From Oral to Anal : The Changing Sexual Culture in Jamaica
By now, we must have all heard of the types of sex that are to be had. There’s vaginal, oral, and though many Jamaicans would rather it not be said, there’s anal. Increasingly, the Jamaican population seems content with exploring all three aspects of sex. In fact, I’m surprised at how many of my friends are considering the taboos. That is, oral and anal sex. I don’t listen to the Raga show, but based on comments I’ve read and heard, it would appear that his callers, and someone told me these callers reflect the general society, are dishing out “batty washes” (the phenomenon of using one’s tongue to stimulate the anus), actively digesting semen, passionately sucking on penises and salivating at the thought of a wet vagina.
Gay, Bi and The “Downlow” Phenomenon
The Jamaica Observer recently published a series of articles which sought to bring attention to the plight of homosexual teens. These young men and women expressed that the pressure of living in a homophobic society has caused them to hide their sexuality from those around them. After reading the articles I began reflecting on the “downlow”culture which by all accounts, is becoming quite prevalent. I wish to discuss a few points related to this issue :
(1) Is this culture inspired by society’s rejection of homosexuals?
(2) Are gay men, and women, selfish by misleading their heterosexual partners?
(3) If the stigma attached to being gay is removed, would this solve the “downlow” problem?
Gays and Bacch-Anal
Last night while commuting home on my hottaz JUTC A/C yellow bus (you know how I roll), I overheard a conversation that piqued my interest. Two young men and a young lady where discussing what the young lady termed “di invasion of battyman at Mas Camp cuz of Bacchanal”. The guys, one feminine in behaviour (I can’t remember how to spell ‘effiminate’ or ‘effeminate’ and I’m too lazy to check) and the other quite masculine, were adamant that the girl was closed minded and shouldn’t be painting all men who attend Mas Camp for Bacchanal as “battyman”.
As we cruised along in A/C comfort, the girl made an allegation that rang true to me, at least in part. She claimed the only reason gays, (wait, is that word offensive? Should I use the politically correct ‘homosexuals’?), go to Mas Camp is because the cover of soca music gives them the chance to behave “outrageously and disgusting”, I had said I agreed with her in part because I’m not sure the behaviour is ‘disgusting’; as I’ve never personally been to Mas Camp.
Saying ‘No Homo’ is VERY Homo!
I’m not sure when it became popular, but lately almost every supposedly heterosexual male I know has taken to saying “no homo.” Usually, it is said subsequent to some extensively gay comment. I was thinking about it and I wondered, if one is truly comfortable and secure in his sexuality; why would you need to say “no homo”?
I find it incredibly annoying when a male is talking to me and he says “no homo”. In fact, I wonder if he’s just using that to cover up a latent intention. Why are we so preoccupied with sexuality? And why are we so insecure about it that we can’t have a conversation without asserting our heterosexuality? I’m sorry, but I don’t think a truly straight man would have need to constantly assert his sexual orientation. He ought to know himself and know what he is and isn’t capable of and what he would and wouldn’t do.
While we’re at it, let’s address the ’2′ & ‘Mandeville’. What the hell is up with these idiots? 1, few, 3? No. Absolutely not. What really is the issue? When did the number 2 become taboo? And why are we using our stupid cultural perception to persecute that poor, innocent, law abiding number? What did two (2) ever do to you? (Kool! I think I just rhymed! LOL!) Seriously though, can someone tell me why and how it makes sense? And when you say 1, few, 3, don’t you feel like a total dunce? No? You don’t? Well, you ought to! You appear really small in my eyes when you bring that nonsense to me.
Going through the major towns and cities in Jamaica, I didn’t come across a single town called “Gyaldeville”! Not one! The place is called MANdeville! Grow the hell up man! There has to come a time when intelligent people stand up and refuse to be swept away in the tidal wave of ignorance. I’m taking a stand! The other day Brandon tweeted that a preoccupation with asserting sexual orientation is so 2005! I agree Brandon, these closet case homos, who hide behind “no homo” need to stop the bullshit. Stop hiding behind “few” & persecuting two! Stop inventing “Gyaldeville”, accept that your eating, sleeping and perhaps even showering in “Mandeville”! Get your head out of your ass! (No homo!) LOL! See what I just did? I know, I rock. Autographs later.
Seriously guys, let’s elevate our thinking. Let’s show the ladies that we’re not mindless drones. I’m willing to bet the girls are more attracted to a man who shows her he’s straight by performing in the bedroom than having every sentence punctuated by “no homo”.. Ladies? Can I have some support on this? (waits for support)… I’ve thought about it, and my position is, No Homo is VERY Homo. What says you?
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
The policy has long been if you weren’t asked, then you shouldn’t tell. President Bill Clinton, citing the blatant discrimination which existed against homosexuals wanting to serve in the United States military and considering that any legislation which advocated gays serving openly in the military was almost certainly doomed to fail after ideological battles had been waged by Republicans and Democrats and Liberals and Conservatives, devised the best solution to suit the need; “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. In effect what this policy did was to endorse the “downlow” lifestyle. Gay rights groups across America launched scathing attacks on the policy for its requirement that homosexuals lie about their sexuality in order to serve their country. The campaigns for repeal did not gather momentum in the Bush years, as the socially conservative President was unlikely to sign any such legislation into law. And then came Obama.
From as early as 2007, then Senator Obama made it clear that he felt “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was a fundamental wrong, he bemoaned the denial of the right to homosexuals to actively express their sexuality and serve their country, as far as the President presumptive was concerned; the two were not mutually exclusive. This post isn’t about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the policy. No. This is about America standing up and doing what is right, it is about being true to the words of the Declaration of Independence which state that all men are indeed created equal and endowed with inalienable rights; fundamental among these is the right to the pursuit of happiness. It was therefore an extraordinary feat when on December 18, 2010, the United States Senate voted 65-31 to repeal the policy which former Harvard Law Dean and current Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Elena Kagan called “abhorrent”. The historic nature of that vote is not to be missed. It is more that a vote to repeal a legislation and policy that had long outlived its usefulness. It was a vote which reinforced the ideals of America as a country of freedom, it declared to the world that America is still a place where liberty and rights are respected and most importantly, it brought that great republic one step closer to what President Obama describes as “a more perfect union.” It is unfortunate and deeply troubling that veteran Senators such as former Presidential nominee John McCain would seek to use fear and prejudice to block the repeal. By positing that deaths could occur because of the repeal, the opponents of the repeal tried to set America back two steps, they tried to bring that country back to a place where fear was used to justify inaction. President Obama and the supporters of the repeal have opted to be hopeful rather than fearful and as he said in his campaign for the White House, “there has never been anything false about hope.” This writer applauds the Democratic party, Senator Joe Lieberman, the brave Republicans who did what was right and voted for repeal, President Obama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mullen and Defence Secretary Robert Gates for sheer bravery and courage, for standing up and siding with the 77% of Americans and overwhelming majority of army personnel who see nothing wrong with gays serving openly in the military. We await the certification of the repeal by Secretary Gates and President Obama and then for the 60 day period to elapse. And then finally if someone is asked, they can tell.
Mr. Editor
