JFLAG on national survey of attitudes towards homosexuals: Homophobia Linked to Education and Socio-Economic Status

May 17, 2011

Kingston — May 17, 2011

The first national survey of attitudes and perceptions of Jamaicans towards homosexuality, conducted by a research team headed by Professor Ian Boxill, has found that negative views of homosexuality tended to be greatest among males, non-university educated persons, those who listened mostly to dancehall and reggae music and those in lower socio-economic groups.

As J-FLAG celebrates International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), the findings of the study underscores the reality of homophobia faced by many gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender Jamaicans. The study showed 59% of respondents chose negative words to describe their feelings towards homosexuals. 51% acknowledged learning about homosexuality at 14 years old and younger, with family & friends (32.9%) and media (31.3%) being the main sources of exposure.

Strongest objections to homosexuality were raised on religious grounds and the need to ‘protect Jamaican society from changing its cultural practices for the worse’, with 85% saying that they did not think that homosexuality among consenting adults should be legal, pointing to a widely held misconception that it is illegal to be homosexual. Additionally, the survey showed that 81.8% of respondents attend church and 82% deemed male homosexuality to be morally wrong as opposed to 3.6% who did not see it as a moral issue.

Of significance is the fact that 30% agreed that someone can be homosexual and also be a Christian, but 56% believe that it is not possible to be a homosexual and be religious at the same time. However, a significant minority (43%) did not share this view, suggesting some conflict on the issue of homosexuality and religiosity again highlighting the need for dialogue to begin to allay concerns that are unfounded and rooted in fear and ignorance.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibé, in his message for IDAHO called on the world to “replace violence and discrimination with acceptance and tolerance,” emphasizing the need for greater tolerance towards gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. Echoing the call for increased tolerance, Dane Lewis, Executive Director of J-FLAG noted that “the rise in the number of reports to J-FLAG in the last three months has been significant pointing to the reality that LGBT Jamaicans continue to be victims of human rights violations in varying degrees.

Despite the strong negative perceptions and attitudes towards homosexuality, which cut across all social classes, gender and social groups, the research offered some hope of greater tolerance, revealing that 49% of respondents believe that homosexuals experience genuine love and affection, like heterosexuals, in their intimate relationships. A significant minority, 20%, of respondents chose positive words such as tolerance and acceptance when asked to describe their feelings towards homosexuals in spite of the prevailing climate of homophobia. Interestingly many respondents readily pointed out that persons who are homosexual make an important contribution to the society. Most of the respondents did in fact believe that homosexuals were and can be productive members of society.

The research team conducted the research using a nationally representative sample of 1007 adults from 231 communities between October and November 2010. The survey was also supported by a qualitative study based on five focus groups conducted across the island between October 2010 and January 2011.

The research was commissioned by the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) with the support of AIDS Free World and Open Society Institute.

see link for study Final_ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF JAMAICANS TOWARDS SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS

Contact: Dane Lewis;

Executive Director

Telephone: (876) 978-8988 or 875-2328

ENDS

My Notes:

Unfortunately comments towards this news item is closed on their website, so much for real time engaging so we have to settle for an email to them, not surprising, well at least we have a study to prove what many already know.

Email: admin@jflag.org

$1,6M each for 2 MSM Internal interventions from AMFAR

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. It has funded Jamaica Forum for Lesbians and Allsexuals and Gays before on a two year cycle which ended some time ago with half of what was on the schedule not met but diverted to crisis interventions in particular as many homophobic cases required some serious financial interventions.

There were hardly any forumatic activities and direct linkages to the community (i.e. ordinary battyman and lesbians) to discuss or educate persons on issues relevant at the time. We have heard of so called empowerment interventions that were to go on stream but never got off the ground, many skills training programs started but were either stalled or discontinued all together.

The announcement was made recently and awarded to two Jamaican entities unnamed but more than likely Jamaica Forum for Lesbians and Allsexuals and Gays, JFLAG and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life JASL, why they choose to remain anonymous is anybody's guess.

Here are the two awardees' expected activities as they appeared in the amfAR release:

Name Withheld by Request (Kingston, Jamaica) - $US20,000

¡Living Out Loud! Empowering Proud Identities

The project will support ¡Living Out Loud!, Jamaica’s first internet intervention by and for LGBT youth. Utilizing a virtual safe space, ¡Living Out Loud! provides information, skills, social support, counseling, and referrals for young MSM and other LGBT adolescents and youth. Online peer educators cover HIV and AIDS transmission, treatment and care, sexual orientation, gender identity, human rights, sexual and reproductive health, among other issues.

