Milestones in 2011 in LGBT life ..............

originally Prepared and contributed by MT 

Additions and editing done 

1. People's National Party ,whose leader said that she had no objections to gays in her cabinet and that she would call for a conscience vote on the country's anti-sodomy law if selected as the country's 10th Prime Minister, won a landslide victory in national elections.

2. Two extremely anti-gay Members of Parliament, Clive Mullings & Ernest Smith, lost their seats after the December 29th 2011 general election.

3. The first gender non-conforming male elected to the country's Parliament December 29th

4. Jamaicans For Justice lambasts Bishop Herro Blair after his homophobic diatribe.

5. Prime Minister Andrew Holness calls for debate on gay issues.

6. “AIDS free World” launches first legal challenge to the buggery laws at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

7. First tolerance for gays and HIV public service announcement showed on television.

8. Gleaner comes out in support of Portia Simpson Miller’s statement about gay rights and buggery law.

9. Countless amount of supportive letters and articles in media about the buggery law and having gays in the cabinet.

10. Portia Simpson Miller defends her statement about gays and buggery law she made at the National Electoral Debate.

11. Church leader, Reverend Oliver Daley, comes out in favour of buggery law repeal.

12. The Gleaner newspaper lambasts Clive Mullings for his anti-gay rhetoric at JLP rally.

13. Documentary on HIV and Jamaican gays released.

14. Opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller publicly declared at the National Electoral Debates that she would allow a gay person to be in appointed to her cabinet, would ensure that people are not discriminated because of their sexual orientation, while suggesting she like to would bring the Buggery laws to a conscience vote in parliament and disagrees with the former prime minister’s “Not in my cabinet” statement.

15. UN Gay rights resolution passes. Could spark change in anti-gay countries like Jamaica.

16. Hilary Clinton champions Global Gay Rights at UN Summit in Geneva. Promised to take gay rights into consideration when giving foreign aid.

17. President Barack Obama directed all government agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and aid programs "promote and protect" the rights of gays and lesbians.

18. Thanks to persons like Maurice Tomlinson we had over a dozen pro-gay, incident-free tolerance-themed public events.

19. Police Commissioner publicly declared that members of the police force should not discriminate based on sexual orientation.

20. President of the Senate, Oswald Harding, advocates for repeal of buggery law and protection based on sexual orientation.

21. Health Minister, Rudyard (Ruddy) Spenser advocates for repeal of buggery law and tolerance of gays for the fight against HIV.

22. Jamaica Gay rights activist, Maurice Tomlinson, is the 2011 recipient of the David Kato Vision and Voice Award.

23. Activists at UN demand an end to homophobic bullying in schools across the globe.

24. Pro-gay book launched at “Bookophilia” by Shirley Anderson Fletcher (sister of former first lady) who later came on television to promote the book.

25. UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, come out in support of gay rights globally and promised to redirect aid to nations with poor records on gay rights.

26. Gleaner comes out in support of buggery law repeal after David Cameron’s plea at Commonwealth Summit.

27. Coca-Cola apologizes for sponsoring event with anti-gay lyrics sung by “Sizzla”.

28. Gleaner editorial and letters to the editor in support of JFLAG’s “Unconditional Love” public Service Announcement.

29. Reggae Artiste, Mista Majah P, sings pro-tolerance song against homophobia and re-releases full album/CD. Promoted by Peter Tatchell.

30. “Unconditional Love” public service announcement calling for Jamaicans to love their gay family members launched. Rejected by TVJ and CVM but was shown on Youtube for all to see.

31. Police High Command withdraws Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey's controversial claims about links between homosexuals and organised crime.

32. Study shows street youth more accepting of gays.

33. Swedish film crew that visited Jamaica to record a documentary on the island's human-rights situation got a first-hand look at our notorious homophobia and police excesses.

34. US embassy pledges to help reduce HIV/AIDS among locals.

35. Dancehall artistes stop direct anti-gay murder lyrics.

36. Jamaican Islamic leader in Germany expelled for calling for the death of gays.

37. Charter of rights criticised by media for not protecting gays. Ian Boyne and Elon Parkinson from CVM agrees with buggery law repeal and protection of gays by Charter.

38. Gleaner calls for gays to be protected by Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

39. Homophobic Jamaica Labour party embarrassed when JLP councillor gets charged for buggery.

additions

40. First ever business and lifestyle exposition called PRIDE FEST, making the pink dollar more worthy

41. Record numbers of commitment ceremonies on record in recent history ........ 7 SGL females and 3 SGL males

42. The most LGBT entertainment offerings since recorded history in one year ...... 43

43. Most successful asylum cases for LGBT persons overseas ..... estimated at 24

44. 8 more LGBT blogs added to the independent media list of bloggers

45. DJ Howie celebrates 15 years in the LGBT entertainment business and is awarded by the Sankofa Mgmt team

46. Lesbian community became more visibly in voice on the media landscape .... interviews on nearly all radio stations 

additions to come where applicable 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

LGBT History Month: The Loft's First Anniversary ............

As the month draws to a close for 2011 here is a brief look at the first anniversary celebrations recently at the centrally located LGBT club in the heart of Kingston's business and lifestyle metro-pole. The Loft which was founded by a two man team who are also life partners finally came into being on October 30, 2010 officially with its kick off party in the halloween period creating a seismic shift for gay entertainment in Kingston and Jamaica, they have been blamed unfortunately for the fast decline of interest in the long running life of Club Heavens which lasted for some 7 years whilst changing management and was located in North Central Jamaica whose only other competition apart the occasional party block buster in Kingston was the now defunct Calabash Club in Montego Bay which folded after an awful police invasion occurred due to rivalry from other party promoters at the time. Despite the challenges of patron behavioural problems, settling with the neighbouring business owners, the police situations at the commencement of its life, a seemingly opposing vibrant spirit filled church congregation located on the ground floor, the battyman entitlement phenomenon and the concern in the minds of many though not expressed too loudly in its location in the centre of that side of town they, the Loft's team have survived whilst making the name a household brand in the community offering varying products. They have some competition however from up and coming astute party promoters with growing fan bases but as the LGBT community itself expands there is room for more than one major player. Let us also not forget the launch of the Couture Elements bar open five days a week but with much smaller space. Other more serious challenges presented themselves earlier this year when a rival party promoter said to be linked to aforementioned police raid who resorted to unethical and deviant tactics to include informing the tabloid enemy of the gay community, The Star News of the where abouts of the spot and supposed activities which almost put the club out of business. The management team however quickly sprung in action with damage control to the community via a press release while maintaining its offerings after a brief closure. Also of note was or is some of the outreach work done to the homeless community to include some feeding programs and the recent interventions as influentials at the homeless msm civil disobedience action at a particular non governmental organization. several former and presently displaced and homeless were in attendance at the recent party but noticeably missing were Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays, JFLAG representatives and other advocacy personalities which was not surprising

flyer for the first event

They at the time issued a resolute press statement which was published on this blog in April of this year:

Sankofa Management: The Loft Remains Open despite Star News trope ......

