INSIDE ****************
THE ACT OF DISCRIMINATION
pg 6
HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN JAMAICA pg 12
OUT AS TRANS IN JA pg 23
CONTENTS Issue One, April 2018
5
Editor’s Letter
6
The Act of Discrimination
8
The Battle of Going to School Gay
12
Homophobic Violence in Jamaica
16
Homophobia in the Force
20
Effects of LGBT Discrimination
23
Out as Trans in JA
26
The Views: From JFLAG’s Desk
28
The Woes of a Jamaican Lesbian
31
Tolerance Is Not Acceptance
32
Credits
35
Glossary
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
I am delighted to introduce The Exponent’s issue on homophobic violence and discrimination. Before we go any further, I would like to point out that this is absolutely NOT a gay book but one that highlights how we as Jamaicans treat our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The name Exponent means a person who supports and explains an idea or theory and tries to persuade others of it’s truth or benefits.The cause I am supporting is putting an end to homophobic violence, as well as discrimination because they are humans with hearts and feelings just like us. Jamaica is known to many as one of the most homophobic country in the world.
The Exponent will highlight different cases in which LGBT indivuals have been abused and discriminated against, how it impacts them and the ultimate goal for the magazine is to put an end to it.
Editor/ Publisher
About The Editor
Proofreader:
Namiko Harris
Advisor:
Andrew Smith
I am Danae Hyman, a final year student at the University of Technology majoring in Journalism. I am passionate about human rights and equality, which was why when given the opportunity, I chose to do this magazine.
Danae Hyman
Production Services Photograher:
Vianca Brown
Graphic Consultant: ‘Predi’
Contact Tel:
876-896-1104
Email: danaehyman75@gmail.com
The Exponent is a school based assignment. Faculty: Faculty of Education and
Danae Hyman
Liberal Studies
Editor-In-Chief
Subjects will be refered to using their preferred pronoun throughout the magazine
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THE ACT OF Discrimination against LGBT individuals occur almost daily in our society. Aagainst 2015lesbian, survey Discrimination gay, conducted bisexual and by JFLAG 942 almost members trangender (LGBT)including individuals occur daily of society. the Jamaican public confirmed in our A 2015 survey conducted by JFLAG the intolerance ofthehomosexuals including 942 members of Jamaican public in Jamaica. 65% of ofrespondents confirmed the intolerance homosexuals insaid Jamaica. that gay people not be allowed 65% of respondents said should that gay people should A Amere 36% notto be work allowedwith to workchildren. with children. mere 36% respondents said they would of of respondents said they would allow their gay allow their gay child continue child to continue living to in their home andliving 43% ofin their home and respondents said that they43% wouldof not respondents allow their they would allow gaysaid child that to be around his or hernot siblings. 59%their of gay child around his or hurt hera gay respondents saidto thatbe they would physically siblings. 59% ofthem. respondents person who approached Discriminationsaid against thatindividuals they would hurt a LGBT happenphysically in various ways including gay person approached them. employment, healthwho care and housing. Discrimination against LGBT individuals happen in various ways including employment, health care and housing.
Discrimination in Employment
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW), a gay man who was employed as a lieutenant was reportedly dismissd from the Jamaica Defence Force in 2012 after 15 years of service because of his sexual orientation. His superior was made aware of his sexual orientation then requested a meeting with him. Upon confirming that he is gay, he was then asked to leave the force. A trangsgender woman has also reported that because of past experiences with employement discrimination she has stopped trying to find a job.
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DISCRIMINATION Discrimination in Access to Health Care Some LGBT individuals face discriminatory treatment when they attempt to access healthcare at hospitals and health centers. A shadow report by JFLAG reported that while only some doctors and nurses discriminate against LGBT patients, the non-medical staff such as janitors, security guards and receptionists discriminates the most. They have either turned them away, humiliated them or disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others, violating patient confidentiality. In 2014, a staff member in charge of medical dockets disclosed, without permission, the HIV status of a transgender woman to local community members.
