Broadcast Ban Forces Cleanup of "Murder Music"

Broadcast Ban Forces Cleanup of "Murder Music"
By Zadie Neufville

KINGSTON, Sep 14, 2010 (IPS) - A government-led crackdown on violent and explicit sexual lyrics seems to have stalled reggae music's 20-year slide into what has been dubbed "murder music".

Nineteen months after Jamaica's Broadcasting Commission banned from the airwaves all songs with violent and explicit sexual lyrics, dancehall stars have begun changing the messages in their music - lyrics that once promoted guns, violence and sex now preach love, harmony and righteous living.

The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica's (BCJ) ban in February 2009 included versions of the offending recordings that employed "editing techniques of bleeping or beeping of its original content". Together with police enforcement of the Noise Abatement Act, and rigorous monitoring of live performances, performers' use of vulgar and aggressive language has virtually disappeared.

While BCJ supporters applaud the success, some speculate that recent gun attacks on prominent artists, and show and visa cancellations worldwide have also been contributing factors. In May, O'Neil Edwards from the reggae group Voicemail was shot and killed. In an unrelated incident a day later, Ewart Brown, stage name Mad Cobra, was also shot numerous times, although he survived.

"The people say that some of us big up in the music are responsible. This is an indicator that we need to stop it," dancehall sing-jay Clifford "Mr. Vegas" Smith told journalists at a prayer vigil for Edwards.

Since its beginnings in the late 1960s, reggae has mirrored the social conscience of the inner city poor. In recent years, the celebration of violence and an escalation of graphic sexual commentary have made dancehall reggae an affront to religious and gay communities.

Religious groups blame dancehall music for social decline and rising murder rates. Gay groups dubbed it "murder music" because anti-gay lyrics often suggested killing homosexuals, and led a vigorous campaign against its biggest stars.

The long-running campaign against anti-gay lyrics caused some show cancellations in Britain and various U.S. cities, but promoters simply shifted their attention to the Caribbean, Europe and Japan in response to rising popularity of the music. Fast-forward to 2010: the airwaves are again buzzing with calls for social regeneration, peace and unity, reminiscent of the Bob Marley era.

University of the West Indies' reggae studies lecturer Donna Marquis Hope noted that the standoff between the U.S. and Jamaican authorities over the extradition of alleged drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke may have had more of a profound impact on the transformation of the music than either the pullout of live reggae music's biggest sponsor Red Stripe or the gay lobby.

"Red Stripe was certainly not missed as several other sponsors, large and small, stepped into the vacuum created by Red Stripe's precipitous move in 2008," Hope said.

Thwarted in its attempts to extradite Tivoli Garden strongman Coke, the United States revoked the visas of prominent Jamaicans, among them reggae stars Beenie Man, whose real name is Moses Davis, Rodney "Bounty Killer" Price, Sheldon Lawrence also known as Aidonia and David "Mavado" Brooks. Coupled with the December 2009 arrest of Mark "Buju Banton" Myrie, promoters complained of an air of "uncertainty" regarding the booking of reggae artists.

California's Annual Seabreeze Festival was postponed in July because organisers were uncertain of "guaranteeing artist performance". Industry sources say the U.S. market accounts for between a third and one half of the reggae shows these artists depend on.

Dancehall's troubles escalated further in 2009 when, several Caribbean countries instituted their own broadcast bans, expressing concern about the effects they say the music has on their own populations. Many including Grenada, Barbados, Guyana and St. Lucia denied some prominent performers work permits.

"Enough is enough," Barbados' Education Minister Ronald Jones told reporters in March, after Jamaican artists Adijah Palmer also known Vybz Kartel and "Mavado" Brooks were denied permission to perform on the island. Jones insisted that there was a link between dancehall music and the increasingly aggressive behaviour of young Barbadians.

Palmer's 'Ramping Shop', a duet in which he and female deejay Grace "Spice" Hamilton explicitly described a sexual encounter, is identified as the last straw that initiated the BCJ ban. Palmer is also the second half of the Gaza vs. Gully lyrical duel with self-proclaimed "gangster" Brooks, which pitted fans and communities against each other in 2009.

Fears that the row could set off gang warfare prompted the intervention of Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Gaza is the nickname Palmer gave to his working-class community of Waterford in Portmore, St Catherine. Brooks hails from Gully, a poverty-stricken community in Cassava Piece, Kingston.

