In a powerfully-worded status report, St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran severely criticised the policies and politics being pursued by the United National Congress. And one of the main points of his broad-brush criticisms was the absence of a structure to adequately deal with the issue of finding a successor to UNC leader Basdeo Panday. In fact, Dookeran noted that “it is perceived that the party ‘belongs’ to its founder, Panday.” While he dealt with several themes, Dookeran mainly advocated serious “political action” to “reverse” the prevailing state of “paralysis” within the UNC which he felt, was fuelling “growing negative perceptions of the UNC” from many “stakeholders; members; interest groups and private citizens.” Stating the impression was that the UNC was functioning as “a protest movement,” rather than as a viable political entity, Dookeran concluded that the party  was in no position to “properly articulate cogent alternatives to the present policies of the Government.” He insisted, “We are yet to fully capitalise on the mistakes they continue to make. Our numbness has thus been made our biggest opponent.” What makes the 12-page document titled “An Agenda for Transformation” even more interesting political meat is that it was done entirely on the author’s own initiative.

Dookeran used the opportunity of a party retreat on September 7 to formally present the document, which was discussed and circulated to all MPs. Panday, who was overseas at the time, now has a copy of the paper. In the report Dookeran poured cold water on the party’s policies of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, which have been heavily espoused by Panday.  Noting that there was mixed support for these policies even among the party’s traditional support base, Dookeran said: “The party has not shown how non-cooperation and civil disobedience will advance the national interest.” The St Augustine MP also insisted that the “ingrained perception” that the UNC had been corrupt while in office, remained a serious handicap. “Mainstream thought suggests that the party will find it difficult to regain any form of political power until it decisively breaks free of that now ingrained perception,” he asserted. Dookeran, who is seen by many to be fairly detached from the politics of the UNC (and the country), is regarded, perhaps because of this detachment, as a credible successor to Panday.

On the leadership question, the former NAR Deputy Leader noted that the UNC lacked a “set of rules, regulations and a firm goverance framework” to tackle the succession issue. “It is perceived that the party ‘belongs’ to its founder, he observed. Recalling that Panday had publicly indicated his intention to give up the leadership “at an appropriate time,” Dookeran recommended that the party “carefully determine and publicly articulate” “the process for finding a new leader.” He advised too that the party consider a change of location of its headquarters —  currently housed in the All Trinidad Sugar Workers Trade Union, at Rienzi Complex, Couva — “to reflect a distinct national identity.” Dookeran noted that the closure of Caroni which resulted in the retrenchment (via VSEP) of 9,000 workers had “decimated” the ATSWTU which was widely considered to be the “epicentre” of the party’s support base. He added that this support base may well be feeling a sense of dismay over the fact that the UNC did not restructure the sugar industry while it was in office and was therefore “now helpless in forestalling the actions of the present government.” Dookeran lamented that there was a significant fall-off in financial backing  for the party, as “many major contributors have thrown their support behind the Government as a result of the power it wields.”

Dookeran stated that the transformed UNC must rethink its approach to parliamentary opposition, establishing and articulating clearly, the rationale upon which it supports or opposes any piece of Government legislation. Dookeran warned against fracturing of  the party. He said there was an “unresolved level of resentment brought on by the loss of the Government and wrapped with that is a desire to proportion blame.” He urged that this sentiment be replaced with forgiveness and healing. At the same time, the former Central Bank Governor, saw indications of “an ongoing resurgence” of the PNM, albeit based on “a system of politics that perpetuates dependency on the state and the creating of a nation of state clients.” But all was not lost for the UNC, Dookeran emphasised, since internally the party still possessed a very good pool of talent in all sectors — including public sector management; law; social and community; labour; business and finance, specialised health and communications. And, he stressed, the party also still commanded a significant level of stalwart support. However, he underlined, while persons and groups had already stepped forward to help in the transformation process, “they remain guarded against full political support until tangible changes start.”

