Stigmatization of Effeminacy in Gay Jamaican Culture Part II

In April 2009 I had briefly touched on this issue in part 1 of masculine types complaining about effeminate men and not finding them sexually attractive but only as friends in private settings for the most part. Who knew that almost three years later this issue is still a contentious one despite the metrosexual revolution as I term it in aesthetics and attitudes nationally as well trickling into the previous hardened dancehall and male driven societal culture. It was also in January another subject linked to this question of identities under the MSM umbrella was mentioned on my sister blog GLBTQJA on Wordpress looking at role play between masculine types and so called bottoms or passive partners.


See: On Tops bottoms and hyper-masculinity ……………..


Reactions to effeminacy varies according to the space one finds oneself in or the perceptions others may have of one if seen with a girly individual in public given the stereotypes on male homosexuality in Jamaica.

International pop stars such as Prince photoed above or Caucasian eighties Icons such as David Bowie get away with some variant of effeminacy or metro-sexuality in the mainstream as men become very comfortable with either experimenting with near uni-sexual or feminine feel attire versus traditional male accoutrements. Homosexuality linked to effeminacy however has and still is in some circles viewed as a "white" thing and an European import to cultures of predominantly African descent but same gender loving men who are not so effeminate or down right hyper masculine carrying the new swagger type imagery have been getting very vocal in some quarters regarding their non transvestite yet effeminate counterparts in the MSM world. At a new waterhole of sorts in St. Catherine where many brothers hang out as of late the topic came up for mention while I happened to have been present there for the first time and my opinion was sought, I cautiously tried to be neutral and said I had no issue with effeminate persons albeit that I too can be flaming when I wanted to and very masculine almost at the same time after years of mastering the gift of stealth changing over with the greatest of ease. Reference was made of my DJing sessions these days at parties where I spin predominantly dancemusic, international gay club hits and vogue materials for lovers of such music forms and the drag community and have been nicknamed the "dancing DJ," a brother who remembered me from one of my sessions said in the exchage that he did not have an issue with drag queens generally but that some were ugly and did not present themselves well and he would not be caught in public with one either, he also said he would more appreciate a brother who could switch when needed to. Another more ruffian typed brother at the table where we sat said he disliked them period and that he preferred his men manly, "if mi did want a woman mi woulda go look one, not a man weh waan gwaan like gal starrr," (If I wanted a woman I would have gone after one and not a man wanting to be a woman my brother), is this brother subscribing to the stigma from the mainstream in a sense here?

After that remark nearly all the other five brothers who were around the table agreed in some form and this led me to wonder why this dislike or fear of the effeminate from same gender loving males? How easy it is to sway others thought on this issue, we may never know the others true feelings of the other men except in another space or one on one as our culture has a desire to conform attitude following what is politically correct for the group. It was refreshing however to see these new faces as far as I was concerned who were expressing themselves in this space about same sex matters, I hope the space stays safe long enough for more long term socialization and discourse. The brother who had expressed his dislike continued and agreed with the first speaker about not socializing with transvestites in public or even at parties hence his refusal to do gay parties unless they have a certain theme to them. He prefers to go to straight events as it were and find a hot brother than stomach a drag show or see them dancing mimicking the girls on their head tops in mainstream dancehall. 

The fabulous Nina Flowers, Rupaul's Drag race entrant and personality who performed in Jamaica in 2011 to a warm response as many non regulars to local LGBT events came out to see her and Jamaicans who prefer this type of entertainment but outside of Jamaica such as in New York or Miami, notably South Beach.

Even in local LGBT entertainment offerings there has been a steady decline in receptivity to effeminate typed shows with a certain tinge to them save and except for a more dancehall type presentation and more swagger typed hip hop based offering are more popular these days. Drag Queens are still a feature but they are far more looking transgender and closer to a real woman than the drag elements that made the art form popular (I still see it as an art form born out of ones personality) such as the buffed look, butch queen (mix of feminine and masculine attitude complimenting each other) overdone makeup or scary aesthetics so as to indicate it is in fact a man in women's clothes as entertainment. We continue to steadily adopt hetero-normative typed entertainment especially from dancehall culture which is the dominant feature while even drag entertainment is snubbed by the very LGBT community.