Discrimination in Housing Discrimination in Housing
LGBT individuals have experienced LGBT individuals have discrimination discrimination byexperienced landlords because by landlords of orientation. their sexual orientation. of theirbecause sexual TheyThey have have refused to rooms or forced of beenbeen refused torent rent rooms or out forced their out homes. of their homes. In 2012 a human rights defender his friend In 2012 a human rights and defender attempted rent a two bedroom apartment and his tofriend attempted to rentin where they were asked intrusive aKingston two bedroom apartment in questions by the caretaker. They were denied to rent Kingston where theythen were asked the property according to HRW as the caretaker intrusive questions by the caretaker. announced that then the owner of the to property a They were denied rent isthe christian and as doesthe not caretaker wish to rent to homosexuals. property announced
that the owner of the property is a christian and does not wish to rent to homosexuals.
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THE BATTLE OF GOING TO SCHOOL GAY
Being gay in Jamaica you are vulnerable to verbal, physical and sexual violence and many individuals live in constant fear. In most cases, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals are either stabbed, raped, stoned or evicted from their homes. Primarily, for you to be respected and treated equally as a gay man in Jamaica you have to keep your sexuallity hidden. 20 year old Andre Wright has also gone through his share of discrimination and abuse. In high school, the other boys used his being effeminate as grounds to give him a daily dose of beating. “I remember this time some boys throw me in the rubbish pan and another time boys just come jump me because dem say me gay� he recalled.
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Andre recounted all the horrible experiences he had while attending high school. Some of these horrific occurences even happened at the Half Way Tree Transport Centre on his way home from school. One afternoon an assailant who he presumed disliked the idea that he was gay walked up to him with a group of friends and stabbed him. After recovering, he had the misfortune of jumping straight into exams. While walking on the street, because of his feminine attributes, Andre is a daily victim to verbal abuse. Whether it be calling him a ‘‘bat** man” or telling him that he deserves to die, he often feels like an outcast who shouldn’t be in the same space as heterosexuals. On one occasion, he was told he had to move from a spot where he was seated in Half Way Tree when a man came over and told him a “move cause bad people spot this.” Andre reported that he had to move without complaining because if you do, you might have the disadvantage of getting mobbed. Even though he tries his best to stay out of other people’s space on the road, you will still have those persons who throws things at him when they see him and make rude comments about his sexuality.
. They make comments like, “dead yu fi dead”, “your mother should have aborted you when she had a chance” and “if me ever see you a road me kill yu”. He believes the only reason why others prey on him is because he is feminine. If he was a bit more masculine, even though they would still have a problem with his sexuality, they wouldn’t be quite as vocal about it. Another person who has a problem with how effeminate Andre is, is his mother. Even though his mother accepts his lifestyle, she would rather if he could tone down how ‘up in people’s face’ he is. “ I try to explain to her that I am just embracing who I am. This is me and this is what I do, I have a concept that says if a heterosexual can walk in public and do anything I don’t see why I cannot.” He believes that Jamaicans should treat people how they would want to be treated or how they would want someone to treat those they care for or value.
Andre explained that dealing with verbal abuse on the street is not half as hurtful as the ones he has to deal with on social media. He does comedy videos on Facebook and Instagram, and while some persons love them, others make crass and life threatening comments under them. Words people might refrain from calling him in person, are posted on his page without concern for his feelings 10 - The Exponent
HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE
IN
JAMAICA Both violent attacks and threat of violence to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been almost the norm in Jamaica. Homophobic violence is violent acts commited towards LGBT members because of their sexuality. In Jamaica, some of the most common acts include corrective rape for lesbians where their assailants are of the belief that it will ‘cure’ them of their sexual idenity, mob attacks, stoning and even murder. The excess attacks and threats of violence are reasons why some LGBT individuals are forced to leave their community and jobs.