In part they said:

We, the management of Jamaica’s premier LGBT entertainment space wish to thank our loyal patrons for their continued support of our brave business venture. Despite the many challenges we have faced in bringing this dream to fruition we remain determined never to allow the light of this community to go dim.
The movement that inspired the creation of The Loft is bigger than any one of us. It is bigger than any selfish motivation, envy, or iniquity. This is a powerful movement that cannot be hampered by evil deeds, careless tongues, or thoughtless actions. It is time that we as a community embrace the idea of togetherness and stop the petty in-fighting that is tearing us apart. We are not enemies, we are compatriots.

We share the same struggles with the wider society and we all have the same desire for happiness, love, and enjoyment in a safe environment. Since we cannot live this reality in the society we inhabit we must therefore do all we can to protect the few safe spaces that exist.
The Loft was created for all of us in the community and it is therefore our collective responsibility to protect it. We wish God’s richest blessings on the authors of the article that appeared in The Star of Monday April 4, 2011 under the headline “Cross-dressers clash at club”, and we hope that they will put their God-given talents as fictional writers to good use and not continue to let their imaginations run wild.

We are the ones that will decide if the Loft will close its doors, not anyone else.
We enjoy a positive relationship with the leadership of the St. Andrew Central Police Division as well as our neighbours in the business district in which we operate and will not allow the mischief of a few idle minds to sully our reputation, negatively affect our business, or most importantly disrupt the enjoyment of our valued supporters.

The Loft is part of a movement that cannot be stopped. Let us continue marching on until victory is won!

Sincerely,
BP & D
Management
The Loft

ENDS

Interview with Management of the Loft by shane-mccarthy of the Pink Report

My response then was:

The Star News story was inaccurate in a sense as I was present at the club named in the piece the police were called by the club owner/manager in question at around 4am to avert any negative violent action from rival queens who had previous altercations elsewhere NOT AT THE CLUB ON THE NIGHT OF April 2nd as hinted to. The event overall at the Loft went pretty well for the most part until the abrupt cut off to avoid the possible disturbance. The Loft and ALL OTHER PARTY PROMOTERS AND CLUB OWNERS have my full support but as the Loft remains resolute in serving their patrons/supporters this release is a professional way to deal with it, the police I have since gathered are also mindful of the issues involved however underhanded tactics to prove a point are TOTALLY UNNECESSARY LET US WORK TOGETHER FOLKS including Promoter X. Mek we talk dis out proper. 

this year's flyer

The celebrations briefly

October 28th 2011 was the date set for the last in the month long series of celebrations with respective themed events and rotating DJs to meet ever changing musical tastes, the admission free event which had a bumper crowd support. A team from the Red Cross were present carrying out some light HIV intervention work. DJ Dr. Buck had the crowd whipped in frenzy quite early as his trademark chants and hardcore selections usually do while wearing my DJ hat my first set of dance beats was welcomed as the kids served  after a smooth transition with the goodly doctor. It was clear that the evening was going to be a major success, hardly any space was left foe shaking a leg in the newly redecorated white walled dancefloor complete with strobe and lazer lights stoking the high energy. Denis(e) could be seen darting about the floor and frolicking with the children albeit on his golf club which has become his trademark item as he monitors his sometimes hurting right foot while BP manned the busy bar as it was shelled down to no inventory left for consumption. The queens served and gyrated with resorted to some head-top antics while others profiled with drinks in hand but clearly were enjoying the festivities with the occasional head bopping in approval to a tune selected. Not to be outdone were members of the thug community who seemed ofe in mixing with more effeminate patrons. Apart from beating the odds and becoming the sixth major gay club in recent known history they also stepped outside of their brand marketing and single handedly revived the Pride Event celebration during the Gaycipation period (Emancipation and Independence in August 1st and 6th) they successful launched an outdoor beach front event once carried by a previous advocate, promoter and brainchild Gareth Henry who had said events at a small beach front property in St. Ann. The event dubbed Sea Queens took off in fine fashion despite a mainstream event that also attracts LGBT persons was in session in another parish, persons took the trek to St. Mary on July 31, 2011 and had a "whale" of a time . Let us also not forget the infamous Santa's List event for the Christmas season which they have also developed under the brand. Sea Queens will certainly go up against Naughty Glam High Seas Couture as the best events for 2011 when that time comes for selection, I'll let you know which one is in my book then in the year in review. 


Please see:  The Loft/Sankofa's Sea Queens: Di Fish(es) DID swim .........

Happy first anniversary to the Loft's team and we hope they remain for a while longer although unconfirmed reports suggest there maybe a hiatus by the team as they collect their thoughts on new offerings. 


Peace and tolerance


H

LGBT History Month: Allies – Posthumous Recognition ’11 Part II

See part one on GLBTQJA Wordpress HERE

An ally, friend to the community, consummate party animal, brother in law of sorts and fierce friend, Steve was taken from us and from the pain after undergoing a series of illnesses. One of those persons who assisted many homeless persons in his private capacity, shut outs, ostracised and displaced males and females, he himself went through his own period of torment and displacement, it seems only persons like us who go through the issues or displacement teetering on homeless really develop a heart and extend a hand in the informal type of crisis intervention. A volunteer for a short while with AIDS organizations and was a regular fixture at the once bi-weekly GLABCOM, Gay Lesbian Bisexual community meetings formally held on second and fourth Tuesdays of each month with the fifth month being a games night. His two sisters still are in some sort or remorse even after I mentioned my intention to highlight him in this year's LGBT history post-humous category.


He passed away in 2010. We hope his soul is resting in peace 

Diva Diva Diva the one and only Mi'Que transgender representative in this years remembrance was taken from us tragically this year after an altercation with her spouse went haywire. I only got to know her well over the past two years with her regular appearances at formerly club heavens in St. Ann. She too in some way assisted financially with the now defunct Safe House project and travelled extensively, judging by the two photos I chose out of literally hundreds her sense of style was impeccable and unique.

