straight talk on gay issues

When are we going to deal 'up-front' with the contentious issues emerging around intolerance and sexuality in Jamaica? How can we facilitate intelligent, informed discussions around this matter of homophobia? Can we challenge the generalised assumption of 'rampant homophobia' in our culture? Aren't many of the public expressions of gay condemnation mere demonstrations of straight hypocrisy?

How homophobic are some 'fire burners' when there's no posse and crew around to impress? Are we really 'the most homophobic place on earth?' And Mr Gay Activist, where's the empirical evidence that can concretely link violence against homosexuals to dancehall lyrics? Jamaican homosexuals who die violently are mostly killed by people with whom they develop problematic relationships, and not by homophobic strangers. Isn't that a fact? So, why are some elements in the foreign press busily constructing an image of Jamaicans as homogeneously ignorant, barbaric and violently homophobic?

Mainstream media support

I raise these 'whole heap a' questions because when I look at representations in the overseas press, I see where some gay activists with the support of mainstream media, are attempting a 'shock and awe' approach to confronting the idea of Jamaican homophobia. They're trying to shock people into believing that we have gangs of wicked Jamaicans on every street corner, armed, angry and looking for gay people to murder. Then they're threatening to overwhelm our little country with the awesome might of economic sanctions. If their aim is simply to punish Jamaica - or get refugee status in foreign - they may succeed. But if the intention is to effect change - they're wasting time.

We need to examine the impact of overseas initiatives around these issues. Some of the approaches activate memories of white imperial control. And our people are famously rebellious, especially against attempts to impose 'foreign' strategies to fix Jamaican problems. Look nuh, there are complex issues underpinning Jamaican homophobia that ultimatums, sanctions and international condemnations will not address. Banning dancehall artists or boycotting Jamaican tourism won't help people to examine their intolerance and change their prejudices. It will merely prevent more poor people from 'eating a food', alienate allies, and breed bigger bangarang.

Types of gays

I think there are basically three sets of gay people in Jamaica. First, there are the ones that lead deadly double lives: heterosexual pretence on the public side while their true sexuality they thoroughly hide. Another group lives in quiet truce with this 'conveniently homophobic' society. The closet door either 'pop off' or is transparent, and their homosexuality is 'open secret'. But everybody ignores or tolerates their sexuality because they are respected and valued as professionals; plus they keep their love life private. The third set is 'out' and militant.
They're supported by a loud and growing voice of activism. They're intent on asserting their rights and they refuse to quietly abide in secrecy. I admire their courage. But tell me though, do these activists feel that the quiet set are complicit to the homophobia by having this 'truce' and living in the shadows? Does the quiet set feel that the activists are attracting unnecessary attention and compromising their fragile safety? What is going to happen if the truce gets broken?

Yow, violence is reprehensible. And no matter how righteously opposed we may be to their lifestyle, violence against people because of their sexuality is a dangerous kind of backwardness. So there's a problem. But some people are responding to it with strategies that are reactionary and counter-productive. Shouldn't anti-homophobia activists be trying more culturally sensitive methods of facilitating education and critical thinking among Jamaicans at all levels around sexuality and human rights
?
box-mi-back@hotmail.com

"DEAR PASTOR AT IT AGAIN"

Dear Pastor,

I am a 16-year-old girl. I am having a problem with boys and girls. I am a student having it hard to walk on the road without being harassed. I am a cute girl. I used to have a boyfriend, but I left him because of his attitude. He is a 16-year-old boy living in my community. I left because he only came around when he wanted to have sex and that's all he spoke about.

He has many friends and they are mostly bad boys who steal. The thing I don't like about him is that when I have sex with him, he tells his friends. And his friends talk about their girls, too. They talk and talk until the people in the community hear and then it reaches my mom and dad. This causes problems for me because when I am walking on the road, people laugh at me and that's why I left him.

I was at a party when I saw a girl, aged 17. She was dancing with some of her friends and she asked me to dance with them and I did. At the end of the party, she asked me for my number and I gave it to her and that's where the love started. She was the 'girlie' type. She told me that I was her boyfriend. Going out with her makes me happy.

Now I love girls. I joined a chat room often to find dates. I found a girl who is 12. She said she wants to have me but, on the other hand, I have this girl from the party. The 12-year-old girl did not want me to see that girl anymore.

I don't know how the fight began, but the 12-year-old had a fight with the 17-year-old. They both scared their faces and other parts of their upper bodies. They make me look like I am a player, going around and dating too many girls.

Now I am having a hard time because I have money, but their money needs are so high. I have to spend money on them weekly. I spend $39,000 in one week to supply their needs and wants. To remember their names, I call them names like honey, love head, heartbeat, cutie and shorty.
Please, pastor, help me and tell me what to do?

W.G., Clarendon, Jamaica
Dear W.G.,
You have now become a lesbian. And one of your lovers is only 12 years old. Many girls your age are in the chat room talking about sex with each other and making dates. I have been told by other young girls that this is rampant and many parents are not even aware of what is going on. There was a time when parents would see girls talking and hugging and would not suspect that these girls are lesbians because girls like to hug each other and chat. Nowadays, when two girls are seen all the time hugging and spending time with each other, people become suspicious of them.

I am extremely sorry to know that you have become involved sexually with other girls and I tell you that I will be praying for you.
However, you must do something to help yourself. You must cease from calling these girls and going out with them. Cut all ties with them.
When they call you, tell them that you do not wish to associate with them any time. At the same time, be prepared for your name to be called all around the community and outside the district, because gay people do not like when anyone breaks from their rank and they will scandalise your name. Don't give your money to anybody.

You have embarrassed your parents enough. Tell your parents that you are willing to see a family counsellor because you would like to change your behaviour. I wish you well.
Pastor