Courage, cowardice and men's health (prostate)

Every now and again Blakka Ellis makes us think as a nation with very good articles pity like his counter part Leighton Levy is limited to the Star News tabloid and ought to have a better platform for them to be seen, no blogs or independent sites are around for both gentlemen at this time, have a read of his take on prostate examination. Who can forget his piece on homo-social behaviours in Jamaica?

with Blakka Ellis

I was sitting in a defenceless position and feeling completely vulnerable. I was nervously gripping the handles of the chair with stiff and sweating hands, as I anxiously arched my back and stiffened my neck in anticipation of mind-shattering physical hurt.

I closed my eyes momentarily in an attempt to zone out and mentally prepare for the horror, and when I opened my eyes again I saw him moving towards me holding a massive and threatening weapon with a long, sharp and shiny point. I wanted to scream, but my ever-present pride reminded me that I'm an adult male and screaming would not be cool. So I recoiled and whispered a soft prayer.

 

periodontal probe

The above description is rather dramatic, isn't it? And it sounds like somebody in a hostage situation involving torture, right? Well it was nothing of the sort. That was actually just me getting some much needed dental attention earlier this week.

The threatening looking 'weapon' was really a harmless little thing called a periodontal probe and when I was about to leap out of my skin, I was gently advised to relax because the dentist done use the thing already, and not only am I still alive, I didn't really feel any pain. But fear is a hell of a thing.

Yes friends, recent moments spent in dentists' chairs have reminded me how fearful I am of doctors generally and dentists especially. Clinics and hospitals are fearsome places. Every piece of equipment seems threatening, and little needle looks like a potential source of excruciating pain. No matter how convincingly I argue with myself, or how badly I curse myself or how gently I try to coax myself, it takes great effort to drag myself to the doctor even for a simple routine check-up. Is that a typical 'man thing'? I don't know.

Anecdotal evidence does seem to suggest that men commonly resist dealing with health issues. And the most common explanation seems to be the suggestion that we're so big, tough and macho, and we strongly internalise a sense of masculine invincibility that prevents us from accepting that we're also susceptible to illnesses. Well, I could pretend that that's my situation but I'll just openly admit the truth: I'm just scared. I'm scared of being probed, poked and prodded. I am afraid of being inspected and injected. And I'm fearful of finding out that I may be sicker than I think I am. Yeah, I know that it's not really manly to admit it, but this man is just afraid!

 

Peter Griffin from that infamous Family Guy episode where he was due for a prostate exam and ended up suing the doctor for sexual abuse 

prostate exam

Someone once told me that fear usually walks hand-in-hand with ignorance, so I've tried to clothe myself with the armour of knowledge. But still, fear persists. I know for example, that fear is the biggest reason preventing me from getting that prostate examination that all men my age should be getting. I also know that whether driven by fear, ignorance or cultural expectations, Caribbean men seem to be giving less than adequate attention to issues relating to our health.

Right now, my father is dealing with some serious health concerns, and it seems almost difficult, nigh impossible, for him to even just admit that he's feeling pain. What pain? He is a man, and maybe he has bought into the idea expressed in the lyrics of the Mighty Diamonds' 1976 hit called Have Mercy. You know the line? It says "Man was made to suffer and women were made to feel the pain".

So Caribbean men, are we courageously suffering or cowardly avoiding our vulnerability? What will it take to make us deal more honestly with our health and wellness reality?

box-mi-back@hotmail.com.

*photos added 

Facebook & unintentional outings to family members ........

With Facebook now the most widely used social networking site by Jamaican LGBTQI people these days there was sooner or later bound to be some anancyism turning up at some point as we are a people good for that kind of crap. With no clear rules by Facebook as to the use of the account holder having a real photograph of themselves on their profiles dishonest individuals have been running rough shod with photos of buffed man or provocative male images with some intended to lure unsuspecting MSMs in particular who in a short time arrange hook ups while not even verifying and developing any long term e-lationship or chat before the face to face or supposed sexual encounter.

Men who have sex with men are not the only ones who have been duped into this practice with disastrous and near death results.

Such was the introduction to a previous post in June of 2011 where I tried to raise awareness of the fast changing LGBT social scene and the use of social media in hookups and ones own safety from gay for pay predators and fake same gender love seeking folks who have other motives in mind including robbery.

Now we have the issue of family members inadvertently being exposed to persons private socialization in as far as privacy is concerned based on ones settings on their profiles. While many LGBT people in Jamaica are making use of improved free medium to keep in touch and to meet new "friends" and the latest sharing of information the less tech savy user may find themselves in problems with family members and siblings if after when they peruse information and "likes" on the respective profile at the time. Such was the case with this latest episode that has led to this post along with other reports of persons being "discovered" probably family members think they know their relatives until, FACEBOOK!