RIP Mi'Que   

Garfield aka Biggy first came to my attention one faithful Saturday night in 1999 when he wanted a place to stay as he was roaming the streets in Kingston NOT HOMELESS but an avid cruiser and a damned good one too, he too like many others now who are stable went through horrible family and community rejection, he frequented a certain HIV/AIDS organization as well and also attended the GLABCOM Gay Lesbian Bisexual meetings too. We never lost touch since and was referred to at one point as my "daughter" Jovial, conservative at times, overly self concious, loved dancemusic and was a voguer in the days of the popular gay club Entourage in Kingston. He too helped some of the less fortunate until a nasty incident where he was robbed hardened him but in turn as he ailed by complications from diabetes melitus and kidney disease as he was about to commence dialysis the very week after being discharged from hospital he never made it. Some say it was stubbornness that did it as he was told to rest and not to party but he couldn't tame the wild beast within him. He was laid to rest at a popular burial site with all the funeral rights accorded and well attended. 


RIP Garfield aka Biggy


Unsung heroes and names often forgotten when they leave us, let us reflect.


Peace and tolerance


H

LGBT History Month: The Queen of Comedy Harmonica Sunbeam graced our stage

December 2004 would never be the same in Jamaica after the queen of comedy herself Harmonica Sunbeam graced our stage in cool cool St. Ann one faithful Saturday night. Literally over a thousand patrons turned out that night which was far more than the numbers for average parties at that time locally to see this international diva. Overcoming all the logistical and security concerns she landed safely as her united States fans wished her a safe travel due to the awful reputation we had gotten over the years as being the most homophobic country and so on.


Her visit was one of the premiere visits that would break the mold of fear that besetting other big queens who also expressed an interest after hearing how successful the show was including the legendary diva herself Miss Rupaul. Since then other major international divas have also appeared to include Nina Flowers a winner from Rupaul's drag race and Stasha Sanchez winner of Miss Gay USA 2009


Here are some previously lost photos from that faithful evening.

The last photo is of particular importance as this was the skit that made the crowd gagante with the infamous "frying pan" drama and this image remains in the minds of many to this day who saw that historic performance and entry into Jamaica, she was pleased that the audience responded as she had said in an old blog post on her now defunct page how warm she felt while being on the island and how responsive the audience was which by all indications she did not expect such a rousing welcome.

She has returned once and is slated to be on the island again sometime in 2012 this time possible in Kingston, plans are afoot in that regard.

Meanwhile here is transgender goddess and Miss Gay USA 2009 winner Stasha Sanchez as she performed at Heavens Nightclub in 2010, many persons were in awe as she defrocked and revealed her perfect tataas to the crowd sans surgery scars I might add.

Feminine impersonations have certainly been around for a while as local entertainment for the LGBT community but with the new obsession of swagger and other masculine, stereo butch or metrosexual offerings ebbing away at this part of gay culture it is left to be seen if it will just become a once in a while phenomenon.

Peace and tolerance

H

Suriname holds first gay rights march

Brazilians and Surinamese members of the LGBT community participate in the first International Coming Out Day, and the launcing of the "Say No to Hate" (symbolized by N2H8) campaign in Paramaribo.Image by: RANU ABHELAKH / REUTERS 


 Suriname’s first gay rights march in the capital on Tuesday drew a small peaceful crowd to protest in part a legislator’s insistence that homosexuality “should be completely eradicated.”Approximately 120 people marched for 15 minutes from Independence Square to a restaurant in this tiny Latin American nation’s capital wearing pink shirts and waving rainbow flags.Gay, bisexual and transgender groups organized the “National Coming Out Day” aimed at outlawing discrimination. 


 “This is an eye opener for both the government and the people who have not yet come out,” said Marciano Zaalman, 29, a member of one of the organizing groups.The march was organized after legislator Ronny Asabina launched a tirade against homosexuality in July, describing it as a “disease and a mental disorder.” 

 The march ended with speeches, followed by dancing to music blaring from a party bus supplied by the sizable Brazilian community. Men in drag mixed with families and children who participated in the event.Suriname, with a population of about 500 000, is a former Dutch colony sandwiched between French Guyana and Guyana, with Brazil to the South. It won its independence from the Netherlands in 1975.“Generally speaking, people are not willing to talk about sexuality, let alone homosexuality,” said Boris Dittrich, advocacy director of Human Rights Watch’s gay rights program. 


 President Desire Bouterse did not participate in the march, which wound its way past his office.Harish Monorath, was one of two members of parliament to take part. “The taboo still exists,” he said. “Too many members of parliament are still having a retarded attitude toward homosexuality.”Dutch politicians have waded into the debate by sending letters to ministers in Suriname asking for comment on Asabina’s tirade and whether his views were supported by the governing coalition.Bouterse has refused to enter the debate. 


“I believe gay people are nice guys. Everyone has their own preference,” he told a news conference on Monday.
ENDS


More and more smaller states in or near the Caribbean are moving ahead and making firsts in their own territory's LGBT history, good to see that Suriname who we do not seem to hear a lot about in the news on homosexuality has stepped up to the plate and launched out despite oppositions and participation from politicians as well.


Peace and tolerance


H

LGBT History Month: Pride Fest 2011 The First Full Community Introspective

September 11, 2011 would never be the same in Kingston Jamaica as a little event that was named Pride Fest became Huge making history as the first full introspective activity to cover not only the party vibe as usual but LGBT businesses and their owners all gathered together in an exposition of sorts, please see the release from the organizers below as prepared on September 12, 2011. What is of great interest was the noticeable absence of The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays, JFLAG and its parent organization Jamaica AIDS Support for Life JASL although they were invited to set up booths, with not so much as an apology to the organizers clearly indicating their non interest in real community development. 

Here is the release from the UR


What is PRIDE?

Pride is an inward directed (feeling) emotion that exemplifies either an inflated sense of one's personal status or the specific, mostly-positive emotion that is a product of praise or independent self-reflection. Gay PRIDE movements became popular after the StoneWall Riots of the late 1960's (research Stone Wall Riots) attempting to remove the shame of choosing to love differently from mainstream.

