CAREC: No place for ‘chi chi man’ in TT

An official of the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) has described the “chi chi” man (Jamaican slang for homosexual) issue as unfortunate, and said it had no place in TT society.

The popular song “More Gyul” by Antiguan Soca artiste Shawn Ryan, “Wanskie” has been heavily criticised for encouraging discrimination against homosexuals. Although the song has a line “we don’t want no chi chi man in ah de band for Carnival,” in his defence Wanskie has refuted that he is promoting violence against homosexuals. Speaking to Newsday on Monday, head of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) Special Programme on Sexually Transmitted Infections (SPSTI), Dr Bilai Camara said: “A musician is a leader, a calypsonian is a leader and they have to realise they have a skill in the society and a role to play in how we can live together in harmony. They can create war between us also and they have to understand. That is critical.”

He said the song may have gained popularity because people with deep-seated feelings against homosexuals have used the opportunity to express themselves. Camara said culture has a powerful influence on human sexuality and this power must be understood and handled in an appropriate manner. “We have to understand what we say and what we express is important.” He said the lyrics of many songs for the Carnival season are about sex and women, “and certainly enhance our sexual drive and our behaviours in terms of sex.”

Camara said to some extent religion and culture cannot be separated. “People who are naturally homosexual are getting married and becoming bisexual. They are playing a role in this epidemic.” He said this is a critical element impacting on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Camara stressed the importance of culture, especially the role music plays in educating society to handle sex and sexuality. Using the music of David Rudder as an example, he said there are certain things which will not be heard in his music. He commended the tune “Trini to the Bone,” for its theme of unity and humanity. “He’s talking about this beautiful country and those are things which artistes should learn to really use and express as much as possible.”