Why The Obsession with Gays Shirley Richards?

You may also want to check out posts from sisters blogs under the tabs:

Lawyers' Christian Fellowship HERE, HERE and HERE

JCHS HERE and HERE 

Buggery Law HERE Charter of Rights HERE 

Christianity & Homosexuality HERE

Religion as Divisive HERE and Jamaica CAUSE HERE to see some of the damage this woman has done or heavily influenced over these many years with her anti gay activism but tabs are being kept on her.

Shirley Richards takes part in a protest in front of the University of the West Indies, Mona, in support of Professor Brendan Bain, who was fired from his post after gay-rights and human-rights advocates pressured the administration. Richards is a strong critic of gay-rights activism. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Patrick White, Guest Columnist

In a major departure from the Dark Ages, superstition no longer has authority in modern jurisprudence, at least in democracies. Fact-based evidence has replaced superstition as the supreme authority. At least that is what I thought until I read attorney Shirley Richards' August 2, 2014 column, 'Can you stop the bolting horse, Mr Boyne?'

The column begins with an ill-advised defence of what nearly everyone would agree to be a nonsensical assertion from an earlier column: "Repeal of the [buggery] law will also effectively remove the philosophy that protects true marriage, making the institution of marriage, although thankfully currently protected, much more susceptible to challenge."

What "philosophy" could Ms Richards be talking about that protects marriage? I know that my marriage, like most, is a personal contract, a long-term expression of love and commitment between my wife and me. There is no philosophy that I know of that protects this commitment. If buggery was decriminalised, as it should be, I see no reason this will change my view of my wife or her view of me. What possible logic could support Ms Richards' reasoning, which seems so bizarre?

Alternatively, perhaps Ms Richards may be fantasising that nations could use the decriminalisation of buggery as the pretext to renege on marriage contracts. If that is the case, let me set her mind at ease. Contract law, as she must know, is at the core of all economic activity. And marriage contracts have a significant economic basis as well, especially in inheritance. Since economics trumps most considerations, it is difficult to see why any democracy would jeopardise marriage contracts, threatening their financial viability.

As to Ms Richards' concern over whether buggery should be taught as normal, what if it is true? After all, normality is the scientific consensus; being gay is not considered an illness. It is merely a variation in sexual behaviour across the continuum, typical of our species. We also know that individuals in many animal species, in addition to us, show durably gay behaviours; it is not 'abnormal' there either.

NO VALID REASON

If being gay is normal, what could be the societal benefit of pretending it is not? Other than upsetting misguided religious sensibilities, my guess is neither Ms Richards nor any of her supporters can cite any valid reason.

At the same time, it is easy to show that when we mischaracterise, mistreat and sequester otherwise normal LGBT individuals, we are effectively relegating a percentage of every generation to living on the fringes. And when we substitute religious mythology for a frank, evidence-based discussion of human sexuality, we may also inflict lifelong psychological damage, especially to gay children as they approach puberty, and for the first time realise they are different from most of their peers.

And who pays for this insanity? We do. We pay for the criminality, which inevitably follows ostracism and sequestration. We also pay for the medical care, particularly the expensive HIV treatment, which often accompanies life in the sex trade, one of the few economic avenues available to LGBT outcasts.

But, more important, this insanity deprives our nation of the contribution LGBT individuals could be making to our economic development. In this regard, I am reminded of Alan Turing, one of the most important mathematicians of the 20th century, and who is also credited with laying the theoretical foundations of computer science. A mug with his likeness, a gift from the Association of Computing Machinery, sits proudly in my cupboard. Dr Turing was a leader in the breaking of the Nazi Enigma encryption that was so central to Allied victory in WWII. He was a gay man.

How many Dr Turings have we damaged psychologically as children, rendering them incapable of contributing to society?

Is there no limit to the economic price that we, as a nation, will pay to indulge the religious fantasies of people like Shirley Richards?

Patrick White holds a doctorate in engineering and led research groups at Bell Laboratories and Bellcore (Telcordia). Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and rasta49@me.com. 

Also see in the Gleaner:
No threat to straight rights 

JFJ Interim Board has Full Authority 

more reads with the goodly Miss Shirley obsession:
Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues

"Keep it to Yuself mentality" on homosexuality part 3 .... stay in our bedrooms?