As LGBT Jamaicans, the two pronged fork of homophobia has been keeping LGBT people from stepping out and following their dreams with too many lives being lived in anguish and fear and too many dreams being buried in a grave somewhere. Being a Jamaica gay, lesbian or transgered person, we feel the pinch of external homophobia and internal homphobia, these trials have made us stronger and even more passionate...what we need now is PRIDE!

To create any kind of change in Jamaica, the community must become the change first...to be come the change...we must attempt unity....to attempt unity...we must develop respect for our internal diversity and to develop respect...we have to remind and re-instill our PRIDE.

PRIDE FEST 2011 with all proceeds in aid of The Underlined Response, is the beginning of this movement toward PRIDE. Showcasing 9 booths owned by LGBT business owners: modelling and promotions PRESS PLAY, Sex Toys and Piercings by FETISH SECRETZ, Tattoos by SAMIYEN INKED COUTURE, nail care by RAINBOW NAILS, Jewellry and clothing courtesy of NUBIAN DESIGNS, gadget fashionistas NOSTIK DESIGNS, travel agent and coffee distributor GLOBAL TRAVEL, artwork by Veneesia Thompson, to list a few and the after concert featured epic and professional performances from over 30 different people, PRIDE FEST left the over 250 patrons in attendance in awe and instilled a new and foreign feeling...being gay and proud and part of a community of talented and creative persons.

artwork on display at Pride Fest while patrons milled about

Food was provided by Champion of Champions winner of Jerk Chicken competition with his signature sauce, Jerk Fried Rice and Jerk Red Peas Soup, as well as Dawn's Burgers. We want to take this opportunity to apologise gravely (gravely) for not delivering on the lovely local dishes and pastry that were advertised, unfortunately, Ocassions Catering/Sweets Tanya Lee and Lola's Pastry pulled out the thursday before the event leaving us with no options in such a short space of time. Nonetheless, the offerings of the Jerk Pan and Jamaica's Champion of all Champions Jerker with his exotic twist on Jerk food pleased exceedingly, where the comfort of Dawn's much loved cheese burgers and hot dogs done to order, was tired.

Throughout the venue, patrons commented on how shocked and delighted they were. Singers, Poets, contemporary and inspirational dance pieces, Dancehall DJ acts, models, drag queens and a comedian delivered a fantastic 4 hours of performances. Almost all the acts were crowd favorites with special mention to our drag performers, Kerry and Macy who gave many patrons their first experience of the beauty, grace and art of Lip Syncing, an almost dying feature of gay life in Jamaica; soul crooners, the Jamaican version of Floetry: Debbie and Jordie...shared their Fire and talent on stage to our delight, Poets like Tyrell and Nadz dived right into the sex and excited the crowd, whilst revolutionary poet Christina touched some sensitive but needed to be told issues, igniting the revolutionary spirits in the audience. A duo from Tiana and Fyahh had mouths on the ground, as both persons are known for similarly hotting up any dancefloor at a party..headtops and splits like stars...their performance to Cece Winans 'Alabaster Box' incorporating their skills into this very touching and relevant gospel song..left goose pimples. Toni graced our stage with 4 original songs and had the crowd singing along to Blue Skies. The all boys dance group killed it with their high energy and colourful performances with death drops. All girls song birds Phyllea, Lani and Sade thrilled us with a Beyonce fave. Swagga Ras the DJ of the night gave loads of instructions...on who fi juck and who fi wine and even demonstrated!! Drama on the stage! Whilst the All girls group did lots of whining and some stripping...to song...with a routine (ofcourse). Tiana took breaths away with her performance to 'He Lives In You' from the Lion King Sound Track...clearly highlighting and distinguishing the full extension of her talent, while our sole comedian had the crowd laughing at her jokes. Maxine closed the show with her signature high energy and almost death defying stunts as she split and pranced to her song selection, then dived into the pool, perfect to start the after party.

Although we did not have a showing of any of our talented designers again due to late cancellations, the Fashion Shows were definately a point of PRIDE, the show featured hot male and female models draped in nothing but glam, class and style strutting the runway like millionaires in the top name brands and extremely stylish outfits carried by courtesy of RDS FASHIONS.

Amidst the threatening rains, the last minute cancellations, missing personal items and tonnes of other issues that plague events, we pulled it through and we are PROUD. A special thank you to the angel who jumped in last minute ans sponsored our event, although you were unable to attend the show to see the final product, I know no doubt you are PROUD, Thank you. Big Ups to our DJs David and Tandra who provided the music and the hardworking and dedicated team of The Underlined Response who made it a reality. The PRIDE has made it to the hearts and visions of all present, as plans for PRIDE FEST 2012 are already underway, we want to remind that our external world and its experiences are merely a reflection of our internal world and its experiences, and so to create any change...we must look at the person in the mirror first...and become the change we wish to see.

THE CHANGE IS ON ITS WAY...BECOME PART OF IT...IF YOU WANT BUT DONT FIGHT IT IF NOT....JUST LET IT!

Look out for our upcoming initiatives aimed at taking LGBT lifestyle another LEVEL UP!

Couture Elements

coutureelements@gmail.com


also listen to my first full audio commentary on LGBT History Month since I have been trying to cover some of the milestones.

   LGBT History Month Jamaica by glbtqja5 

The Loft/Sankofa's Sea Queens: Di Fish(es) DID swim .........

Sunday July 31st through to August 1 will go down in LGBT history as the once popular August Pride Events that had gone defunct for some time often held on the north coast complete with pride flags flying and all was lovingly resurrected and done so in good measure by the Management team of The Loft, Sankofa Events. The somewhat seasoned party planners/more adept club promoters have been trying their hand at events outside their strongest brand of gay clubbing and Sea Queens has paid off pulling a capacity crowd all limning and serving at the crescent moon shaped shoreline as the pulsating beats were delivered by DJs Howie, David and Kool all through the 12 hour timed fiesta, sadly it had to end just after 2am but all who came were clearly pleased with the offering.

Logistics, safety and mother nature...........

