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JAMAICA: UTech Security Guards Plead "Not Guilty" in Gay Beating

More on the vicious beating of an alleged gay student by two security guards at Jamaica's University of Technology (UTech). The two former guards pleaded not guilty to assault charges yesterday, reports the Jamaica Gleaner.

Orville Rennie and Samuel Thomas appeared before Resident Magistrate Grace Henry McKenzie today in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court. The magistrate today extended their bail and ordered that they return to court on February 15.

Rennie and Thomas were arrested on November 3 after they were seen on video beating the male student, who ran into the guard room to seek refuge from a mob.

The actual incident happened on November 1. "The student ended up in the guard room after fleeing an angry mob," reported the Gleaner on November 3. "The student [allegedly] was found in a compromising position with another male student."

The guards involved in the assault were quickly fired by Marksman Limited, the security contractor. The university has also promised to "punish" all students who were found to be involved in the mob attack, reports Caribbean 360.

The case has eerie similarities to the infamous February 2007 mob beating of three gay men in Kingston. The gay Jamaican men were attacked by an angry, homophobic mob in downtown Kingston ... only to be "rescued" by several police officers who beat them and hurled insults.

Jamiaca and UTech faced international condemnation after this latest incident was captured on videotape and uploaded to YouTube. Watch the videos AFTER THE JUMP ...

Sizzla Concert in Sweden Canceled Over Violent, Anti-Gay Lyrics

Jamaican reggae singer Sizzla's scheduled concert in Stockholm has been canceled because of complaints due to the violent, anti-gay lyrics in his songs, reports The Local.

Sizzla, whose full name is Sizzla Kalonji, was booked to perform at the Hornstull Strand in Sweden’s capital on March the 28th. However, event organizers have acknowledged the public outcry and accepted the fact that the Sizzla’s messages are in fact in breach of their code of conduct.

Sizzla, 35, is currently on tour and has played 18 European venues with the same result – members of the gay community being outraged.

Killing homosexuals and burning them is a theme in several of the Rastafarian’s songs, which has incited rage throughout the world, seeing him banned from performing in Canada and England. After news of his impending visit to Stockholm reached Sweden, a petition was started, and soon event organizers were forced to take notice, thereby cancelling the singer’s visit to the Hornstull Strand.

Sizzla has been repeatedly cited as one of the leading voices in so-called "murder music", which calls for violence acts toward gays and lesbians. Lyrics in song such as "Boom Boom" and "Pump It Up" openly advocate the burning and killing of homosexuals.

Although many of Sizzla's concerts have been canceled in Europe and Canada in recent years, the anti-gay singer played to a very receptive audience in 2010: The birthday party of Zimbabwe president and fellow gay-basher Robert Mugabe.

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"Jamaica Observer" Applauds PM Simpson Miller's Pro-Gay Platform

PHOTO: AP

An editorial in today's Jamaica Observer applauds new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller for explicitly endorsing gay rights and calling for a review of the nation's sodomy laws. The editors commend Simpson Miller and the People's National Party for recognizing that gay rights are "fundamental human rights."

What we do believe is that Mrs Simpson Miller deserves commendation for her courage. Not only did she speak to the need to review the centuries-old law bequeathed to us by British colonialists, but insisted that she would not "pry" into people's private lives and would appoint "anyone" to her Cabinet based on "ability" regardless of suspected sexual orientation.

WIn one stroke, she departed from the line taken by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had declared "...Not in my Cabinet" when asked by British television three years ago if he would consider accommodating homosexuals in the Jamaican executive.

WWe sensed at the time, that the cautious, middling response of the then Prime Minister Andrew Holness to the gay rights question reflected a recognition, perhaps unconscious, of the possibility of a 'softening' in Jamaican public attitudes over recent years.

WOf course, any Jamaican Government must also take into consideration the realities in the outside world. For in Europe and North America and many other places, gay rights are routinely considered fundamental human rights.

