Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Homophobia A Big Problem (Gleaner Letter) ........................ but?

Like everybody doesn't know this already I guess that's why the anti gay letter writers have not had their letters published or haven't bothered to respond as the argument is worn out. These same letter writers in their professional capacities and so called insulated class wall structure turn their noses up at LGBTQI people at the lower socio economic levels and are only drawn for convenient presentations such as letters like this for statistics and appropriate call letters and descriptions to show off so to speak yet nothing is said in regards to the internal bigotry directed towards the same persons who are more likely to become homophobic victims.

How convenient?

This kind of one sided advocacy or agitation is so hypocritical when are we going to deal with those who really face the brunt of the problems?

The job and residential displacement, nothing appears in letters like this or stand alones to talk about how we are discriminatory to each other at varying levels to include to the advocates themselves whether they want to admit it or not, the recent case of a beating yet again in New Kingston when finally the biker boys have been arrested yet it took several heated phone calls to the JFLAG representatives to get them to respond yet no further movement so we may not even get to prosecute the perpetrators at all.

The fact that so many LGBTQI people are in positions of power especially the psychiatric and psychological expertise communities where are they on the grassroots changes that are needed? Where are they on gay on gay violence? Utter silence as it is convenient to do so, that's the answer I see now.

By the way Beenieman has since performed anti gay lyrics and sided with other murder music artists especially Buju Banton in the early days of his woes in Miami and San Francisco where fervent protests were held, please get the facts letter writer.

Have a read of the letter and see what you make of it but please think about the pointers made.

Homophobia a Big problem:

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Homophobia in Jamaica is much more prevalent than substance abuse, and the earlier we come to the realisation that it can isolate us internationally, the closer we will get to equality and justice.

In 2004, the self-proclaimed 'King of Dancehall', Beenie Man, came to his senses and apologised because gay-rights groups pressured MTV VMAs executives to dump him because of the hateful lyrics in his music.

The 'Doctor' apologised. Since then, he has ceased performing music which perpetuates homophobia.

One would think that others would become more sensitive, even to the point of desisting, but there seems to be very little change.

Embarrassing

Jamaica is out of step with other countries. This is not only problematic, it is embarrassing to those of us who provide counselling and other forms of support services to people in same-sex relationships or those outside non-traditional families.

It should come as no surprise that a significant number of Jamaicans in the process of being deported are seeking political asylum because they are concerned that their safety is not guaranteed in the Jamaican society, primarily caused by the prevailing violent homophobic atmosphere. There is also a small percentage of these people in same-sex relationships who worry that their partners might not be allowed to visit them if they are incarcerated.

I am, etc.,

G. GEORGE WILSON (Dr)

glengeorgewilson@aim.com

Springfield, St Elizabeth

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