INCREASE IN MALE HOOKERS - More men doing 'business' in New Kingston says the Star ............ but

Well a fact that some of us who have been seriously concerned with for some time is now out in the open yet again, this is of course not the first time the Star News has carried this particular population remember this one 

homo hookers out and bad 

and my blogs are replete with commentary and concerns about the lack of concern about the advocacy from the very aloof advocates namely JFLAG Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays and its parent NGO Jamaica AIDS Support for Life JASL. Only last night there was an altercation in the same vicinity how coincidental? 

Above is a shoe of one of the cross dressing divas from last evening's drama by Trafalgar Square. It was in August of this year that a letter writer who happened to reside in the nearby community complained to the Gleaner on the issue:

see: Complaint of "Freaky Gays" Harassing New Kingston Residents ........

Then came the two day civil disobedience against the aforementioned NGOs on August 23 and 24 as the men felt they have been ignored and are just used by the advocacy structure to make money with no meaningful actions to assist them, then came the other "distractions" as I call them namely the internationally attractive issues for JFLAG et al so the men and their issues are overlooked that is not to say the men's behaviour is not a major cause of concern both in public and on the premises of JASL where a ban was instituted and a canine security team employed to keep them off the property. 

Apartheid like behaviour in Jamaica from the very systems founded to deal with homelessness and LGBT welfare? 

I carried that piece on my sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica on Blogger, as at the preparation of this post four of the men who were on remand since last evening were being processed, evidence of the events were captured via photo apparently from passers-by who witnessed the drama with the homeless men and their friends, men who have been terrorizing them from surrounding areas including staff from a certain popular supermarket and others. 

November 18, 2011 incident here: Men rushed in New Kingston .... police hold 4

also see posts of previous accounts from the same area:

MEN RUSHED AND BEATEN IN NEW KINGSTON

SHOTS FIRED AT HOMELESS GAYS IN KINGSTON, HOMELESS SITUATION SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL

MSMS RESCUED BY TAXI DRIVER

HOMELESS MSMS HARRASSED ON STREETS BY POLICE

 the hypocrisy on homelessness in the MSM community


The dark side to the homeless issue ..............

and 

Doing 'business' in New Kingston ... Jamaica Observer on MSM Homelessness ..... JFLAG should be ashamed

Have a read of the Star News piece and decide for yourselves:

There has been an increase in the number of male prostitutes hanging out in New Kingston, St Andrew, THE WEEKEND STAR has learnt.

Both female and male prostitutes alike are known to frequent the area, but in recent months, the number of male hookers has mounted drastically.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that close to 70 male prostitutes are now frequenting Trafalgar Park and Antigua Avenue on a nightly basis.

THE WEEKEND STAR has also learnt that even teenage boys are now being spotted in the area.

When our investigative team visited the areas about 8 p.m. on Wednesday night there was hardly anyone in sight.

About an hour later there were at least 20 of them.

One woman who works in an office on Antigua Avenue said "A whole heap a dem congregate in the park (Trafalgar Park) across the road then after hours dem come across."

She reasoned, "Some a dem very young, teenagers. Dem look normal and dress normal, yuh only know say dem gay because sometimes yuh see dem a slap dem one another pan dem bottom and a hug up each other."

wig and spike heel

A security guard, who said that he was responsible for one of the buildings on Antigua Avenue at nights, told THE WEEKEND STAR that "Sometimes more than 50 of them out here. Dem gi demself girl names like 'Beyonce' and 'Simone'. Some a dem all dress up ina dem wig and spike heel."

He expressed, "Only man come pick dem up, a bare expensive vehicle all Range Rover. If dem a drive up and see mi dem circle and come back."

But a 23-year-old homosexual male who was seen lurking in the area denied the allegations that the males who hang out in the area are prostitutes.

"The guys dem whey congregate are friends who just hang out and talk, most of them don't have no home," he said.

He also explained that they have basically taken up residence in that area because it is the only place where they can really feel safe.

"If we go round deh so or back so dem wah kill we. Police, bad man, everybody wah kill we," he expressed.

Interestingly, he admitted that some of the homosexuals dress like women, however, he claimed that he only did so on rare occasions.

"Mi only dress so when mi a go out," he said.

Meanwhile, he told THE WEEKEND STAR that he knew that he was gay since he was 18-year-old and since then he has cut off all associations with women.

"Mi nuh feel say it right fi mi a go to man and a go to woman," he said.

When contacted, the New Kingston police confirmed that there has been an increase in the number of male hookers frequenting the area.

However, it was noted that from time to time the police carry out loitering operations which helps to reduce the numbers.

ENDS

This homeless issue is just a scar fast becoming a sore on our community and affects the health of our general advocacy and by extension our hypocritical presentation of unity to the world and then we go asking for tolerance when we are so contemptuous of the least amongst us. To think only two days ago we had International Day of Tolerance where I raised my continued concern for this population: 

International Day for Tolerance 16.11.11 my concerns of our state by glbtqja3

Also on November 14, 2011 I also posted recent concerns and issues with other displaced men:


Homelessness/Displacement problems again .........


