US promoters worried over artistes visa woes (Star News)

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

With the United States visa of several artistes being revoked, promoters of reggae and dancehall events in the United States are very worried.

Only last week, the Fraud Prevention Arm of the United States Embassy in Kingston, in a document obtained by THE STAR, said the visas of Bounty Killer, Mavado, Beenie Man, Aidonia and selector Ricky Trooper were in the process of being cancelled. This only adds to the list of top local artistes, including Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel, who no longer hold US visas.

The news shocked many people in the reggae/dancehall industry, especially promoters in the US who regularly host shows with these artistes.

Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Media, said he is concerned about the future of his event, Irie Jamboree, and other events that are held in New York.

"As a promoter, I am very concerned, very nervous. I am very unsure of the future promotions of reggae events in the New York area. This is a very sad day in the history of reggae. About 85 per cent of the people named for revocation were acts we were in negotiations with.," he said.

Adding, "The promotion (of Irie Jamboree) would not be effective if we don't confirm artistes early. If we don't have anything confirmed, we can't promote," he said of the event that is scheduled for September.

not pleased

"I am hoping that it will be resolved as soon as possible. We need to find a way to fix our industry that we started."

Clarke said the timing was especially bad for his counterpart in Florida, Jabba, who will be hosting Best of the Best in May.

While he remains optimistic, Clarke said he is not pleased with the situation and how it will affect everyone.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of revenue for anybody in this music fraternity," he said noting that a lot of people depend on these entertainers for their survival.

In the meantime, he said promoters will have to find alternatives for events like using sound systems.

An alternative is what G City, of Road Block Radio in New Jersey, said one of his associates will have to find if he is to host his show this week, as the two headliners were Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.

"They are basically fishing around to try and find a substitution," he said.

With his event, New Jersey Fest scheduled for August, G City is also in a tight spot.

"It is gonna affect us tremendously. This is a big setback for the concert community in the tri-state area. We wish all the artistes a speedy recovery 'cause of course it's a damage right now. That's gonna be a big blow for the dancehall/reggae scene. Summer time is when they put in a lot of their work," he told THE STAR.

Dave Rodney, a media and events marketing consultant, said the timing was especially bad.

"It is not good news at all. It comes at a bad time. It comes when tours are being prepared for the summer season," said Rodney, who has worked with events like Irie Jamboree, World Creole Music Festival, New Jersey Reggae Fest and Sweet Auburn Spring Festival.

"The economy is still bad, so concert promoters had already been hurting in terms of trying to bring out maximum numbers. If there are more cancellations, it will be a big blow for the reggae concert circuit."

Rodney said people are already spending less of their income on entertainment. In addition, he said it is hard to get sponsorship for events in the very challenging economy.

"It really makes the tour circuit very challenging. It paints a grim situation for reggae," he told THE STAR.

The Walk for Tolerance ...... scenes and more

the ambulance parked nearby to assist just in case the heat got too much for the participants

Interpride representative taking shots of the walk

poignant message

Esteemed MCC Reverends Nancy L. Wilson and Robert Griffin

the flagggggggg

A success ...... yesssssss!

The Walk for Tolerance (April 7, 2010) as launched by Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) and The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) group from Florida and the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) went on unimpeded that is of course until the media got hold on footage and photos of the actual walk then questions are now being raised by many public commentators as to the genuine nature of the walk. Was it really for HIV/AIDS issues as they say or was a gay agenda involved? One radio personality asked. Of note TVJ television Jamaica reported that members of the gay community participated in a Walk for Tolerance and the footage clearly highlighted the LGBT elements of the event pointing out the openly lesbian MCC leader Nancy L. Wilson and Reverend Robert Griffin . Other international LGBT groups were also present namely Interpride, the International Association of GLBTI Pride Coordinators. www.interpride.org, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition CVC, Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica (all three chapters, the parent church being MCC in Florida) and Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays (JFLAG). I was invited but had prior commitments so I was unable to attend but from the looks of it the balanced reports and exclusive photos I have received it seemed to have gone over well.

The Chairman of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Mr. Ian McKnight was interviewed on Nationwide FM radio afterwards where he was quizzed as to the real reasons for the walk, the hosts Owner and manager of Nationwide Radio Cliff Hughes and one Ealon Parkinson pressed the Chair if the walk were a guise to push the envelope of the gay agenda without saying it in so many words, Mr. McKnight responded by saying it was a mix of faith based groups and civil society with representatives from the Ministry of Health pushing for the need for tolerance for persons living with HIV/AIDS and other minority groups affected by same . The reason why Montego Bay was chosen for the march he said was to highlight the higher instances of infection rates in that side of the country than elsewhere and to tackle the issue of discrimination towards persons living with HIV. I am not so sure he was able to diffuse the perception that there was a strong gay agenda intertwined in yesterday’s exercise as one commentator on another radio station remarked at the large gay coloured flag that was present in the march as told to him and the tone of the signage used by the participants. Several newscasts also used language to the effect that openly gay persons marched in Montego Bay.