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A few examples of these violent acts are:
1) On October 6, 2013 a gay man was beaten in the parking lot of his workplace by three male coworkers because of his sexuality. Even though the company security guard was present, the beating lasted for 15 minutes while he turned a blind eye. The victim incurred a severe muscle damage in his eye causing his vision to deteriorate. The victim never reported the incident to the police in fear of further ridicule. 2) A group of gay men were attacked one evening in March 2013 by a mob. The attackers were armed with numerous weapons including machetes and yelled “Bat**man fi dead”. Even though they were able to escape, one victim suffered a broken nose. When he reported the incident to the police he claimed that they did not make an effort to help him 3) Two men broke into the house of a 37 year old lesbian on August 22, 2014. Upon entering her home, they raped, stabbed and beat her. Before that night, people in her community saw her girlfriend visiting and had threatened her referring to her as a “sodomite”. The night the asssailants came to attack her she was awakened by the chants of “sodomite we come for you.” They had then beaten her severly, taking turns raping her and stabbed her in the stomach as well as they broke her arms.
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A WORD OF WISDOM Pastor Nigel Lewis, pastor of Elim Gospel Assembly, gave us his view on homosexuality and how homosexuals should be treated. While the church is 100% against homosexuality, they are also 100% against abuse and violence.
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What are your views on homosexuality? As christians, the Bible is our guide. The Bible speaks to our actions as it relates to morality. As a religious leader, a follower of Christ and someone who abides by the Word of God written within the Bible, I cannot condone the homosexual lifestyle. This is something that has not been sanctioned by the scriptures and therefore I am not in agreement with the homosexual lifestyle.
There has been talks of building a gay church, what are your views on this? I beleieve that everyone should find a Bible believing church and endeavour to learn more about God and the Word of God will convict.
Do you believe that homosexuals deserve to be abused? No. Abuse of any individual, homosexual or otherwise, is contrary to scripture. We ought to love one another and treat one another with respect in spite of our sexual preferences. So strickly, I’m against the abuse in any form, verbal or physical of homosexuals.
What message do you have for homosexuals? My message to homosexuals is the same for all of us as we are all God’s people. Come to the Lord, serve God, learn more about Him and His word. He loves us all, so much that he sent his only begotten Son to die for us. Repent and be baptized.
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While some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals are pressured into keeping their sexual orientation hidden in fear of social exclusion, they have additional pressure to conceal their sexual identity from police officers so they can be treated equally in their times of need. In a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, 56 cases of violence against LGBT individuals were documented, a mere 19 victims actually reported these crimes to the police and only 8 of these cases polices officers actually took formal statements.
HOMOPHOBIA IN THE FORCE
Due to the high level of crime and mistrust of the police force, victims refrain from reporting crimes committed against them. When The Exponent contacted a superintendent of police attached to the CISOCA, he reported that all acts of abuse or assault are treated one way and that’s as outlined by law. However, HRW documented a report on August 10, 2012 where two lesbians were victims of corrective rape. Men had broken into their home and forcefully had sex with them because of their sexual preference. When they reported it to the police, one of the officers replied “you’re a sodomite, look at her, a sodomite them, why you come to the police station?” He then went on to say if it’s sex they wanted that’s what they got.
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Another incident of LGBT individuals not being treated equally was in 2014 when a lesbian was punched in the face by a man who referred to her as a sodomite. When she chased her attacker with a knife, a police officer shot her in her arm and chest. JFLAG reported that she has since been charged with assault however, her male attacker has not been.
Two ways the government can put an end to homophobia in the force 100% is by:
Even though cases of police violence toward LGBT people have decreased and there has been cases where officers have even rescued homosexuals from mobs, a few bad apples are still spoiling the bunch.
2) Broadening access to information and training on the JCF Policy on Diversity launched in 2011 to ensure that all staff has full understanding of the policy and consequences for it’s violation.
1) Ensuring that all officers are trained and equipped to properly document and efficiently handle cases of violence against LGBT people.