These days in addition to guaranteeing acts, local promoters are culpable for the performances. The Noise Abatement Act imposes strict shutdown times for street dances, entertainment events and political meetings and makes promoters liable for the actions of performers at events they stage. Music executives like Johnny Gourzong now make it a contractual obligation for artists to avoid the use of profanity and the singling out of certain groups.

"We have already set out what they should not be doing, and in addition, we sent them a letter which reinforced it," said Gourzong, the executive producer of the annual Reggae Sumfest, at the start of the weeklong festival in July.

The fraternity is already seeing the benefits of the 'clean up'. When Reggae Sumfest 2010 opened in Jamaica's second city Montego Bay on Jul. 23, Red Stripe was back on board as a title sponsor after a two-year hiatus.

(END)

Buju Banton maintains his innocence

Lawyer upbeat despite co-defendants signing plea deal

BY KARYL WALKER

Online editor walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

Published Friday, September 17, 2010

Jamaica Observer

DESPITE the signing of plea deals by two co-defendants, attorney David Markus says he is confident that he will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his client, Reggae singer Buju Banton, is innocent.

Banton is scheduled to go on trial on Monday in a Tampa Florida court for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to US$4 million.

Banton...Drug trial begins on Monday

His two co-defendants, Jason Mack and Ian Thomas, have both signed plea bargain arrangements and have agreed to assist prosecutors.

But Markos says he is not fazed by the new developments.

"Buju is still not guilty. In our mind everything is okay," Markos told the Observer.

Last Friday Mack signed an affidavit saying he did not know Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, before he was arrested with a firearm and more than US$100,000 during a drug bust in an undercover warehouse in Saratoga, Florida.

But in an about face Mack signed a plea deal on Wednesday in which he agreed to have his assets seized in exchange for a shorter sentence. Plea deals are signed between defendants and prosecutors and have no bearing on a sentence that a judge may impose although judges usually work on the advice of prosecutors.

Markos said Mack's action might not have any bearing on the case against Banton.

"I don't believe that Mack will testify against Buju because he will say he never knew him. I don't believe they will use him but let's wait and see," he said.

Banton has maintained his innocence and his attorney plans to argue that he was entrapped by an informant who was paid US$35,000.

Don Anderson Poll finds strong support for sex after marriage, distribution of condoms in schools

A poll to determine how Jamaicans feel about morality and other social behaviour issues has found that most persons interviewed support the view that young adults should abstain from sex until after they are married.

The poll also found strong support for the distribution of condoms in schools, while more than half of respondents believe that a breakdown in family life and morality is at the root of teenage pregnancy and the increasing number of missing children.

Photo - Students learn about condom use at a recent Wellness Expo in Kingston. A poll conducted by Don Anderson has found that 64 per cent of respondents believe that condoms should be distributed in schools.

The survey, conducted by Don Anderson and his team from Market Research Services Limited for the Ecumenical Family Life Council, polled 500 persons, aged 18 years and over islandwide, between May 3 and 14, 2010.
The poll, Anderson said, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level.

Anderson, in his comments on the findings, said "it should be carefully noted that the fieldwork was conducted prior to the heightening of the tension leading up to the eventual problems in Tivoli Gardens and the imposition of the State of Emergency".
His reference was to the security forces' operation in Tivoli to arrest Christopher 'Dudus' Coke whom the US Government has accused of drug and arms trafficking. The operation resulted in 73 people, among them a soldier, being shot dead as gunmen loyal to Coke engaged police and soldiers in an effort to prevent his arrest.
Coke escaped during the fighting, but was captured a month later and is now in the US awaiting trial.

According to the pollster, 63 per cent of respondents overall agreed with the view that young persons should not be having sex until they are married.
"This supports the biblical view that to have sex before marriage is tantamount to fornication," said Anderson.

"It should be noted, however, that of these 63 per cent, 47 per cent -- less than half of all persons interviewed — strongly support this notion," said Anderson. "It does suggest that whilst this is the general view, there is a significant body of persons who do not subscribe to this view."
He said that over 31 per cent opposed the view, an indication that there is a strong voice for sex before marriage.

"Support for abstaining from sex until marriage is highest amongst females, with over 73 per cent echoing this view," Anderson said, adding that "older persons are numbered amongst the stronger supporters of this position. Perhaps predictably, men and younger persons are the key groups that are opposed to the idea of abstaining from sex until after marriage."