As he sketched the path to transformation, Dookeran focused heavily on unity and on a strong “unification plan.” He maintained that the politics of the legislative agenda had to be rigorously examined.  And he cited as critical areas in this regard the Caribbean Court of Justice; National Budget 2004; Caroni Land Development Policy; Government  Housing Policy; Diplomatic Relations; Anti-Terrorism Law; Constitution Reform and legislation to protect the interest of labour. Dookeran cautioned that the “seemingly” boisterous economy, characterised by large foreign direct investment in the energy sector, was producing “jobless growth.” In this context, he proposed that the party concentrate on issues affecting labour as the current scenario had created an unsettled atmosphere with the labour unions. Dookeran is the second MP to openly question the party’s direction and specifically its policies of non-cooperation. St Joseph MP, Gerald Yetming has taken a similar position.

A DAY after she sang and danced at a relative’s funeral in St Ann’s, Dahlia Jones was stabbed to death in Carenage on Friday night allegedly by a United States deportee who was reportedly “shell shocked” in a war. Police said Jones, 56, was stabbed more than 15 times. She was a cleaner and a mother of six children whose ages range between 22 and 39 years. A 47-year-old man later surrendered  at the Carenage Police Station and was up to late evening assisting the police with their investigations. Police reports are that around 3 pm on  Friday Jones had an argument with a 17-year-old relative at a house on Beard Street, Carenage, where she had been living for the past five years. Investigators told Sunday Newsday that a man known to them intervened in the argument and was ordered to leave the premises by Jones’ common-law-husband, Lennox Thomas.

The man obliged and returned around 7 pm. Police said the man attacked Jones from behind in the kitchen area where she had been preparing a meal. Jones was dealt several stabs. She managed to escape by running through a door on the northern side of the kitchen, police said. However, Jones collapsed and was again dealt several stabs about the body including her head, armpit, in the centre of her back and on her arms. According to police, Thomas went to his common-law wife’s assistance, but was attacked and had to retreat. She died on the spot. After committing the act, police said, the suspect calmly walked away, dropped the murder weapon and reported the matter to the district police station. A party of officers headed by Western Division Snr Supt Stephen Quashie and including ASP Julius; Insps Anthony Lezama and Walker; Sgt Stephen Joefield and PCs Sifontis and John visited the scene and conducted investigations. A kitchen knife was seized.

At the scene yesterday a female relative said that the suspect appeared to be a “very collected person” and knows what he is about.  The relative also said that Jones was a very nice person. Similar sentiments were echoed at Jones’ former home at Bandar Street, Boissierre, Maraval, where her elder sister, Janet described her as a jovial and vibrant person who loved to dress and was a fan of Beres Hammond. Janet said her sister was present at the funeral of another family member last Thursday. Jones sang the loudest and danced. Janet recalled that her sister always said she wanted to be buried in white and wanted lots of flowers at her funeral. Other family members said that a man used to harass Jones whenever she cleaned the house at Carenage, and that he had pushed her at one time. They also said that had Jones been attacked from the front, she would certainly have put up a fight. The suspect had not been charged up to late evening and Carenage police said he was in a very “quiet mood.” Sgt Joefield of the Carenage CID is continuing investigations.

 

Two men killed outside bars

By WENDY CAMPBELL

TWO Cunupia men were up to late evening assisting officers of the St Joseph Police Station with yesterday’s early morning murder of Ricardo Cyrus, who succumbed to stab wounds sustained outside Junes Bar, Curepe Junction. Cyrus, 27, was one of two people stabbed to death, the other being Nathaniel Samuel Blaides, 22, of Second Street, Printery Ville, Arima.  The latter was stabbed to death around 10.25pm on Friday. police sources said around 2.30am yesterday, Cyrus got into an argument over “stupid talk” inside the bar.  The argument continued outside the bar.  There was a scuffle and Cyrus was stabbed to the abdomen. He was rushed to the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex where he died around 6.30am while undergoing emergency surgery. A report was made and a party of officers headed by ASP Fitzroy Fredericks and including Insp Michael Modeste, Cpls Badal and Diamond and acting Cpl Bernard visited the scene and conducted investigations.

Based on information received, officers of the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID) later arrested three men in the Cunupia area.  One of them was later released. In the Blaides killing, police said the young man got into an argument with someone at the Executive Sports Bar, Queen Street, Arima. Blaides, according to the police received several stabs and died on the spot.  A report was made and a party of officers under ASP Fredericks and including Insp Bullen and acting Cpl Maraj visited the scene. At Blaides’ home yesterday, his 64-year-old father, Cleytus Blaides, said his son loved to lime with friends.  He said he often spoke to Blaides about liming, but that his son refused to listen. Cleytus said his son, a labourer came home from work, took a bath, changed clothes then left to go and lime.  He did not even eat,” the father of four said. “Around 11.30pm Friday, Cleytus said a friend of his son came and told him that his son had been stabbed and that his “abdomen was outside.” Cleytus said he went to the scene, where he saw his son lying on the ground, covered. The man said he pulled the covering and saw a “big hole” in his son’s chest, and two more on his back. No arrests had been made up to late evening.