Due to the intolerance of homosexuals in Jamaica, the question was asked if we as a people feel absuing and discriminating against them is justified seeing as most people think “they don’t belong”. The Exponent interviewed a few people to find out their views on the issue.
Q: Is Abuse and Discrimination Against Homosexuals Justified? No because we’re all human and not because one’s sexuality is different makes them any different in the sense that we are all human. They use the Bible to justify abuse but they forget the Bible tells us about LOVE. Lee-Ann
I never think violence against the LGBT community will be justified. However, I think the abuse is biased. Biased meaning that in some countries whether legal or not people is more accepting of lesbians as opposed to gay men.
Tashnie
No I don’t because they can choose to live their lives how they want. As long as their sexual orientation doesn’t interfere with any socializing or duties then there shouldn’t be a problem.
Sheckardo
As a humanitarian, physical abuse to the same flesh and gene make-up that classifies us as humans is never justified. Forcing unpopular beliefs unto others however, is just as wrong. So abuse is wrong yes but like the moon they need to stay in the shadows of life. Jahleel
I don’t think it’s justified to abuse them because nobody has authority over anyone’s life but if someone wants to discriminate that’s their right because at the end of the day homosexuality is wrong.
Ann-jean
No I believe everyone should be able to decide their own path in life.
Rojon
Discrimination/abuse in my belief can never be justified especially when it’s against someone based on their sexual preference. We are all humans so who is one to abuse someone else because of their preference?
Latania
Effects of LGBT Discrimination Despite the great strides made by JFLAG in regards to how the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is accepted and treated , homophobia is still a problem in Jamaica. A few effects that homophobic discrimination has on LGBT individuals are:
1) Higher Suicide Attempts
3) More Likely to Suffer from Mental Illness
Suicide is thought to be a fair way ‘out’ of unbearable homophobic conditions. Each episode of LGBT vitimization, such as physical or verbal harrasment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behaviour by 2.5 times on average.
In comparison to their heterosexual peers, LGBT individuals who are discriminated against are more likely to suffer from some form of mental illness.
2) Shorter Life Expectancy
4) More Likely to Abuse Substances
Some LGBT individuals living in homophobic communities are forced to leave and having no where
LGBT individuals who are constantly at battle with other’s intolerance and discrimatory actions are more likely to use illegal drugs as means to escape the pain they feel from their environment.
to go they live on the streets. Researchers discovered that these individuals opposed to those who are allowed to live with their families have shorter life expectancy.
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GUEST OPINION COLUMN: Equality
for One, Equality for ALL
“I am saddened by how people treat one another and how we are so shut off from one another and how we judge one another, when the truth is, we are all one connected thing. We are all from the same exact molecules” Ellen Degeneres.
Vianca Brown Content Producer| Blogger
We as a nation should love each other regardless of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation. Jamaica is tend to be consider homophobic, but are we? Jamaica is normally classified as one of the most homophobic countries in the world but I believe that is not true, in fact we are intolerant but not homophobic.
Homophobia is having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against homosexual people. Jamaicans are intolerant which causes them to express homophobic behaviors because they don’t believe in homosexuals way of living. The stigma attached to our culture where everyone grew up hearing gay men should be killed is the root to our intolerance. The music also plays a big role in promoting violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members, for example, Buju Banto hit song “bum bye bye”. Religion is another reason for our intolerance. We are a God fearing nation but the only thing that most of us see as sin is being homosexual while all other sins are downplayed as not a big issue. I’m a firm believer of equality and human rights for everyone because love is love, no matter the race or gender. I was raised in a Christian home and growing up I was thought that homosexuality is wrong, it is abomination and it is not accepted. I was also taught that I should not judge nor should i discriminate, I should love each and everyone for who they are and let God do the judging. Our Jamaican motto says out of many one people but why are we discriminating and hating some out of the Jamaican people? The segregation must STOP! and each individual should be treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation. Equality for one, Equality for all, lets rise up as a nation. Together we stand, divided we fall, PUT AN END TO VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS.