Distribution of condoms in schools
The jury is still out on this issue, Anderson said, as there is one school of thought that condoms should be made available to young persons in schools, since they have a propensity of at least an inclination to have sex.
According to the pollster, supporters of this approach feel it would minimise unwanted pregnancies as well as the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases, while opponents feel that to make condoms available in schools would empower young persons to have sex more often or to begin to do so.

The survey, he said, points to a majority support for the distribution of condoms in schools.
"A total of 64 per cent of all persons interviewed feel this should be adopted as a policy, 50 per cent of this number being strongly in support. Another 14 per cent, whilst in favour, are not unequivocally so. Perhaps understandably, young persons 18-24 are strongest supporters of this view with close to 80 per cent of them advocating distribution within the school system. By extension, strongest opponents are older persons 55-64," said Anderson.

He added that 34 per cent of all persons interviewed disagree with the notion of providing condoms to children in schools, with over 57 per cent of the older age groups strongly opposed to doing so.

Teenage pregnancy
In relation to teenage pregnancy, Anderson said that the majority of persons interviewed felt that the increasing number of teenage pregnancies is largely as a result of a breakdown of family life and morality.

"This is a view shared by over 80 per cent of the persons interviewed, with close to 60 per cent strongly agreeing with this view," said the pollster. "Against this background, just 15 per cent do not share this view and feel that the high incidence of teenage pregnancy should be blamed on other factors."

Anderson also said that the majority of persons interviewed -- 74 per cent -- believe that the breakdown in family life "has yet another deleterious effect on children, resulting in them leaving home or being lured away from home".
Incest more prevalent

Added Anderson: "One of the resultant fallout from what they regard as breakdown in family life and morality is a growing incidence of incest."
Of the persons surveyed, 78 per cent agree that incest is now more prevalent in the society these days, while 12 per cent do not agree with this position.

Early exposure to church a strong positive
Anderson said that against the background of the problems which a perceived breakdown in family life and morality bring, 91 per cent of the persons interviewed expressed the view that one of the strong support systems that will have to be relied on is the church.

"The data strongly advocates then, that parents should seek to expose their children to church from an early age," said the pollster.

SUNDAY: How Jamaicans feel about marriage, abortion, homosexuality, and sex between older men and young girls.

Sharing the Light: Is There a Chance that Jesus Was Gay? ..................

Sharing the Light: Would Jesus Like LBGT People Today?

Sharing the Light is an Internet talk show where Reverends Durrell Watkins, Robert Griffin, Michael Diaz, and others discuss theological questions of interest to our community.

Interesting discussion but of course as was said we need to be careful not to bring twenty first century thinking to first century living.

Listen carefully please before dismissing or defending your point of view.

Peace and tolerance

H

Sharing the Light: Is There a Chance that Jesus Was Gay?

What's The Score On Regional HIV/AIDS?

Massiah

Ernest Massiah, Contributor,

Ernest Massiah is Director, UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Ten years ago, in New York, 16 Caribbean heads of state joined 173 other world leaders to formally endorse a bold new plan that could change the lives of millions and usher in a new world era for developing countries - a world with more equality and better health and education. In 2000, the leaders agreed upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight broad agendas to be achieved by 2015.

Later this month, 10 years and billions of dollars later, world leaders will meet again in New York, at the United Nations, to assess how countries and the international community have performed, what they have achieved,and how people's lives have been affected. What willCaribbean leaders report?

One of the success stories in the Caribbean has been with MDG 6, which addresses HIV. The number of AIDS-related deaths went down by 40 per cent between 2001 and 2008. Over that period, the number of new infections in children dropped by 18 per cent and the number of newinfections in adults by five per cent. Significantly, in 2010, 51 per cent of people living with HIV who need antiretroviral medication have access to it.

New infections number the same

But, 49 per cent of people who need it don't have access to treatment and the number of new infections each year has not fallen significantly over the last 10 years. Across the region, 50 per cent of all persons with HIV are women. And, in some countries, women, often under the age of 30, account for almost 60 per cent of all cases.

HIV now disproportionately affects young women, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgendered persons and sex workers across ethnicity, race and class barriers. And there are still British colonial laws in place that criminalise sexual behaviours, reinforcing stigmas and making it difficult to respond comprehensively to HIV.

What can be done for the Caribbean to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for HIV by 2015?

