The Jamaica Outpost Jan 2005

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*OREDO+HDGOLQHV GAY RIGHTS DEBATE IN JAMAICA: A call for balance %\7RQ\+URQ7KH-DPDLFD2XW3RVW&RQWULEXWRU New Zealand gay club fire- bombed allegedly by anti-gay per- It is unfortunate that Ian Boyne petrators. (Columnist of The Jamaica Canadian teenager committed Gleaner) continues to reduce suicide following ongoing taunts by this debate entirely to the realm schoolmates that he was gay. of sexual gratification – “Gays just want to have sex and lots of Israeli scientists developed new it…” (“Time for serious gay de- medication that strengthens im- bate,” The Jamaica Gleaner, mune system of HIV patients. December 5, 2004) Framing the discussion of homosexuality Toronto Police to undergo GLBT solely in those terms is not only sensitivity training after raiding misleading but also deeply of- lesbian bathhouse in 2000. fensive. If someone accused him of marrying his wife only for

7KH-DPDLFD2XW3RVW sexual fulfilment, I’m sure he

¡£¢ ¤ ¥ ¤§¦ ¨ © ¢ £ §£ ¥ ¡£¤ ¥ would be deeply offended, and 32.LQJVWRQ-DPDLFD +XPDQULJKWVDFWLYLVWVDWWKH+5:3UHVV&RQIHUHQFH rightly so. Everyone has an in- 7HO nate desire to love and be (PDLOMDPDLFDRXWSRVW#KRWPDLOFRP another’s humanity. dangerous. This continued pairing loved, but sexual expression is Comparing this love not only serves to reinforce the only one aspect of this desire. -DVRQ6LPPRQGV with paedophilia, as Mr. Boyne did myth that gay men are paedo- The ability of one person to love in his article and as Gleaner Edi- philes but also puts our children at 3XEOLFDWLRQ&RRUGLQDWRU another distinguishes us from all tor Byron Buckley did in his recent greater risk of becoming victims other animals; it is this divine article (“Beware of Reprieve to since it encourages parents and 7RQ\+URQ emotion that makes us truly Homosexuals,” The Jamaica caretakers to overlook the most 3XEOLFDWLRQ$VVLVWDQW human. Anyone who decrees Gleaner, December 8, 2004), is common perpetrators of this this innate desire to be mere also unfortunate and potentially (See DEBATE on page 2) .HLWK+ROODU libido is guilty of stripping away (GLWLQJ$VVLVWDQW $PRQWKO\SXEOLFDWLRQE\*/3XEOLVKLQJ WHO KNOWS IT, FEELS IT %\/DUU\&KDQJ&RPPHQWDU\ &20081 ,7 <%2$5' The chorus of response from appreciate the metaphysics of also let down by the Tourism church, state and constabulary to Wordsworth and Blake at York Minister and her demand for accusations of state-facilitated Castle High School; but if any- proof that Jamaica’s gay men are violence and abuse of Jamaican thing is “unacceptably insensi- being slaughtered. Aloun Wood GLBTs has been “give us proof.” t i v e” (Whiteman’s dismissive used to tramp through the hills of I am particularly disappointed in response to the report), it is his rural St. Andrew evangelizing as the Information Minister’s re- lack of intellectual curiosity. If he Catholic Charismatics with her sponse to the HRW (Human is ignorant of systematic homo- close friend, Brian Williamson, 7RDOORXUUHDGHUVDQG Rights Watch) report (accusing phobic abuse or, worse, if he who later helped found J-FLAG IULHQGV the Jamaican government of sys- does have some inkling, his lack and was murdered last summer. tematic abuse of gay people in of compassion for the oppres- If she can no longer include him 9LVLWXVRQOLQHDW Jamaica and how it links to the sion and suffering of the GLBT in the ambit of her Christian char- growing HIV/AIDS epidemic). community is appalling. I am (See WHO KNOWS on page 3) ZZZMDPDLFDRXWSRVWFRP Burchell Whiteman taught me to 7KH-DPDLFD2XW3RVW -DQXDU\9ROXPH,VVXH.LQJVWRQ-DPDLFD 3DJH