Barring the early logistical problems with the shuttle service from Kingston causing some to arrive some two hours later than expected which is a long standing problem that seems to affect all party planners who have out of town events and the lack of patrons being punctual with late or no confirmations plus the two occassions where petrol for the two stand by generators ran out thus leaving the area in a black out of sorts and dead air time for the music delivery the occasion in general was wonderful. Beautiful gay, lesbian and transgender bodies sprawled the coastline complete with tattoes, nipples, bathing suits of all shapes and sizes fully visible were all over the beach under the watchful eye of one half of the promotions team Ms Denise who carefully patrolled the area seeing to the safety and satisfaction of her guests and the property manager with the lifeguard manning the frolicking "fishes" at the waters which had good waves at some points winds of up to 1.5 knots made them hit the shoreline gracefully, the kidz basked in them all smiles like naughty children with a runny hose. Lofty Loft's Brian Paul manned the bar along with Nicky Nicardo as seasoned professionals as usual making sure the children were kept hydrated or high with alcoholic servings. The weed man was also present with the St. Mary stash having pullers going to the heights and so the climbers had their fill.

Rains earlier had some persons sceptical about the day's turnout especially those driving from Kingston but upon arrival in the host parish St. Mary mother nature made sure as the photos above suggest that sister sun was out in her glory at times to tan the brownest of skins and warm the overseas guests who were also present. The bleaching experts did not mind exposing some skin too as they also were decked in short shorts or two pieced bathing attire showing off all they had to offer, a small hedonistic realm tipping the north eastern parts of the island, a few guests could be seen pulling each others' stuff down exposing smooth derrières, shaved crotch/genitalia in the case of males or taught cleavage in the case of the ladies some as large as 34 double D in size with some boasting tattoos, the more covered and supposedly decent guests retreated to the bungalow where the bar and the soup counter were situated both creatively

made from bamboo with seats carved from mahogany, cedar wood and bark. Coconut branches and bamboo leaves lined the both spots and other similar covered seating deliberately designed for couples strategically placed along the stretch in both directions. The excellent lighting also created a superb atmosphere later as it came to dusk as the music servings intensified, the strobes and lazer strips blinked to pre-set times and the matching heavy bass from the nearby speakers with the children responding accordingly, as far as one could go from the bungalow the music was audible.

A who's who and the nyammings

Brown Teddy Bear Dane Lewis and his staff from JFLAG were also present as they too rocked to the pulsating beats all through the day or spread themselves on towels to the far side near the rock formations. The waves lovingly kissed the shore as the natural cove protected us from the dangerous under currents that would have existed as on the raw shoreline itself as was evidenced by the rough seas outside the semi circular formation. The view was breathtaking and although the property was located near a public beach we had no interference from passers-by to stop the "fishes" from swimming. Other popular crews present were The Couture Elements family, The Exquisite Dolls, GW Fashion House Crew, The Pussyboi Fem Kidz, The Underlined Response Crew, The Kardasian Crew and Club Heavens Management Team all holding their spots and mingled as if it were a family reunion, other long time party gini-gogs such as Bruk-foot Paul and Owen slimmers made their appearance. The food was not as many had hoped but the Jerked Chicken had persons commenting with the sauce as the draw card. The Soup was too flat for some as they wanted more meat, speaking of which the missing 'more masculine men" for bushy pleasures was lamented on through the evening by some but they compensated by drinking the carnal desires away and releasing the energy in dance but the infamous green grass hotel none the less had its share of visits for the latter part of the night as those who were lucky to "bingo" did the necessary follow up.

Other happenings and mother nature

Mother nature also made sure the living things of the earth and water joined us as a few turtles (photo) beached themselves during the high tide to deposit their eggs in the shrubbery a practice we were reliably informed later from the property's management occurs this time of year also the migration of certain other species, also present darting about as the same gender loving humans trampled on the sands were crabs of varying colours, shapes and sizes, dogs from God knows where and sea gulls who acted as scavengers cleaning up the left over scraps from picnickers on their towels and the high rock formations. Several announcements had to be made at intervals by the host and DJs so as to curb the over excited patrons from destroying the foliage and trees as the agile "cratches mawnin girls" made sure they were seen "a gwaan bad" on them, the property manager looked on in amazement as his expression seem to say he has never seen this kind of energy before at an event held there and when the trees couldn't hold the antics of the cratches crew they took it to the tables albeit atop their hands and heads and on the sands at long last. The vogue queens were not to be left out as they too used the provided seating, sands and tables for serving as Tamara El Prado chanted to the beats. DJ Kool was a hit as he proved his versatility, DJ David rested following his sets and deservedly so as he had hosted an event the night before which ended prematurely. Despite the presence of some not so friendly factions at Sea Queens tempers were not enough to disrupt the happenings. The bonfire was lit at around midnight which for a time had some patrons moving towards that direction dancing and frolicking as they saw fit.

When all is said and a Lofty decision

It was a wonderful relaxative event although sad word came from Madame Denise that the Management of The Loft will not be hosting any more outdoor events which most in earshot thought as a bad decision, one hopes they will rethink this one and come back with another naturist banger for all to enjoy. We have not had any major beach typed events for some time and this may become a fixture as other persons are now thinking of the idea. The last sea fearing event of course that proved that the formulae can work was the now infamous "Nauti Glam" High Seas Couture which showed that a boat ride can be hosted successfully. Both events could easily go down as parties of the year for 2011 in the next series of award shows in 2012.

The fish did swim, another good one to report.

Peace and tolerance

H

Breathing ...... Open Mic ...... Black History

Every now and again we find ways of breathing in the midst of all the madness that is our national homophobia and other societal phobias affecting us, last evening February 23rd was one such time when a deep breath was taken. Couture Elements a fresh new entity in the GLBTQ entertainment offerings locally hosted one of its mid week Open Mic series at its home The Couture Oasis. As Black History Month draws to a close they organizers decided to host a reflective session calling on older statesmen and women from the community and activities past to as far back as the 1960s and 70s for sharing some of those experiences.

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LEVEL UP the Lifestyle, Entertainment and Fashion

coutureelements@gmail.com

Though short the time for the night sessions and the lateness of most of the attendees proceedings went ahead as planned touching on everything from the early days of entertainment to exploring the early days of Jamaica's raw homophobia and its possible origins. Most of the attendees though in their early twenties were transfixed to the discussion which to me shows that there is indeed some desire to know about our early experiences from older living stalwarts and ordinary experienced persons. Revelations as to the early days of downtown and the missing violent streak that now obtains brought smiles to many one could almost see a kind of wishing I was around look in many of the patrons listening intently.