When asked if another such march would take place Mr. McKnight was careful to contextualise the reason for it to happen, he said that with the high rates on infection within the transactional and commercial sex groupings in the tourist areas they (JASL and possibly others) would target a similar area on the north coast, that sounds to me like Ocho Rios where JASL also has an office that serves the public including GLBTQ people through GLABCOM (Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Community Outreach).

Whether the organizations in question will be able to host another such walk is unclear as this one came in quietly through the back door and surprised even members of the GLBTQ community who were not told of the walk until they saw it on television or on the internet. The down side to this is that many feel the groups involved are too selective about whom they want to have in these activities and in a way they feel left out of the loop. I am sure the press is not going to let this one slide so easily as JASL already has a reputation over its head but with this successful walk they are going to be scrutinised much more from now on whenever they launch any other public education drives or similar activities.

Tents were set up by an area after the walk from the Montego Bay shopping centre to the dump up beach where a mini conference was held with HIV testing and talks conducted.

Let’s watch the aftermath of this one folks.

Peace and tolerance

H

Don't Blame Homophobia on God (Kweerspirit)

(a rant by Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div., D.Min. of MCC Florida)

A fundamentalist defender of homophobia recently quoted the bible verses below and added the rhetorical question, “How much clearer could the bible be?”

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6.9-10 (NIV)

1. 1 Corinthians 6.9-10 is not “the bible.” It is a statement, made by the Apostle Paul in mid-first century in a letter he wrote to a particular church about particular issues in that community. That letter, MUCH later, was included in the bible. We are talking about one sentence from an ancient letter from a man who assumed the world was flat to a community other than one any of us find ourselves today. This is hardly a council of the gods of Olympus voting unanimously to dehumanize all same-gender loving people for all time!

2. Regardless of what Paul believed, are we not (even as faithful people) free to disagree with him? We (surely!) disagree with the biblical statement, “slaves obey your masters.” Many (though sadly not all) disagree with the statements, “women remain silent in church” and “wives submit to your husbands.” One of the commandments (about which the bible could not be much clearer) is to avoid idolatry. I won’t make an idol of Paul or of the bible or of homophobia.

I won’t confuse Paul’s culturally shaped opinions with God’s own prejudices! To do so would be to try to limit God to the words of Paul, and that would be idolatry (and by the way, idolaters are in the list that someone believed to be so “clear”).

3. The passage, or rather the fragment from a much larger missive, in question was written in an ancient language that has been translated (after being hand copied many times). Translations always involve the choices and even biases of the translator (which isn’t a criticism; it’s just how it works). For example, the translators of the version of the bible quoted above chose to use the words “homosexual offenders” to translate the ancient Greek word in the text.
However, the world “homosexual” is rather new (coined in the 19th century), so it would not have been Paul’s choice in any language!

Moreover, even given the translation used above, the text doesn’t say “same gender loving people.” It doesn’t even say, “those who experience same-gender attraction.” It definitely doesn’t say, “those who find themselves in consensual, adult relationships.” It says, “homosexual offenders”. What is an “offender”?

Does that mean “rapist”? Does it mean a heterosexual person who “offends” his wife by cheating on her with a man? Or, given the context of the passage (“male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders”), does it mean male prostitutes and those men who pay for their services? The passage is ambiguous, not clear. There are many possible understandings other than blanket condemnation of LBGT people.

There are only about 6 biblical proof-texts (which prove almost nothing) to which homophobic religionists cling to justify their fear of same-gender love and attraction. And yet, fear (and the hatred that results) seems so inconsistent with the God that is said to be “Love.”

In fact, even St. Paul said, “Those who love their fellow human-beings have fulfilled the law” (Romans 13). Judging, condemning, hating, vilifying in the name of God…that seems to me to be using God’s name in vain (whoops! There goes another commandment).

In the end, I suppose everyone has a right to his or her prejudices. But own them; don’t try to blame them on God.

--Durrell Watkins
www.kweerspirit.com

Travel guide says Jamaica not gay friendly

According to the STAR NEWS

Cheapflights UK, a popular online resource that provides information on travel, including guides, tips and flight information, has released a list of the top-five places gay travellers should stay away from.

