Stand firm against gay activists, Madam PM

I write in response to a letter written by Jason Latty-Travis under the title 'Do the right thing, Prime Minister'. The background for this letter was the incident in New York in which the prime minister stoutly stood up to gay-rights activists.

Mr Latty-Travis said, with reference to the prime minister's comparison of herself to Nanny and Marcus Mosiah Garvey, that "they fought tirelessly to ensure the advancement of the black race". I am glad this was said as persons who are interested in the welfare and advancement of the black race should consider the statistics regarding the impact of HIV on the black man.

From a 2011 study among New Yorkers, it was found that the prevalence of HIV in homosexual black men in the age group 40-49 was 64.7 per cent! This is to

be compared with the approximate rate of 32 per cent among the homosexual community in Jamaica. (Is it that black men in New York are being denied access to treatment and resources?) The problem, however, is not just with black homosexuals.

Thus, the 2010 CDC study published in AIDS Behav. 2011 Apr; 15 Suppl 1:S9-17 titled 'Sexual health, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States' states, "The sexual health of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States is not getting better despite considerable social, political and human rights advances."

Unfortunately, Mr Latty-Travis and others, maybe unknowingly, have built philosophical empires on a faulty premise that being homosexual is 'natural'. The work of American Dr Alfred Kinsey was, and still is, very influential basis for this premise. Kinsey produced studies in 1940s and 1950s on male and female sexual behaviour, which impacted thinking as it relates to sexual mores.

Kinsey's studies were also influential in England and Canada, impacting even the Wolfenden Report. One statistic that is often quoted, which is based on Kinsey's work, is that at least 10 per cent of a population is homosexual. The work of Dr Judith Reisman has, however, cast serious doubts on Kinsey's research.

There are two important points raised by Dr Reisman that are worthy of investigation. First, is

it true that Kinsey used a disproportionately large number of persons who were engaging in immorality as a part of his sample and that among these persons were 1,400 criminals and sex offenders? Kinsey classified this behaviour as 'normal' on the grounds that such behaviour was just like that of other men except that these persons had gotten caught!

Second, what is of even greater concern was the manner in which Kinsey allegedly got data about children's behaviour. Children, including infants, were sexually abused. Information was then obtained from the abusers.

deprived of basic right

These are issues the prime minister must bear in mind, and she must not be swept off her feet by the power and might of the USA as she entertains President Obama, the world's most powerful man. She needs to remember that many Jamaicans from all walks of life and all ages have been deprived of the most basic right of all - the right to life. This is where the emphasis must be in creating a safer environment for us all.

Mr Latty-Travis mentioned the problem of homelessness among the LGBTQI population, but unfortunately, homelessness is a problem that affects not only LGBTQI people; it needs to be tackled on behalf of all Jamaicans!

Repeal of the buggery law, which Mr Latty-Travis is advocating, will erode the legal distinction between normal and abnormal sexual behaviour in this respect, leading to other consequences. It is plain for all to see that the male and female sexual organs match in a way which suggests design. Use contrary to design has consequences.

So, Madam Prime Minister, stand firm. You are on solid ground.

- Shirley Richards is a lawyer and Christian values lobbyist. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and sprichards@cwjamaica.com.