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Bahamas Supports Historic UN Anti-LGBT Discrimination Resolution

This almost slipped by: The government of the Bahamas has publicly supported last week's historic United Nations Human Rights Council resolution that condemned discrimination and violence against LGBT persons, reports The Nassau Guardian.

The Bahamas supports the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution passed yesterday that affirms equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette. [...]

The Bahamas does not have a seat on the council, but is in favor of the resolution in principle, Symonette said. He noted that he had not seen the resolution, but said the government supports the expansion of rights for “people of any persuasion.” “Our record is clear, we continue to support freedom of expression and the right for people to express their opinions,” Symonette said. “We actually voted in expansion of the rights [of GLBT people in a UN General Assembly vote earlier this year].”

LGBT activists are optimistic, reports the Bahamas Tribune.

"It's been a long time coming for a country that identifies itself as a Christian nation. It's only the beginning and hopefully, soon enough, our Christian beliefs and our humane policies will come together and help us create a country we all want to live in," Ms. Erin Greene. told the Tribune.

"It's only a resolution, its not the be-all-and-end-all. It's just the start of a process of guaranteeing protection and safety of all citizens in a country. Many Bahamians may be upset and appalled but that move is more Christian than any other policy decision."

The Bahamas is a socially conservative nation. The public statement is considered a major win for equality, especially because anti-gay rallies and religious rhetoric have increased in recent years. In 2007, evangelical groups fought the proposed inclusion of the gay-themed LOGO network to the Cable Bahamas channel lineup. Two years earlier, Miss Teen Bahamas was stripped of her crown after she came out as lesbian.

Twenty-three countries on the human rights council supported the UNHRC resolution, 19 voted against it and three countries abstained.

The resolution was the first of its kind passed by the body. The United States, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa were among the countries that supported the bill. Perennial human rights abusers China, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among the countries that opposed it.

READ: BET Producer Kevin Taylor Remembers Aaliyah and Her Death

Nine years ago today, on August 25, 2001, young R&B star Aaliyah Dana Haughton was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. The 22-year-old singer was preparing to release her studio album, Aaliyah, which eventually sold 2.5 millions copies. Aaliyah was returning from filming the music video for her posthumous hit single "Rock the Boat."

Rod 2.0 friend Kevin E. Taylor was on location and was the lead BET producer for the behind-the-scenes special. Kevin Taylor—now the Rev. Kevin Taylor, the New Jersey-based pastor, gay activist and author— was also booked on that fateful flight but was asked to give up his seat at the last moment. The decision not to return to U.S. on the private plane saved Kevin Taylor's life. Three other openly gay men perished in the crash with Aaliyah.

Watch the behind-the-scenes-video—as well as Kevin Taylor and others remember Aaliyah—AFTER THE JUMP ...

Rev Kev very graciously shares his thoughts from that day with R20:

For some reason, I got up today, and for the first time since Saturday, August 25, 2001,  the first thought on my mind was "Wow, Aaliyah died today."  It almost shook me from my sleep and shocked me because I have such peace with her passing and my close association to it. I produced the "Rock the Boat" Access Granted for BET and my original flight itinerary had me on the plane with them leaving the Bahamas.

Today there are many images of her. And Chris Maldonado, who did her makeup for the "Rock the Boat" shoot and was a good industry friend of mine. And Eric Foreman, a hoot and a half, just so fiery and funny and always ON! And Gina Smith, who changed my flight plans that Thursday night and quietly saved my life. And Scott Gallin, Keith Wallace, Douglas Krantz and the quietly elegant Anthony Dodd, who was assisting Eric.

As people post pics today and songs, as I did on my Facebook page, let's remember that the great testament to someone's life is to speak their name. ;Oprah Winfrey commissioned a piece by the great writer Pearl Cleage during her Legends Ball entitled "We Speak Your Names" and it was recited to the legends whom she honored that weekend.  At my church—Unity Fellowship Church in New Brunswick, NJ—we pour Libation. That's the African ritual of honoring the ancestors who have gone before us that their lives might be remembered and revered.  Every time you see a wino on the street "pour out some for the brothers who ain't here," they are pouring Libation. 