 

Woman killed while watering cows

The body of a woman was found in the Valencia River around 5.30pm yesterday in what is believed to be a homicide, police sources said. The woman has been identified as Lauren Ollivierre, 43, of Oropouche Road, Valencia. Police said the woman’s husband, Stansfield Ollivierre, 47, reported to them around 9am yesterday that his wife went to water her cows around 2 pm, behind the house, on friday. Sometime after, he said, a dog and one of the two cows she went with came back without Ollivierre. Police said Ollivierre told them he thought nothing of it and that he continued with his “Sabbath”. However, sometime yesterday morning he went to look for his wife and saw the other cow tied by the river. He then reported her missing.

TWO TEENAGED girls, drowned at Morne Diablo beach yesterday as one desperately tried to save the other’s life. Nikela Rogers’ boyfriend brought her to safety on a rock amidst the choppy waters, but she dived back in to save her school mate, Rafi Fermin. The choppy waters quickly swallowed the girls’ bodies, and up to late evening they could not be found. Within moments of the incident, fishermen braved the rough sea with their boats, and swam out in search of the girls. One fisherman explained that the rising tide generated strong currents that would push the bodies towards the south-western coastline, near the Quinam beach some five to ten miles away. Another fisherman, Andrew Karim, added that the water was very rough yesterday, and many fishermen refused to go out with their boats. “This morning the water was ‘big’, it was choppy and we couldn’t not even go out. So I don’t know how those girls were bathing there”,  Karim said. 

The Penal Police said they had called in the Coast Guard, stationed at Cedros, to assist in combing the waters. Only last week, Rogers and Fermin, both 16-year-olds, entered Form Five at Siparia Senior Comprehensive School. On Friday, Fermin, of Pierre Avenue, Robert Hill, Siparia, came to Morne Diablo to spend the weekend with Rogers, who lives with her grandmother, Clementina. Clementina aged, 72,  said that around 2.30 pm someone from the beach came with the tragic news. Clementina recalled when the girls left the house: “They left here about 7.30 am. I told  Nikela that she was suppose to meet her father 4 o’clock, and she told me that she had plenty time and she still going on the beach”. The teen’s mother resides in the United States, while her father lives in Belmont. Rogers’ cousin, Lisa, told Sunday Newsday that the girls and Rogers’ boyfriend, Ryan Macknish, 19, were swimming in an area which is not frequented by bathers because of the rocks and sand pits. Lisa said: “We heard Ryan saved Nikela and put her on the rocks and went back for Rafi. But then Nikela panicked and dived back in the water to help save her friend and she went down too”. Rogers’ relatives said the girls did not know how to swim. Investigations are continuing.

THREE people were among 52 arrested for murder and attempted murder during massive operational activities at strategic locations throughout the country on Friday night. Of the 52 arrested, 22 were also picked up for possession of narcotics, while 12 were held for robbery offences. Arrests were also made for sexual offences, wounding with intent, larceny of six motor vehicles, possession of firearms and ammunition, recovery of a bullet proof vest and robbery offences.

Several persons were also arrested on outstanding warrants and over 61 traffic tickets were issued for various offences under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Offences Act. The exercises were led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anti-Crime Operations) Oswyn Allard with the support of senior officers of various divisions under the general direction of Acting Commissioner of Police, Everald Snaggs.

Relatives of 16-year-old Rachel King, are appealing to the public to assist them with any information that can help them find her. King, of Monticello Drive, Le Platte, Maraval, has been missing since Tuesday evening. Her mother, Alisa, told Sunday Newsday that  her daughter left home wearing casual clothes, and a white Adidas sneakers on her way to meet her elder sister Elistra in St James. They were supposed to meet to see their father Mervyn, but she never arrived. Elistra said she waited a long time for her but the teenager, a form five student of Bishop’s High School never showed up. Anyone with information can contact Alisa at 799-9758 or the Maraval police station.

