What a fantastic article (‘One love?’, MCV #371, Thursday February 14). I have worked in gay rights movements and have come across stories about Jamaica being extremely homophobic, echoed by much of what is said in this article. It’s a shame that such a beautiful place would have this ugly side for GLBT peoples.
I think it is important, before jumping to Jamaica’s defence, to remember that the article is not a criticism of general Jamaican culture, but rather one small facet that is undeniably scary for GLBT peoples.
As an Australian living in Latin America, I’d love to see some more articles about homophobia in the Americas. Keep writing! I’m looking forward to more articles on the issue.
Buju Banton (‘One love?’, MCV #371, Thursday February 14) continues to promote genocide against gay persons, most recently at a concert in Guyana in October 2007. Furthermore, he denied signing the [Reggae Compassionate Act] statement. He is a disgusting piece of garbage. Furthermore, his agent promised the press before the concert that Buju wouldn’t be playing any of his murder music. She is a liar too.
Virtually all the Jamaican artists that ‘signed’ the Reggae Compassionate Act have disavowed it.
Jamaica is a sick country with the highest murder rate in the world. And there is absolutely no response from the police to the avalanche of anti-gay violence. The ministers and the politicians are silent. I guess they support murdering gays too. And from the pronouncements of Rastafarians, I’d include them in this group too.
This isn’t about same-sex marriage, it’s about murder. Rampant murder. Tolerated by society, the police, and the government.
But there is something we can do in the US and Australia. Stop buying Jamaican products. Tell Diageo that we won’t buy any more Guinness or Red Stripe or Baileys if they continue to sponsor murder music concerts (as they did in December 2007 at the Sting concert in Portmore, Jamaica. Tell Puma that we won’t buy their products if they sponsor the Jamaica brand.
Jamaica isn’t changing, it’s getting worse there. But civilized people don’t have to feed such a disgusting culture.
Banton should be banned from entering western countries as he is an advocate of terrorism against LGBT persons. And I would put Vybz Kartel, Capelton, Lutan Fyah, Beenie Man, TOK, and Sizzla in the same group.
Tom, Houston via www.eevolution.com.au
Amongst all of the ‘confusing’ laws (‘ACT sex worker laws ‘confusing’’,
MCV #371, Thursday February 14) it is clear that discrimination against
sex workers is enforced by legislation.
Ms Skelsey is accurate in pointing out that sex workers must provide
evidence of being regularly screened. However, this process does not
actually protect anyone. If anything, it is there to place the onus of
responsibility on the sex worker.
What fails to get a mention is that, despite this mandatory testing,
the sexual practices of sex workers are amongst the safest in the
community.
Sex workers consistently use condoms. We teach ourselves to identify
symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in our clients and
work around them. We know what to do and where to go should any
potential exposure occur, and we perform valuable safe sex education
work with each other and the community via our clients. We see these as
expectations of any sexually active individual: could the general
public live up to our standards?
Despite all of our best practice and the fact that the occurrence of
STI among sex workers are lower than that of the rest of the adult
population, we are constantly discriminated against; if not through
negative stereotypes in the community, then by legislation.
Why do we need extra criminal laws in Victoria to manage sex work when
there already are current health and industrial laws that do the same
thing? We are workers, skilled, hard working and professional. And yet
we are victimised by legislation that forgets that sex between
consenting adults is the responsibility of all the parties involved.
Sex workers do it better; it’s time we were treated that way.
Christian Vega, St Kilda
National Spokesperson for the Male Sex Industry
Hello, dear reader. I hope you’re enjoying your copy of MCV, or if you’re reading it online, our new-look website.
This issue marks one year since I took over as the editor of the paper. In that time you’ll have noticed a few changes in MCV, not least of which is the appearance of several new writers and new regular features.
If you enjoy an article that you read in the paper, or conversely if you disagree wildly with the views expressed herein, please feel free to log on to our website at www.eevolution.com.au and share your thoughts with us, for better or for worse. Once you’ve logged on, and signed up as a member of the website (a quick, free and painless process, I assure you) you’ll be able to participate in dialogues with your fellow MCV readers about the issues of the day. Equally importantly, your thoughts, feedback, opinions and ideas will help guide future issues of the paper.
MCV is your community voice as much as it is Melbourne’s Community Voice. I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Richard Watts
Editor, MCV
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I would like to congratulate all those involved with the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames Melbourne 2008 – the organisers, volunteers and participants. The GLBTI and straight participants of all ages and racial backgrounds from all over Australia, Oceania, South East Asia, Europe and the Americas enjoyed playing with their neighbours in marvellous Melbourne.
As President of the Host City Team I attended all 12 sports, and witnessed the sprit of fair play and the some excellent performances. The Rainbow Conversations Conference was also a great success. Well done Melbourne for putting on a great show.
I also wish to clarify correspondence in the last issue (MCV #370, Thursday February 7) about the Street Circuit Run, being the last event of the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames held on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda before Pride March on Sunday February 3 2008.
Pride March secured the road’s closure for the race and a short window of time was granted in which the race could be run. Therefore the people who participated in the race were required to qualify for it by running either the 5km or the 10km races held as part of the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames around Albert Park Lake the day before, i.e. on Saturday February 2.
The 5km and 10km events were open to all genders, nationalities and ages and all were well represented there. It was clear on the website that when people registered for the run component of the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames that in order to qualify for the Street Circuit Run, a qualifying time had to be obtained first by running either the 5km or 10km events.
The Street Circuit Run attracted a lot of attention and it is hoped that it be run every year in conjunction with Pride March.
Malcolm Campbell
President, Queers Sports Alliance Melbourne
Thanks to all the volunteers that helped organise the Asia Pacific Outgames opening night at Melbourne Town Hall. Shame that there was a lack of Australian and Asian music represented through the talents of the Melbourne Rainbow Band.
Surely there is enough Aussie content in music and shows that we could have had a really unique Australian (Victorian) experience, yet, sad to say, we were subjected to Cabaret, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and the collected music of Hairspray…
When will we learn? Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Gay, gay, gay!
This is a copy of an open letter to Mr Damian Drum, National Party Member for Northern Victoria in the Victorian Parliament.
Dear Damian,
I am surprised that you refuse to represent your gay and lesbian community by not supporting the bill proposing recognition for gay and lesbian couples in Victoria.
You align yourself with those that preach hate, for example the Old Testament Taliban, whom selective quotes in the name of their god conveniently delete other extracts on the same page: another extract would [allow you to] prostitute your own daughters.
I am confused that my taxpayer dollars fund your expression of hate. In the past you have expressed acceptance of others associated with equal opportunity, for example the intellectually disabled, yet you apply blinkers to the gay and lesbian community.
My tax payer dollars fund your above-average salary and your above-average superannuation that is uniquely not subject to performance appraisal.
In light of the above I trust you will re-appraise your stand on the bill and represent your gay and lesbian constituency.