(DEBATE...Continued from page 1) the aid of people who were at risk because of their perceived sex- crime – close friends or relatives who may be married and have chil- ual orientation. If advocates of any particular persuasion focus on dren of their own. If anyone still wants to consider paedophilia as negativity, then negativity will be the lens through which they see equivalent to homosexuality in any way, let me make the distinction as every situation, and this negativity will propagate itself throughout unequivocal as possible. With the former, there is a clear victim, the the community, leading to greater paranoia and fear and their un- child who cannot say “no” or who does not understand the conse- fortunate consequences. quences of saying “yes”. With the latter, there are no victims, any Highlighting abuses in an effort to compel legal reform more so than there would be with opposite-gender relationships. If can be a valid strategy, but it cannot be the only strategy, and it is

there is no victim, then how can there be a crime? likely to fail if the GLBT community doesn’t establish greater dia- Human rights advocates must draw attention to the current logue with the average citizen. Nothing nurtures prejudice as much state of affairs and the potential benefits of change. The grievances as ignorance, and most Jamaicans are sadly misinformed when it they have voiced regarding the treatment of comes to understanding the true nature and sexual minorities in Jamaica are clearly positive implications of same-gender relation- grounded in truth. Sexual minorities, especially ships in their homes, congregations, commu- young, lower-income gay men, often face the nities and country. Sexual minorities have potential for violent “judgment” if their sexuality made, and will continue to make, tremendous becomes known. They are also likely to land on contributions to the advancement of the Ja- the receiving end of bias discrimination and maican society in every sector. For those of abuse by those sworn to uphold the civil rights us who know some of these individuals, there of all citizens. Many Jamaicans, even gay Ja- can be no doubt about the veracity of this maicans, may truly be ignorant as to the extent statement. But their contributions could be of this abuse. Therefore, it is essential that hu- even greater, and Jamaica an even more man rights advocates publicise cases whenever abundant country in many ways, if these indi- they occur. However, I believe that for the ma- viduals were not forced to live under the con- jority of Jamaica’s sexual minorities, violent stant burden of fear, secrecy, deception and reprisal is not their greatest threat. Their great- isolation. The average Jamaican needs to be est oppression comes from the constant fear of made aware of these contributions and the exposure and the consequent potential for a measurable benefits that can accrue if we all loss of social standing, income, friends, family, 3URWHVWLQJGDQFHKDOOFRQFHUWLQ1HZ

home and community. suits rather than on attacking one another. Don’t misunderstand: The pervasive condemnation which Members of Jamaica’s gay community must initiate greater dia- elicits this fear is a serious form of oppression, and all Jamaicans logue with their families, friends, co-workers and even strangers if need to consider the overwhelmingly negative consequences that there is to be any progress toward an equitable resolution to the such a pernicious fear can wreak on the entire society. This kind of ongoing conflict. fear often manifests itself in the form of “down low” behaviour, where men who would never consider themselves to be sexual minorities pursue covert same-gender relationships while maintaining girlfriends, wives and families. I’m sure everyone can appreciate the potentially devastating effects that such a scenario could have on partners, spouses and children, not to mention the psychological toll that such a DO YOU double life can inflict on its adherents. While I applaud and encourage the efforts of human rights REALLY advocates to expose abuses, I would offer a few words of caution as well. There must be balance in the representation of life for gay Ja- KNOW THE maicans. Focusing solely on oppression, discrimination and violence, as real and widespread as they may be, could ultimately be self- FACTS? defeating because it will likely increase the level of fear in everyone, *(77(67('72'$< regardless of sexual orientation. A focus on any one aspect of reality tends to blind the viewer to other aspects that are equally true. For $FRPPXQLW\VHUYLFHPHVVDJHEURXJKWWR\RXE\7KH-DPDLFD instance, there have been reports to J-FLAG of the police coming to 2XW3RVWSURYLGLQJQHZVIRU-DPDLFD·V*/%7FRPPXQLW\ 287)2580 67$57,1*)(%58$5<21-$0$,&$2873267&20 -RLQXVHYHU\RWKHU7+856'$

Jamaica’s sexual-identity pendu- roll of it. live.” It is about change, a recog- lum has swung. A full-blown sexual This other and surprisingly lengthy nition that the other side of revolution, toes tapping and biting round of the just-say-yes-or-no-to- “normal,” this word and state of its nails, sits waiting to finally gays-in-Ja debate is a waste of being, is not necessarily abnor- Dunn’s River flow and flood above time, simply because most of the mal -- it can be this other word,

ground. Having been Bible-beaten rabid Christian groups, faux Chris- called “different.” ual revolution has already begun, into guilt, fear and boredom in the tian-minded columnists, talk radio Further, Jamaica in essence has our cover having been blown; it's bedroom, Jamaicans, high on Un- hosts, rum bar judges and patio already rebelliously accepted just being televised now, that's all. cle Sam's cable TV, European pundits will always want to make and tolerated, seen and sampled porn hidden in Christmas barrels being gay or lesbian a moral is- the many variations of human This is an excerpt from the full- from New York and repressed curi- sue, a problem for religion and its sexual identity and is living pre- length essay. For the entire essay, osity -- are now wallowing in juicy, Bible to solve -- when it is really cariously if not comfortably with email: consensual and kinky sex. And about acknowledging and accept- the Bible's shades of grey and [email protected] neither the church, paranoid media ing variations in human sexuality. beyond outdated legislation. We Ingrid Riley is an award-winning agendas nor moldy legislation can It is a call for open-mindedness, of just have a tradition of being two- journalist, writer and poet who lives push back the Portland-to-Negril infusing a spirit of “live and let faced about it. So Jamaica's sex- in Kingston, Jamaica.