The Education Ministry’s tardiness in making proper arrangements with St Bede Vocational School, Mt St Benedict, has left approximately 100 students shut out for the rest of the new school term. Parents and students were shocked to learn via a letter last Friday that they (the students) had only  three days left at the school. The letter from the Abbot of Mount St Benedict, Rt Rev Francis Alleyne stated: “To date, proper arrangements between the Ministry and St Bede have not been finalised, that is, no formal contract has been signed and nothing has been paid to the school.”

The students, who previously attended Curepe and Mt Hope Junior Secondary Schools, were supposed to sit the 14-plus exam this year. However, an assessment was done at their respective schools last year and they were assigned to St Bede’s in November. Alleyne informed parents that the school did not have proper authority to have the students in the school and also could not meet its financial commitments for example, salary for staff, maintenance, equipment and material. He said the school finished the last school year by taking a “substantial loan” from the Abbey with the expectation, each day, that the matter would be rectified.

Alleyne said at present the school did not have a legal agreement with the Ministry nor finances but it did have a “big loan” to pay. Parents were told that from September 17 their children could no longer be accommodated and St Bede will only accomodate its private students. Alleyne referred them to the Ministry for clarification of their children’s future. Lorencia Ballack, whose sons Michael and Matthew are students of St Bede’s said: “The children were getting their things for school and to get a letter like this, saying they are no longer accommodated, this brings them down.” She too is hurt and disappointed. Ballack said she has purchased shirts costing $35 each, a steel tip shoe costing $250, an overall costing $150, welding jacket and goggles. Ballack said the parents have been also paying $20 for a security guard.

She said when the students were sent to St Bede’s the Ministry was supposed to assign more teachers but this never happened and the students had many free periods. “Some of them run away from school, they would rather go home than stay in school doing nothing, Some end up fighting or stealing from other students.” She said the Curepe and Mt Hope Junior Secondary School students were sent to St Bede’s as part of a project to send some students to vocational schools. They were allowed to wear their secondary school uniforms until they purchased the new uniform.

The general public may not be aware of it, but same sex “marriages” are taking place in TT. These secret ceremonies conducted privately in homes, have no legal status, and evoke snickers from those who are aware of such activities. The “ceremonies” are often supported by family who come together and create a wedding scene in a large, private house, with an aisle down which a couple walks through an arch decorated with flowers. They exchange vows and jewelry, usually bracelets, since rings would be too obvious. The “ceremony” is performed by a lay person. There are guests and even a wedding cake. It is called a “commitment ceremony” and takes place more frequently than we realise.

The only difference from a “normal” wedding is that the “couple” are either two men or two women. Another fact that is perhaps not generally known is that there is a fairly large “gay” community in TT, many of whom live in steady unions and pay taxes like eveyone else. The group includes professionals; businessmen; clerks and the unemployed of both sexes. Many are very artistic. In fact, the highest percentage of known gay people appears to come from the world of arts. But like any other group, their members include men and women who are irresponsible and dishonest and indeed are prostitutes. Over the years, society has not changed the way it treats homosexuals. They are ridiculed and scorned, the butt of jokes, and are often treated as outcasts and as less than human. We would like to think that we have long passed the day when any sexual contact between two men could attract a jail term. But are we really?

Change is definitely taking place particularly in certain European countries and in Canada, but such change is being stoutly resisted by leading Churches; governments; right-wing conservatives; ordinary men and women who are determined that gay people should enjoy few, if any rights at all. When the HIV/Aids disease descended on the world with such vengeance in the early 1980’s, it was first seen among homosexual men and even now, is wrongly regarded as a homosexual disease. One well-known scientist saw it as a punishment from God for the “wickedness of homosexuality.” Are homosexual people born that way, or is it “wickedness,” “nastiness” that transforms them? No one we spoke to would go on record with an answer. In fact, only religious leaders and one human rights activist was willing to be quoted. Even a psychologist who advocated that homosexuals should not be ostracised, opted for anonymity. She did admit, however, that gay men and women were human beings with feelings. She said since 1973, homosexual behaviour had been taken off the Diagnostic Statistics Manual as “abnormal behaviour.”