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OUT AS TRANS IN JA
In 2013, 17 year old Dwayne Jones was beaten, stoned, shot and ran over with a car for dressing in women clothing to a party. Jamaicans are intolerant to gays but even more to transgenders or as we call it ‘cross
FACT
dressers’.
Rosheka Walker, 24, is often forced to use a male name and persona, however, she considers herself to be a woman. While she feels good about transitioning and believes it’s a way of accepting herself, most heterosexual Jamaicans doesn’t share her views. As a transgender woman, most organizations wouldn’t think twice to turn her away when she goes in search of a job. Some employers think her looks wouldn’t represent their company well while others are just transphobic. Rosheka has however made her peace with it as she explains that Jamaica is not a tolerant country so you just have to respect their views. Being a transgender in Jamaica does not only come with discrimination in employment but also on the street. You have to deal with the constant threat of violence and in some cases having to run for your life from homophobic attackers. While Rosheka is able to walk in some areas of Jamaica dressed as a woman, when going certain places, she has to leave her female feautures at home. “Its not all the time I can dress womanly when going out especially going Downtown Kingston, when I’m going there I have to dress more masculine.”
“ Gay and Lesbian youth are four
times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide. Trans youth are tens times more likely to do so.” Charles Radcliffe
Chief, Global Issues, OHCHR New York
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“God nuh like yu”, “Bat*** Man fi dead” and “fag” are just few of the lingoes shouted at her while walking on the street dressed as a woman. She expressed that if it wasn’t for her high self-esteem, she would have taken her life already.She describes herself as a strong, self- driven and self- motivated person which is why she is still alive to date despite getting her fair share of discrimination. After being raped at the age of 11, it opened the doors to a lifelong abuse for Rosheka. When she came out as a member of the LGBT to her family 10 years ago, her mother supported her however, her brothers were not as understanding.They abandoned her but not before beating her in hope of ‘getting rid of the gayness’. Since then, Rosheka has been attacked twice by men on the street while she was alone but the majority of attempts for her life is made when she is with friends. One of the occasions when she was attacked, she reported standing in a private area with a male companion when someone jumped out of the dark and started striking after them, which resulted in her running for her life for two and a half hours. Another occasion was when she left home in the night to get something to eat and on her way back 5 men attacked her leaving her to once again run to save her life. Because of her attackers, Rosheka has managed to stay fit and increased her stamina. “I was actually out with my friends one night and it was my friend who saw the persons coming and she was like
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Rosheka run and I was a bit hesitant so she said run again. When I ran off then looked behind me, there was about 10 men coming after us so believe me I ran from Downtown Kingston all the way to Washington Boulevard which was about three and a half hours’’, she recalled. She has since tried to stay away from places where is not welcomed as a woman, where chaos is going to be conducted or where people is going to make her feel uncomfortable.
She will still go shopping or get lunch on the street but other than that she tries to stay home as much as possible. She understands that even though she wants live her life free as woman, Jamaica does not have the place for it currently so she has to conform to society in certain aspects. While she will never deny her womanhood or who she is, because of Jamaica’s intolerance, she tries her best to respect their space.
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THE VIEWS: From JFLAG’S Desk
Glenroy Murray JFLAG’S Associate Director of Programs and Advocacy
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JFLAG started on December 10,1998 officially. It started out of a group of friends who did a lot of community engagements and they decided it’s time they did something about violence and discrimination as well as law reforms. When we talk about laws, there is this standard thing where people assume the only thing we want is sex and marriage. So they think we want the law to change so we can have sex, we want the law to change so we can marry. However, JFLAG did a study in 2016 and that isn’t the case for most lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. You can even look at the U.S, yes gay marriage happened but if you look at the real issues like homelessness, suicide, lack of access to health care has not been addressed. For us as a society, that’s what we are concerned about because to be honest we are not that interested in marriage in Jamaica.Other misconceptions that most people have about the LGBT community are that all gay men are effimiate and all lesbian are butches, we don’t want to have children and there’s the association with pedophilia. They assume that if you’re gay you were abused and in return you will abuse others. Concerning violence against LGBT individuals in Jamaica, we have a Human Rights Report that has 261 unconfirmed reports of violence between 20112017. These are unconfirmed because we do not have the resources to do these types of investigations but persons will come in and say this happened to me and we advise them to report it.
