New Ad Encouraging Families to Love Gay Children to Hit TV in August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica —July 28, 2011

“Homophobia must be eliminated [in Jamaica] immediately” was the rallying cry of Pamela E Bridgewater, the United States Ambassador to Jamaica. “The US Mission joins all partners in the fight against homophobia [because] as President Obama says, no one should be hated because of who they love,” she stated.

The US Ambassador was addressing a packed audience at the launch of ‘Unconditional Love’, a new public service announcement (PSA) featuring Christine Straw, former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe, and her brother Matthew Straw on July 28, 2011. Heading the list of endorsees were Hilary Nicholson from Women’s Media Watch, Helin Jenkinson, First Counsellor at the European Union, Dr. Pierre Somse, UNAIDS Representative in Jamaica, Rob Fuderich, UNICEF Representative, Yvonne Sobres, Convenor of Family Against State Terrorism and a number of other human rights and HIV activists.

Unconditional Love tells a heart warming story of Christine Straw who declares her unending love for Matthew, her brother who is gay, while calling on Jamaicans to love their family members and friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). “As Jamaicans we have to stop this stupidity of alienating our [people] because of their homosexual orientation,” stated Straw. “They are our brothers and our sisters and we must love them, no matter what [..] because they need support and encouragement,” she said.

In detailing the impact of homophobia in Jamaica, Maurice Tomlinson, Legal Adviser at AIDS-Free World (AFW) said his organisation was proud to support this collaborative venture which calls on all Jamaicans to live up to their world renowned culture of One Love. He stressed that members of the LGBT community must also strive to understand the source of the lack of knowledge of persons who stigmatize and violate their rights and hurt them. “The empowerment of these individuals is crucial for the breaking down of walls which prevent persons from seeing the true value of the contribution LGBT Jamaicans make to the society” Tomlinson said.

According to Dane Lewis, Executive Director at Jamaica’s only gay rights lobby, Jamaica Forum of Lesbians All Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), “it is our hope that this inspiring public declaration of love will motivate other families and friends of LGBT to share their stories of acceptance and that those who are on a journey to acceptance will be moved to love LGBT persons in their lives unconditionally.”

Dr. Pierre Somse of UNAIDS was insistent that Jamaica had to keep pace with the rest of the world and get rid of anything that might retard the gains made in reducing the spread of HIV over the years. “Homophobia is a major stumbling block to effective HIV interventions and unless we guarantee the human rights of homosexuals, all other populations are at risk,” Dr. Somse highlighted.

A similar sentiment was echoed by Yvonne McCalla Sobres of Families Against State Terrorism (FAST), “When the state ignores the harm and hurt being felt by any population, because of their difference this is tantamount to state terrorism. It cannot therefore be business as usual for us here in Jamaica”

Unconditional Love , is another collaborative initiative of  J-FLAG, Jamaica AIDS Support For Life (JASL), the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and AFW aimed at promoting the human rights of persons who are members of the LGBT community by encouraging Jamaicans to be unreserved about who they love’. The PSA will hit TV screens and the internet immediately.

Link to PSA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhH6UhfEI-E

For interviews contact:-

Pierre Somse UNAIDS 960-6536-8 (office) or  919-8537  (cell)

Ian McKnight CVC 631-7299   (office) or   474-8847  (cell)

Kandasi Levermore JASL        978-2345   (office) or   875-2737  (cell)

Dane Lewis J-FLAG  978 8988    (office) or 875-2328 (cell)

Maurice Tomlinson      AFW                                             784-0908  (cell)

The Passing of Dr. Robert Carr

Mr. Peter Carr and Mrs. June Carr, and the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) announce the passing of Dr. Robert Carr.