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was a beautiful young woman, a gifted singer, a talented actress and a wonderful human being.  I speak her name today, along with names of the 7 people who perished with her in the pursuit of all of their dreams and living in the greatness of their lives. We speak your names!

Read more of Rev Kev's tributes to Aaliyah at Facebook ...

In related news: #RIPAaliyah is a trending hashtag on twitter. And the Washington Post reports that despite some reports the much-discussed Aaliyah biopic was due to begin filming, it doesn't appear that it is happening.

Watch Kevin, Angie Stone, Emil Wilbekin and others remember Aaliyah—as well as behind-the-scenes produced by Kevin Taylor—AFTER THE JUMP ...

Major Earthquake in Haiti, Damage and Tsunami Warning

Developing news: A strong earthquake has hit Haiti and the Associated Press reports a "hospital has collapsed" near the capital Port-au-Prince. There appears to be major destruction ...

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3. It was centered about 14 miles west of Port-au-Prince. The significant and shallow earthquake has caused a tsunami threat and warning for Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. More details as they develop ...

UPDATE: There are reports of a magnitude 7 aftershock (very major) and damage in the Dominican Republic.

UPDATE: Tsunami warning is cancelled.

News: Tyra Banks, Louis Smith, JLS, Lady Gaga, Marriage, Bahamas

· Avatar tops the biggest box office weekend. 

· Conservatives ramp up efforts to overturn Iowa's marriage equality law.

· One of President Obama's openly gay appointees has been confirmed by the Senate. Minneapolis Assistant Police Chief Sharon Lubinski will become Minnesota’s next U.S. Marshal.

· Umm, what exactly are JLS' Aston and Marvin doing?

· Tyra Banks announces the end of her talk show:  "Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a NY-based film production company. Banks aims to bring 'positive images of women to the big screen,' says an industry insider. With encouragement from filmmaker Tyler Perry and longtime mentor Oprah Winfrey, Banks is 'redefining beauty for women in film,' adds the source. 'With Oprah’s big announcement this year, I think that gave Tyra the confidence to get out there and follow her longtime dream of film producing.'"

· The "World" is enough for Louis Smith. The Beijing pommel horse bronze medalist will miss Commonwealth Games.

· Towleroad reports tickets for Lady Gaga's Miami Beach New Year's Eve performance "are almost non-existent" with "only a few 25,000-dollar tables left."

· Kareem Mortimer's Children of God is a new Bahamian film that explores homophobia:  "As a gay Bahamian, Mortimer adds, 'I felt really afraid. I can't even express how I felt, and one politician said things like "the only good homosexual is a dead homosexual" that went unchallenged in the country. Bahamians are very generous, loving people, but it was an act of great shame.' To show Bahamians another side of the issue, Mortimer focused his story on three very different characters: the wife of a secretly gay pastor, a homophobic firebrand; a young black man who is trying to hide his sexuality from his family; and the conflicted white man he becomes involved with."

Apology After Police in the Bahamas Raid Black Gay Cruise Party

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism apologizes after police raided a cruise party owned by an American, black gay-owned event firm.

The October 6 incident at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nassau was first reported by Joe Hawkins, the Oakland-based event promoter with Club Rimshot, and, was "attended by approximately 250" American citizens "and nearly 200 local Bahamian guests", says DaJuan Xavier, the executive director of Ebony Pyramid Entertainment, the popular Washington DC-based promotions form. "The dozen or so police were well armed in full riot-style gear. In addition to their gear, they entered the facility with one of the policeman videotaping the crowd." Xavier says members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force briefly interrogated him and "ordered the bartenders to 'Shut it down!'"

The island's leading newspaper, The Nassau Guardian, published the written apology from Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine who explained the officers were investigating a complaint and "are awaiting the police force's official statement on the matter, but do however, wish to assure you that the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation does not condone discrimination in any form."

It's a significant development that the Bahamian government is mindful of tourist dollars and doing the right thing by apologizing to gay tourists. Unfortunately, the government is not as respectful of their own LGBT population.