Name withheld by request (Kingston, Jamaica) - $US20,000

Expanding Outreach to Hearing-Impaired MSM in Jamaica

The project, building on a previous amfAR grant, will provide HIV prevention, treatment and care services, including psychological support, to the hearing-impaired MSM community in Jamaica.

The project will continue support groups for hearing-impaired MSM in Kingston, and will extend these services to four new groups in Mandeville, Savannah-la Mar/Westmoreland, Montego Bay, and Brown’s Town. Project staff and beneficiaries will also advocate for inclusion of hearing-impaired MSM services in local health centers.

ENDS

More notes

We hope that those funds will be spent appropriately although it is difficult to track, we have seen over the years funds dispersed for some activities but have to be diverted to somewhere else as a necessity or for other reasons, on the face of it to think that there are other persons in their own right who have access to the community or are doing the fieldwork already but for whatever reasons are not engaged and fresh projects are started from the ground up ignoring or conveniently overlooking those persons who can bring some impact to bear on advocacy or community development.

Then a united front is presented to the funding community as if there aren't dissenting voices around on the kind of hypocrisy and institutional bigotry that now exists. Thankfully it is not lost to the powers that be and many pertinent questions are being asked in some places that were easily swayed or massaged by the continued smooth over. With the unfortunate sudden passing of one Jamaica's most respected minds in the advocacy/interventions arena who was also seen by some as a major hindrance to grass roots LGBT advocacy development there are expectations in some circles that things are about to take a change for the better and that other individuals and groups can cover the slack for the inadequacies that the J cannot and have not been able to clear properly such as homelessness, resident counselling among other things.

Let us see if the sections of the community that these funds have been awarded to benefit from will really get it with a view to improving the overall levels in the family.

Peace and tolerance

H

US Ambassador to Jamaica on Reaffirming the 'Golden Rule' on International Day Against Homophobia

HAVING served at home and around the world in the foreign service of the United States for more than 30 years, I have found that, often, those of us who can and should use our influence to promote tolerance fail to do so. In our silence, we inadvertently reinforce prejudices.

Homophobia, like racism and xenophobia, exists to varying degrees in all societies. Every day, in countries all over the world, people are persecuted, vilified, beaten and even killed because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Homophobia, whether open or hidden, causes enormous suffering for those who perpetrate it, those who are the victims of it, and those who simply tolerate it.
Now is always the time to do what is right. While it is true that the responsibility for hate crimes rests with the perpetrators themselves, we all share a duty to counter intolerance and prejudice wherever we can.

We have all read or heard of examples around the world where there has been violence perpetrated against individuals simply because of their sexual orientation.
This is, sadly, all too common. It is equally disheartening that those human rights activists defending the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people also face harassment and arrest. Also disturbing are journalists and artistes who incite hatred and violence through veiled writings and musical lyrics.

As a life-long Christian, I sometimes struggle with the religious beliefs which seem to be at odds with tolerance. Then I simply consider afresh the gospel of love, which convinces me that tolerance is in accordance with Christian faith and practice; it is at the core of Christianity. Tolerance does not ask us to abandon our faith or our values.
I understand well that every nation has its own moral standards and no nation should ignore its own moral compass. But there is also a universal moral standard that crosses all political borders. As we come into the fullness of our humanity, we must not allow hatred and violence to be what defines us.

For me, it simply boils down to my belief in and hope that we all follow the advice of Matthew 7:12, and treat others as we would wish ourselves to be treated.

That is why such action is called "golden".

Pamela E Bridgewater is US Ambassador to Jamaica.

Dadland Maye on Gay or straight love, it doesn't matter

Dear Editor,

It was nice reading the May 15 article "I think I'm gay but..." The 22-year old Samuel didn't provide his real name because he still lives in Jamaica where he would no doubt be vulnerable to homophobia.

I am no longer afraid to state my name publicly. I'm on American soil because Jamaicans couldn't handle the fact that men like me love men so powerfully that we cannot live undercover forever. Gay or straight love, it doesn't matter. What matters is that love is an embodiment of complex, sweet emotions that cannot be at peace in fear and silence. Love must be freed to shout above every mountaintop.