Dr. Carr was founder of the CVC and acted as its first executive director until his move to Toronto, where he worked as director of policy and advocacy with the International Council of AIDS Service Organisations (ICASO) until his passing. Dr. Carr also served as executive director of the Jamaica AIDS Support from 2002-2005. For more than a decade, Dr. Carr dedicated his life to bringing to public attention issues related to stigma and discrimination against persons living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. In addition, he taught at the University of the West Indies, serving as the coordinator of the Graduate Programmes Unit at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) from 2006-2008. As a social worker and academic, he published numerous scholarly articles and made scores of presentations in the Caribbean and internationally on human rights and HIV as well as on the social context that drives the stigma associated with the disease.

Dr. Carr died peacefully in his sleep at home in Toronto. Funeral arrangements will be communicated later.

(information taken from the Caribean Vulnerable Comminities website and can be reached here)

World AIDS Day Event at JASL Kingston

World AIDS Day, Wednesday December 1, 2010

The Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) held a Candle Light Vigil on World AIDS Day at its Kingston location. The event got underway at approximately 7 p.m. with the opening prayer done by Father Monsignor Richard Albert.

We were given a short history of JASL (done by Althea Blake of the JASL Board), the audience learnt that in its initial days, the organisations focus was on persons infected with HIV/AIDS.  JASL was the fist organization to offer hospice care for positive persons, to die with dignity, today the organisation provides much more than that, including: prevention, treatment and care services.

There were various items throughout the programme all worthy of being acknowledged:

• Mona High School- Song 
• Tarrant High School – “Real Talk” 
• Richard Dell- Dances 
• Tanya Stephens (impromptu) – Singing A capella “Do You Still Care” and a short talk 
• Fabian Thomas- Poem in dedication to Howard Daley and Steve Harvey 
• Jamaica Youth Theater

The Message titled “Hope in the Face of HIV/AIDS” was given by Rev. Dr. Shelia McKeithen senior minster at the Universal Center of Truth for Better Living. She used HOPE as an acronym to bring across her message:

• H- health- this is a privilege don’t abuse it. 
• O- opportunity
• P- positive- have a positive attitude 
• E-expect- be expectant 

At the end of her message, Rev. Dr. Shelia McKeithen pledged $100,000 to JASL for 2011 from the Universal Center of Truth for Better Living.

The symbolic candle lighting ceremony was done by representatives of various parts of society:

• Rev. Dr. Shelia McKeithen 
• Dr. Somse- UNAIDS 
• Dawn Marie Roper- PANOS 
• Pat Watson and Joy Crawford- Eve for Life 
• Dane Lewis- JFLAG 
• People Living with HIV (PLHIV) 
• Shirley Lee- Disabled Community 
• Nurse Gowe- Hunter- JASL Community 
• Karla Ellis- Country Director- USA Peace CORPS 
• Hermence Matsotsa- USA Peace Corps (international volunteer community) 
• Careen Russell & Colleen Russell- Local Volunteer Community 
• Jackie Ingledew- Private Sector Community 
• Jamieann- Orphan Vulnerable Children (OVC) 

Just before the reading of the quilts Tanya Stephens was called to perform. Though unexpected she did not disappoint, giving the crowd- “Do You Still Care” acapella. She then spoke briefly on the issues of respect, advocacy and discrimination, stating that the government cannot call for tolerance and non-discrimination when it’s laws are the grounds from which intolerance and discrimination is launched, she then went on to call for the removal of ‘certain laws’.

The names on the quilts were then read, these quilts were created over the years in remembrance of those who have died from HIV/AIDS. Because of their deteriorating condition the decision was taken to let them remain on the inside, in the JASL gallery were persons could view them after the ceremony. There were 11 quilts:

• The Curtain 
• The Tree 
• The Shell 
• The Jamaica Flag 
• The Map of Jamaica 
• The Mask 
• Between the Lines 
• Into the light 
• The Tile 
• The Sun 
• Star Hall 

The item performed by the Jamaica Youth Theater deserves a bit more than just the note above, not because it was better than the others but because it spoke to the issue of transgenderism- an issue which doesn’t get much attention from within the LGBT Community nor from the outside.