First, we must speak. Openly, without shame, misinformation or bias about sex, sexual orientations and sexual behaviours, if our prevention efforts are to have impact and prevent new cases of HIV. We cannot pretend away the world in which young people exist: it is a world of frank, open conversation about love, sex and sexual orientations.

Remove stigma

Second, HIV must no longer be stigmatised. It should not be an issue associated with fear or avoidance. People living with HIV are productive citizens with the same right to protection by the law, access to healthcare and other services, and with the potential to make valuable contributions to Caribbean societies. In 2010, HIV is not about death, it is about people living and enjoying productive lives.

Third, we must encourage and support the many citizen groups that are vital to the response to HIV. These groups support individuals and families, taking care of children and providing counselling, friendship and solidarity. They protect the vulnerable, they provide information and, in many cases, an alternative lens through which to assess the state of HIV in the Caribbean.

(photo from UNAIDS sponsored Walk for Tolerance in Montego Bay Jamaica 2010)

The stigma associated with HIV is a relic of the early 1990s, when fear informed ignorance. This is also linked to prejudice and rejection of what is perceived and judged as abnormal sexual beha-viour and wrongful sexual orientation. It is precisely these stigmas that threaten the public's health: they prevent people from getting tested, getting and sharing their test result with others and from seeking treatment, if needed. Unrecognised and untreated HIV can spread. In 2010, stigma and prejudice should have no place in Caribbean societies.

Significant achievement

True development will require significant achievement on all the MDGs. Trade, health, education, poverty and environmental sustainability and gender relations interact with each other. There is an old saying: one hand alone cannot clap. But, making the right sound is not easy. An educated, healthy population with equal opportunity for all, with environmental stability and economic prosperity is not unattainable. But, many hands will have to clap to achieve this goal.

In five years' time, what will the 16 Caribbean countries say in New York, at the United Nations, about the Millennium Development Goals? Goals scored? Or match ended nil-nil: we played to a goalless draw?

massiahe@unaids.org or www.unaidscaribbean.org.

Perceptions on Buju's woes changing ..... so it seems

Irie FM Reports

BUJU'S CODEFENDANT MAY TESTIFY AGAINST HIM

A codefendant of Buju Banton has agreed to cooperate with the US government as part of a plea deal in his drug case.

Buju, a four-time Grammy nominee, is set to stand trial Sept. 20 along with another codefendant, James Mack, on charges they participated in a cocaine deal in Sarasota.

The third codefendant, Ian Thomas, will plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilos or more of cocaine, according to an agreement filed today. The charge carries up to life in federal prison.

Eight days after the scheduled start of the trial, Buju Banton's record company is set to release his ninth studio album, "Before the Dawn," in the United States.

Buju has been held without bail since his arrest on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting his codefendants in possessing a firearm during the course of the cocaine distribution.

ENDS

Notes:

Judging by this story appearing on Irie FM's entertainment Buzz page and the subsequent comments some of which are caustic towards the gay community while others question the validity of the witness while others still including mine question the evidence of the footage the Drug Administration has of the gentleman allegedly tasting the stuff.

here are excerpts of some of the comments follow the links embedded to see the full entry on IRIE FM's website.

Comment Excerpts:

Ras Morgan Sep 10 10
1. Hello from Tampa. For the full story you need to check out Tampa Bay On line by going to yahoo and typing Buju Banton news. People, Buju will be fine. "The other codefendant Mack has signed an affidavit on behalf of the singer. Mack, 48, says in the affidavit that he never met Banton before his arrest, and that Banton had no knowledge of the money and gun that were in Mack's car." Jah Bless Buju Banton. He has NUFF SUPPORT in Tampa!
Fans In Tampa Sep 10 10
2. Yeah, me just check out yahoo Buju Banton News. Is a whole setup ting. The informant is a criminal. Him fi go a jail .Not Buju
Jamaica Sep 10 10
3. Me just on Line. But why Irie FM did not tell us that part also. The other co-defendant signed a document stating he does not know Buju and Buju never know nothing about the gun and the money in the car. We Love You Buju.
Ruth In London Sep 10 10
4. Dem tink we ain't go check out the news fi we self.! Big up Buju Banton
Marlon In St. Vincent Sep 10 10
5. Buju will be Free! This year!
Caribbean Voices Sep 10 10
6. Thanks for giving us the full story fans in Tampa. Is a real setup. Jah not sleeping. Buju will be free. Is a good think Mack signed and tell the truth that he never met Buju beofre and Buju never know nothinhg about moneny and gun in the car.