Outside of the questionable low quality sometimes of said transvestite offerings however if an overseas big named star is on the bill for events there tends to be some support from the community which may suggest a need to improve local standards in as far as drag shows are concerned. The very dancemusic or "beats" is sometimes not easily digested or accepted any more in local settings as before when the dancehall culture was openly caustic to homosexuality in general, to a certain extent dancehall has burrowed tremendously from the gay underground and ballroom scenes from the United States with sped up beats per minute (BPM) on tracks, triple drop counts, and the sampling of queer sounding voices in some tracks. But with the metrosexual revolution of sorts the aesthetic in dancehall is changing though it has been slowed down due to the absence of its leading personality and bleaching king Vybz Kartel who has been having serious legal woes, murder charges and all. Male dancers in the dancehall community especially those who bleach or lighten their skin for acceptance in the idiom have been and are still castigated as being closeted gays as the dress code in the form of tight pants, plunging neckline tees and brand name gay designer clothing abound and are markers of acceptance especially those with a hefty price tag.  


Could it be a rub off from the national effemophobic response which is embedded in the general homophobia meted out to gay men who are perceived as such with the stereotypical link to effeminate behaviour and the misconceptions of gay men wanting to "replace themselves" in the role of women that has led to the LGBT community also following suit in a sense?


There are some masculine brothers however though who prefer femininity in a guy just that they were not present at that discussion. I am aware of brothers who do not have an issue appearing in public with their spouse or friend or even in drag as many cross dressers  in recent years have presented in public as themselves and have passed easily without incident. Then there are those cases where someone figures it out which leaves a perception that it takes another gay man to recognise a gay man. 


As we evolve we may just see a change again to the widespread recognition of effeminacy again, who knows? it could all be a phase as nothing stays the same.


UPDATE: 26/01/2012
Talk about effemophobia or transphobia ? here is a planned event in the form of a lyme, with some support from guess who? JFLAG!!!!! ...... take a good look at the wording of this invitation sent around the community via various means:

‎::::::::::::::::::::NO Drag Queen are Allowed::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

On February 3rd, 2012, T.A.B.S (founded by Ashe)...will be hosting an MSM LYME titled....Attractor Factor Project Edutainment Lyme.

This lyme promises to be a fun filled event, with a bit of education and gives the option of meet and greet in a comfortable setting with ONLY MSM's. Free HIV testing will also be available for those who wish to get tested, and LIVE performance from the World Renowned...ASHE.

So come out guys, get tested, eat, drink, dance and be GAY...but be on your BEST behaviour, as violence or boisterous behavior will not be tolerated.

It is to be held at (******** ***** ****) and it set to commence at 7pm SHARP!!!!!! This event is invitation only, so if ur name is not on the list..then stay home (lol). interested persons can inbox me their CORRECT name.... Save the date. 

My response to this in one of the avenues used was: cross dressers I would imagine are not apart of the msm community? ........... oh boi, the foolishness continues ........ don't they need to be tested too, what if the persons permanently presents as a cross dresser or is a member of the transgender community pre-operatively? who do they have sex with, isnt it other men in some cases?


This shows we have long ways to go yet.


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

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

Homeless male prostitutes draw the ire of residents

BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE



THEY are anything but subtle, the group of about 30 males who gather regularly by the side of the road in the heart of New Kingston on Friday and Saturday nights, their voices as loud as their thick make-up, wigs, tight jeans, 'belly-skin' baby tees and body suits.

Ignoring the stares from shocked and, in some cases, disgusted passersby, the 'girls' — as they call themselves — are playfully affectionate, laughing as they make frequent, lewd references. Vehicles slow as drivers try to get a closer look, while passing pedestrians fix their gazes on the odd gathering until they move out of sight.



Some of these men are cross-dressers — commonly referred to as drag queens. They are homosexuals and they are prostitutes, and this — the capital city's economic hub — is their stomping ground.



Their presence has aroused fear, rage and disgust among some residents of the upscale community.



"Over the last 12 months, the number of men and young boys gathering at the park across from the former SuperPlus store on Trafalgar Road has grown. We believe that certain elements of the society are taking a stand to exercise their rights to be naked and carry on with other activities in public," wrote one such resident on August 1, who asked that his name not be used for this publication.

The writer said that the males were engaging in lewd sexual activity in public and that his entreaties to the police to put an end to it had borne no fruit. He reported that he and others had been harassed by these men.

"This morning (August 1), upon driving with my sons (past the area), we were flagged down by these men and boys. Ten minutes ago, I called the police who informed me that since 8:00 am (it is now 10:06 am) they have been receiving calls about these activities. Since it is a holiday, the police officer explained that it is just an extension of the activities that take place every month-end weekend over the last year."

"Apparently, there are a number of abandoned homes in New Kingston/Trafalgar Park where these men have captured and live. They then simply walk down the street and frolic naked in the park," he complained.