The quilt for 2009-2010 titled: “The Journey of Life” was unveiled by Rosemarie Hinds and Nurse Ochid Gowe-Hunter.

Following the Vote of Thanks by Yvonne Artis- Programme Assistant- candles were distributed and lit and the audience led by hosts Dara Smith and Jaevion Nelson, sang the JASL theme song “That’s What Friend are For”.
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This was my first year attending any World AIDS Day event and it certainly won’t be the last. I’m sorry I didn’t have a video camera to record some of the amazing item performances. I have my criticisms, but I will save those for a future post. The event generally speaking was good and I applaud JASL Kingston.

JASL Gallery 2010

Jamaica Youth Theater

Tanya Stephens- "Do You Still Care"

Tanya Stephens

Hosts Dara Smith (CVM TV Journalist) and Jaevion Nelson (JYAN)

Jamaica Youth Theater

                                   

    The Audience- Lighting candles and singing "That's What Friends are For"

Looks like an anti-homophobia campaign to you?

Well this is interesting. I won't say there has never been an anti-homophobia campaign but this is the first that I can remember, it needs to reach mainstream media now but I must say its a good start. We need more of these with other persons speaking out.

Well for those of us disgruntled with JFLAG's work- generally speaking I still am but,- they seem to be making efforts in some aspects -in a bid to silence our stinging criticisms at times?-, too bad it seems they have passed over and are still passing over some of the basic aspects and needs of the community.

Tek Care

Alexis

Jamaica Gleaner Letter: Making Scapegoats Of Gays

I believe I wrote a blog on something along this line, not so well put together mind you, but I think I did. Let me look, I did but I was doing more ranting that talking (here). The below is a letter written by Mr. Maurice Tomlinson. Same thing I've been saying; well said Mr. Tomlinson.

Jamaica Gleaner Letter: Making Scapegoats Of Gays

Published: Monday | April 19, 2010

The Editor, Sir:

Shirley Richards of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship has so far not commented on the recent spate of domestic violence being perpetuated against our women by men from all walks of life, including entertainers. She has instead, chosen to decry the 'deceptive' Walk for Tolerance, put on by Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, which sought to increase awareness of the need for tolerance for groups vulnerable to HIV/AIDS as an effective way to combat HIV/AIDS.

Love and tolerance

She has been silent on the beating and killing of women. She apparently spurns the biblical injunctions of love and tolerance of the marginalised, regardless of acceptance of their lifestyle. She utterly rejects legal and constitutional principles about the recognition and protection of rights for the most vulnerable in society. She takes on the gay issue because it is easy.

And then there are those like J.M. Fletcher (Gleaner, Saturday, April 17 ) who, preposterously ask gays to leave Jamaica. This is neither possible nor probable. Hitler tried the same thing during World War II with disastrous results for the German society and the world at large. The world is still paying the price for Nazi intolerance.

Jamaica's intolerance and homophobia has also blighted the world in the form of our violent music, and the world is now reacting by banning our artistes and implementing hate-speech legislation.

For those who think that gay rights are not civil rights, look carefully at the wording of the international treaties created after WWII in reaction to Nazi brutality. Courts as far flung as India, South Africa and Brazil have found that gay rights are indeed civil rights.

Jamaica needs to focus on the real threat to its peace and security, which is a poorly performing economy, instead of seeking to make scapegoats out of a marginalised and vulnerable group. That would be Nazism all over again.

I am, etc.,

MAURICE TOMLINSON

maurice_tomlinson@yahoo.com

Montego Bay St James

Tek Care  

Alexis

HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2 - Breaking & Current Jamaica News - JamaicaObserver.com

BY PATRICIA WATSON

Monday, April 19, 2010

JAMAICA'S culture of multiple sexual partners which is epitomised in Beenie Man's Nuff Gal recording has contributed to the conundrum the country finds itself with regards to HIV.

