Two questions also come to mind:
Why isn't the JCSC statement on their or JFLAG's website in full for such an important time as this?
Why didn't the Observer just publish the damned thing in full?
The Press Association of Jamaica, PAJ released a short statement on the matter of the press conference of CVCC as well:
The Press Association of Jamaica, PAJ released a short statement on the matter of the press conference of CVCC as well:
In light of the current public discussion surrounding the press conference convened last week by the Caribbean Coalition of Vulnerable Communities, the Press Association of Jamaica wishes to state:
1. The role of the journalist is to ask questions and seek answers on behalf of the public and to pursue the sole agenda of getting to the truth.
2. It is expected that journalists will always be respectful in the conduct of their duties as we equally demand the respect of the people we interact with on a daily basis.
3. The press is the voice of the people and cannot be shut up or shut down at will in any democracy, regardless of threats, condescending tones, remarks or any other means to belittle or denigrate.
4. The PAJ is urging journalists to operate by the agreed Code of Practice at all times as we continue the quest to serve the public.
ENDS
The Observer editorial published today read as follows:
The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC) -- whose membership includes J-FLAG, the gay lobby group -- has issued a very sensible statement, spurred no doubt by Sunday's well-attended mass meeting by the church and allied groups against homosexuality.
The sentiments expressed in the JCSC statement issued on July 1, 2014, are well considered and, in our view, are a viable basis on which the Jamaican nation can conduct the social negotiations about the homosexual lifestyle, repeal of the so-called buggery law and about finding a way to ensure that we can all get along, despite our differences.
Pity, of course, that the statement came so late in the day and had to await, apparently, the flexing of its considerable muscles by the church and the many groups that massed in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.
As we have pointed out time and again in this space, the gay leadership must accept responsibility for the manner in which it has conducted its campaign to secure rights for the homosexual constituency. We continue to believe that the society in general, including the church, had been gradually ceding space to the gay members of the Jamaican family, until the perceived bullying began, evidenced by the Professor Brendan Bain issue and latterly the infiltration of private homes for children with anal sex material.
Prior to that, there was the attempt to slip similar material into the school textbook stream, without the kind of consultation and approval that goes with the process. Assuming that J-FLAG approved the statement, we hope that some important lessons have been learnt. In this vein, we highlight and commend the following excerpts from the JCSC statement:
"The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition is deeply concerned about the manner in which the current debate about the repeal or retention of the sections of the Offences against the Person Act related to anal intercourse is being conducted. We urge all the individuals, groups and organisations involved to advocate their cause in a manner which reflects a greater spirit of mutual respect and consideration.
"Whatever our differences...Every Jamaican citizen is deserving of a hearing and of equal protection under the law of the land and under the principles of human rights to which we are signatories...We need to bring an end to inflammatory and dismissive statements and to the stigmatisation of entire groups based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, religious convictions or other difference of whatever kind. Indeed, such approaches invariably lead to social strife as well as intentional and unintentional harm...
"We, in all our diversity, share a common humanity. None of us is well served by the hard line, condemnatory or disrespectful tone of many utterances on the topic. We must exercise care that we do not create divisions so deep that we lose the potential for working together on some of the many other challenges we face as a nation. We call on all the actors in the debate to set an example of leadership grounded in a willingness to permit all voices to be heard."
The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC) -- whose membership includes J-FLAG, the gay lobby group -- has issued a very sensible statement, spurred no doubt by Sunday's well-attended mass meeting by the church and allied groups against homosexuality.
The sentiments expressed in the JCSC statement issued on July 1, 2014, are well considered and, in our view, are a viable basis on which the Jamaican nation can conduct the social negotiations about the homosexual lifestyle, repeal of the so-called buggery law and about finding a way to ensure that we can all get along, despite our differences.
Pity, of course, that the statement came so late in the day and had to await, apparently, the flexing of its considerable muscles by the church and the many groups that massed in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.
As we have pointed out time and again in this space, the gay leadership must accept responsibility for the manner in which it has conducted its campaign to secure rights for the homosexual constituency. We continue to believe that the society in general, including the church, had been gradually ceding space to the gay members of the Jamaican family, until the perceived bullying began, evidenced by the Professor Brendan Bain issue and latterly the infiltration of private homes for children with anal sex material.
Prior to that, there was the attempt to slip similar material into the school textbook stream, without the kind of consultation and approval that goes with the process. Assuming that J-FLAG approved the statement, we hope that some important lessons have been learnt. In this vein, we highlight and commend the following excerpts from the JCSC statement:
"The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition is deeply concerned about the manner in which the current debate about the repeal or retention of the sections of the Offences against the Person Act related to anal intercourse is being conducted. We urge all the individuals, groups and organisations involved to advocate their cause in a manner which reflects a greater spirit of mutual respect and consideration.
"Whatever our differences...Every Jamaican citizen is deserving of a hearing and of equal protection under the law of the land and under the principles of human rights to which we are signatories...We need to bring an end to inflammatory and dismissive statements and to the stigmatisation of entire groups based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, religious convictions or other difference of whatever kind. Indeed, such approaches invariably lead to social strife as well as intentional and unintentional harm...
"We, in all our diversity, share a common humanity. None of us is well served by the hard line, condemnatory or disrespectful tone of many utterances on the topic. We must exercise care that we do not create divisions so deep that we lose the potential for working together on some of the many other challenges we face as a nation. We call on all the actors in the debate to set an example of leadership grounded in a willingness to permit all voices to be heard."
ENDS
I find it ridiculous that after so many newscasts in days on the Jamaica CAUSE movement coupled with a snapshot of their press conference where their real goals which include:
1) threats to government not to repeal buggery (although JFLAG's late in the day change to decriminalization has fallen on deaf ears thus far)
2) blocking any attempts to allow legislation protecting individuals from discrimination due to sexual orientation
are quite clear it is only a short interview on CVM TV and on RJR that the agency could have done when they are known for churning out press releases from what I call the conveyor belt (even while I was there) when the J is needed they are soft in coming but otherwise they overkill.
Years of work and some gains have been lost all due to poor management again on the agencies part and conflicting imperatives while the real frontline issues that are screaming for attention get sidelined. The homeless LGBT youth in New Kingston are getting some attention again via a radio special and the defunct Safe House has not been even hinted to; yet another whitewashing of the abandonment of the older populations of homeless and displaced MSM mostly due to rowdy behaviour yet the psycho-social interventions were never even rolled out to address them.
Step-n-fetch-it advocacy once again befalls us, at least those of us who are looking for more than just mere dribble and only remote feel goodness.
Peace and tolerance indeed is needed, tolerance to continue the slowness and lack of pro-activity from JFLAG with all the incestuous obligations of its management elsewhere and from the madness out there with hysteria and paranoia ruling the day.
also see: Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco
also see: Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco
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