Therefore, she said, those with such lifestyles are normal human beings, who have become homosexuals/lesbians by choice and/or, a combination of “complex environmental elements,” and even by some genetic causes discovered by medical research. Another psychologist listed sexual abuse as another major reason which leads to homosexuality. However, she believes that biological factors were also major causes, including abnormal hormones and the use of synthetic drugs such as steroids. What are the environmental factors? One psychologist said: “A young man came to me and told me a story about being the last child of nine children who were girls.” Growing up in a predominantly female environment and being exposed to predominantly female mannerisms made it extremely difficult for him to grow up as a man. She said this was made worse by the fact that there were men like him who preyed on him a lot. In terms of biological explanations, the psychologist said sometimes there are men who may have too many female hormones (estrogen) and women with too many male hormones (testorone).

Somestimes, a child may be born with a penis but has more estrogen, or babies may be born with both male and female organs. However, she lamented that no research was done in TT, which is why, she does not advocate passing judgement on people who are gay or seem to be gay. Asked why she would not allow herself to be quoted, she said she was not being cowardly, just facing the reality that to be objective about the issue was to be seen as advocating homosexuality. Not surprisingly, some well-known and respected homosexuals also distanced themselves from public discussion on an issue that personally affects their lives. Several agreed to be interviewed, only to cancel at the last minute, refusing even to speak off the record. One sensed a bitterness in the refusals. One man who did speak, extracted from us, the promise that he would not be named. Was he embarrassed? “Not at all!” he replied, “only that the society in which we live put my life in danger just because I am not attracted to women, which makes me a freak.”

He might also have been remembering the young university student who was beaten to death in the USA by his classmates because he was gay. But the headlines of today seem to suggest that we are witnessing the winds of change with regard to this issue. Traditionally, marriage was defined as a union between a man and a woman. In Canada, in June, the province of Ontario legalised same sex marriage as unconstitutional. The same day, two men “tied the knot” in a civil ceremony and were photographed kissing. The photo taken by AP was published on this newspaper’s front page. Our telephones rang constantly, with readers accusing us of “immorality.” Asked whether the TT Government would even consider such changes in the law, as was done in Canada, Prime Minister Patrick Manning had no comment to make. He did, however, object to the Newsday photo, describing it as being in “poor taste.”

In August, Manning also said that if he had a vote on the election of the Bishop of New Hampshire in the USA, (Bishop Gene Robinson who had been duly elected by the Episcopalian Church, despite his open homosexuality), his vote would have “gone in a different direction.” That election created one of the biggest controversies in the 70 million-strong Anglican Church worldwide. In Moscow, last week, the Russian Orthrodox Church defrocked a priest for marrying two men in that country’s first same sex wedding. The cost of the ceremony was close to TT $3,000. The Russians regard homosexuality as a deadly sin and such marriages, as blasphemous. Whether one sees homosexuality as a sin or not, the issue will not go away, particularly now that governments and Churches are taking a second look at the subject and wondering what next to do about it.

How the Church sees it —

God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve

It is not God’s will but homosexuals/lesbians have a choice and should be allowed to live in any society, despite the choices they make, is the generally accepted position. Even though most religious denominations in TT have come out against support for the gay community, the Inter-Religious Organisation said they will be discussing and looking closely at the issue to see how best they can deal with it. Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj, is of the view that people with gay tendencies should seek medical attention and counselling. He does not support the altering of laws in order to accommodate a few people who could change their “abnormalities” with medical help.

IRO President, Rev Cyril Paul of the Presbyterian Church said about three weeks ago, the organisation had discussed the topic in great detail. In June this year, religious leaders had declared themselves totally against gay marriages and/or coupling. At the end of the recent meeting, which came after a province in Canada had made same sex marriage legal, the IRO members, the Roman Catholic, Pres-byterian, Orishas, Baptists, Bahai, Hindu and Muslims, were each asked to provide scripture/teachings on the issue. “Basically, the followers of each faith will have to be guided by those scriptures but the scriptures do not support same sex marriage,” said Paul. He pointed out, however, the IRO could not ignore the issue and would be willing to study it in greater detail. “We have to weigh all the information,” he said, “we have to hear what the scientists are also saying and seek professional advice on this type of sexual behaviour.”