Tourism Ministry Apologizes to Gay Tourists [Guardian]
LGBT Caribbean Cruise Raided by Police [Cuppa Joe]
Bahamas Police Harass Gay Tourists [Tribune]

Some Background ...
Christian Activists in the Bahamas Oppose LOGO [R20]
Teen Beauty Queen Comes Out Under Fire [R20]
When Worlds Collide [R20]

Christian Activists in the Bahamas Oppose Gay Channel LOGO

This week, gay activists in the Bahamas meet with powerful social conservative groups to resolve the latest wedge issue between gays and the church: The proposed inclusion of the gay-themed LOGO network to the Cable Bahamas channel lineup.

Bishop John Humes of the Bahamas Christian Council claims the island's cable provider is being forced to participate in the vast, so-called "gay-agenda." His quote to The Bahamas Journal is quite colorful and echoes the same anti-gay rhetoric as American fundamentalists: "Homosexuals can be converted and we must appreciate them as people, but their agenda has to go. No. We can’t allow them to promote their agenda because it is contrary to the word of God and it is contrary to our Christian values. We will not allow them to feel that they can promote their agenda freely in this country."

Erin Greene, the president of the LGBT activist group Rainbow Alliance, says the Council's logic is "ridiculous" and if churches genuinely believed a gay-themed channel "promote[d] homosexuality in the country, then we need to cut off every network channel that runs a show about cops and robbers." Cable Bahamas offers at least ten adult channels and their inclusion was never opposed by the Christian Council.

Two years ago, Miss Teen Bahamas was stripped of her crown after she came out as lesbian.

Controversy Over Homosexual TV Channel [Bahamas Journal]
BCC Against Gay Cable Channel Logo [Guardian]

Some Background.... Teen Beauty Queen Comes Out Under Fire [R20]

· Massachusetts gay activists and opponents both oppose a new website that lists the names and addresses of those who sign a petition backing a constitutional amendment on gay marriage.

· More on the Caribbean teenage beauty queen shake-up. Gari McDonald has been stripped of her Miss Teen Bahamas crown one week after admitting she was a lesbian. The MTB committee press release: "Gari McDonald no longer holds the title as Miss Teen Bahamas." The 19 year says that the committee is upset that she came out, but the MTB says that McDonald has been unreliable and "harassed' another woman, who has threatened legal action. McDonald also threatens to sue.

When Worlds Collide

We've always admired black Britain—Idris Elba's accent, the fantastic range of Shirley Bassey, the soulful Brand New Heavies, Isaac Julien's movies ... or anything Rio Ferdinand-related. So we're excited to discover a black, gay novel that takes place in Britain.

When Worlds Collide is the first novel of Bahamian-born Shawn Forbes, and already we're impressed. The main reason? It's multi-dimensional. The storyline is layered and personalities are complex, hailing from a variety of international backgrounds and circumstances. There are three main characters—Stephen Taylor is somewhat the lead, a young Bahamian who moves to England to attend university. He struggles with his sexuality, confronting several obstacles, a nervous breakdown, and, for some time, tries his hand at marriage. An interesting development, not the usual course in gay novels, but it reflects the reality of many men from the islands whose culture often pushes them into marriage and denial.

Stephen was more confused now than before. He was, after all, in a sham marriage. He had never been in love with his wife. Although he loved her a lot, he had married her only to reconcile with his mother. He realized that he lived in a society where such behavior between men—particularly black men—was not tolerated. He would never be able to fall in love and lead a productive life, enjoyed life with a male partner. Certainly not in a small country like the Bahamas.

Teen Beauty Queen Comes Out Under Fire

"Hi, I am Gari McDonald, the reigning Miss Teen Bahamas and yes, I am a lesbian."

Not the normal statement that you would exect to hear from a teen beauty queen, and the 19 year old student says her candor has not been welcomed by the pageant committee. Bahamas News reports she was given the option of "gracefully stepping down as the reigning queen or deal with the embarrassment of being stripped of her crown because of her alternative life style." McDonald says the pageant has not awarded her any of the prizes that were due, and threatens a sexual discrimination lawsuit.

In the Bahamas, right-wing fundamentalists are vocal opponents of gays and lesbians, but, recent role models such as McDonald—who also lectures on HIV prevention—and novelist Shawn Forbes are trying to raise awareness.