A twenty odd year old has found himself estranged from his father after they recently reconnected as he resides overseas and was absent from the young MSM's life for some time. His father soon recognised that he was apart of an LGBT group on Facebook as his profile settings was left "open" to reflect where he is active etc, a tersely worded email soon was sent by the curious elder who inquired if he was apart of a gay movement and if he realised that homosexuality was wrong in God's sight?

They have not spoken with the regularity they used to since and this has caused some distress to the young MSM so much so that he removed himself from all gay related groups and pages so as to present a "clean" image to his father who by the way is still on his friends list but hardly responds to pokes and messages sent by his son. I tried suggesting he find a counselor to deal with this issue as I am not qualified for that deep level issue but there are other stories similar to this coming to the fore since this revelation was made in one of the groups just before he removed himself from it. Same gender loving sisters in that group have also shared some concerns and one simply said she closed her old profile and created a new one. The young man had reached out to influentials but as usual we do not have the needed resources and the main stay systems hardly address issues like this so what to do? At best I suggest the following settings under the privacy and account setting tabs to avoid conflicts or unintentional outings. On your profile page beside home (top right hand corner) click the drop down arrow:

Go to: 

Apps and Websites
Control what gets shared with apps, games and websites........ then select Edit Settings

then go to:

How people bring your info to apps they use
People who can see your info can bring it with them when they use apps. Use this setting to control the categories of information people can bring with them......then edit settings .... the following should appear 

Then deselect the persons or relationships etc you want to be seen or not to be seen, the groups etc you are in. That is of course if you had set up a family and relationship group apart from your friends list.

Also on ones profile one can customize the viewers of posts at any given time, it might take a few more seconds to do so but it is worth the wait, that is also of course if you are willing to go through all that.

some control can also be here as well:

select the last option and you can literally type a name or names of persons who may want to block generally while using the above to control what goes fully public or to friends only etc.

Some previous safety suggestions that appeared on that June 2011 entry on hookups are posted are below:

Please bear in mind the following if you or someone you know is planning a face to face meeting following an continued e-lationship

1. Make sure the profiler has a real photo or photos of themselves
2. Ask questions about them, get to know as much as possible as timely as possible
3. Establish telephone contact as early as you see fit
4. Listen for any change in mood, tone or information shared over time
5. Keep the e-lationship going with regular interactions to pick up any changes as well
6. Archive or save suspicious exchanges as you see fit
7. Avoid instant hook-ups without first developing some rapport in the e-lationship
8. Tell a close friend where and when you are going to meet an online friend for the first time
9. Develop a trend in communicating for e.g same times if possible per day for chatting
10. If you decide to meet find an open public area as best as possible, and decide how to behave in that space to avoid any unsuspecting onlookers who may deduce it's a gay link up
11. Decide on clothing and colour or change colours previously agreed to if you are not sure of the individual
12. Study your surroundings when there and get there early (as this young man did)
13. Plan your possible route(s) of escape if necessary
14. Have a weapon of some sort or maze that can create a distraction then escape as quickly as possible
15. Have a trusted friend accompany you if possible and have them away from the actual meeting spot but make sure they can see you
16. Make a call if needed to the person(s) who followed you and keep the line open so they can hear your conversation and call for help elsewhere if needed
17. Set your Facebook profile to "Friends Only" as under "Friends of Friends" all other persons can see you
18. If you are in a group and are active you may turn off the feature where non friends can send you a message or see you photos
19. Use only a sensible face picture as your profile thumbnail so as to avoid stalking

The problematic adding of persons to groups without any restrictive action or vetting that action is also of concern as that has also caused some accidents for persons as sometimes especially if the group is an open one ones activity may appear on their wall viewable by all on their friend's list.

Tinker with the settings and see the ones that suit you best if you do not want to be exposed. Just some suggestions friends.

If all else fails just open another account that they do not know of and do your business.

Peace and tolerance

H

Cruising community challenges continue ............

The last time we looked at challenges facing this part of the men who have sex with men community we saw some issues in a particular geographical zone probably caused by changes by the authorities to those areas.


Please see: 


Some cruising challenges ..........

Once again the cruising community ofKingston proper has been hit by another series of issues within the last monthor so, mostly of their own population members making leading to some unraveling. In one instance a new comer asdescribed by one of the more elder statesmen of the lot that traverses a certainsection of downtown is up in arms as his regular taunt has been exposed wherethis “newcomer” to that strip was spotted cruising another male who wasurinating by a light post on the particular stretch, a popular way for Jamaicanmen to relieve themselves in public when nature calls is to urinate openly but carefully concealing their penises although some men do expose themselves in jest. Let us also bear in mind thatearlier this year we had issues within that same geographical zone of oldhunting spots and even a suspicious murder of a man in the area in February of this year who was foundnude in the newly refurbished Coronation market and who was buggered stillrests on the mind of many including the elder statesman of the bunch who Ispoke to, we happened to have ran into each other at a bar in Kingston lastevening. it is not yet known if the deceased was indeed a regular of the group or from the community at all but concerns have been raised as why would he have been left nude and buggered?