Lawyers' Christian Fellowship's Shirley Richards says lesbian sex should be criminalized as buggery

Shirley Richards & The Jamaican UK Foster Parents (The Johns) on Love 101 FM ............. on buggery

Lawyer's Christian Fellowship hypocrisy from Shirley Richards: "Charter Of Rights And The Moral Divide" read carefully

A Critical Response to Shirley Richards: Religious Freedoms Under Threat

No Same Sex Marriage says Prime Minister in Charter of Rights Bill Debate 2009

Shirley Richards spews more homophobic garbage (letter to the Gleaner 23.09.09)

Response to Shirley Richards' Letter - All's not well with sexual mores

Tolerance or acquiescence?

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

Shirley Richards breaks silence on the Queen Ifrica fiasco

Gays' Threat To Free Speech ........... veteran journalist Ian Boyne ....

Anti Sodomy Decriminalization/Repulsion action intensifies from the Christian Community

Shirley Richards breaks silence .......... "Sustain Buggery Law!"

LCF's Shirley Richards at it again: Are Christians Second-Class? she asks

Shirley Richards at it again: 'No truth that repealing buggery law will help reduce HIV/AIDS

Making scapegoats of gays (Gleaner Letter)

2009, The Year that was

Check out a Shirley of a sensible kind that is Shirley Fletcher author of the book The Dance of Difference which emphasized tolerance, she was speaking on an interview this is an edited clip of one of the best parts:

I swear this woman has some unresolved bitterness

UPDATE 2015

Is Mark Golding Really Sincere? (Gleaner)

CARIMAC Intern accounts on Millsborough Ave Homeless MSM/Observer Stoning incident

Welcome to the real world as the author got a taste of what an angry set of gay youth can be like after being neglected by not only their families but also their more privileged peers as well

photos from Observer at the time of the original report featuring some older members of the displaced populations from the closed Safe House Pilot 2009

Terror, as gays armed with bottles chase photographer

Danger on the streets logo

By KIMBERLEY HIBBERT

MY first real taste of journalism was during internship for the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) when I was placed at the Jamaica Observer. I was excited about roving with the ace crime reporter.

One Wednesday morning we got word that a group of gay men had illegally occupied a house on Millsborough Avenue in Barbican, North East St Andrew, and were being a nuisance to residents there.

Our news team drove to the property to check out the story. On arriving, the driver instructed the photographer to be quick, and take photos from inside the vehicle.

But our photographer insisted on exiting the vehicle to get the pictures. We watched and waited anxiously.

"Weh him deh man, how him a tek so long fi come back? Mi tell yuh bout him enuh, weh him a do up deh so long?" mused the senior reporter.

Within a second of his expression of impatience, we saw the photographer racing towards the vehicle, arms and legs pumping, his camera over his shoulder. Behind him, the men in question were also sprinting with two crocus bags filled with glass bottles which they started hurling.

I was terrified. The driver turned on the engine and started signalling to the photographer to get in the vehicle quickly.

But, out of fright, the photographer started pulling too hard on the door latch and the central lock engaged. He was in for the fright of his life.

Realising what had happened, instead of waiting a few seconds to try the door again, the photographer ran, as the men were within 10 metres of him. For about 10 minutes they stood outside the vehicle playing dandy shandy with the bottles, while the senior reporter, the driver and I sat crouched in the vehicle. At one point the photographer opened the driver's door in a bid to enter, but failed.

When one of the bottles hit the vehicle the driver started going down the road slowly, with the photographer jogging behind. Eventually he ran to the passenger side of the vehicle and by that time more men had joined the bottle throwers. The driver then stretched across to the passenger door and swung it open for the photographer to jump in while the vehicle was still moving. The photographer attempted to get in and ended up having one leg inside the vehicle. Eventually he steadied himself, and we drove towards Barbican Road with a half of the photographer's body outside the vehicle.

The entire vehicle was silent up to the main road when I started snickering, then the other occupants burst out laughing.

The photographer, however, was not amused and insisted that we drive to the police station.

If our hilarity was hard for him to bear, the ordeal at the police station was something else.

We went inside and began telling the sergeant on duty what had happened. The entire station then gathered to listen. One constable sat in a corner trying to suppress his laughter.

But what knocked the ball out of the park was when the sergeant, while smirking, sarcastically asked: "So what you want me to do? Go up there for them?"

The senior reporter, not the least bit amused, gave a dry laugh and said in a very stern tone, "Yes". The sergeant then told us that if the owner did not come forward to remove the men, there was nothing he could do.

It was a hair-raising experience. I phoned my lecturer at CARIMAC and gave him the 411 about the incident. After having a good laugh, he asked in the most concerned tone, "Are you OK?" My response: "Yes sir, and I'm enjoying my internship."