Paul added that the IRO was open to “responsible dialogue” since the organisation empathised with the gay community on the issue. “The IRO could never take a judgmental approach, but one of understanding and compassion,” he said. But former IRO president, Brother Noble Khan (Muslim) said moving in the direction of gay marriages went against all the principles set aside for a family, a sentiment endorsed by the Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj, who said that in Hindu tradition, a man and woman should be married and there is no room for same sex marriages/coupling. It goes against the vivah samskara or the Hindu wedding ceremony. Maharaj said while the Hindu community sympathises with the gay tendencies of some people, he urged them to seek medical attention and counselling to rectify “the problem,” pointing out that they can be helped. “What they have to understand is that human nature plays tricks and crossovers begin to take place which shows that some kind of psychological default has taken place,” he said. “Medical research shows that a lot of gay tendencies are derived from some form of human abnormality, but they must try to correct this,” Maharaj said.

Pastor Winston Cuffie of Miracle Ministries, representing the Pentecostal Church, had a different view. He urged the national community not to “scorn” homosexuals, but rather help them change their lifestyle. According to the Bible, he said, homosexuality is frowned upon. “It is seen as an abomination in God’s eyes,” Pastor Cuffie said. “However, we should not ostracise them,” he said, “because they may become more traumatised when we do that. We should try to help them through education and counselling.” Pastor Cuffie disclosed that there were homosexuals in his church and boasted that a few had changed their lives around. He said, as a matter of fact, there was a case in which a previously gay man is now happily married with children. “Therefore they can come out of it, there are those who have come out of it and this is what we have to work on,” said Pastor Cuffie.

Another local Christian Ministry said according to the scriptures, Romans 1, God did not make man for man but woman for man. In the book of Ephesians, the Ministry said God speaks about the importance of marriage and in Genesis 1, God created woman, out of man to be man’s help mate and companion for life. As one church leader said: “God did not make Adam and Steve but Adam and Eve.” But there are voices in support of the rights of homosexuals. YMCA Human Rights advocate Gregory Sloane-Seale has called on Government, religious organisations and denominations, as well as all social groups, to start talking about human sexuality in a more open way, to avoid discrimination of homosexuals and all other aspects of sexual life.

Sloane-Seale, mostly a child rights activist, spoke on homosexuality during an interview at the YMCA, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain last week.
Referring to Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s “poor taste” comment on two men kissing, Sloane-Seale felt that no Government should discriminate against homosexuals. He noted that it was Government’s role to “protect, serve and provide equal opportunities” and not criticise a certain group of individuals because of personal biases. “Government is there to protect and serve and advocate on behalf of its constituents which is the national population. I don’t think they are in a position to discriminate against anyone based on whatever personal ideology they may hold,” he said. Sloane-Seale also pointed out that every country is governed by laws, of which we have certain rights as enshrined in the constitution.
Among these he said, should be the ability for gay people to get jobs, freedom of movement and expression, education as well as protection from discrimination.

He lamented the high number of “homophobic” people in this country, calling on all spheres of society to be more open-minded and change their attitudes where gay people are concerned. He said as a matter of fact, studies show that homosexuals/lesbians and even bi-sexual were often victims of sexual molestation and child abuse which they manifest later on in the form of homosexuality. Sloane-Seale spoke about a legal matter in which a certain homosexual individual is currently trying to seek asylum from TT because of discrimination against him. He said the gay man claimed that police officers beat him and he experienced other forms of violence against him because he was homosexual. Sloane-Seale said there were many similar cases in which other people with personal biases attack gay persons verbally and physically. He suggested that if the gay community felt threatened or afraid to live in their own society because of their choice, they should organise themselves and advocate against it. However, they were advised to do so in a proactive and positive manner.

While he supports the gay community in their hope of achieving equal opportunities, Sloane-Seale does not support the idea of flaunting their ideologies publicly. As for gay marriages? He said: “That is something for the Churches to decide.” “I believe that each and every individual should be given the opportunity to develop themselves to their greatest potential,” said Sloane-Seale. He felt it would be better for society if they support, embrace and allow the gay community to express themselves. “I think if there was more acceptance of human rights in general and a lot less of people trying to force their own personal ideologies unto each other, these issues will become non-issues,” he said. As a human activist, Sloane-Seale said it was time moves were made to educate and empower people on human rights. Also speaking out on the human aspect of homosexuality was Robert Solomon, who became a voice against “gay-bashing” this year with the reggae/dub tune “Chi Chi Man.” Solomon said when he made the comments against the message of the song, he was speaking out against any form of discrimination.