The questions still linger in my mind as tothe incessant need for cruisers to revisit old stomping grounds though even when major overhaul or changes have been effected in those locations. Historicallydowntown has been a major cruising ground from the early days of the sixties and seventies as oral histories validate and with the erectionof the new telecommunications giant Digicel fast rising headquarter towers, thebeautification of the pier and the clearing of the rear of the craft market,the reopening of the train station (a more successful spot for meeting andmaking hookups with trade boys (heaviots) or hypermasculine types) the erectionof the new rural bus terminus and taxi stand much to the dislike of commuters who have to use a shuttle service to get there with some safety concerns as thatarea has a stigma attached and the bulldozering and opening of a car park bythe old standpipe where men once openly bathed nude some veteran cruisers andeven exhibitionists (who masturbate openly) in the game still traverse thesespots.

 Arethese a sign of excessive compulsive behaviours ?

Are these signs of a type of paraphilia? -  a term used to describe sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation and that may cause distress or serious problems for the paraphiliac or persons associated with him or her. A paraphilia involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical or extreme. The term was coined by Wilhelm Stekel in the 1920s. Controversial sexologist John Money later popularized the term as a nonpejorative designation for unusual sexual interests. He described paraphilia as "a sexuoerotic embellishment of, or alternative to the official, ideological norm." In the current version of the DSM (DSM-IV-TR), a paraphilia is not diagnosable as a psychiatric disorder unless it causes distress to the individual or harm to others. The DSM-5 draft adds a terminology distinction between the two cases, stating that "paraphilias are not ipso facto psychiatric disorders", and defining paraphilic disorder as "a paraphilia that causes distress or impairment to the individual or harm to others". This will make a clear distinction between a healthy person with a non-normative sexual behavior and a person with a psychopathological non-normative sexual behavior.

Then again in discussing these mattersopenly our anti gay opponents might say yes, see that’s all gay men are just sex hungryfreaks but one can understand in a sense the need to seek sex outdoor or that proverbialquickie as it may not be convenient to do so in one’s own abode or residencygiven the sensitivities involved in the Jamaican homophobic climate and the lack of safe spaces or money to seek accommodation in hotels. The oldarea nearing a certain fish market is still active according to the veteran buthe is upset at the newcomer who spoiled it all, the newbie was chased by agroup of men who were passing the new bus terminus as indicated above. Thechase ended just by the old bookstore warehouse on Port Royal Street where thenewbie managed to dart between oncoming traffic heading westwards to elude his pursuers who were visibly upset they never caught the battyboi. Anotherallegation has come forth as well of a teenager in uniform who was also caughtwith another man performing oral sex in that same vicinity, that has not beenconfirmed but has been corroborated however. One of the issues in my mind alsois that this community is not exposed to the advocacy structure or even themore popular LGBT social scene as they tend to prefer remaining undergroundexcept the occasional appearances at freebie parties as they tend to lack thedisposable income to meet the gate receipt requirements. What is also uniqueabout this group is that they tend to be just in it for pure fun and sex anddespite their financial challenges at times or as is evidenced they do not forthe most part get involved in commercial sex work but seek that exhilaratingrelease but in a public space. Aphrodisiac? 

One might ask or a that thrill ofbeing close to danger but far from harm theory, that sometimes to hidesomething one can out the issue or item right under the noses of who one doesnot want to see. The more open stomping grounds are still active like in morepublic spaces for the initial hookup then deciding where to go afterwards butthe more surgical and spontaneous cruiser activities seem to be getting more difficultor boxed in as uninhabited spaces and buildings becomes less available or populated thus causing the occasionalexposure.  We have seen other issuesbefore over the years in that part of town such as the murder of a once popularcruiser who was also a fixture on the LGBT party scene one of the few knownbrothers who dabbled in the main LGBT population social scenes while engagingin contact with the cult underground was stabbed several times and his bodydumped wrapped with barbed wires on the controversial imaginary political linesof West Kingston, his death at that time sent shock waves and raised concernsabout downlow activity in the controversial don political culture as thedeceased was accused of blabbing on a figure who resided there at the time.Just recently who can forget a certain key gangster figure who also was chargedfor murder of a man whose body was dumped in a barrel and left on a handcart,testimony in that case also revealed that the deceased was performing oral sexon the said key gangster when he was killed as he had disobeyed ab edict laiddown by the figure at the time and so he met his punishment. 

The links must bemade when these matters are brought to the fore, downlow sex whether bycruisers or otherwise has to be brought in the mix of general LGBT agitationsfor rights as this invisible group is overlooked as they do not create the buzzneeded as lightening rods for attention.