Peace and tolerance

H

Perkins scolded for his "tolerance"

A day after the International Day of Tolerance long time talk show host, former Gleaner and Daily News (now defunct) columnist, controversial opinion figurehead, political archiver and outpsoken tolerance to homosexual activist in a sense Wilmot "Mutty" Perkins has been scolded for his long time stance on private consensual same sex activity. His position was clear and he has been consistent on the issue for decades especially during the P. J Patterson years as Prime Minister when his private life and suspected homosexual orientation was brought into question juxtaposed to his leadership qualifications, Mr. Perkins then was resolute that someone's sexual orientation is not of concern so long as they are performing on the job, he still holds that view as echoed recently to callers who challenge his position. He has also said he has homosexual friends with whom he has stimulating conversations on art, theology, anthropology and other subjects. During the Sexual Offences Bill debates as well and the Charter of Rights furor he reiterated his position with regards to tolerance, privacy and evasiveness of the old laws obstructing consent between adults.

He has also expressed repeatedly his support for same sex unions rights to be afforded to LGBT people with more emphasis on the benefits afforded to heterosexual couples from the state equally shared with gay unions as well, such as pension and death/funeral grants.

Here is the letter:

No, Mr Perkins

Dear Editor,

I must respond to a comment made on Perkins Online on October 25 by Wilmot Perkins.

In his conversation with a caller, he happened to utter the unforgivable lines that if two consenting males happen to be in the privacy of their homes engaging in their acts of buggery, he has no problem with that and that in fact it would be none of his business.

He also challenged those who put forward the idea that young boys would be open more to abuse by older men who are homosexuals, if the laws relating to homosexuality in Jamaica should be discontinued. His line of argument was that both young boys and girls are being abused in society in other ways, so in effect buggery would be just another form of abuse. He went as far as to point out that heterosexuals should be glad that they were born with their specific sex tendencies and sympathise with the unfortunate homosexuals being born the way they were.

I am totally disappointed in a man whom I grew up listening to on the radio and for whom I've had deep respect. I can tolerate his open vociferous defence of the JLP, although I think that his position on radio as a talk show host should have tempered his political outpouring so as to preserve the integrity that goes along with his type of job.

It surprises me that such an educated individual seems not to see that we are all connected at some point in our existence and that the action of one individual or two or more for that matter, will have an effect on the rest of society. There is no deviant behaviour by an individual that will not have a repercussion on the rest of society. Hence one should always be mindful of their actions, even in the privacy of their homes.

Consider two men together as partners that will leave two women without a partner for themselves. These women will either have to choose between becoming lesbians, being celibate or sharing someone else's fellow. The latter choice will mean rearing children as single mothers or destabilising somebody else's family. There will be no guarantee of the full influence or presence of a father figure within that family. God forbid those two fellows wanting children in their union. Imagine the scenario that would ensue.

So you see, Mr Perkins, it does matter what other people do when they live in a community or a society. There are only two remedies for this situation in a country like Jamaica. It's either total isolation without any interaction with the rest of society, or total elimination for those considered deviants. That is why some people don't want such people in their environment, because they are bound to have an effect on other people. After all, you catch the fish from the sea and carry it home, but that fish is in the big sea along with others.

So Mr Perkins, every action matters. Think about the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.

Ras Roger

rastadeacon@facebook.com

ENDS

Clearly what we have here is a mad homophobe but more and more media personalities however seem to be more enlightened such as Elon Parkinson on CVM's Live @ 7, Simon Crosskill one half of the Smile Jamaica crew who was caustic back in the day towards LGBT subject matter and who seems to be in the process of making an about face, Ian Boyne from JIS, TVJ's Profile and Gleaner columnist and Religious Hardtalk has been balanced in his pronouncements on gay/lesbian issues despite his background in theology and his proclivity towards religious arguments. How quick some of us are to judge I wonder if when we turn the magnifying glass on this writer what will be unearthed? why do some persons feel they have greater authority to determine what is right and morally just for someone else?

Who are we to point fingers at each other when it's my private business that is of concern here?

Such is the nature of persons who are not one sided but can judge for themselves they get vilified by ignorant homophobes who refuse to think.

Peace and tolerance

H 

Should Jamaica repeal its buggery law to maintain British aid? .......

The Gleaner's Have Your Say Blog has posed a question (see below) on the David Cameron statement matter and the withdrawal of aid to countries who host anti gay laws. On this International Day of Tolerance this question should rest in our minds I suggest as we try to make sense of the furor after the statement by UK Prime Minister David Cameron's supposed threat to withdraw aid from commonwealth countries who have anti sodomy laws on their books. Here is the question and some answers including my response:  

Should Jamaica repeal its buggery law to maintain British aid?

Since the British prime minister, David Cameron recently stated that Britain would begin withholding aid from governments that do not reform legislation banning homosexuality; it seems that the question of whether or not Jamaica should repeal its buggery law has become an even greater source of contention.

Mr. Cameron made it clear that countries being given British aid should either “adhere to proper human rights” or face the consequences.