Psst — you can find a same-sex mate in the ads

One hears about “the alternative lifestyle/gay parties” in TT and the saying that they are very discreet about who is invited. A Sunday Newsday investigation revealed that only the genuine and discreet gay people can get on to the list of activities offered in the personal ads section of newspapers, for example. Under the ones listed “alternative lifestyles,” you can sign up for a membership fee of just under $200 a year for services in any category. You can get a man with a man, woman with a woman or a heterosexual relationship. How-ever, it’s not as simple as that. You will be asked everything about yourself — age; race; height weight; complexion; your likes and dislikes, and your preferences and they will match you up once you pay the registration fee.

They asked if there were gay parties that we (the posing reporters) could attend, they said yes, but not until we registered. Once you register, they give you names and phone numbers of four people for you to meet. You are reminded that these women/men are professionals who were not looking for a fling or one-night stand, but for a serious relationship. If it does not work out, you can get back in touch with the agency which will continue working with you until you find your ideal mate, after which they put you on an unavailable list. There were other alternative services offered in which you could acquire temporary pleasures from any gender, but the prices were high. At one place, the price was $300 per hour. “$300 per hour?” I asked, unbelievingly. “Yes, and that is quite cheap actually,” a woman responded. However, you are guaranteed your money’s worth and your choice of gender.

Same-sex marriages — Canada

In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the provincial governments of Alberta; British Columbia; Nova Scotia; Ontario and Quebec, granted restricted rights to gays and lesbians that were nearly equivalent to those enjoyed by heterosexual common-law couples. On June 10, 2003, the definition of marriage in Ontario, was widened by the courts so that same sex couples were allowed to obtain marriage licences and register their marriages for the first time. On July 8, 2003, the province of British Columbia followed suit.

The deputy Prime Minister, John Manley, commented to the media on August 21, 2003, that Quebec will soon start to register SSMs. If this happens, SSMs would be available to 80 percent of Canada’s gay and lesbian population without them having to leave their province of residency. The Federal Government submitted draft legislation to the Supreme Court of Canada on July, 2003, which would redefine marriage to include same sex couples. The Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the proposed laws in 2003. Same sex adult couples are expected to be able to marry anywhere in Canada by July 2004.

 

The Legal Debate-

Gay ‘marriages’ not recognised

According to attorney-at-law Ronnie Bissessar, by section 13(1) of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act Chapter 45:51, marriage in TT is void if the parties are not respectively male and female. In TT, a person’s sex is fixed for all time at birth and the only relevant tests for sexual identity are biological. In a UK case — Corbett vs Corbett 1971 — a man known as George Jamieson underwent a sex change operation and lived as a woman by the name of April Ashley. Indeed, April was a successful fashion model and was recognised as a woman in her passport and for National Insurance purposes.

She purported to marry a man, Arthur Corbett. It was held that the marriage was a nullity because they were both men. The court held that she had been born with male genitalia and male chromosomal structure and her sexual attribution could not change. Corbett is the legal position in the UK and in TT. There was a subsequent case by transexual, Rees vs UK to the European Court of Human Rights in which he alleged that the English law made it possible for him to enter a valid marriage with a man. The European Court upheld the findings in Corbett. Accordingly, Corbett remains good law in TT and as a result, gay marriages are not recognised. There are moves, however, to interpret the expressions of “male/female” as referring to a person’s gender rather than sex, and if so, the question of whether the person is male or female may not be resolved by reference to tests of biological sexuality as in Corbett.

But in terms of philosophical and psychological evaluation, for instance, if a person considers himself to be a woman and has lived his life as a woman, “he” is a woman. If this position was ever adopted in TT, the external attributes of a person would become unimportant. There has been increasing recognition for gay marriages in some provinces in Canada and European countries where legislation has been enacted to recognise gay marriages. In the UK, in 1995, a Bill was introduced called “the Gender Identity (Registration and Civil Status) Bill,” which permits the Court to grant transexuals a “Recognition Certificate,” which is akin to a marriage certificate, but is not lawfully a marriage. The Bill is yet to be enacted, however.