Some sort of intervention is needed I feelbut if we can’t even get any honest moves to deal with issues directly infront ofour eyes especially with the least amongst us that being the homeless msms then how are we going to deal with apopulation that is for the most part clandestine even to the rest of the LGBTcommunity’s eyes. My few interactions with these men has also revealed thatthese aren’t the typically profiled brothers but are men who sometimes arebisexual or have the occasional female partner or that male from the lowereconomic strata who uses the Kingston proper region to earn a living near themarket district but are same gender loving or willing to practice some sort ofsexual contact with other men. Stealth is a crucial tool in this game as thesebrothers are mostly very masculine and it may not be known how they are intheir natural state in a few instances. 

Certainly let us have this group of men also in our thoughts although at some point in our own comings and goings we have engaged in some sort of cruising if truth be told but maybe not to the extent to which our brothers in this cohort may want to go or have gone. Fortunately the newbie made good his escape and as the veteran said he hopes he has learnt from that episode.

Peace and tolerance

H

Understanding Male Sexual Abuse: Why Male Victims Remain Silent

Jamaican born author O'Brien Dennis who gave us The Cries of Men is back with another book on the issue of male sexual abuse. The widespread assumption in society is that men are not as affected by rape and/or rape does not really happen to men. To some extent this myth has received some support in the literature. 

Research on the socialization of men has shown that this “non-reaction” to abuse is an effort to appear masculine rather than a true depiction that men are not as affected by rape as women. Male victims of sexual assault are an often forgotten population–unseen, neglected, and underserved. The following information has been put together so that this population of victims can be better understood and supported.

Social perceptions towards male victims of sexual abuse are coupled with various stereotypes and myths that impact male victims’ ability to face their sexual assault

Cries of Men by Jamaican born author O'Brien Dennis is in it's 6th year or publication books bought from his site will see part proceeds going towards his foundation.

http://obriendennisfoundation.org/

http://www.obriendennis.com/

also see: Male rape ... nobody wants to talk about it

see also: 

Male Sexual Assault Myths ...... "Cries of Men" 6th Anniversary

Male Sexual Assault Myths

Product Description
The best way to understand male sexual abuse is to learn about its survivors. They are the victims, and they have stories to tell.

Author O’Brien Dennis recounts how he was sexually abused as a boy in Jamaica, and he also shares accounts from other men who were abused. By giving them a voice, he unveils how male sexual abuse can so easily happen at the hands of close and trusted family, friends and even strangers.

As you read these intimate stories, you’ll learn how society’s narrow definitions of sexuality and masculinity have conspired to silence male victims, preventing many from speaking up about their abuse. Sexual abuse hurts victims, who may later suffer from drug addiction, sexual dysfunction, self-blame, guilt, and other problems. Male rape is used not only as a form of subjugation but also as a tool for war and dominance in contemporary wars and conflicts.

Male sexual abuse is underreported, and it is estimated that one in six boys is sexually abused before he reaches age sixteen. By Understanding Male Sexual Abuse, it’s possible to start exploring solutions to a terrible problem.

“Dennis calls on policy makers and public administrators to raise their heads from their sheaves of paper and to pay attention to the many men who are victims of rape in prisons or other institutions, and to see that male sexual abuse is more than a public health hazard; rather, it rips at the fabric of society and humanity.”
—Antoine B. Craigwell, journalist

About the Author

O'Brien Dennis was born and raised in Jamaica, where he was a victim of male sexual abuse. As the executive director of the O'Brien Dennis Foundation, he researches sexual abuse and provides a safe haven for survivors and their families. He lives in Westchester County in New York State and is also the author of The Cries of Men: Voices of Jamaican Men Who Have Been Raped and Sexually Abused.

Product Details

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 343 KB
Print Length: 159 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1462016960
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: iUniverse (August 24, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B005LHRJYM

Here is O'Brien on Wendy Williams radio show in 2009 

Buggery laws choking HIV control ..... Lower prevalence rate in men in countries without restrictions

Ingrid Brown

NASSAU, The Bahamas — Michel de Groulard, regional programme adviser of UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team said that data has shown a significantly lower HIV prevalence rate among gay men in Caribbean countries without buggery laws.

According to de Groulard, the HIV prevalence rate among men who have sex with men (MSM) in three Caribbean countries without buggery laws namely Bahamas, Haiti and Suriname was less than 10 per cent in all cases.

This he said is in comparison to Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana where the prevalence rate is more than 20 per cent for these countries with buggery laws.

Pointing to The Bahamas which repealed its buggery laws inn 1991, de Groulard said that the prevalence rate now stands at 8 per cent among gay men. This is despite Bahamas having the highest prevalence rate in the Caribbean.