We thought that was the end of it, but when we finally composed ourselves and drove back to Beechwood Avenue, we were in for more teasing.

We entered the Editorial Department and most persons appeared to be minding their business until we sat down. One brave soldier approached us and asked about the experience, some details of which had already been leaked to the newsroom. When I looked up, 12 men had gathered to hear of the showdown. While we did a re-enactment of the incident, the senior reporter and I took turns acting out what had happened to the photographer, to the delight of the editors who laughed heartily. The senior reporter jumped and I, balancing on one leg, showed them how we escaped danger.

Despite the humour of the situation, we all acknowledged the danger we would have been in if a bottle had smashed the windscreen or one of the windows, or had struck the photographer.

Kimberley Hibbert completed her first degree journalism programme at CARIMAC recently.

ENDS

The house was subsequently destroyed (the developer above) and since then the men and transgender collegues have been struggling with all kinds of deception to mask the major causation of the over populations of persons in New Kingston especially at the Shoemaker gully.

A recent documentary on UK Channel 4 (or HERE) of the newer populations deliberately overlooked the Safe House Pilot that was located at 4 Upper Musgrave Avenue under Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, JASL and suggested the property was destroyed due to homophobia by the landlord when that was not the actual reason which also led to the eviction of both JFLAG and JASL with the other tenants.

also see: New Efforts To Halt Spread Of HIV Among Gay Jamaica Men

So much for deception and why we cannot get anywhere with either frontline work or finally beating stigma and discrimination.

See more posts from sister blog Gay Jamaica Watch on the issue including the original closure entry HERE 

Peace and tolerance

H

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

Jamaican Gay Hookers Popular Online says the Star News

So the Star News tabloid has finally picked up on this one when it is long gone out there, well the reporting is not all that bad this time as usually their style is very condescending and stigmatizing as well. I had posted the clip on three of my blogs from the day it was released and have paid close attention to some of the comments made and lack thereof by more privileged members of the gay community ...........

The Star carried:

Documentary highlights their life in New Kingston

Diandra Grandison, Staff Reporter

Dressed in wigs, female apparel and heavy make-up, a group of homosexual sex workers were the highlight of a documentary which went viral on the Internet recently.

The film titled, Documentary on Gay Prostitutes Living in Jamaica was first aired on video sharing site YouTube more than a week ago and has stirred responses of pity and disgust for the gay prostitutes.

The almost hour long documentary, which was produced by CBTV, was filmed on a sidewalk at Trafalgar Road, St Andrew, a popular hotspot for homosexuals.

Ten gay prostitutes were interviewed, all of whom spoke of their experiences as a sex workers as well as used the opportunity to express their grouses.

During the documentary, a 22-year-old 'man' with the moniker 'Stagerine', spoke of earning a living as a sex worker since he was 14. "I come from rural St Catherine, saw a gay sex tape and heard about New Kingston and decided to come hustle, I've been a sex worker for seven years," he shared.

But unlike many of his colleagues, Stagerine revealed, he still has a good relationship with his family, despite his occupation and lifestyle.

The homosexual sex workers, also spoke of being attacked by passers-by and being made homeless due to their sexual orientation. This proved to be true as during the interview a bottle was thrown at the group.

Sasha-Berry, 21, explained how he was hospitalised late last year: "I was stabbed multiple times in December, after I was set up by 'two real girls' to mek dem friend try kill me."

Another worker said he is forced to sleep in a gully. " From yuh gay, dem don't waa rent we dem place and what we make is hand to mouth, we can't afford it," Trina-Doll explained.

The group also emphasised their need for help and aspirations to live overseas in a 'gay-friendly' country.

"Mi feel like me waa leave Jamaica and live my life free, waa live like inna Amsterdam weh it legal!" one said.

Throughout the film, the men expressed their disappointment in Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, who they claimed used them to get elected. They claimed that the prime minister made promises during the December 2011 leadership debate that if admitted in office she would review the Buggery Act.

Another added, "she needs to look out for us. She visits other countries and sees how their heads of state look out for homosexuals ... How do you sleep Miss Portia, knowing that your brothers and sisters are sleeping in the gully?"

While some of the more than 50,000 YouTube viewers sympathised with the gay sex workers, others responded with disdain.

"Oh my God, my heart bleeds for these poor uneducated guys, this is a very sad state," a viewer commented.