The TT constitution Section 4, declares certain rights and freedoms. Section 4(C) enshrines the right to respect for one’s family and private life. But it is a breach of an individual’s constitutional right if the State fails to recognise “marriage” between two men and two women. The Equal Opportunity Act, number 69 of 200, prohibits certain kinds of discrimination. The Act, however, while prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sex, makes it quite clear that “sex” does not include sexual preferences or sexual orientation. (The latter speaks to gay marriages). Attorney General Glenda Morean refused to comment on the issue. However, an official from the AG’s office said a number of changes would have to be made to the Equal Opportunity Act before this issue can go any further.

One of the five babies who contracted the Enterobacter bacteria has been discharged while the others remain warded at Mt Hope Women’s Hospital. They have been warded at the maternity ward since Tuesday after being evacuated from the neo-natal unit. Last week, neo-natal consultant, Dr Jennifer Delamore raised concerns about an increased incidence in the bacteria after tests showed 100 percent of babies that is, ten of them, displaying various stages of Enterobacter. The Health Ministry and North West Regional Health Authority were informed last Monday and the following day a massive sanitsation exercise of the neo-natal unit and surrounding areas started. The roof of the unit was also removed. Dr Delamore said cleaning is expected to be completed by tomorrow night. When the area is ready the babies along with other newborns will be transferred back to the unit. They will be placed in one of four rooms away from the other babies. Dr Delamore yesterday described their condition as “quite stable.” Dr Delamore has been explaining to parents about the bacteria and where it may have come from, informing them that while it does not affect adults (and is present in the gut and female genital tract), it can be lethal to babies.

She has told parents that there can be complications from the fact that the baby is in a neo-natal unit. Their undeveloped immune system makes them vulnerable. “Complications arise with being premature and this overlaps with being Enterobacter positive.” When complications happen the baby’s platelet count falls and bleeding occurs. “Most important is that it is picked up early, most times when we get back results the baby is already on antibiotics,” Dr Delamore said.  Enterobacter are important nosocomial (hospital acquired) pathogens responsible for a variety of infections including: lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infection, lower urinary tract infection, endocarditis, intra abdominal infection.

Enterobacter are referred to as an “ICU bug,”. Among the predisposing factors for acquiring it are prolonged hospitalisation in particular at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), prior treatment with antibiotics, general debilitation and immunosuppression. ICU bugs cause significant morbidity and mortality and infection management is complicated by multiple antibiotic resistance. The US National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance found that between January 1990 and May 1999, the enterobacter species caused 11.2 percent of pneumonia cases in all types of ICUs.

FRAGMENTS from two bullets believed to have come from a police officer’s gun struck a man and a woman in Diego Martin early yesterday morning, police sources said. One of the injured Ava Alexander, 39, of Duval Avenue, Diego Martin, was treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and discharged. She was treated for injuries to her right ear, her daughter, Anastacia told Sunday Newsday.  “She is not hearing too good and is in lots of pain.”

The other victim, Derwin Garvin Phillip, also of Diego Martin, was up to late evening was warded at the city hospital nursing injuries to his right knee. Reports are that around 8am opposite Duval Avenue, the officer described as an “undercover cop” went to pick up a man to do some work at the officer’s home. The man he went to get had been in an argument with another man and sometime after the officer arrived and shots were heard resulting in injuries to Alexander and Phillip.

In a media release issued yesterday, the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) stated that matt were dismayed by the turn of events in the inquest into the death of 18-year-old Phillip Seerattan. Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls’ ban on the media from publishing photographs, names and addresses of two teenagers who testified in the inquest which he is conducting as coroner, cannot be supported, MATT stated. This to the association is a worrying development which could start something no society committed to a free press can condone.

“While we are not questioning the prerogative of the Chief Magistrate to make his decision, MATT has strong objections and we are yet to be convinced that the decision was a justified one,” stated the release which added “to say that there is no public interest in what is said by witnesses at the inquest is not entirely true”. MATT is also not convinced that the integrity of the 15 and 14 year-old witnesses could be endangered if their names and photographs are published. The release said that it was an inquest, not a trial and that the media association was baffled by the action of the Chief Magistrate. MATT found the ruling very unfortunate and they believe it has dealt a severe blow to press freedom in Trinidad and Tobago.