The 66-year-old Simpson Miller's center left PNP won in a landslide—42 seats in the 63-seat legislature, leaving the incumbent center right Labour party with only 21 seats. Simpson Miller was sworn in for the second time as Jamaica’s prime minister last week.

Simpson-Miller's remarks on the nation's "buggery" laws come after the  first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws. Although rarely enforced, the law mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery." Sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations, such as Belize, are also being challenged.

In 2007, the Jamaica Observer and Gleaner published historic editorials that opposed homophobia and anti-gay violence and argued for greater acceptance of gays.

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Pro-Gay Simpson Miller Sworn In as Jamaican Prime Minister

PHOTO: AP

Sixty-six-year-old Portia Simpson Miller was sworn in for the second time as Jamaica’s prime minister on Thursday, vowing to address the island's deep poverty and sever colonial-era links with Britain.

Simpson Miller takes office after explicitly endorsing gay rights and calling for a review of the nation's sodomy laws. Philip Dayle at The Guardian describes Simpson Miller's position as "unthinkable."

At a nationally televised leadership debate, Simpson Miller gave full-throated support to gay rights. No one should suffer discrimination based on their sexual orientation, she declared.

In so doing, this veteran politician set up a clear contrast with former prime minister from the opposition party, Bruce Golding, who had infamously stated that he would never have any gay or lesbian minister in his cabinet. Going even further, Simpson Miller promised a conscience vote on whether Jamaica's laws criminalising consensual male homosexual acts – "buggery laws" – should be repealed. Given Jamaica's reputation as the most homophobic place in the world, Simpson Miller's comments on homosexuality could have been political suicide. But her party won a blinding victory, and she has been returned to serve as prime minister for a second time.

Simpson Miller's center left People’s National Party won in a landslide—42 seats in the 63-seat legislature, leaving the incumbent center right Labour party with only 21.

The prime minister announced that the government intends to "abandon the British monarch as Jamaica’s official head of state, and instead adopt a republican form of government." Simpson Miller also announced plans to replace the London-based Privy Council—a panel of judges from the UK's supreme court—with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica’s highest court of appeal.

Simpson-Miller's remarks on the nation's "buggery" laws come after the  first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws. Although rarely enforced, the law mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery." Sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations, such as Belize, are also being challenged.  British PM David Cameron has asked African, Asian and Caribbean nations in the Commonwealth to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight rampant HIV rates across the global south.

Best of luck to Prime Minister Simpson Miller.

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New Jamaican PM Supports Gay Rights

VIDEO: New Jamaican PM Portia Simpson-Miller Supports Gay Rights

PHOTO: Jamaica Gleaner

There is very good news from Jamaica. LGBT activists on the island are hopeful after the December 29 election of People’s National Party leader Portia Simpson-Miller. The former opposition leader and incoming prime minister came out for gay rights during a televised debate.

Simpson-Miller previously served as Jamaica's prime minister from March 2006 to September 2007, and was the first woman in that role.

Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...

Simpson-Miller made the comments during a December 20 debate with Jamaica Labour Party leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Both candidates were asked if they were willing to appoint gays to their cabinet. Simpson-Miller's transcript as follows:

"Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be demonstrated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide protection. We should take a look at the buggery law. Members of parliament should be able to vote based on their conscience after consultation with their constituents. But for me, I support the [appointment of people] based on their abilities. ... I have no intention of prying in the personal business of anyone."

The question was in response to former Prime Minister Bruce Golding's infamous 2008 statement  that he would never appoint a gay person to his cabinet. PM Holness first avoided answering the question directly, but then noted that most Jamaicans were against appointing gays to public office.

Simpson-Miller's remarks on the nation's "buggery" laws come during the  first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws. Although rarely enforced, the law mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery."

The international advocacy organization AIDS-Free World  has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of two Jamaican gay men. HIV/AIDS advocates estimate that almost one third of men who have sex with men are HIV positive,  compared to a rate of 1.6 percent in the general population. Many experts believe that the island's homophobic culture and sodomy laws discourage MSM from being tested and/or seeking treatment for HIV.

Sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations, such as Belize, are also being challenged. British PM David Cameron has asked African, Asian and Caribbean nations in the Commonwealth to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight rampant HIV rates across the global south.

Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...

Jamaica Sodomy Law to Face Its First Legal Challenge

The international advocacy organization AIDS-Free World will file the first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws, reports Care2. Although rarely enforced, the mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery."

The suit will argue that "by criminalizing homosexuality, Jamaica is in violation of international human rights laws" and the law "feeds a homophobic society in which gays and lesbians are harassed, mocked, vilified, beaten and killed simply because of their sexual orientation."

The group has submitted a petition at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of two Jamaican gay men whose names are being withheld to protect their safety.

Representing the petitioners will be a very high-powered legal team including Lord Anthony Gifford, who practices in both Jamaica and the UK and was counsel on a similar and successful case before the European Court of Human Rights, and pro bono attorneys from the US firm Thompson Hine and the Law Center at Nova Southeastern University.

Although the Jamaican so-called “anti-sodomy law” is not enforced, the argument is that it nevertheless casts a destructive pall over the lives of gay Jamaicans.... It encourages vigilante justice by private citizens, most of whom believe that the “anti-sodomy” law grants them permission to commit acts of violence against sexual minorities.

Driven underground, many fear that seeking an HIV test will brand them as homosexual, and therefore criminal. The national prevalence of HIV is more than 30 percent among men who have sex with men, compared to a rate of 1.6 percent in the general population. The IACHR petition establishes clear ties between the country’s active promotion of discrimination and its AIDS epidemic.

A new anti-homophobia video PSA campaign debuted last summer on Jamaican television. The campaign was released at a time of heightened brutality, violence and harassment toward Jamaica's besieged LGBT community. Two gay bars were raided in February 2011. In December 2010, an activist with JFLAG was found viciously stabbed to death. There have been no arrests. In March 2011, the nude dead body of a male rape victim was discovered. And again, there were no arrests.

The move comes as sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations are being challenged. A similar legal challenge is  underway in Belize. And earlier this month, Antigua and Barbuda announced that it would not amend its "buggery" laws, despite growing international pressure from the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

The news comes only the eve of the annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia. British, Canadian and Australian leaders are expected to ask African and Asian nations to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight rampant HIV rates across the global south.

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Gay Jamaican Cop Seeks Asylum in Canada
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Anti-Gay Reggae Star Buju Banton Transferred to Mississippi Prison

And it couldn't happen to a better person.

Buju Banton will not be serving time at a comfortable federal prison. The rabidly anti-gay "murder music" superstar is being transferred from Florida and will begin serving his ten-year-sentence for drug conspiracy in a private county prison, reports the Jamaica Observer.

Banton will be taken to the Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi. Defence attorney David Oscar Markus, who represented the embattled artiste, in his drug trial, told the Sunday Observer that United States magistrate James Moody recommended that Banton serve his sentence at a facility in Florida, but a shortage of beds caused him to be transferred to the Mississippi-based prison.

His attorneys have also indicated that they are planning to appeal his sentence before a three-member panel of judges in an appellate court in Georgia.

Banton was sentenced to 10 years for his conviction for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Banton was also found guilty of another drug trafficking offense and a gun charge at the February trial in Florida.

Banton, 37, whose real name is Mark Myrie, argued unsuccessfully that he was entrapped. Despite audio and video of the singer arranging the cocaine deal and sampling the product—and recorded blaming his financial problems on gay activists— the reggae star maintains that he was "set up."

In recent years, gay activists have called attention to Banton's lyrics and other so-called "murder music" which incites violence against gays. Banton's recent North American and European tour dates have met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations.

In October 2009, San Francisco-based LGBT activists met with Banton and afterwards the reggae singer's anti-gay rhetoric appeared even more hardened: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'There is no end to the war between me and faggot'."