Another commented, "this is disgusting! I'm for live and let live, but sex on the street and them kinda levity, spread all kinda disease and dysfunction."

"Mi feel like me waa leave Jamaica and live my life free, waa live like inna Amsterdam weh it legal!"

ENDS

Pity that it has taken all these years, deaths, beatings, impervious bigoted pretentious agencies run by gay men at that and so much suffering to finally get them some attention and despite grand announcements and shows to pretend as if some concern is being shown via the much touted Dwayne's House project they are still on the streets as their numbers increase.

Now we are being told of another pretentious bunch coming on to do some sort of outreach as 1pm! in the afternoon when the men are out at late hours.

Question is where were all these persons when the situation warranted so much attention and additionally why wasn't support given to other groups and individuals who wanted to jump in and assist?

Politics in Jamaican LGBT advocacy continues to play out and how strange that the Chairman of JASL resigned in a huff some time ago.

Peace and tolerance

H

Queen Ifrica Stands Her Ground on homosexuality

So more anti homosexual rhetoric from Queen Ifrica comes but let us not forget for a moment that sections of the LGBT lobby locally and abroad pushed her into this new resolve she seems to have found, taking into account the mishandling of the stop murder response to her Independence Day 2013 pro heterosexual marriage comment at the grand gala yet the SMM Campaign was never designed to go after second tiered Reggae acts although they have anti homosexual sentiments in their repertoire. 

Now some complain when the causation was partly theirs; take for example Maurice Tomlinson's recent comments on the Rebel Salute performance by Ifrica: 

"QUEEN IFRCIA CONDEMNS GAYS BECAUSE THEY "CAN'T PROCREATE."

So, to her, infertile heterosexual couples also deserve condemnation.

I hate to break it to Ifrica, but LGBT people do in fact have children...we just have to work harder at it (through sperm donation, surrogacy, etc.). Incidentally, this is the route adopted by MANY infertile (heterosexual) couples!

There is also reasonable grounds to assume that the reason children of LGBT parents out-perfrom those of straight couples is because LGBT individuals have to work so much harder to have kids. Hence, the children are treasured and cared for more intensely."

ENDS

Here is the Gleaner's take on her performance from Rebel Salute promoted by Tony Rebel who himself also made pro straight marriage remarks at the Grand Gala in 2012.

Queen Ifrica performs at Rebel Salute 2014. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Queen Ifrica is standing her ground on her views on homosexuality and marijuana and used the stage at Rebel Salute 2014 in St Ann on Saturday night to make it clear those views would find expression.

However, she justified her anti-homosexuality views by referring to the reproductive process.

"Children are the future and them can only born through heterosexual relationship," Ifrica said, asking for the acknowledgement of persons who knew that children could not be born out of an orifice other than the vagina.

She got it.

Initially, Ifrica took subtle jabs at those she has angered with her anti-gay stance, making it quite clear in her performance that she has no plans to surrender her right to free speech.

In fact, after blazing delightful fires with selections like Lioness on the Rise, Below the Waist, and Genocide, she emphasised her stance unequivocally, reeling off Straight and Keep it to Yourself.

ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES

And homosexuality was not the only thing that Ifrica opposed vehemently as she blazed against paedophilia, as well as black people dying in Sudan "and world leaders negotiating about some things that nuh necessary in this time".

Another issue on which Ifrica stood firm was the value of marijuana, doing Coconut Shell.

At the nationally televised Grand Gala 2013, held at the National Stadium in St Andrew, the microphone was turned off when Ifrica was speaking about marijuana and homosexuality.

After that performance, the Ministry of Youth and Culture released a statement, expressing "... our regret that the Grand Gala stage was used by one artiste, Queen Ifrica, as a platform to express her personal opinions and views on matters that may be considered controversial, rather than to perform in the agreed scripted and rehearsed manner consistent with the thematic production".

Then, Ifrica stood by her words, saying in a response printed in The STAR that "until a member of the gay community can give birth from their union, they should not be abrasive to heterosexuals because they came from that union".

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

On Saturday night in St Ann, Ifrica also did Freedom of Speech, the song with which she responded musically to that situation.

At Rebel Salute 2014, Queen Ifrica was clearly in a no-nonsense mood from the get-go, opening with the chant "bongo woman come".

Those who initially thought she had softened her stance on homosexuality when she did not do the line "no mm mm man cyaa come inna mi bed" in Below the Waist were mistaken.

After Genocide, Ifrica said coming was "de hot segment", and asked for all the straight men and women inside the venue.