Statesmen "Mr. Marshall" accompanied by his longtime sidekick "John" arrived as usual late of course making an entrance as is typical of them both went straight into the meat of the matter(s) while I was in the hot seat in a wonderful exchange with a attentive audience. He reminded older folks like myself of the early problems in the community some of which are still with us such as homelessness and gay on gay violence, his reputation though as a club promoter though was the main matter of the evening. He recalled the early days of police harrassment of his establishment and the tabloid press's hounding and putting out stories casting a cloud on his activities. He remained resolute in carrying on business as he was determined to see his patrons happy at best while making that needed pink dollar.

There were other party promoters but without the rivalry that now exists with disastrous results and he expressed his concerns about the happenings briefly. He also touched briefly on the other communities such as the lesbian and bisexual communities.

All in all the evening went well with occasional humorous outbursts as persons reminisced on days gone by, a piece presented on early Jamaican life by a younger male member of the community was well received harking to the days of Horlicks (food drink for kids), Andrews salts advertisements, JBC and Dennis Hall hosted School Challenge Quiz, black and white television, early gay typed characters in roots plays, old time nine nights, jonkanoo, and other culinary references. The joke segments also were very funny and interesting here is one that was burrowed from a friend's Facebook profile:

"4 POLICE WERE TALKING WEN ONE OF DEM ANNOUNCED 'MAN I HAD A BAD DREAM LAST NITE . ME DREAM SEH TEN BATTY MAN FUCK MI OFF' ONE OF D NEX POLICE REPLIED SHUT U RAAS U NJOY IT CAUSE FROM D FUS ONE TOUCH U U SHOULDA WAKE UP !"

Healthy exchange and hopes

I hope that this kind of forumatic activity continues in allowing us to breathe especially when presented to a larger mixed audience not to bore people to death but carefully and creatively have a solid exchange with a view to have a lasting impression for positive results for the new generation, they are the ones who are going to have carry on the oral and written histories, the fight and the legacy. What is also wonderful about this activity is that it is a conversation between speaker(s) and the audience not just a presenter unloading onto zoned out persons. Another suggestion is the changing of the day to a weekend such as Fridays as many working class persons may have some difficulty attending regularly or staying the late hours as persons often time arrive late or maybe the CE can have the sessions twice weekly.

Breathe, talk, learn, share, respects, Level Up! Couture Elements ..... a wonderful experience.

They recently introduced a membership system but non members can attend for a small contribution of $500.

Peace and tolerance

H

LGBT History Month - Symbols & their meanings

Where did they all come from and what do they mean?

Gay men and gay women.
Bisexual.
Transgender.
___________________________


The rainbow flag is the most widely used and recognized symbol of the gay pride movement. The flag was developed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. At the time, there was a need for a gay symbol which could be used year after year for the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. Baker took inspiration from many sources--the hippie movement to the black civil rights movement--and came up with a flag with eight stripes.

Baker explained that his colors each stood for a different aspect of gay and lesbian life:

• Hot pink for sexuality.


• Red for life.


• Orange for healing.


• Yellow for the sun.


• Green for nature.


• Blue for art.


• Indigo for harmony.


• Violet for spirit.

Baker and thirty volunteers hand-stitched and hand-dyed the flags for the 1978 parade, and they were an instant hit. But when he took his design to the San Francisco Flag Co. to have it mass-produced for the 1979 parade, he had to remove the hot pink stripe. At that time, pink was not a commercially available color.

Later that year, when Harvey Milk, was assassinated, the 1979 Pride Parade Committee realized that baker's flag was the perfect symbol under which the LGBT community should unite. The committee got rid of the indigo stripe to make the colors evenly divisible along the parade route: red, orange, and yellow on one side of the street; green, blue, and purple on the other.

This is the flag we see, and use, and fly, today.
________________________


Most everybody recognizes the Pink triangle as a symbol taken directly from the Nazi concentration camps. When concentration camps are mentioned, most people tend to think of the Holocaust--for good reason--but the fact is that there were many homosexual prisoners in those camps as well.

The real story of the Pink Triangle began prior to World War II, Paragraph 175, a clause in German law, prohibited homosexual relations. In 1935, during Hitler's rise to power, he extended this law to include homosexual kissing, embracing, and even homosexual fantasies. Over 25,000 people were convicted under this law between 1937 and 1939 alone, and were sent to prisons and later concentration camps. Their sentence also included sterilization, most commonly in the form of castration. In 1942, Hitler extended the punishment for homosexuality to death.

Prisoners in Nazi concentration camps were labeled according to their crimes by inverted colored triangles.

• Green triangles were for regular criminals.


• Red triangles were for political prisoners.


• Two overlapping yellow triangles--to form the Star of David--were given to Jewish prisoners.


• Pink triangles were given to homosexual prisoners.


• Pink and Yellow overlapping triangles went to gay Jews, the lowest form of prisoner.

Although homosexual prisoners were not shipped en mass to the Auschwitz death camps like so many of the Jewish prisoners, there were still large numbers of gay men executed along with other non-Jewish prisoners. The real tragedy though occurred after the war. When the Allies defeated the Germany and the Nazi Regime, the political and remaining Jewish prisoners were released from the camps; the regular criminals were not released for obvious reasons.

The homosexual prisoners were never released though because Paragraph 175 remained West German law until 1969, so gay men and women watched other prisoners freed, and then spent another twenty-four years in prison.

In the 1970s, the pink triangle was used in conjunction with the gay liberation movement, and in the 80s, ACT-UP [AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power] adopted the it as their symbol, but turned it upright to suggest an active fight rather than passive resignation.

There are also people who were the triangle pointing up if they know someone who has died of AIDS.

The pink triangle is a symbol closely connected to oppression and the fight against it, and stands as a vow never to let another Holocaust happen again. Like the word "queer," it is a symbol of hate which has been reclaimed and now stands for pride.
______________________


One symbol which continues to remain popular is the lower case Greek letter lambda. It was originally chosen by the Gay Activists Alliance of New York in 1970--a group which broke away from the larger Gay Liberation Front at the end of 1969, six months after it's foundation in response to the Stonewall Riots.

Because of its official adoption by the GAA, which sponsored public events for the gay community, the lambda soon became a quick way for the members of the gay community to identify each other. The reasoning was that the lambda would easily be mistaken for a college fraternity symbol and ignored by the majority of the population.

Other meanings of the lambda symbol include:

• The Greek letter "L" stands for "liberation."


• The Spartans believed that the lambda represented unity.


• The Romans took it to mean; "the light of knowledge shining into the darkness of ignorance."


• The synergy which results when gays and lesbians work together towards a common goal.