1. Oh pls! I am one of Banton's num 1 fan but me no put up with slackness. Instead look at the facts. Who was caught buying the coke on camera? And I can't say allegedly bec he was indeed there. If Buju the defendant had no knowledge as to why he was there, then why not just leave di
Passion Sep 11 10
2. all when them caught Buju and unu see it with unu own 2 yeye unu still in a denial. I don't know bout unu but me no do coke me no taste coke n I have no dealings with coke head why was he there! The feds don't arrest ppl without probable cause. So a who deh pon d video a taste coke? This is not a tort this is a federal offence. Buju rasss lucky than me a greedy him rass greedy when him left Lorna poor girl have to carry him go court to get a dime n see it a she one stand up with him now. He is a selfish asshole n i can chat bec me know him personally. Ask why Wayne wonder lef him okut? Unu stay deh a waste time pon Buju. Most of these DJ's unu see a live big a no just music alone. Grow up pp;!
Passion Sep 11 10
3. 2sides on every story...JAH fe free Imon artist !!!
Wicked1 Sep 11 10
4. Passion shut your ass!! Buju was not present on the day they were buying the coke. The police went to his home 500miles away from Tapma in Tamarac Miami to arrest him. By the way. How you so sure it was him on camera the days before. You aint no fan you are a fake!
Radical In Japan Sep 11 10
5. Dah woman love fi yap her mouth!! Is the two other fellas who went buying coke and as James Mack swear buy in the affidavait Buju know nothing about money to buy coke and gun. So how can he be in any conspiracy>!!!
Haitians In Miami Sep 11 10
6. Buju will win!!!!!!!!!!
Haitians In Miami Sep 11 10
7. Happy New Year from Ethiopia. We prayed for Buju and we thank God that he will very soon be free. Look at that he know nothing about money or gun to buy drugs, we also do not believe in that so called video. The enemy is a dirty crimeinal who will end up in jail.

Blessings From Israel Sep 11 10
1. PASSION, YOU ARE SO RIGHT, BUJU IS A SELFISH FUCK, WHO ONLY LOOK OUT FOR HIMSELF, AS WE SPEAK HE IS SNITICHING ABOUT ALL THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE HE CAN NAME TO INCLUDE THE ARTIST THEM, NUFF PEOPLE LOST THEM U.S VISAS SINCE BUJU WAS ARRESTED,NO ONE QUESTION THAT. BEENIEMAN AND THE REST OF THE TOP JAMAICAN ENTERTAINERS, KNOWS WHO IS TELLING THE BUSINESS TO THE U.S GOVERNMENT....ITS BUJU, WHO IS TRYING TO SAVE IS SORRY ASS FROM BEEN LOCK AWAY FOR UPTEEN YEARS. ..RAST DONT TASTE COCAIN, RASTA ONLY SMOKE WEED..AKA GANJA, RASTA IS NOT CAUGHT ON VIDEO BY THE D.E.A. WITH FIVE KILO OF COCAINE IN THEIR POSSESION. BUJU IS A FREAKING COKE HEAD WHO WAS LIVING THE HIG LIFE AND WHO LIKE ANYONE ELSE WHO BRAK THE LAW SHOULD BE PUNISH. NOT FOR HIS HATRED OF GAY PEOPLE, BUT FOR HIS CRIMES, WHICH AT THE MOMENT IS COCAINE, POSSION. SEND HIS ASS OFF THE FEDERAL PRISON WHERE HE BELONG. THE NORMAL PERSON WOULD HAVE NTO GOTTEN SO MUCH ATTENTION. BUJU IS A COKE HEAD SIMPLE AS THAT.

CONTINUE HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS:

As the trial date approaches let us watch this one carefully. My views is that the gay community could never have been involved in any setup after so many years towards Mr. Myrie, it just sounds preposterous. After all the Drug Enforcement Agency nuh tek chat from Minority groups especially LGBT activists or their allies.

In a radio interview this morning on Nationwide radio Mr. Myrie's lead attorney David Oscar Marcus said he is getting ready for the Monday September 20th trial date which should last just over a week, when questioned about the alleged video footage of Buju tasting the substance he said he saw the tape but Buju was not there when the deal ended suggesting that he was not guilty of conspiracy. Emily Crooks lead interviewer on the program and who is presently studying law followed up with Mr. Marcus by asking if one has to be present to the end in any conspiracy deal Mr. Marcus hesitated and repeated that Buju Banton was not present at the end of the deal as he was at his Miami home.