However, sadly most of them don’t because they are scared the police will be discriminatory. While others say that dancehall is the root of homophobic behaviours, I think that dancehall is just a representation of our reality. While they do produce homophobic and transphobic content, they do so by echoing a lot of realities that perpetuate negative attitude towards LGBT people. Change then comes with the society. Since it has kinda shifted it’s tone towards homosexuality, dancehall has followed suit so now you find less openly homophobic and transphobic lyrics. The more we grow as a society the more dancehall will shift, not just to stop violent homophobic content but violence overall. Our work at JFLAG is very intersectional and for us to deal with hate crimes we have to deal with crime in all contexts because Jamaica have a serious problem with criminality. If we are a violent society and we don’t know how to deal with conflicts with each other, we are not going to know how to deal with the difference with a LGBT person. We should work on those things that facilitate crime such as corruption, lack of opportunities for young people and institutional barriers to keep poor people poor.
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THE WOES OF A JAMAICAN LESBIAN After coming out as a lesbian, Shantel Clarke, 22, opened up her self to discrimination from all angles. Shantel has been discriminated on the street, by family members and teachers at school. While walking on the street she has been referred to as “ole sodomite gyal’, been told to stop having sexual intercourse with females, that she’s going to hell and that she needs a man in her life. She explained that the list is bottomless with the amount of discriminatory phrases that is thrown at her each day by men, women and children on the street. “I was about to cross the street the other day and I realized the road was clear so I attempted to go across. Little after, this taxi man started speeding in my direction so I stood where I was and the man shouted out his window when he passed me “come out a di road sodomite gyal.” She stated that even though she might put up a front like it doesn’t bother her, when persons chant that she’s a sodomite every where she goes, it lets her feel horrible and gets frustrating.
Although Shantel’s parents support her lifestyle because they have suspected it for years, a few other family members feel differently about it. She has had two cousins curse her out after finding out about her sexuality as well as her big brother. One cousin threatened to stop eating from her and that she’s going to hell. Her brother sang the same tune, telling her the road she’s heading down is a demonic one. The other cousin was more verbal calling her a “dutty sodomite” and telling her to move out of the house because she’s not a good role model for his daughter. He also threatened to physically abuse her saying he is going to kick her in her face.
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Shantel was not granted the opportunity to graduate high school, because teachers found out about sexual preference. A board meeting was held where they told her that behaviour would not accepted in the school. They scheduled a session for her with the school’s guidance counsellor who asked her if something was wrong with her why she liked females and told her she needed prayer to get rid of the demon inside. She started hiding from school periodically until one, she just didn’t go back. “Sometimes I try to fit in and be society’s type of normal, I don’t want to be the center of attention when I go out because it’s not in a positive light but a negative one”, Shantel stated when explaining how she feels on the road daily. She expressed how unsafe she felt living in Jamaica and being a lesbian because there is no rights here for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and most importanly, no love.
She feels if she should let her guard down here and enjoy nature or try holding her girlfriend’s hand on the street is like signing her own death sentence. Even though Shantel is a lesbian, her hope is to be treated equally in her country. Being a citizen of Jamaica, she feels that when dealing with her, her sexuality should be put aside and that she should be treated like a human and be given the same rights and respect anyone not apart of the LGBT community would get. Because of her sexual preference, she feels she is limited from certain benefits and opportunities wishes she could do something about it because under it all she is still a human being trying to survive. Shantel’s advice for Jamaicans is that one day they should finally wake up and let go of the unnecessary hate and violence and start looking at the bigger picture, they don’t have to accept LGBT individuals but atleast stop discriminating and trying to harm them.