I write this as an affirmation that gayness, in many respects, is formed from the early years. We don't need psychiatrists or folks with degrees to tell us that. Enough queers across the world have been sharing this same testimony every day.
From I was about 10 years old, I knew I was gay. I used Bible scriptures to knock that nonsense out of my head. From Holiness, to Church of God to Pentecost church, I sang and prayed and spoke in tongues asking heaven for a deliverance from homosexuality.

All alone I carried this burden. I felt shut out of heaven. I was rejected by family, friends and strangers on earth. I felt isolated from my own self. Indeed, I am now at peace with myself, with the world, without religion.

Samuel echoed a statement that folks don't have to be having sex to be gay. As long as they feel mostly gay, then they are gay. Nobody queries the sexuality of a priest or a nun or an old virgin who is still waiting for marriage before sex. We all automatically assume they are straight.
Dadland Maye

dadland@gmail.com

also from DM

Cuba Parade Says No to Homophobia

Once again 23rd Street in Havana’s Vedado district was chaperoned by the police, while gays, lesbians and transsexuals paraded down that central boulevard. The short march began at the cascading Malecon fountain only a few blocks from Pabellon Cuba – the center of this year’s near-month-long “Campaign against Homophobia.” Colors, music and flags abounded—Irina Echarry reports for Havana Times.

For the original report and a gallery of photos follow the link

The majority of the participants took advantage of the occasion to display who they are, without being repressed, though their presence stirred the curiosity of passing onlookers. The police, apparently playing a safeguarding role, must have been cursing the day when they had to assist the same people they abuse throughout the rest of the year.

These are the very ones who the police usually fine (and sometimes cart in to the station) for being at a gay meeting place on the Malecon, or who they harass at Mi Cayito (the beach that’s supposedly a zero intolerance zone). That’s why the uniformed officers didn’t hesitate in making fun (among themselves) of those who came to celebrate “their day.”

This is the day LGTBs are permitted to come out and show themselves off. Nonetheless, comments like “Look how that fag dressed in black moves… that’s to get you to do him,” could be heard among Havana’s finest as they broke out in laughter.

It’s been a few years now that the campaign against homophobia has been held in Cuba to eradicate that evil. Yet lesbians, gays, transsexuals and bisexuals continue being the objects of police repression, social humiliation, mockery and family rejection.

Repressed and spurned for such a long time, this is the one day when displaying themselves openly and congregating becomes a carnival. Some put on dazzling cabaret make-up at ten in the morning, others decked themselves out in wedding gowns and a few preferred to walk down the street kissing, unaware of the vortex that rallied them all together.

Spontaneous parades are not permitted in Cuba. All of them must be guided by the officialdom. The LGTB community, disallowed until a few years ago, has been winning official “recognition.” The place selected for the cultural gala this year was the important Karl Marx Theater, where outstanding events are held and major figures in the cultural world perform.

Sexual diversity is recognized and there exist lesbian and gay groups that meet and do everything possible so that their voices don’t go ignored. Even still, much is lacking before people and legal institutions begin to accept homosexuality without considering those having a different sexual orientation strange or weird. The road is long and we’ve barely begun the journey.

Additionally, what could mean progress in the struggle against homophobia could also degenerate into its opposite. A parade held once a year along barely four city blocks doesn’t help in gaining acceptance of homosexuals as human beings with the rights to walk down any street or to meet in any place at any time without being attacked (verbally or physically) or excluded by their fellow citizens, or — within a closer circle — by their very own families.

It doesn’t make sense that the gay community spends the whole year being invisible and that for one day the authorities draw open the curtain hiding them so the world can see that homosexuals in Cuba have rights. Homophobia is not eliminated like this; on the contrary, during that day many people go to see the “show” and to take photos, as if it were a carnival with freaks on display.

To make matters worse, this year they stole that show from the gay rights activists, though many of them didn’t even realize it. Groups of young people shouted rallying cries like: “It’s heard, it’s felt, the youth are present” – as if they were in a Young Communist League rally. Likewise, there were posters with slogans appropriate for other political events; one’s like “Cuba demands the liberation of the Cuban Five.”

The only demand on that one day should have been around the battle for the liberation of gays, lesbians and transsexuals, for their full freedom here in our Cuba. This struggle is too intense and urgent to relegate to take a back seat

Sexual & Gender Identity Disorders | APA’s proposed changes

A few notes before the quoted text.