There were many. Straight followed, in which Ifrica said she was "straight like de lightpost outta mi gate". Her comments about children and homosexuality came before Keep it to Yourself.

Queen Ifrica was not all social commentary and fire branding though, bringing a light moment to her set when she invited the Japanese duo, Ackee & Salt Fish, to perform.

The two came out clad in traditional Japanese clothing and quickly won the hearts of the fans as they sang and deejayed in almost flawless patois, also making a straight declaration in the process.

- Additional reporting by Mel Cooke

ENDS

Let us also not forget the subsequent interview on nationwide radio with both artistes Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica which revealed much and showed how the lobby is now being viewed as too oppressive hence not deserving of rights or even any tolerant response.

Such are the repercussions of poorly thought out and executed interventions in matters of LGBT rights but if the lobby remains impervious in a sense and determined to carry out the agitation in its own way then I guess we can expect more delays in what is rightfully ours.

also see:

Anti Gay Religious group launches pro buggery law DVD

Murder Music Campaign needs local leadership/ownership once again

Jamaican Artistes wanted to 'clean up' the streets, Say homeless gays not a good look for Jamaica, JFLAG yet to respond

Sizzla bats for Queen Ifrica as expected

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

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

UPDATE RJR discussion on the matter and the Bolt dress saga

Peace and tolerance

H

Hypocrisy from the pulpit on homeless MSM in Jamaica?

So it would seem on the face of it, this ugly business of MSM homelessness especially in the business district of New Kingston has been with us for so long yet not a peep came from the members of the privileged clergy in Jamaica including the homo-negative ones who claim to love the sinner but hate the sin in any meaningful way to help or offer shelter. On December 9th the Jamaica Observer carried a story of a pastor who claimed to be hitting out at "Injustices" to homeless MSM, where was he all this time until now with the repeated headlines the men in New Kingston have made? albeit for the wrong reasons. Kimmo Thomas reported: Pastor lashes out at 'injustices' faced by gays

Days later the same paper in the print edition only carried the cartoon as done by its resident cartoonist Clovis on December 11, 2013 parodying Tiana Miller transgender spokesperson for the JFLAG We Are Jamaicans Campaign and another member of the homeless MSM in New Kingston:

Here is the article:

Religious leaders have often come out against the lifestyle of homosexuals, also called gays, but one clergyman yesterday defended them, saying he was disappointed that more Christians were not speaking out against the injustices faced by the men, who are often scorned by the society.

"How many Christians have you heard calling out for any kind of help for those young men who have taken refuge in the gully," said Rev Sean Major Campbell, priest at Christ Church, Vineyard Town in St Andrew.

Rev Sean Major-Campbell (right) greets Counsellor of the South African High Commission to Jamaica, Peter Makwarela, after a religious service to mark International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela yesterday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town, St Andrew. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)

He was speaking about an incident last week in which eight men, who police said were members of the homosexual community, were arrested in connection with a series of robberies in and around the New Kingston area.

"We need to repent as a church as we have too often been agents of negative silence," said the Anglican priest.

The man of the cloth was speaking during Jamaicans for Justice's (JFJ) Church Service to commemorate International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela.

Rev Campbell said that he was aware that some members of the group (homosexuals) may have turned to crime, but said that was an issue for the police to deal with.

"But do they have any humanity on which we share common ground?" the clergyman asked his congregation made up of regular worshippers, Jamaican human rights officials, and visitors from the South African High Commission.

"Who will be the John the Baptist of Jamaica, or will we leave it to civil society to usher in the kingdom of righteousness, peace and justice?" he asked.

The clergyman said that the issues with homosexuals were just part of larger problems that Christians needed to speak out against. He said that it was important for Jamaicans, the Church included, to recognise the human rights of all people, bar none.

"It is a shame that in a country like Jamaica we are more likely to hear the voice of civil society speaking out for human rights while the Church remains quiet until some issues such as horse racing or Lotto comes to the fore," he said.

Rev Campbell said that Christians would do well to hear the advice of Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, who said that the Christians should not be just pulling out people out of the river, but should be going upstream to find out who is pushing people in.

"Has it reached home to us that we are to be agents of justice - a major criterion for an experience of the Kingdom of God?" the pastor asked.

Dr Carolyn Gomes, outgoing JFJ executive director, said that she was encouraged by the call for the human rights of all to be acknowledged.

She was supported by Susan Goffe, chairperson of JFJ.