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Leviticus 20 vs 13: “If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a woman, both of them have commited an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
TOLERANCE IS NOT ACCEPTANCE
This is the scripture used by most homophobic people when justifying why lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals should not be accepted and should be harmed. However, in the New Testament, Jesus made it clear that Christians are not required to follow the Old Testament’s rules about crimes and punishments. He pointed out that He Himself is the fulfillment of the law. The scriptures went on to say in Mathew 7: 1-5 that, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” This simply means that we are quick to judge others on their sin but fail to realize our own. We should therefore cease from discriminating and judging others because we sin differenly. This magazine does not seek for you to accept homosexuality but to tolerate LGBT people. To tolerate means to allow the existence or practice of something that one dislikes or disagrees with without interference. Tolerance means not making homophobic slurs on the road, not threatening LGBT individuals because of their sexuality and most definitely not hurting them. Jamaica is a Christian country yes, but God believes in love, in loving your neighbour as yourself, so let’s come together and ‘love the sinner while hating the sin’.
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CREDITS This magazine is currently my greatest accomplishment but without these few crucial people it wouldn’t have been possible.
God Thank you for breath and strengh because without you I wouldn’t be here today to do this project.
Vianca Brown - Photographer The title photographer may be an understatement for how big of a help you were for me through this entire project. I want to thank you for not only helping me through my million and one problems but also for not blocking me everytime I call and ‘demand’ a favour.
Jamelia Henry - Counsellor Even though I may have abused the fact that I have a friend who luckily for me is a trained counsellor, I want to thank you for listening to all my tantrums. Also, for motivating me when I completely gave up on completing this project because I thought I wasn’t ‘creative enough’.
Marcia Artwell - Mother/ Motivator Thank you for just being who you are. When I called and told you I can’t stop crying because of how stressed I feel, you told me to let it all out, of course drink some water and get back to work because finishing this project is a step towards a better me. Even when I was down and joked about going to jump off a bridge you found a way for me to even forget how depressed I was, telling me to insure myself first. You have always been my rock and I just want you to know that I appreciate you.
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Andrew Smith - Advisor From the very first session I had with you, you have helped me tremendously, not just with content but allowing me to come to your class to brush up on my InDesign skills (which was about 10%). I want to thank you for being a great advisor as I have truly learnt from you.
Akindele Hickling - Lecturer “A name that is hard to pronounce but easy to call.” If someone had asked me at the begining of the semester if I would be giving thanks to you I would maybe ask them if they’re crazy. You have definitely proven how insightful you can be and even though you made me redo my whole magazine like a million times (the real reason for all my breakdowns) I want to thank you for it. You have helped me figure out what my own magazine is about and made me focus on the real issues. Thank you again Mr ‘Sarcastic’ Hickling.
To everyone else who have made an impact in what you may figure by now, a very struggling time for me, I thank you.
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PUT AN END
STOP!
THE HATE
TO HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE
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GLOSSARY Bisexual:
A person whose primary sexual and affectional orientation is toward people of the same and other genders, or towards people regardless of their gender.
Butch:
An identity or presentation that leans towards masculinity commonly associated with masculine lesbians.
Discrimination: When prejudiced feelings or beliefs move into the realm of behaviour and people are denied equality.
Equality:
A state in which everyone is equal. This ignores difference in identity/community and history.
Gay:
A person sexually attracted to those of the same sex.
Hate Crime:
An act of violence where the victim is targeted because of their perceived membership in a certain social group.
Heterosexual: Being sexually, emotionally and romantically attracted to a sex other than your own.
Homophobia: Negative attitudes and feelings toward people who identify as or is perceived to be a homosexual.
Homosexual:
A person who is sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
JFLAG:
The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, is a LGBT rights organization
Lesbian:
A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
LGBT:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.
SOGIE:
Sexual orientation and gender identity expression
Transgender:
Denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. 35 - The Exponent