• The theory that straights and gays, or gays and lesbians, or any pairing of these three, are on different wavelengths when it comes to sex, sexuality, or even brain patterns.


• An iconic rendering of the scales of justice and the constant force that keeps opposing sides from overcoming each other. The hook at the bottom of the right leg would then signify the action and initiative needed to reach and maintain balance.

Whatever the lambda meant or means today, it's everywhere. Even though at one time it acquired a strictly male connotation, it is used by both gays and lesbians today. Back in December of 1974, the lambda was officially declared the international symbol for gay and lesbian rights by the International Gay Rights Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland.
_________________

The Red Ribbon Project was created by singer/songwriter Paul Jabara and the New York-based Visual AIDS group in 1991. Visual AIDS is a charity group of art professionals aimed at recognizing and honoring friends and colleagues who are dying, or have died, of AIDS. Visual AIDS not only encourages art organizations, galleries, museums, and other AIDS organizations to commemorate those who have died of AIDS, but also to educate the public about the transmission of AIDS and HIV and the needs of those living with AIDS.

The red ribbon was originally inspired by the yellow ribbons prominently displayed during the Gulf War in support of U.S. soldiers. The color red was chosen because it is the color of blood and its symbolic connection to passion and love. The red ribbon made its public debut when host Jeremy Irons wore it during the 1991 Tony Awards. Since then, wearing the red ribbon has become a fashion statement and extremely politically correct.

There are those who feel that the red ribbon has lost it's importance, and is now simply lip service to AIDS causes, however, the Red Ribbon Project is still going strong and remains a driving force behind AIDS awareness. It is the Project's sincerest hope that one day it will no longer be needed.

The White Knot.
The symbol for Marriage Equality.
The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality.
Wear it to show your support and to create conversation.
Use it to tell everyone that equal rights are important.
Share it so that all loving couples can have the same rights.

Everybody deserves the right to Tie The Knot!

PNP-YO: fight homosexuality – Friday November 16, 1979 (Jamaica Daily News Letter) (Flashback)

PNP-YO: fight homosexuality –

Friday November 16, 1979 (Flashback)

The PNP Youth Organization says it is seriously concerned about the growth of homosexuality particularly among certain students and is calling on its members and youth in general to take steps to “combat and remove this activity from the Jamaican society”

The organization said the matter has been made more acute in the face of increasing economic hardships which made young people more vulnerable to financial manipulation by adult homosexuals.

At a PNP YO Central Committee meeting over the weekend concern was expressed over certain social ills and the committee said it was calling on Government, the PNP and the Jamaican people especially the youth to take immediate action.

A second matter was the growing increase of hard drugs including cocaine which the YO said was being pushed almost openly among young people.

The Organization claimed there had been very little action by the Police Force and the state in this matter and suggested that the Security Forces concentrate on the distributors pushers and users of hard drugs rather than the present harassment and prosecution of ganja smokers.

In addition the YO called on the Parliamentary Committee investigating the use of ganja to speedily complete its work and make recommendations to government.An advice also went out for the youth not to allow political tribal war to recur.

The Jamaica Daily News.

Reggie asked, “Who will shed tears for the baby doves?” a poem for same gender suiciders

we can, no must cry, wail, moan laugh, sing, scream

tell these same gender loving stories

though they bruise our hearts speak these ugly facts

that parade as truth we must speak for those whose tongues

have been slashed at the root

stand for those who have been limbed from thigh to ankle

like trees in Jamaica sing for those whose songs

have been ripped from their throats dance for those stilled

by rhythmic blows to their bodies we must be the wind for the fledgings


trying to flex their wings we must bear them up

lift them hold them close dry their tears

feed them not cannibalize them

dispense generous doses of antidotes for hate

prepare them for the probability of exclusion

baptize them in limpid pools of love and light

thicken their delicate skin against insidious intolerance

teach them how to soar how to be


tell them show them they are loved

speak life to them teach them how to survive.



In memory of

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover (11)

Jaheem Herrera (11)

Tyler Clementi (18)

Seth Walsh (13)

Billy Lucas (15)

Asher Brown (13)

Zach Harrington (19)

Aiyisha Hassan (19)

Nokia Cowan

Victor Jarrett (26)

Sakia Gunn (15)

Matthew Sheperd (21)

and the countless other same gender loving youth, whose names I do not know, who took their own lives or had their lives ended because of who they were….



(c) fabian thomas

This Question of Homosexuality (Gleaner, Januay 27. 1980) (Flashback)

THE DECADES of the 60's and the 70's have been'marked by numerous kinds of human liberation struggles which included among'others the Civil Rights movement in the United States and went straight into the women's liberation movement and the struggles of black people in Southern Africa. Somewhere in the middle of all that. the international homosexual community
jumped' on the bandwaggon and began struggling for "Gay Liberation", as they so quaintly put it. In Europe and North America, homosexuals and lesbians who had been closeted in double-lives have stepped boldly out into the open, following a number of legislatory changes which freed them from the heavy hands oj the law. In 1967. Britain decriminalised homosexuality, and since then both the. British and the American Medical Associations have removed it from their
lists of abnormalities.
Sweden was the most recent country to drop it from its list:of diseases, and in October last year a spokesman for the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, according to a Reuters report, instructed doctors that they no longer had to report In North America, the growing homosexual community and haven of San Francisco in California scared the daylights out of its "straight" community when thousands of them rioted before the City Hall following a mere manslaughter sentence which was returned for a man who killed two prominent homosexuals in the city. In September of last year. California created history when Governor Jerry Brown
appointed the first openly homosexual judge and in Britain, Jerry Thorpe, former leader of the Liberal Party, was a known homosexual who was once voted Britain's most popular politician.

LOCAL GROUP
Locally, two years -ago, a short-lived public debate was sparked off in the press following the launching of a Gay Freedom Movement (G.F.M.) which a very vocal group of homosexual activists launched to raise what they called 'gay consciousness and awareness' and to protest anti-'gay' oppression, among other things. . It was the first time, in the history of this country, that homosexuals had dared to be so bold, and their talk of "gay pride and their rationalisation of gay liberation as human liberation have been seen as the heights of temerity by a society which has traditionally been very intolerant of homosexuality.
Everybody has always known that it exists in our midst, and the subject has been the basis of many juicy bits of gossip on St. Andrew verandahs where it is whispered around as to who is the latest addition to the list of "funny" or "queer" men.
Prominent members of the society, especially those in the cultural and artistic life of the country, are whispered about behind by their backs, and the less well-known and visible , homosexuals are often pounced upon on the streets and physically beaten, and or verbally ridiculed.
G.F.M. General Secretary, Larry Chang, cannot give a realistic estimate of the homosexual community in the island but he feels that if all homosexuals were to suddenly turn green, "we would have a lot of very green people walking around". According to him, one just never knows
who are homosexuals because they cannot be picked out by just looking at them. "There are a few people who are obviously 'gay' because of their effeminacy or' their masculinity, but this is a very small minority." he said, adding that most homosexuals walk around undetected and pass for 'straight'. He claims, however, that the society would be "shocked to death" to know who and .who in this country are homosexuals, .