(WHO KNOWS Cont’d from page 1) eignty card. But sovereignty does not mean much when the country ity, the least she could do is acknowledge his victimization. Have is in hock to the hilt and expected earnings from tourism and enter- those years of fellowship meant nothing? tainment are based on the oppression and exclusion of sexual mi- But Whiteman is right to the extent that “it is the people who must norities. Brand Jamaica has a defect, and soon no one will buy. set our agenda in respect of the legislation which we pass or the re- An Observer editorial grudgingly admits “a high degree of homo- peal of any existing laws.” Why should the government heed any phobia in Jamaica, which may, at times, lead to violence against ho- bleeding-heart foreigners who wish to impose their stan- mosexual men” but tries to mitigate the severity by claim- dards on us? Leave aside for a moment that the laws in ing that reports are exaggerated and contextualizing it question are of colonial origin. While majority rule prevails against the overall high crime rate. This perspective does in a democracy, invariably there are minority rights which not lessen the injustice, the outright denial of basic human need to be protected from the tyranny of that majority. The rights, the untold physical and psychological torture that government’s own technocrats and Select Parliamentary many Jamaican gays undergo. Life is hard for many Ja- Committee have so recommended. Even some Opposition maicans, but it becomes for GLBT citizens unnecessarily

members are beginning to make supportive noises. so with government complicity. Instead of paying heed to

£ £ But there has been no voice heard from the op- the message, the authorities have berated the messenger pressed. We are the people too, capable of contributing to for coming from abroad to interfere. Inspector Ionie Ram- that agenda. Maybe we have been cowed into submission, silenced say has been the only one to say she’ll look into the complaints. In by fear. We have no spokesperson, instead hoping for and depending my estimation, the HRW report is balanced, fair and objective, echo- on well-meaning foreigners to speak out for us in the tradition of ing my own experience and confirming reports I have received. It Wilberforce and the Abolition Society. No Nanny or Sam Sharpe in points the way forward for Jamaica to join the ranks of civilized na- sight. Those capable of articulating our cause are dead, have fled or tions with tolerant, open societies. The alternative is to degenerate are lapping their tails in the safety of their closets. In their daily strug- further into a narrow fundamentalism hostile to difference and diver- gle for survival, the “downtown sports,” wielders of the ice pick and sity where deejay values, vigilante justice and community enforcers brok balk [Jamaican patois for “broken bottle”], misdirect their anger at ensure conformity. In this climate, the prospect of GLBT citizens’ each other instead of at the society which persecutes them for loving being accorded basic human rights and the fundamental liberties inappropriately. No champions there. But I shouldn’t talk; I ran. White- enshrined in the Jamaican Constitution seems a long way off. Before man is technically right, if abhorrently wrong. The wheel is not squeak- we can even get there, it seems we have to deal with the monsters ing, so there’s nothing to fix. While they may have been working in the of nervous nationalism, religious bigotry and heterosexist insecurity. background, J-FLAG has been conspicuously silent. The apparent That’s not going to happen anytime soon. overseas initiative has not been lost on the commentators who rush to In the meanwhile, we’ll do what we’ve always done: dissemble paint the EC, Peter Tatchell and OutRage!, and now HRW, in imperi- and survive. like the good descendants of slaves that we are. We’ll alist and racist colours. How would they know about expatriate Jamai- continue to be the preferably hidden, unspoken part of Jamaican life, cans’ involvement? We cry interference and imposition of foreign cul- not protesting or raising our voices but playing our not-inconsiderable ture but puff up ourselves about leading the charge against apartheid role in government, business, academia, the church, the arts, ser- and injustice in Haiti and elsewhere, setting examples for benighted vices and professions. Too bad for those who are visible by being nations to follow. When it suits us, it’s “One Love, One World,” but not transgendered, living in the wrong place or having the temerity to when the finger points at us. Then we play the race card or the sover- stand up and be counted. 7KH-DPDLFD2XW3RVW -DQXDU\9ROXPH,VVXH.LQJVWRQ-DPDLFD 3DJH