VIDEO: Anti-Homophobia PSA Campaign Launched in Jamaica

This is excellent news. A new anti-homophobia video PSA campaign debuts today on Jamaican television and the internet. The campaign is called "Unconditional Love" and features Christine Straw, former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe, and her gay brother Matthew Straw.

"As Jamaicans we have to stop this stupidity of alienating our [people] because of their orientation," says the beauty queen. "They are our brothers and our sisters and we must love them, no matter what ... because they need support and encouragement."

The campaign was co-sponsored by the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), Jamaica AIDS Support For Life  and Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition. It is believed to be the first anti-homophobia television PSA in Jamaica.

The campaign debuts at a time of heightened brutality, violence and harassment toward Jamaica's besieged LGBT community. Two gay bars were raided in February 2011. In December 2010, an activist with JFLAG was found viciously stabbed to death. There have been no arrests. In March 2011, the nude dead body of a male rape victim was discovered. And again, there were no arrests.

UNAIDS, UNICEF and the United States Ambassador to Jamaica Pamela Bridgewater are supporting the campaign. Watch the video clip and a Jamaican news report AFTER THE JUMP ...

JAMAICA: Police Chief Apologizes After "Gay Crime" Remarks

Excellent news. The Jamaican police commissioner has been forced to apologize after a senior commander's outrageous remarks that blamed organized crime on gays, reports the Jamaica Observer.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, says that the Jamaica Constabulary Force withdraws the statement by Senior Superintendent of Police Fitz Bailey, head of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), which identified homosexuals as being prominently involved in the ‘Lottery Scam’ and highly lucrative criminal enterprise.

In a statement this morning, Ellington said that he had spoken to Bailey and that the JCF regretted any prejudice that might have arisen from the remarks.

"He shared information with me supporting his assertion and cited discussions he has had with representatives of J-FLAG (the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays) about the problem. He fully understands the basis of concern for the safety and well-being of members of the gay community who may be targeted by misguided individuals simply because of the statement's under reference," said the commissioner.

Bailey made the claims on TVJ's Prime Time News on Monday, July 11. The police official initially refused to apologize and claimed his comments were "based on data collected" by the OCID.

Bravo to JFLAG for demanding—and getting—a retraction at a time of heightened brutality and harassment toward Jamaica's besieged LGBT community. Anti-LGBT violence and killings have increased in recent months but there have been no arrests or prosecutions. Two gay bars were raided in February. In December 2010, an activist with JFLAG was found viciously stabbed to death.

Jamaican police have routinely blamed anti-LGBT violence on gay or gay panic, such as the killings of a popular priest and several high profile and semi-closeted officials.

Anti-Gay Reggae Star Buju Banton Sentenced to 10 Years in Drug Case

And it couldn't happen to a better person.

Rabidly anti-gay "murder music" superstar Buju Banton has been sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison for his conviction for conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Banton was also found guilty of another drug trafficking offense and a gun charge at the February trial in Florida.

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James Moody said the 10-year sentence was the minimum he could give under federal guidelines. He said the maximum was 151 months.

[Banton] did not make a statement. He smiled as he was led away. [The defense] asked that Myrie be allowed to serve his sentence as close to Miami as possible so he could be near his family. He was living there when he was arrested in December 2009.

Banton, 37, whose real name is Mark Myrie, argued unsuccessfully that he was entrapped. Despite audio and video of the singer arranging the cocaine deal and sampling the product—and recorded blaming his financial problems on gay activists— the reggae star maintains that he was "set up."

In recent years, gay activists have called attention to Banton's lyrics and other so-called "murder music" which incites violence against gays. Banton's recent North American and European tour dates have met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations.

In October 2009, San Francisco-based LGBT activists met with Banton and afterwards the reggae singer's anti-gay rhetoric appeared even more hardened: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'There is no end to the war between me and faggot'."

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