As to Buju's health he said he was thinner than usual as he has not been able to follow his diet.

UPDATE: 5:46pm (Jamaica Observer)

Second Buju co-defendant to testify against him

JAMES Mack, the second co-defendant in the case against Reggae singer Buju Banton, today agreed to assist the United States Government in seeking a conviction against him. Mack affixed his signature to a 17-page plea agreement between himself, his attorney, Mary Mills and United States District Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Brian Albritton.

Mack pled guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense."Defendant agrees to fully cooperate with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other persons, and to testify, subject to a prosecution for perjury or making a false statement, fully and truthfully before any federal court proceeding or federal grand jury in connection with the charges in this case," the plea agreement states.

The drug charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 20 years to life and a fine of up to US$4 million, while the firearm charge five years to life and a fine of up to US$250,000.

The agreement stated that Mack, Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie and Ian Thomas negotiated the sale of cocaine with an informant.

In December last year, Mack and Thomas drove to an undercover warehouse in Saratoga, Florida and attempted to purchase seven kilograms of cocaine with US$135,810 before they were arrested by undercover agents. A search of a Honda motorcar Mack was travelling in turned up an illegal handgun. Last week Thomas signed a similar plea deal.

UPDATE: Sept 16th Jamaica Observer

'Buju' stands alone

Second co-defendant signs plea bargain deal to testify against J’can reggae artiste

'BUJU Banton' is facing further woes after James Mack, the second co-defendant in the drug case against him yesterday signed a plea bargain deal with the United States District Attorney, agreeing to testify against the Jamaican reggae singer.

Mack's deal comes five days after another co-defendant, Ian Thomas, also agreed to give evidence against the four-time Grammy nominee whose correct name is Mark Myrie.

Peace and tolerance.

H

Not so, Dr West (Observer Letter) Buggery Decriminalization ..........

Maurice Tomlinson consultant to UNAIDS, Board Member of Jamaica AIDS Support for Life and a one man public activist calling for the decriminalization of Buggery who also frequently writes to the various newspapers responds to a letter published in the Jamaica Observer posted here:

Advocacy Trumps Science In Framing UN HIV Policy? (Gleaner Letter)

Dear Editor,

Starting with a "scientific" denial of global warming, W West's letter published September 9, 2010 seems to suggest that MSM advocates have similarly "misled" the UN by misrepresenting the fact that HIV incidence is increasing among MSM even in countries that have decriminalised same-sex intimacy. Once again I find West's letter disingenuous at best or representative of sloppy research at worst.

The fact is internalised homophobia is a powerful force even in countries with decriminalisation, because while laws and policies change, stigmatising attitudes and actions don't. This leads to unsafe sex and the spread of HIV as found by Theo Sandfort, PhD & Vasu Reddy, PhD of the Institute for Women's and Gender Studies & The Centre for the Study of AIDS, University of Pretoria, in February 2010.

Decriminalisation is therefore only the first step called for by UNAIDS to address the HIV epidemic among MSM. They also call for the removal of stigmatising and discriminatory policies and practices which drive people underground away from effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support interventions.

There is also evidence that since the advent of anti-retrovirals to treat HIV, more people (not only MSM) are once again "enjoying" unsafe condom-less sex. AIDS is no longer viewed as a death sentence and is seen to be as treatable as gonorrhoea and syphilis. In fact, heterosexual women are now the largest population of HIV-infected individuals (UNAIDS report 2009).

There is also an alarming rise in new infections among older South African heterosexual couples. HIV is no longer a "gay" disease as it was in the 80s. Following West's reasoning, therefore, governments should label heterosexual sex (like cigarette smoking) dangerous and perhaps criminalise it as it represents a threat to public health!

The relation between human sexuality and HIV is complex. Criminalisation of any adult consensual activity will not stop people from engaging in it. What criminalisation of MSM activity does, however, is, among other things, restrict targeted MSM-specific HIV prevention messaging, forces MSM into heterosexual unions from which they periodically "escape" to engage in risky same-sex activity, and forbids the distribution of condoms in prisons. HIV therefore becomes entrenched in our population.

Maurice Tomlinson

Montego Bay, St James

maurice_tomlinson@yahoo.com