Goffe said that over time, in many different situations and circumstances, the church had been one of the foremost voices on behalf of the rights of the oppressed and those who are abused, but said that there were others who needed to come on board.

"I think that Father Sean's exaltation to the church to speak loudly and consistently on the issue of human rights is a very timely welcome call," said Goffe.

Church service - 4513

Rev Campbell (right) greets Counsellor of the South African High Commission to Jamaica, Peter Makwarela, after a religious service to mark International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela yesterday at Christ Church, Vineyard Town, St Andrew.

ENDS

Why did he and others take this on before it became the hot tamale that everyone sees as a latch on to make themselves look good?

I don't normally side with the cartoonist Clovis but he presents a sensible point via the captioned request by the wig wearing character where when translated to English says: "Pastor we are tired of the Gully now can we seek refuge in your church?" at least Clovis is appealing to the conscience via the toon here and I won't fault him this time as he had done ridiculing the MSM community before. 

The million dollar question is will the question posed by responded to by the church overall who with the exemption of some denominations such as the Salvation Army perhaps ignore the homeless generally or only see them really at holiday times as now in Christmas.

here is my audio response on the recently announced Dwayne' House Shelter initiative:

Peace and tolerance

H

UPDATE December 28 2013Homeless MSM populations treated over the Christmas season 

Update 2014

So it would seem to be only PR to look good in the public eye yet no real outreach for the men as they still reside in the gully and no opening up of the very church but I should no be surprized that is how these "uptown" clergy operate and JFLAG's more elitist posture these days actually seem to encourage the divide and rule construct. 

also see:
Dwayne's House Shelter Update ..................

meeting with the Member of Parliament for the area where the homeless LGBT youth now "live," Julian Robinson, as well as some concerned clergy - Rev. Sean Major-Campbell(Christchurch Anglican), Rev Astor Carlyle (Webster’s Memorial United), and Rev Margaret Fowler (Hope United). The meeting was called to discuss shelter options for the youngsters

UPDATE May 2014 
a supposed turn around or grand public relations to look inclusive?

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

Transgender Awareness Week: Taboo Yardies Screening in Kingston

As Transgender Awareness Week continues another activity that sought to raise awareness was conducted on November 16, 2013 in Kingston as arranged in conjunction with Aphrodite's P.R.I.D.E Jamaica: a transgender, lesbian and bisexual women's focused group that specializes in personal development and non advocacy LGBT matters with a view to developing the community in the populations. 

Taboo Yardies the documentary was screened as part of the thrust to raise Transgender awareness in the scheme of discussing LGBT issues with some focus on crisis reporting and this was a special edition as it was introduced to younger LGBTians who will in short order attend a series of workshops on self identity. 

Stake holders Quality Citizenship Jamaica co-founders Jalna Broderick and Angeline Jackson watched intently for the first time the film, both were featured in the production as well and contributed to the talk back session.

Selena Blake producer of the documentary Taboo Yardies who is Jamaican but resides in New York addresses persons who remained for the talk back section of the screening. It was animated discussion especially the response to Bruce Golding's section of the film which caused hisses in the room, see the clip of the former Prime Minister on his views on homosexuality in Jamaica.

Audience members on a short break at the venue as other speakers rose to present. Due to the limited capture policy I can show you shorts but the general gist of the activity for the day I hope is clear, the documentary was screened today in Montego Bay as well and Selena Blake departs for another screening date overseas.

The prep talk before the show

Transgender Jamaicans from the film covered their identity at the time of the filming in 2009/10

Members of the transgender community were also in attendance including co-chair of Aprohite's P.R.I.D.E Laura Garcia and yours truly as Community Outreach and Volunteer Co-ordinator and Miss Whitney (photo immediately above) one of the voices of the We are Jamaicans Campaign of JFLAG earlier this year, it was good to see her. 

Dwayne Jones' murder case that was featured in the documentary as a recent addition to the 2010 film was a major talking point as well during the talk back session as several concerns were raised as to how the matter was reported as a gay murder by the advocacies and advocates with international glitz like alarmist communication when the victim was transgender and to which some questioned the accuracy and honesty linked to crisis reporting and credibility of same in the thrust for rights and recognition. The visibility of the transgender community is becoming more pronounced which is good.

Also see the previous screening in Jamaica earlier this year in February: Highlights from Taboo Yardies Documentary screening in Jamaica

For a historical context from 2010 see the original release information here: 'Taboo Yardies' documentary to hit the streets in November

Peace and tolerance

H