• The big changes from the last revision (not from the last DSM) are that

1. they’ve dropped ‘gender incongruence’ and gone with ‘gender dysphoria’

2. they have added a ‘B’ criteria of distress and

3. they have added a ‘post-transition’ specifier.

• Version 5 of the book is due out May 2013
• the current commenting period will end on June 15, 2011.
• This is the APA DSM 5 (American Psychiatric Association) site. The APA “writes” the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)
• It’s important because this will be one of the key tools for how mental health professions view and define gender issues for the coming decade.

The following is quoted from the APA site:

_________________________________________________________

Updated May 4, 2011

Gender Dysphoria (in Adolescents or Adults)**

A. A marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months duration, as manifested by 2^* or more of the following indicators: [2, 3, 4]**

1. a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics (or, in young adolescents, the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [13, 16]

2. a strong desire to be rid of one’s primary and/or secondary sex characteristics because of a marked incongruence with one’s experienced/expressed gender (or, in young adolescents, a desire to prevent the development of the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [17]

3. a strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender

4. a strong desire to be of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)

5. a strong desire to be treated as the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)

6. a strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)

B. The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or with a significantly increased risk of suffering, such as distress or disability**

Subtypes

With a disorder of sex development [14]

Without a disorder of sex development

See also: [15, 16, 19]

Specifier**

Post-transition, i.e., the individual has transitioned to full-time living in the desired gender (with or without legalization of gender change) and has undergone (or is undergoing) at least one cross-sex medical procedure or treatment regimen, namely, regular cross-sex hormone treatment or gender reassignment surgery confirming the desired gender (e.g., penectomy, vaginoplasty in a natal male, mastectomy, phalloplasty in a natal female).

Note: Three changes have been made since the initial website launch in February 2010: the name of the diagnosis, the addition of the B criterion, and the addition of a specifier.

Definitions and criterion under A remain unchanged.

American Psychiatric Association representatives issue statement against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill

The American Psychiatric Association’s legislative body formally condemned the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda on May 14th. Their action will now go to the APA Board of Trustees where it is expected to become official APA policy.

Although the bill appears to be finished for this Parliament, it may be back during the next one. The APA reps wanted to make clear to mental health professionals in Uganda that the proposed bill was counter to professional guidance. Here is the action paper:

Action Paper

Title: Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill

Whereas: The Hon. David Bahati, a member of the Ugandan Parliament, has introduced an Anti-Homosexuality Bill in the Ugandan Parliament calling for:

Seven years of imprisonment for anyone who attempts to engage in homosexual contact
Life imprisonment for anyone who engages in sexual penetration of a member of the same gender;
Death for “aggravated homosexuality” which includes repeated offenses of homosexuality or engaging in a homosexual act while HIV-positive.
Imprisonment of up to three years for failing to report violations of the statute within 24 hours of awareness of the offense
Whereas: The bill is based on a misguided attempt to “protect” the traditional heterosexual family from corruption and to prevent the corruption of traditional Ugandan concepts of morality by Western influences;

Whereas: the bill is predicated on the assertion that “same-sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic” and that Ugandans can be seduced into homosexuality if Western thought takes hold;

Whereas: the Ugandan National Association of Social Workers has issued a position paper supporting the concept that homosexuality is pathological drawing from religious concepts and from “scientific” studies of 50 years ago that have long since been discredited by the scientific community;

Whereas: the death penalty is mandated for HIV positive gay people who engage in same sex contact but a similar penalty is not mandated for HIV positive heterosexual people who engage in sexual relations despite the fact that, in Africa, the primary mode of HIV transmission is through heterosexual sexual contact;

Whereas: the Ugandan tabloid, the Rolling Stone, called for gays to be lynched and published a list of people alleged to be gay;

Whereas: at least one gay activist in Uganda has been murdered after being listed in the Rolling Stone — which Ugandan police have attributed to a robbery;

Be It Resolved: That the American Psychiatric Association reaffirms its position that there is no credible scientific evidence that same sex attraction is pathological, chosen, needs “cure,” or entails threat to heterosexual families or to children;

That the American Psychiatric Association condemns societal scapegoating and stigmatization of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people anywhere in the world;

That the American Psychiatric Association condemns criminalization of homosexual behavior and calls upon the Ugandan legislature to reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Refer to: Council on Minority Mental Health and Health Disparities

Author or Authors:

David L. Scasta, M.D., DFAPA, AAOL for the Association of Gay and