However in Jamaica, where the buggery laws remain firmly on the books, de Groulard said that the prevalence rate among gay men is a whopping 32 per cent.

"We see correlation for countries which have decriminalised because when you compare them to those who continue to criminalise there is a significant difference," Groulard told the Observer.

He was however unable to say how, if any, decriminalising of homosexuality has impacted the incidents of HIV in countries like The Bahamas, since there are no available data.

Groulard said that while it is easy to determine what per centage of a population is infected, it is more challenging to determine when they were infected, thus determining if this would have been before or after buggeery laws are repealed.

"There are methods to do it but it is expensive and complicated so most countries do not do it," he said.

Dr Peter Figueroa, the former head of Jamaica's national HIV programme said that the HIV prevalence rate among Jamaican men who have sex with men continues to be unacceptably high.

Dr Figueroa was addressing delegates at the 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference now underway at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas where delegates from more than 30 Caribbean countries have come together to chart the way forward in the fight against the disease.

Pointing to a Jamaican study conducted in 2007 with 201 men who have sex with men and another conducted this year with 453 men, the epidemiologist said that only 75 per cent of these men reported using condom at last anal sex.

According to Dr Figueroa, the study further revealed that 34 per cent of MSM had two or more female partners in the last 12 months while 56 per cent of them said they were bisexuals.

The homeless, victims of violence and those of lower socio economic status were twice as likely to become infected with the disease.

"What was worrying in 2011 survey was that 18 per cent said they had no chance of getting HIV and 40 per cent said they had little chance of getting the disease," he said.

HIV prevalence remains high among persons engaging in sex for money with 11 per cent reporting that they had paid for sex and 21 per cent saying they were paid for sex.

Pointing to reasons why the HIV prevalence rate was so high, Dr Figueroa chalked it down to high rate of commercial and transactional sex.

"Many of them are vulnerable, homeless, poor and have no family support and limited education," he said.

Dr Figueroa said that there is a need to empower and support these men to take more responsibility for safe sex.

"We need to provide a much more supportive environment starting from policies to actual programmes, and dealing with discrimination when it takes place," he said.

He said that he purpose of the research is to get closer contact with MSM in order to better improve prevention efforts and to get persons to seek treament earlier.

Meanwhile, policy and advocacy coordinator of the Caribbean Vulnerbale Communities Coalition (CVC) Ivan Cruickshank said that despite the rising levels of infections among vulnerable groups such as sex workers, MSM, prisoners and socially excluded youth, Caribbean states have chosen to focus almost exclusively on targetting the wider population. Such countries, he said continues to develop generalised responses rather than tailored programming.

"Moreover while Caribbean governments often commit on paper and in rhetoric to working with marginalised groups, in private government officials and ministers continue to express resentment to working with these populations," he said

He added that while most governments of the region have committed to report to the United Nations against targets, they fail to report 70 per cent of all data on sex workers and men who have sex with men.

New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed

BY INGRID BROWN

NASSAU, Bahamas — Former head of Jamaica's National HIV programme Dr Peter Figueroa has said that the number of new HIV infections continue to rise in the Caribbean although the epidemic appears to have peaked. Dr Figueroa was addressing participants pulled from 30 Caribbean governments, private sector, civil society and the HIV-infected and affected population who are attending the 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference now underway at Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Prof. J. Peter Figueroa, The University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica, addresses the Plenary Session I on the HIV Epidemic in the Caribbean.
Photo Credit: Steve Shapiro/2011 Caribbean HIV Conference

US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Dr Donna M Christensen (left) is presented with a plaque by actress and AIDS activist Sheryl Lee Ralph at the 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference now underway in The Bahamas. (Photos: Steve Shapiro)

Dr Figueroa said it is a wonder the epidemic has peaked given the many factors that continue to push the new infections rates up such as unprotected sex among heterosexuals, unprotected anal intercourse and high rates of bisexuality.

"We need to reduce the numbers by 25 per cent... we are doing well with mortality but not as well with new infections and social impact on persons infected," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Figueroa said the HIV prevalence rates are much higher in countries which continue to criminalise homosexuality.

"We still have a serious problem with men who sleep with men and we have to provide a more supportive environment," he said, adding that Governments need to examine their policies and repeal buggery laws.

The HIV burden varies considerably between and within countries in the Caribbean, with Cuba having the lowest prevalence rate of 0.1 per cent while Bahamas has the highest in the region at 3.1 per cent.
The adult HIV prevalence rate in the Caribbean is about one per cent higher than in any other world region outside of sub-Saharan Africa.

Unprotected sex between men and women, especially paid sex, is thought to be the main mode of HIV transmission in the Caribbean.

High HIV infection levels have been found among female sex workers in the region with nine per cent in Jamaica, four per cent in Dominican Republic and 27 per cent in Guyana.