More than 80 per cent of persons diagnosed with HIV reported having multiple sexual relations.

The 2008 Knowledge Attitude Practice and Behaviour Survey revealed that 76 per cent of males (from all population groups) aged 15 - 24 years reported having multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months. Men aged 25 - 49 years old were less likely to have multiple partners but also stood at 52 per cent.

In Nuff Gal, Beenie Man chants, "...the one burner business nah work again, 'cause one man fi have all 50 gal friend. If yu stop drink roots, start drink it again, 'yu haffi have the stamina fi service dem".

This situation is equally prevalent among heterosexual men as it is among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the legal and moral context within which gay men operate in Jamaica compounds their sexual behaviours and attitude.

"The reality is that, in our context, I don't see MSMs planning monogamous relationships. It is not that I am saying it is impossible, but due to the security risks you won't find a lot of men doing that," said a prominent businessman who is bisexual.

His statement supports the findings of a survey conducted by Dr Peter Figueroa, et al in 2008 which not only found that 31.8 per cent of MSMs surveyed were living with HIV, but that multiple partnerships were very common. The survey showed that 27.4 per cent of MSMs had two or more male partners in the past four weeks and 25. 9 per cent had one new male partner in the past four weeks.

"The social condition under which MSMs negotiate partners is different. There is absolutely nothing in the society that encourages healthy relationships, dating, spending time together, etc," said Jalna Broderick, prevention, treatment and care co-ordinator at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life.

"Few have stable places in which to live or have sex. There is pressure not to be seen with one specific person in case he becomes linked to or associated with that persona and therefore confirm questions about your sexuality."

The bisexual businessman also explained that "as Jamaican men, we have been brought up to believe that having many partners is a credential". The notion of having 'nuff gal' is also alive in the MSM community.

The survey done by Dr Figueroa and his team also revealed some other interesting data. Some 28.8 per cent of MSMs reported having had sexual relationships with at least one female partner in past four weeks; 15.9 per cent were living with a female sexual partner and 33.8 per cent had two or more female partners in the last 12 months.

According to Broderick, this is done mainly to deflect from social scrutiny. She noted that our society encourages men to have multiple sexual partners evidenced by some of the questions asked: 'How come mi neva see you wid no ooman?', 'Nuh time fi yu fi bring home a pickney now?'. She said being without a woman questions the man's masculinity and so rather than having that questioned they opt for relationships with women. On the other hand, she noted that some of the men involved with women are "genuinely bisexual and really and truly want both men and women".

It is against this background that experts in the field have been lobbying for the decriminalisation of buggery. It is clear from the data that significant portions of MSMs are also having sex with women. It is also clear that the rate of HIV infection among men is much higher than the national average of 1.8 per cent. Unless steps are taken to lower the rate of infection among MSMs, then it is logical that the national average will not be reduced.

Another key finding of the survey was that condom use among the MSM population was low compared to heterosexual males. Condom use among MSMs was at 30 per cent below that of the national average where condom use varies between 72 and 84 per cent for males.

You can send your questions or comments relating to HIV or related issues to info@eveforlife.org or write to Eve for Life, C/O Jamaica Observer

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I have nothing more to add it just reiterates the points on tolerance and non-discrimination. In the words of Patricia Watson: "Unless steps are taken to lower the rate of infection among MSMs, then it is logical that the national average will not be reduced."

Tek Care  

Alexis

SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT MSMS?

Follow the above link to view the observer news article. Until this government acknowledges that MSMs are a vulnerable group and visibly make an effort to reach them the work for reducing the HIV/AIDS cases in the island will for ever be difficult. MSMs will not, until tolerance and non-discrimination is emphasise  and displayed by the government, be able to receive proper medical treatment. Also these MSMs being driven underground, will then resort to "covering up" and so increase the possibility of spreading HIV/AIDS.

So Should We Care About MSMs? Yeah we should.

Tek Care  

Alexis