At the top of that list is Jamaica.

In an article posted on marketwire.com, the organisation announced that it compiled a list of the best and worst places for gays to travel, in commemoration of the the many cities and countries that have legalised civil partnerships between gays.

After describing the top-five locations, which included San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Provincetown, in the United States, as well as Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the article went on to describe the five worst locations.

It said: "Of course, the news isn't always good when it comes to diversity. Believe it or not, there are still several places in this modern world where being gay is actually illegal and can actually result in abuse and even arrest in some cases.

So as well as telling travellers where they should go, we also highlight where they shouldn't".

The list of the five places to stay away from includes Jamaica, Fiji, Poland, Nicaragua and Mauritius.

Wayne Cummings, head of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, said while he was not aware of the article, he was not concerned that it would adversely affect Jamaica's tourism product.

He said: "I don't think it will really affect us. We tend to appeal to a more mainstream market and the same sex market tends to be informed about the benefits of coming to a place like Jamaica.

While it is disturbing to know that the travelling public may think Jamaica is unsafe, we have some laws, be it archaic or not, and we have to work within those parameters."

Prevention knowledge on HIV high nationally but myths & other issues affect knowledge indicators.

During a radio discussion this morning on HOT 102FM with representatives from the National Program through the Ministry of Health and PANCAP, the matter of HIV/AIDS was discussed overall, the MSM community was mentioned in as far as our high rates of infections were concerned and the moral issues attached. The experts suggested that the respective HIV/AIDS activists be they governmental or private find ways to solve the causes of the high rates and not just deal with the symptoms despite sexual orientation.

Despite all the HIV/AIDS, Sexual Transmitted Infections education programs prevention knowledge is high at 70% but myths still affect the work and outreach hence overall knowledge indicators have dropped to 40% when the ideal situation calls for a 90% rate.

There have been gains as mother to child transmission over the years the knowledge is present but it is not being transformed into the requisite behaviour change for reductions in infection rates.

Some areas briefly examined:
Prevalence rate in the general population is 1.6% and considered a generalized epidemic.

Among men who have sex with men the rate of infection is now 30% based on the last national study in that group done in 2007

Among commercial sex workers one in ten pen persons or ten percent (10%) are infected which is far higher than the MSM group combined but also includes male sex workers as well.

Amongst crack cocaine and other hard drug users the prevalence rate is 5%

Multiple risk factors are identified chief among them are multiple partners where some 60% of the males surveyed in the general count reported that they had more than two partners in the last twelve months.

Transactional sex was identified in and outside of commercial sex work where persons engage in sex for favours such as “top up sex” where sex is exchanged for phone credit or minutes purchased or high end transactions where bills, rent, tuition, an apartment or gifts are purchased in exchange for sexual favours especially with men in position of power in the white collar environment. This carried a high risk, 20% of the population have reported they have engaged in such activity.

Some actions taken through the national program include prevention messages, early childhood interventions that highlight recognition of self and sexuality, negotiation of safer sex and letting persons understand really what HIV is along with other sexually transmitted infections. Risk of transmission and empowerment of young persons are recently added areas that are and will be stressed through the Ministry of Health.

Gender inequality and other social ills were brought into the mix as possible factors for or to influence HIV infection rates. Cultural issues need to be addressed and those are not simple. In as far as the millennium development goals stress eradicating the epidemic and universal access to treatment to improve the life of PLWHAs.

Generalized epidemic refers to a prevalence rate of 1% and above the development goals seek to get that down to less than 1% however prevalence is interpreted as the total number of cases but with improved treatment the total number of cases will increase by virtue of persons living longer and better quality of life but at the same time the expectation is decrease the total number of cases by preventing new infections therefore it is hard to determine the rise and fall of the prevalence rate overall bearing in mind the new factors affecting it. One would have to measure new infections to see that side of the equation. Treatment not only has implications for better and longer quality of life but also prevention effects as well as persons on antiretroviral drugs are less infectious although they still have HIV/AIDS thus impacting on the rate of infection as transmission is less likely.

There is a need to push for reduction of infection rates in the age groups of 15 – 24 as this cohort is ore likely to be the bulk of new infections as a myriad of factors are at play here chief among them is age mixing sexual activity.

Younger persons are having sex with older men and women thus increasing their risk for acquisition. Condom use or proper condom use is of concern as many persons know the messages but lack the skill in negotiation and application of a condom during sex.

My added two cents to this in as far as the MSM community is concerned is a lack of sustained and properly structured intervention programs that will have some impact on empowerment and self reliance and development. Maybe we are going to have to work with the national program’s structure despite the political sensitivities as they don’t really want to be seen working openly with this group given the buggery law and such.