In Jamaica, an estimated 32 per cent of men who have sex with men are living with HIV.
Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hubert Ingraham, in addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day conference, said Bahamas recognised early the value of treating HIV and AIDS even before the discovery of the drugs in use today.
He said sustainable high-quality prevention treatment, care and support services that are accessible by all residents off the Bahamas living with or affected by HIV regardless of legal status or ability to pay, is the basic mission of the National HIV programme.

"Care is provided for all who need it, irrespective of immigration status and this includes clinical care and support, diagnostic testing and antiretroviral treatment.

Notwithstanding the decline in new cases and a major reduction in mother-to-child transmission and decreasing mortality, the prime minister said AIDS remains a leading cause of death among Bahamian men and women.
The USA, he said, also recently approved the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Training Initiative (CHART-II) for implementation of a regional approach to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in 12 Caribbean Regional Partnership Framework (PF) countries: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname.

The goal of CHART-II is to improve HIV/AIDS-related health service delivery outcomes through the development of continuing education programmes, integrating pre-service and in-service training of the health workforce.
Despite the progress made in some areas, Ingraham said the total number of people living with HIV continues to rise.
"As we move forward in treating HIV/AIDS in the region, we acknowledge that there are still significant challenges in accessing vulnerable and at-risk individuals for diagnosis, care and treatment," he said.

Reports today, he said, record a shift in the distribution of new HIV/AIDS cases by race/ethnicity. Additionally, the largest proportional increase in the disease is occurring in cases attributed to heterosexual transmission. He said there are some notable success stories of survival rates with Bahamas having six young people who were born HIV positive still living relatively normal life.

"One is currently a student in college, and at least two of the others have produced children of their own," he said.
The best hope for containment of HIV/AIDS, he said, is a reduction in the number of new infections. "We must scale up the prevention activities that have proven successful if we are to reverse the AIDS pandemic, while at the same time providing treatment and care of people living with HIV/AIDS," he said.

Meanwhile, Claudette Pious, convenor of Children First, said the intervention of its "bashy bus" programme has contributed to the reduction in forced sex among adolescents from 60 per cent in 2006 to 38 per cent in 2008.
The mean age of sexual initiations has also increased from 14.9 for females to 17.1, and for males, from 11.8 years to 13.9 The programme, she explained, serves over 47,250 young people annually, providing them access to free Voluntary Counselling and Testing.

The concept for the 'bashy bus' was born out of the problem of school-children having sex on the public buses. The programme utilises cultural approaches and edutainment to encourage behaviour change among the youths. Service is taken to the beneficiaries 'pon the corner' ' in d streetz', ' pon the endz' and in rural Jamaica in a bashy colourful and jazzy mobile unit.

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

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

I guess everyone is so caught up in the David Cameron aid withdrawal threat from commonwealth countries and the Buggery law repulsion matters, the clouded if not skewed discourse on the illegality of homosexuality when homosexuality is NOT illegal in Jamaica while others who have the power to make well needed changes for the homeless msms intellectually masturbate to the homophobes in letters, TV spots and social network pages that we now totally overlook the least amongst us, do not get me wrong some of this agitation is needed but certainly not all, today we heard two separate issues emerging of a chase of sorts by men towards members of the homeless populations who were loitering on the streets, several were also seen at the gates of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life this morning as it is surmised they slept nearby as they cannot traverse the property too much due to the civil disobedience actions taken by them August 23 and 24 of this year. Since the security detail was stepped up with a canine team but that feature has been disappearing unfortunately the men make it bad for themselves and by extension supporters who want to see interventions moving for them by entering the property without proper permissions and disturbing neighbours.

There was a mini fracas of sorts last weekend with the nearby health centre staff and some of the men who reportedly used an old building behind the JASL offices to gain access to the rear of JASL. There have been other problems in the New Kingston area nearing the old Super Plus Store where they normally congregated at nights and the rental car agency situated nearby has hired a canine team as well who monitor the building'd periphery at nights. My last visit there the men were talking loudly as the guard looked on intently. There was another beating reportedly nearing the Cross Roads area as well some two weeks ago.

An incident to which I was alerted to by other allies and friends of an attempted beating downtown made its way to the Star News legal section where an excerpt read:

Homosexuals and buggery law

A group of young men who were described as homosexuals escaped a severe beating last month when some men began chasing them in downtown Kingston.
The young men had to run for their lives when their attackers told them to leave the area because they were encouraging schoolboys to be homosexuals. Women also joined in and began cursing the young men and described them as being very dangerous to the society.
One of the men commented that he overheard discussions on the radio that the British prime minister had threatened to cut off aid to countries that do not uphold human rights, including the oppression of gays and lesbians.

“I am not saying that people should abuse them, but my fear is that they have no right to indoctrinate the young schoolboys or lure them into sexual activities,” one of the men said.