This has not gone down well with scores of Jamaicans who believe that this is a blatant attempt by Britain to force sovereign states to conform to a British perspective. However, others believe that it is Britain’s right to give or withhold their aid for whatever reason they deem significant.


What is your opinion? Do you think Jamaica should repeal its buggery law in order to maintain British aid? Have your say…

My answer I hope they approve and publish was:

Yes it should be repealed or at least decriminalized but with CAREFUL and INTERACTIVE unemotional discussions between all or most of the contending parties and the public, the misconceptions about male homosexual life in particular are just the tip of the iceberg that clouds the issues whilst driving homophobia that need resolving, if not the opposing sides will always be at each other without any middle ground.

Issues such as:

The CLEAR demarcation between consenting male gay/bi men versus perceived predatory behaviors towards children

The fact that most same sex pedophiles are in fact not homosexual after psychiatric evaluation but very much hetero with deep issues troubling them.

We believe homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica when it is not but in fact it is BUGGERY/ANAL sex that is which also practiced by some heterosexual couples although in the minority.

Not all same gender loving men practice anal penetration, there are some who find it unpleasureable believe it or not but these days anal sex is not as untidy as years decades gone by, some pharmacies locally have become enlightened and sell cleansing agents quite openly in some locations that assist persons who practice anal sex in cleanliness and safer sex. Please do not judge homosexuals by simply the way we have sex, there is more to us than that.

All of the above (and more but too long to list) need proper ventilating in simple language so that the ordinary man understands it then he can determine how he feels about the issues afterwards
The big stick approach however by the UK is NOT the way to go as that will only infuriate Jamaicans and we don’t like to be dictated to

Finally if we are to burrow the Irish model as is proposed by the advocacy structure then we can also include the child defilement provision so as to ease any concerns by child rights advocates and the public have have that freeing up buggery will cause increased child abuse, so as in order to protect children as well as they are of the least resistance for abusers. Homosexual acts were illegal in Ireland up until the summer of 1993 and further amendments in 2006. The Offences against the Person Act lifted the ban, and declared the age of consent to be 17, the same as that for acts between heterosexuals. I suggest we look at this example and probably tweak it to our liking.

The Irish child defilement clause is clear in the ages of consent and the punishment(s).

3.— (1) Any person who engages in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 17 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall, subject to subsection (3), be liable on conviction on indictment—

(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or

(b) if he or she is a person in authority, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.

(2) Any person who attempts to engage in a sexual act with a child who is under the age of 17 years shall be guilty of an offence and shall, subject to subsection (4) be liable on conviction on indictment—

(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or

(b) if he or she is a person in authority, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years.

Peace and tolerance

Mr. H

Other answers of course were as expected not in support of the issue of repealing the buggery law. For example:

Go to the site and add your voice: HAVE YOUR SAY

also hear my audio commentary concerns about how we have skewed the tolerance calls, do we really have any credibility to ask the nation for such at this time?

International Day for Tolerance 16.11.11 my concerns of our state by glbtqja3

UPDATE: November 25 I added this comment:

1. GayTimesWatcher says:

   Your comment is awaiting moderation. 
   

   November 25, 2011 at 2:25 am

   New developments, well the Brits have now said aid won’t be cut but redirected and apparently Jamaica was not included but the idea was more so for African countries seeing that they have been very active such as Uganda with the anti gay bill there and Ghana with similar actions towards LGBT people, so I guess we can stop panicking ………… Andrew Mitchell a UK Minister said the policy had been wrongly reported as a threat to cut aid.

   The government has confirmed plans to redirect aid away from overseas governments who fail to recognise human rights, but has said it will still ensure aid reaches those in need.

   Some African states reacted angrily to Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell’s comments that aid would be redirected away from governments to other bodies, believing that overall aid would be cut unless anti-gay laws were repealed.

   In October, he (Mitchell) said: “Taking money away from Governments does not mean you do not support that country. You find other mechanisms for trying to help the poorest with food, education and health care as well as building up business structures.”

   Several Commonwealth governments condemned the action as an attempt to influence domestic policy and introduce gay rights against countries’ wishes.

   Mitchell made the statement to a meeting at which Peter Tatchell, the Kaleidoscope Trust, Stonewall, Justice for Gay Africans and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance were present. Mr Mitchell also said: “We have been very clear on this – where we think Governments do not have respect for human rights, it will have a big effect on the way we carry out this funding. Taking money away from Governments does not mean you do not support that country. You find other mechanisms for trying to help the poorest with food, education and health care as well as building up business structures..

   It is not about taking money away from countries but finding other mechanisms to help them. We take a very clear line. In a number of countries in Africa that discrimination against homosexuality has concerned us. In Malawi when they kicked out the British High Commissioner we looked at the whole nature of that relationship.

   We were aware there had been some expenditure by the President. We were aware there had been some lack of human rights – the intention to criminalize lesbianism – all took a part in my decision to stop funding the government centrally.”

   Source: Pink News UK and glbtqja.wordpress.com

Peace and tolerance

H