Another frequent hang-out spot for the male prostitutes is this park. (Photos: Garfield Robinson



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Doing--business--in-New-Kingston_9445796#ixzz1V6aRdBcQ

The Sunday Observer recently made several Friday night trips to this popular haunt where we found these societal outcasts surprisingly willing to talk about their lifestyles and how they wound up on the streets.

While the only names we were given were pseudonyms, such as 'Nicky' and 'Angel', they had no problem preening for this reporter's benefit as they transformed themselves from male to pseudo-female right there on the side of the street.

Their dainty gestures defied the traditional definition of masculinity as they applied each others' make-up. Most of them said they were hairstylists and manicurists and had obviously thought out their wardrobes, down to the handbags swinging from their arms, giving the impression, certainly from a distance, that they were females.

While the Sunday Observer watched, the 'girls' waited for willing buyers — eager to make a 'sale'.

They claimed their clientele was wide and varied, and included "the same policeman dem who come a run wi dung and a beat wi".

"You have all sort a big people — lawyer, doctor, all sort of man who come here. Nuff married man come, too," one of them, dressed in a close-fitting T-shirt and super-tight jeans, said.



One teenage boy told of his experience of being picked up one night by a man and his wife, who took him to the couple's uptown home.

Another interjected, "Listen carefully! A lot of thugs are homosexuals and a lot of (con)ductor boy a gay. Them come up here and deh wid the whole a di boy dem and then you see when dem same one see wi on the road, dem start shout out 'bullet, bullet!' and we can't open our mouth and say anything."

While some said they were just out to hang out with their friends of like persuasion, this was no social gathering for others; it was a place of work. For some of these male prostitutes, the 'clients' they picked up on this corner were their only means of survival, and the streets, in some cases, a home for the homeless among them.

"They have been chased from their homes, chased from their communities and so they see no way to eat," volunteered one man, who was appointed group spokesperson, when asked why they chose to live this way.



"Hungry not easy, and some will do anything to eat. They can't get any work 'cause nobody not employing them and they don't have any family, so what they going to do? Some just see the 'b' business as their only way out."

They said for days some members of the group are on the street without food, unless they make a 'sale' or have a friend willing to share with them.

"Some 'gyal' out here prostitute themselves fi all $30. Some for $100 or for $200. Some, is not want they want to do it, but dem family put dem out an' dem have to do it," one of them declared.

They said not everyone among them benefits from the illicit trade.

One of the male prostitutes’ New Kingston haunts by day.



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Doing--business--in-New-Kingston_9445796#ixzz1V6abZClx

"Some of us out here have it hard, hard, hard. Some persons might get to stay with friends and so forth, but some of the friends dem, if they not having sex with you, or if you not cleaning their house or do things like those, you can't stay with them. So, for you (some males) now who use to live wid you mother and (then) come on the road, you not going to agree with the lifestyle, you understand? So certain people not going to stoop to that. So it very struggling," said one of them.

Pointing towards the large group chatting gaily and laughing raucously nearby, one young man said that most were living on the streets and had nowhere to go. Some of them were under the legal age of consent.



"The youngest one out here is 15 years old. She (he) go school, but because is holiday now she just come out here. She have her family. You see because she small in body, them (family) don't really pay it nuh mind, but you see as she grow up now and so forth, she soon have to leave the community.

"Her family don't really know about her lifestyle yet because she little bit and real (masculine) and so, they still look at her as a child. And you see because she can't express herself at her home, she really come out and hang out with her friends dem," the young man said.



While some said they had been forced out of their homes by disapproving families and communities for being gay, others told stories of being indoctrinated into the lifestyle by 'dons' and thugs from their inner-city neighbourhoods.

Others said they ended up prostituting themselves on the streets of Kingston because they had no one to turn to for financial support. Some said they had been involved in gay unions but had to flee their homes for fear of their lives after violent break-ups with their partners. Some of them claimed to be high school graduates with passes in a number of subjects, and some even had jobs at one time.

Some of the male prostitutes in the New Kingston area say they have been forced to live on the streets after being thrown out by their families and communities.



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Doing--business--in-New-Kingston_9445796#ixzz1V6ajMc4O

"You have people out here who have to leave them good, good job. You have nuff teenage gays, 19 and 20 years old with them subjects and can't get nuh work because of the (gay) lifestyle. You know how much people up dere so have six and seven subjects?" one member of the group said.

Their trade is a growing one.

"Me new to the business," one teenager declared, laughing. "Ah just April me come in it." His laughter belied his painful past. He explained that he was put out by his family when they found out he was gay.



"Being on the road is not nice," another declared.

"Being homeless in Jamaica, an anti-gay country, puts a whole lot of pressure on us. Some of them stress out," he said, pointing towards the gradually expanding group of young men who had gathered that Friday night.