He said he was aware that people had sexual preferences but warned that “homosexuals must keep their activities to themselves and be discreet about it”.

“Yes, they have no right to come out here looking young schoolboys to spoil them,” a woman said.

“I observe gay men forcing themselves on the schoolboys all the time and are even offering them money,” the woman added.

“I will beat them if I see them bringing arguments to schoolboys,” the man said.

“Although I am definitely against homosexuals, I am not going to break down a house and interfere with two consenting adults. Once they are in the privacy of their home, they should not be disturbed, but if I see them soliciting schoolboys on the street then they must be beaten,” the man said.

The recent announcement by the British prime minister has led to groups in Jamaica calling for the government to repeal the buggery law. Some Jamaicans are opposed to the abolition and have pointed out that even if the Government is minded to repeal it, there should be no accommodation for same-sex marriages or unions.
It is against the law for persons to attack or beat homosexuals and they can be arrested and charged. If homosexuals are caught breaking the law, then the matter should be reported to the police for them to investigate the matter and make arrests, if necessary.

The sad part however is that LGBT people who do not have any insulation and are stereotyped due to physical misconceptions about us are the first to suffer on the frontlines and our advocacy systems have very little interest to provide any support in that regard to preempt such attacks instead it’s always a knee jerk reaction and intervention after someone has been beaten or stabbed or chopped then a few thousand dollars are given and mostly nothing more after that. We need residential, psycho social services for these persons and also educational and self defense training for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters and transgender folks out there. Bearing in mind however they are the ones who remind the rest of the nation we are here via there aesthetic presentations.

There was another incident as well on Half Way Tree road just near the vicinity of the Institute of Academic Excellence IAE where some men were also chased after it was alleged they were seen acting suspiciously by a group of men heading to the square on foot. All these incidents and reports and even after the embarrassment on our advocates to deal with this population still no concrete moves to deal with this the least amongst us. 

I'll continue to track this as best as I can and work with the other individuals who are so interested in seeing some resolve on this longstanding issue. One displaced young male was represented in an online group with JFLAG personnel included as members where his request for assistance was placed there as per his request to the individual who did so, the response from the Programs Manager of the J was that they have no money for that flat out yet we saw multiple trips by the J team members overseas which I suspect were not subsidised by any foundation or funder or through scholarships, we see a legal challenge to the buggery law overseas albeit through AIDSFREEWORLD but that I doubt that is on a pro-bono basis and high ended salaries plus a new position added that of Executive Director but one simple request could not be handled even via a small stipend just to carry him through, my time at the J I had instituted a small stipend payout just to fill any small requests like that of this young man but not even that was postured to him as a temporary solution. Sad also that an overseas member of said group out-rightly asked if such requests could be made private as if to say we must not highlight these issues in our own country from our official representative, now you see why persons like myself are justified in criticising the imperialistic way our advocates do business. The agenda is more about prime time spots than dealing with lives interrupted.

also see older posts: 3 more brothers displaced teetering on homelessness

and a hand written expression from a homeless young man

FROM THE PEN OF ONE OF OUR HOMELESS BROTHERS ……..

Homeless MSMs Saga Timeline 28.08.11 by glbtqja3

Some considerations ..... would you assist someone who has been displaced ??? by glbtqja3

Peace and tolerance

H

Pro-Gay Bully Ignoring Grave Health Impact (Gleaner)

Marc Ramsay, 

British Prime Minister David Cameron's comments threatening to withhold aid from developing Commonwealth countries which do not repeal laws criminalising homosexuality caught the attention of many.

Regardless of your moral position on homosexuality, withholding aid from a developing country to force them to change their legislation because of external contrary moral positions has the potential to be harmful.

My choice of words is very deliberate - the PM has put forward a moral position on homosexuality, which he is seeking to impose on certain Commonwealth states. He cannot say that no country has the right to impose its morals on others through legislation to defend that position. He is using aid, of all options, to impose his moral position - unequivocally his moral position is that homosexual acts should not be illegal, criminalised, or subjected to legislative sanction.

So firmly does he hold to this position that he is willing to impose sanctions on developing countries. As we debate this issue, let us bear in mind that moral neutrality is a myth, and thus weigh each side on its merits.

Ordinarily such comments would give rise to arguments as to whether morality should be legislated. However, since PM Cameron has made it clear that certain moral positions can be the subject of sanctions in international policy, the question is, rather, whether his threat is right on a balance of outcomes. I use the word 'right' in the secular sense of the word, questioning whether the urgency and moral duty expressed by the British prime minister are well founded based on an assessment of the consequences.

Certainly, foreign governments have not been as outspoken about garrison politics; the virtual dictatorship between the JLPNP in Jamaica; the imbalance between rich and poor; the lack of disclosure on campaign financing, and so on. Is this threat worth it?