More on this as it unfolds.

Peace and tolerance

H

London, Equality Bill passes through parliament

London, Equality Bill passes through parliament
The Equality Bill has passed through its final stages in parliament and will now become law after receiving royal assent.

The bill, which gives new protections to gay people, was sent for royal assent last night.

It is designed to consolidate and simplify existing equality laws, encompassing characteristics such as race, gender and sexual orientation.

A flagship feature of the bill is equality duty on all public bodies, which will require institutions such as schools, councils and the NHS to actively promote equality.

Employers will be permitted to use positive action to select candidates from under-represented groups when two people applying for a job have the same qualifications.

The bill will also prohibit private members’ clubs from discriminating against members or guests based on their sexual orientation or gender reassignment and introduce the concept of “dual discrimination”, where people can show they were discriminated because, for example, they are both gay and of an ethnic minority.

An amendment added last month will allow gay couples to have their civil partnerships in church.

However, the bill has been criticised by gay groups, opposition politicians and secular groups for a number of "grey areas".

One contentious issue is harassment protection for gay people, which critics say does not exist in the bill. The government has said gay people are already protected from harassment due to direct discrimination laws and that there was a duty for schools to continue the existing ban on discrimination.

Trans campaigners argue that there is not enough protection for the many people who live as the opposite gender but have chosen not to seek medical treatment.

The government said last month it would not continue to fight the House of Lords over an amendment clarifying who churches can refuse employment to.

Provisions in the bill would have clarified the law requiring churches only to discriminate in terms of sexual orientation when hiring those who will teach doctrine or lead worship.

But after the Pope publicly criticised the bill, equality minister Harriet Harman backed down. She is thought to have made the climbdown to avoid a continuing dispute with church leaders.

The new laws will begin to take effect in the autumn. The public sector equality duty will be introduced in April 2011, while provisions to ban age discrimination and force companies to reveal pay packets will come into force in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

http://gay.pinknews.co.uk/2010/04/07/equality-bill-passes-through-parliament/

LGBT History: Constitution of the Gay Freedom Movement of Jamaica, West Indies: January 13, 1980

Great news as GAY Freedom Movement archives are finally in the hands of the originators of the movement, the first actual gay group in Jamaica launched in the late seventies, 1974 to 76 to be precise. It consisted of some 6 persons including a Jesuit priest and named as follows: Joseph Owens, Clive Wilson, Gary Muirhead with its very vocal out and proud General Secretary then Mr. Larry Chang who now resides overseas. 

You can find more information under the tabs Gay Freedom Movement and LGBT History Month.

I am pleased that the founders have also decided to share some of the pieces themselves as I have been sharing some on my blogs both here and on GLBTQ Jamaica and HERE as well.

Not many younger persons are aware of the development of this group at all so it would be good to have this information now readily available.

Please click the photo above or here

Constitution of the Gay Freedom Movement of Jamaica, West Indies: January 13, 1980

to see the original version of the Gay Freedom Movement's Constitution as posted on OUTHistory.org and also on the host site for the retrieved archives International Resource Network (IRN) where they captioned the following:

The Gay Freedom Movement in Jamaica (GFM) was formed in 1974 as the first movement in the English Speaking Caribbean to seek rights for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) people.

It focused on consciousness-raising within the LGBT community and professional organizations; issued a newsletter - the Jamaica Gaily News (JGN); and ran a Gay Youth Program, Prison Outreach Program and a free STD clinic.General Secretary, Larry Chang, who was also publisher and editor of JGN, was the first Jamaican to come out publicly, being interviewed on radio and the then JBC-TV and through his letters to the press.

These archives consist of the papers which relate to the work of the GFM which Mr Chang kept in his possession until he left Jamaica in 2000. The documents were kept by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (JFLAG).

The digitization of this archive was made possible through a City University of New York Diversity Grant. Special thanks to Stephanie Harvey, who organized and digitized the archive, and to Marianne LaBatto and the entire Brooklyn College Division of Archives & Special Collections, which facilitated that process.

This material is contributed to the Digital Library of the Caribbean by the Caribbean IRN, a network that connects activists, scholars, artists and other individuals and organizations who do research and work on issues related to diverse genders and sexualities in the Caribbean. For more information about the Caribbean IRN, please visit our website www.irnweb.organd select Latin America / Caribbean Region. Also feel free to email us at caribbeanirn@gmail.com.

I look forward to many more posts like this to share this information and I will share what I can about the Gay Freedom Movement as well.

We certainly need to know our past so we can move forward.

Peace & Tolerance

H