)$4 /(77(56)5202855($'(56 What are the specific Jamaican laws that criminalize same-sex relations? When: Dec 19, 2004. There are four laws in the current mit the said abominable crime, or plete upon proof of penetration From Where: Online Feedback Constitution that criminalize con- shall be guilty of any assault with only". sensual same-gender relations intent to commit the same, or of Article 79 (Outrages on Decency) It is good that there are groups specific to males. There are no any indecent assault upon any "Any male person who, in public or dedicated to the advancement laws that criminalize same-gender male person, shall be guilty of a private, commits, or is a party to of Jamaican homosexuals. relations among females. These misdemeanour, and being con- the commission of, or procures or However, I believe it is impor- laws are part of the Offences victed thereof shall be liable to be attempts to procure the commis- tant to make a sufficient distinc- Against the Person Act. imprisoned for a term not exceed- tion between civil rights and sion by any male person of, any ing seven years, with or without Article 76 (Unnatural Crime) act of gross indecency with an- religious rights when making hard labour". your arguments. Anything else "Whosoever shall be convicted of other male person, shall be guilty the abominable crime of buggery Article 78 (Proof of Carnal Knowledge) of a misdemeanor, and being con- will be an arrogant attack on (anal intercourse) committed either "Whenever upon the trial of any victed thereof shall be liable at the religious groups that will fuel with mankind or with any animal, offence punishable under this Act, discretion of the court to be impris- nothing more than ignorant and shall be liable to be imprisoned it may be necessary to prove car- oned for a term not exceeding 2 seasoned opposition. and kept to hard labour for a term nal knowledge, it shall not be nec- years, with or without hard labour". not exceeding ten years". essary to prove the actual emis- Notice of Disclaimer sion of seed in order to constitute [Text your question to 8641856 or Article 77 (Attempt) 7KH YLHZV DQG RSLQLRQV H[ send us an email at jamaicaout- "Whosoever shall attempt to com- a carnal knowledge, but the carnal SUHVVHG LQ WKLV QHZVOHWWHU DUH knowledge shall be deemed com- [email protected]] QRW D UHIOHFWLRQ RI WKRVH RI WKH +HDOWK :HOOQHVV SXEOLVKHU 7KH SXEOLVKHU FDQQRW HEALTH WARNING FOR SEXUALLY ACTIVE GAY MEN AND BISEXUAL WOMEN EHKHOGOLDEOHIRUDQ\RIIHQFHDV DUHVXOWRIDQ\VXFKYLHZV Health authorities in the Nether- tive partners, whether male or fe- be present. With the current tour- lands have issued warnings to male, during anal or vaginal inter- ist season projected to see record international health organisations course. The following are some of arrivals, some visitors may be 63(&,$/127,&( concerning an increase in the the symptoms of this illness: in- carrying unwelcome diseases. So We are compiling a directory of number of cases of flammation of the rectum and co- even though we ought not panic Caribbean GLBT organizations. Lymphogranuloma venereum lon, genital ulcers, swollen lymph when we hear of new health Please contact us with informa- (LGV), a sexually transmitted nodes, gastrointestinal bleeding threats, it is always good to prac- tion about the GLBT organiza- disease (STD) caused by a vari- and itching around the anal region. tice safer-sex strategies such as tions in your community. ety of the bacterium Chlamydia These symptoms may be accom- consistent condom use and regu- trachomatis. The Dutch authori- panied by blood or mucus in the lar health checkups, including ties recorded twice as many faeces as well as cramping or tests for STDs. Let’s make 2005 a /DVW0RQWK·V2XW3ROO5HVXOWV Do you believe there is a sys- cases in 2004 as in 2003. This straining during bowel evacua- healthy year by starting to make tematic campaign against ho- disease mainly affects the recep- tions. Some flu-like symptoms may choices that are safe and smart. mosexuals in Jamaica?

,QWHUQDWLRQDO1HZV <(612127685( BOUNTY & BEENIE LAUNCH ATTACK AGAINST ANTIGUA’S GLBT COMMUNITY

Two of Jamaica’s prized pos- gay people on stage at the Trinidad & Tobago for using 0RQWKO\2XW3ROO sessions were busy causing Lion’s Den, chanting their obscenities during a concert ire in the eastern Caribbean usual “kill the batty man” slo- performance. Efforts to con- twin-island state of Antigua & gan. There are also reports of tact Antigua’s Prime Minister’s Question: Barbuda in a Boxing Day three gay men being attacked Office proved futile up to press Do you plan to live a less clos- event held in St. John’s, the during the period of the con- time. However, we will con- eted life in 2005? country’s capital city which is cert. The deputy Prime Minis- tinue to monitor this situation Yes / No / Not Sure located on the island of Anti- ter, The Hon. Wilmoth Daniel, and keep our readers in- VOTE ONLINE: gua. According to an out- is said to have been one of the formed of any developments. www.jamaicaoutpost.com raged member of Antigua’s event promoters. Ironically, GLBT community, both Bounty Killer was arrested and Any comments? Bounty Killer and Beenie charged in mid August of 2003 Please send to Man declared war against by local Police authority in [email protected]