Rights can be restricted

The first question is what is the negative outcome of withholding legal homosexual sex from citizens in countries such as Jamaica. The right to choose one's lifestyle is as applicable to homosexuality as it is to the use of narcotics such as marijuana, or tobacco or alcohol. All three are restricted in the United Kingdom to varying degrees. While the basis is the negative outcomes, based on medical, psychological and sociological study, authorities in the UK have been more open to data on the effects of marijuana, tobacco, or alcohol than they have been on data on the negative outcomes of the homosexual lifestyle.

They have also considered the sociological implications, which do not necessarily harm the person in a conclusive medical sense, but could have harmful effects on the fabric of society. Thus, they banned smoking indoors in England in 2007, restricted alcohol intoxication levels in certain spheres, and banned marijuana despite the human right to choose one's lifestyle. They will raid a private dwelling home in London to seize marijuana on those same grounds, violating various human rights on grounds they will argue are legitimate. So there is no blanket ban on restricting the right to choose, provided there are legitimate grounds.

Only one consequence of not repealing

Thus the only negative outcome of maintaining the anti-homosexual laws is restricting the individual's right to choose, a right which is not without legal restriction on legitimate grounds such as medical, psychological or sociological harm to the individual or society. Several studies, including those conducted by Professors Jones and Yarhouse, research published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy in 2011, and Dr N. Whitehead in the Journal of Human Sexuality in 2011, show that like the choice to possess or smoke marijuana, an individual can not only choose whether or not to have homosexual sex, but also change their homosexual orientation without psychological distress.

Thus the right to choose homosexual sex is not a sacred genetic right, but is open to restriction, provided there are legitimate grounds.

Negative consequences

On the other hand, there are scientific arguments which show conclusive medical, psychological and sociological grounds for negative outcomes of homosexual sex. The negative outcomes of homosexual sex and the homosexual lifestyle are not myths of religious fanatics or ignorant homophobes.

An article by Dr John R. Diggs titled 'The Health Risks of Gay Sex' provides a good starting point, referencing several studies conducted by the scientific community. Diggs concluded: "Sexual relationships between members of the same sex expose gays, lesbians and bisexuals to extreme risks of sexually transmitted infections, physical injuries, mental disorders and even a shortened lifespan."

The article cites 129 scientific studies, not conducted by Christians, or homophobes, or narrow-minded developing countries. But there is more. In 2004, WebMD reported a CDC study that showed homosexual sex forms a bridge for HIV to pass to women. This is due to the high levels of promiscuity, high levels of HIV infection, and the high percentage of homosexual males who also have sex with women.

In fact, homosexual practitioners have a significantly higher incidence of anal cancer, chlamydia trachomatis, cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, herpes simplex virus, HIV, HPV, Isospora belli, microsporidia, gonorrhoea, viral hepatitis types B & C, syphilis, according to research published by the Medical Clinics of North America and even the LGBTHealthChannel.

Other studies show that homosexual practitioners also have a higher incidence of haemorrhoids, anal fissures, anorectal trauma, hepatitis A, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Epstein-Barr virus, Neisseria meningitides, shigellosis, salmonellosis, pediculosis, scabies and campylobacter, retained foreign bodies, and exclusive diseases such as herpes Type 8.

There are also serious mental health consequences. There are other alarming facts. A New York Times article by Erica Goode in 2001 revealed that the practice of anal sex increased in the homosexual community, while condom use has declined 20 per cent and multi-partner sex over seven years, despite billions of US dollars spent on HIV-prevention campaigns.

Furthermore, social and legal approval will lead to more sexual activity. This not only has the medical consequences already discussed, but also economic consequences. As a 2002 study by Michael Hamrick for the Corporate Resource Council shows, the health-care costs resulting from homosexual promiscuity are substantial.

In the Jamaican context, already burdened by free health care, the costs borne by the Jamaican taxpayer will be significantly higher.

In light of the brief summary I have provided, a balanced look at Prime Minister Cameron's threat reveals that there may be a lot more to lose if Jamaica is forced to repeal those 'anti-homosexual' laws. Not only could the country face sanctions from the United Kingdom prior to repealing the laws, but there are other consequences to the homosexual individual, women who may come in contact with them, and the wider society that may outweigh the restriction of homosexuals' right to choose their lifestyle.

These negative consequences may even lead one to conclude that it is necessary and fair to restrict any right to homosexual activity, as necessary and fair as restricting marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco use.

Nevertheless, if PM Cameron has his way, sovereign nations will have no right to choose.

ENDS

here is my response in audio on the mistake of saying homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica .....and a brief look at the Irish Sexual Offences Act.

Homosexuality is Not Illegal in Jamaica .... Buggery is despite the persons gender 12.11.11 by glbtqja6

Peace and tolerance


H