustees’ action marks the end of the manual’s comprehensive revision process, which has spanned over a decade and included contributions from more than 1,500 experts. These final diagnoses and descriptive criteria will be available when DSM-5 is completed and published in May 2013.

“The Board of Trustees approval of the criteria is a vote of confidence for DSM-5,” said Dilip Jeste, MD, president of APA. “We developed DSM-5by utilizing the best experts in the field and extensive reviews of the scientific literature and original research, and we have produced a manual that best represents the current science and will be useful to clinicians and the patients they serve.”

“We have sought to be very conservative in our approach to revisingDSM-5. Our work has been aimed at more accurately defining mental disorders that have a real impact on people’s lives, not expanding the scope of psychiatry,” said David J. Kupfer, M.D., chair of the DSM-5 Task Force. “I’m thrilled to have the Board of Trustees’ support for the revisions and for us to move forward toward the publication."

The manual will include approximately the same number of disorders as were included in DSM-IV. The manual is composed of three sections:


• Section 1 will give an introduction to DSM-5 with information on how to use the updated manual.


• Section 2 will outline the categorical diagnoses according to a revised chapter organization.


• Section 3 will include conditions that require further research before their consideration as formal disorders, as well as cultural concepts of distress, the names of individuals involved in DSM-5’s development, and other information.


Key decisions made by the Board of Trustees include the following:

• Overall Substantive Changes
o Chapter order
o Removal of multiaxial system


• Section 2 Disorders
o Autism spectrum disorder
o Binge eating disorder
o Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
o Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder
o Hoarding disorder
o Pedophilic disorder
o Personality disorders
o Posttraumatic stress disorder
o Removal of bereavement exclusion
o Specific learning disorders
o Substance use disorder

• Section 3 Disorders
o Attenuated psychosis syndrome
o Internet use gaming disorder
o Nonsuicidal self-injury
o Suicidal behavioral disorder


• Disorders Not Accepted for Sections 2 or 3
o Anxious depression
o Hypersexual disorder
o Parental alienation syndrome
o Sensory processing disorder

A Message From APA President Dilip Jeste, M.D., on DSM-5

December 1, 2012

I am pleased to announce that DSM-5 has just been approved by APA's Board of Trustees. 

Getting to the finish line has taken a decade of arduous work and tens of thousands of pro-bono hours from more than 1,500 experts in psychiatry, psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, pediatrics, neurology, and other related fields from 39 countries. We look forward to the book’s 

publication next May.

The goal of the DSM-5 process has been to develop a scientifically based manual of psychiatric diagnosis that is useful for clinicians and our patients. APA’s interest in developing DSM dates back to the organization’s inception in 1844, when one of its original missions was to gather statistics on the prevalence of mental illness. In 1917, the Association officially adopted the first system for uniform statistical reporting called the Statistical Manual for the Use of Hospitals for Mental Diseases, which was adopted successfully by mental hospitals throughout the country. It was expanded into the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1952 and first revised (DSM-II) in 1968. Like the rest of the field in that era, these first two versions were substantially influenced by psychoanalytic theories.

With advances in clinical and scientific knowledge, changes in diagnostic systems are inevitable. 

The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD)—the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management, and clinical care used around the world, which covers all medical diagnoses—has been through 10 editions since the late 1800s and is 

now preparing its 11th edition, due in 2015. Likewise, DSM has undergone changes to take into account progress in our understanding of mental illnesses. DSM-III, published in 1980 under the leadership of Dr. Robert Spitzer, and DSM-IV, published in 1994 under the leadership of Dr. 

Allen Frances, represented the state of science of psychiatry at those times and significantly advanced the field.

In the two decades since the publication of DSM-IV, we have witnessed a wealth of new studies on epidemiology, neurobiology, psychopathology, and treatment of various mental illnesses. So, it was time for APA to consider making necessary modifications in the diagnostic categories and 

criteria based on new scientific evidence. But there were, of course, challenges inherent in revising an established diagnostic system.

view/download the statement HERE