Another, who said he was 27 years old, told the newspaper: "We stress out, 'cause sometimes when we haffi walk from here so to downtown, (when) man run wi down."

In fact, this was later said to be the reason that they often acted boisterously and lashed out at strangers and passersby; because they feel that anyone who stares at them is a potential threat, so they strike first and take comfort in strength in numbers.

They admitted that they were often chased, not just because they were gay prostitutes, but because they had taken to dressing as women; some with the deliberate intention of fooling their 'clients' into thinking they are of the feminine sex.

"We haffi a drag and a dress up like girls fi ketch man fi get money to eat. We haffi a do a lot of things," one cross-dresser said. Another very outspoken drag queen who was skilfully applying make-up explained that on a good night he can make up to $16,000.



During the interview, a heavily tinted vehicle pulled up alongside a group of the cross-dressers who were standing a short distance away.

"You see what a telling you 'bout the lifestyle, now?" asked one of the young men in the group who consented to speak with the Sunday Observer.

"The car come pick them up, them go do prostitution and then come back. Sometimes, they will stop and eat on the road, and so forth."

Senior Superintendent Derrick Knight, who is in charge of the Half-Way-Tree police, told the Sunday Observer that he has received complaints about the men and their behaviour and his team is actively pursuing the matter. "We keep running them away from the location but they keep returning," he said.

"We have made arrests and we are using our moral persuasion to get them to comply (with the law). But if they are not committing an offence there is nothing that the police can do," he added.



He said some have been arrested for loitering, causing public disturbances, and disorderly conduct. He urged that any assault on a citizen by these men be reported as this would allow the offenders to be prosecuted.

However, he was very aware that the matter is a very sensitive one, given that many of these males are street people.

The fact that they squat in abandoned buildings in the commercial and residential district does nothing to dampen one New Kingston resident's fury. He complained that petty theft is on the rise in the communities surrounding the area and linked it to them.

"Anything that can be sold is removed. Plants, male undergarments left on the clothes line, construction materials, garden furniture, etc," the Sunday Observer reader said.

He said he, his family and his neighbours are angry that they are made to contend with these males and their lifestyle.



"The way I see it is a matter of rights. When you choose to take drugs or engage in an alternative lifestyle, why must others suffer? These people are human, yes. So are the hard-working people who live in the areas. So are the helpers, gardeners, children, students of Ardenne High School, patients of the doctors on Trafalgar Road, workers of JMMB, NCB, RBC, New Kingston Shopping Centre. So are the people who walk to Emancipation Park," he argued.

"J-FLAG and all the others are doing their job to speak out about abuse. Yet, no one speaks for the innocent victims of drug addicts and of persons who want to carry on naked in public. If it were men and women or men and young girls in the parks and gullies of New Kingston, you would see everyone speaking out about loose morals," he wrote.

ENDS

my audio response:

MSM Homelessness 2011 ...my two cents by glbtqja1

Miss Gay Caribbean Pageant 2011 .................

Here are the preview pics of our representative this year in the Miss Gay Caribbean USA Pagaent, sadly the reighning queen Jennifer Banks who became a leading transgender/transexual figure since her winning the crown hailing from Trinidad passed away from liver failure in June 2011.

See more on that sad issue on my sister blog GLBTQ Jamaica where I dedicated an entry to her:

First Transgender Miss Gay Caribbean Queen passes

Jennifer Banks in happier times when she performed at last years competition and won

Read here to see the original pics from the competition in NY September 2010 from the Wordpress Edition

The female impersonator Charley Marie was born after watching a live drag show. Now with four years of performing experience under her belt, she is the proud ambassador for Jamaica at the 2011 Gay Caribbean USA Pageant.

Charley Marie wants to show off her creativity and many talents at the pageant. She also hopes that her presence at the pageant will open more doors of opportunity for her as an entertainer. She is inspired by the likes of RuPaul and Harmonica Sunbeam.

Miss Jamaica Lyana Grey seen here in swim wear did not place last year

XXXXTTTRRAAZZZZZ Videos

Part One - Hemish Gervis chats with contestants vieing for the crown of 2011 Miss Gay Caribbean USA. In this interview are Miss Jamaica, Miss Barbados, Miss Haiti and Miss St. Lucia.

Hemish Gervis interviews the first ever lesbian pageant contestant, Stefon Iman who is a Male Impersonator and represents Puerto Rico.

Part Two - Hemish Gervis chats with contestants vieing for the crown of 2011 Miss Gay Caribbean USA. In this interview are Miss Guyana, Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Miss Dominican Republic.

http://www.gaycaribbeanpageant.com/contestants.html