MEDICAL VIEW
Mr. Chang, who maintains that the socalled prejudices and -bigotry of the 'straight' community are re-inforced by myths and a fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, claims that homosexuals are not sick. According to him', they are as healthy and as normal as everybody else, with the only difference being their sexual taste.
Jamaica Psychological Association (J.P.A.) chairman. Dr. Ruth Dobar, supports this view that homosexuality is not a sickness, and she says that everything that pertains to heterosexuals —* with the exception of choice of partners — goes for
homosexuals.
The J.P.A., which is an alliance of local psychologists and psychiatrists, recently hosted a public discussion at the Priory High School on "Homosexuality in Jamaica", and this has been described as the first, open discussion on the subject. Dr. Dobar sees it as another style of behaviour, another style of life, but even this view is not shared throughout the medical profession. She admits that many medical practitioners still see homosexuality as an abnormality, but that an increasing number of her colleagues consider homosexuals "normal people who happen to
choose partners of their own sex", adding that it is a matter of choices. Psychiatrists do not usually treat homosexuality as a disease, but where a patient is worried about being homosexual, he or she is treated for neurotic symptoms.

In many cases, Dr. Dobar says, it is culture and the heavy prejudices that causes the problems for the patients, because it makes them uncomfortable about what they are.

CHURCH'S VIEW
The Church's traditional view of homosexuality,'on the other hand, is that it is sinful and. it is wrong. The Church of England, which guides some 64 million Anglicans around theworld, has traditionally taken a'hard line with homosexuals, but in October it published a controversial report on the subject which recommended that the Church should recognise that it can be justifiable for individuals to "enter into a homosexual relationship involving the physical expressionof free love". -;
The report, which was published with a statement from the Church Board for Social Responsibility saying that it had neither adopted nor endorsed the findings and also recommended that the homosexual age of consent in Britain should be reduced from 21 to 18 years; that Bishopsshould not refuse to ordain a man because he is homosexual; and that the decision to accept or reject the resignation of a homosexual priest living openly with another
man would remain solely with the Bishop. The Anglican Church is to debate the homosexuality issue at its general synod in February 1981. With -reference to the local situation,
Jamaica Council of Churches' president Archbishop Samuel Carter said that as recently re-affirmed by Pope John Paul, the traditional stand of the Roman Catholic Church is that homosexuality is sinful and wrong, he said., however, that people with this tendency should be treated with sympathy arid understanding and help offered to them wherever it is needed.
Asked to comment on the new openness of the island's homosexual community, Archbishop Carter said thai this is part of the influence; of the "outer society", especially from the United States, adding that 'anything that happens outside is bound to influence us. "We maintain the stand that it is a sin but we sympathise with people who have this tendency," he said.

HUMAN RIGHTS
The. Gay Freedom Movement was launched in August 1977, and Mr. Larry Chang describes it not as an organisation in the strict sense of; the term, but as a movement of people who have began to. mobilise to demand "their basic human rights to be able to choose "our sexual partners". This choice is no business of the State Or the Church or anybody else, in his opinion,
and if is time that people begin to change their attitudes and prejudices which he claims are based on mis-conceptions about what homosexuality really is The G.F.M. General'Secretary makes a distinction (between homosexuals and 'gays'. According to him. a large number of Jamaicans! are homosexuals but a small minority are gay. 'Gays', for him, are those homosexuals who accept their homosexuality and live their lives accordingly and he points out that they are many homosexuals who do not identify as being 'gay. Mr. Chang said that one of the main aims of the G.F.M. is to educate homosexuals about their 'gayness' and bring them some amount of self-awareness so that "they will come-to accept their homosexuality as a natural, normal and healthything."
Such an acceptance and the promotion of 'gay pride', he feels, will remove a lot of the existing psychological pressure and conflicts that members of the homosexual community have to live with. Describing the current life-style of the homosexual community, he said that it is one of deception, cover-up and the added pressure of leading a double life since themajority of 'gay' people have to hide from their families, co-workprs and friends.
Men for whom women have never held any sexual allure equate their struggles for 'gay' liberation with the struggle of the women's movement on the ground that 'gays' and women suffer from male-dominated oppression, in a macho-syndrome that keeps down women and 'gays'.

CLINICAL TERM
Mr. Chang claims that 'gay' men, are a threat to the majority of the heterosexual male's idea'of what a man should be and how he should behave, and as a result 'straight' men tend to react irrationally and violently to'them. . .The G.F.M. spokesman said that the movement uses the term 'gay' because homosexual' is a very clinical term that smacks of psychiatry, psychology and science, and "is just too clinical to use in everyday parlance". !
Labels such as faggots, pansy. . fairy, fruit used by the 'straight' establishment in reference to them are all derogatory. In order to build up "our own self-image"and develop a sense of pride, 'gay' became their name. The movement which has instituted a Prison Out-reach Programme, and a Gay Youth Movement, runs a Gay Community Health Clinic for the prevention and treat ment of veneral disease, and also publishes a bi-monthly news-letter called the Jamaica Gaily News, - " :
i There are also a number of 'gay' clubs in the island, and Mr. Chang stated that homosexual clubs have been around for as long as living memory goes back. Claiming that the existence of the/clubs have nothing to do with the emergence of the movement, he said the 'gay' clubs have
always been the focus of 'gay' activities, apart from private homes and small groups here and there.
Up to a year ago, there were three 'gay' clubs in Kingston, one in Spanish Town and a semi 'gay' one in'Montego Bay. Mr. Chang also said that there, are a number of other places in Kingston that 'straight' people go to, which are homosexual pickup places, but they do not know what is going oh around them. However, he declined to name these on the ground that "they do not want to blow their .cover and spoil a good thing".