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Professor Brendan Bain Gets Gay Backlash

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Caleb Orozco
Caleb Orozco

Foremost Authority on HIV and AIDS in the region says: no published data to substantiate the hypothesis that decriminalising the practice of anal intercourse among consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM).

The matter of Professor Brendan Bain, head of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART), makes for compelling reading in the Jamaica press. It has its genesis in a case on the way in Belize where the goodly Professor gave expert testimony in a matter against a Gay Belizean Caleb Orozco. Orozco challenged in September 2010 Section 53 of Belize’s criminal code which states, “every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years“. The gist of which he argues that, “the code violates his right to the recognition of human dignity, to personal privacy and the privacy of the home guaranteed by the Belize constitution”.

At a point in the case Professor Bain, regarded as an expert in clinical infections and an authority on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, gave expert testimony which has resulted in calls for his dismissal from the UWI by Gay advocates.  Part of Bain’s testimony which has created a furor is quoted in the Jamaica Observer article.

BU’s interest in the case will be to observe how the privilege accorded to Academicians by the University of the West Indies is weighed against the strident LGBT lobby.

BU states for the record it does not support a Gay lifestyle.

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484 responses to “Professor Brendan Bain Gets Gay Backlash”

  1. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    @ David

    Noted.

  2. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    De Hood

    Oh shut up… you corny weirdo.

  3. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Ross:
    Stop the Harrison College thing! I only went to Brumley. We folks form that neck of the woods are not supposed to be bright but we are gladly the social fodder.

    How do you justify representing gay rights but have no thoughts at all on the rights of Prof. Bain to have his opinion. Yet, you join with the oaf Dragon who we know protecting the tales of the British and its sodomy during slavery to down cry the poor Professor!!

    Bright I may be not but I do think a little!!

  4. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Dompey:

    Give some references to support the lot of gay men who just like oral sex!! Read Prof. Bains’ testimony and you would see what they really does do!!!

  5. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    De Hood

    Haven’t you anything constructive to add to the discussion before deliberation here? All you have done thus far is to hid behind David and PG with your ridiculous critique of others opinions.Where is your testicular fortitude and iron equalities which characterized the authenticity associated with true manhood?

  6. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Lemuel | May 22, 2014 at 1:02 PM |
    “…Yet, you join with the oaf Dragon who we know protecting the tales of the British and its sodomy during slavery to down cry the poor Professor!!”

    Lemuel, this is the second time you try to slag off the British regarding what you like to refer to as “bulling”.

    Pity how little you know that your Barbados is also known as “Little Britain” or more quaintly, Little England; only 100 years behind.
    You guys are born copycats just only very slow to catch up and take on the habits of your master.

    Please stop with your fake morality and living in the past of hypocrisy.
    Britain has move forward and is setting the example in the areas of human rights and diversity. Time you do the same.
    Are you not ashamed that the same people you condemn are the same people you depend on for your economic survival?
    It’s a pity you seem supremely oblivious to the statistical occurrence that at least 10 % of British tourists who come to Barbados to keep you able to buy imported condoms might just be “bullers and wickers”, to used pejorative language à la Lemuel.

    As the Mighty Chalkdust said: All you Bajan guys got is sea and sand and the day the “bulling and wicking” British tourists don’t visit your morally upright shores of falsehood the crapaud from the St. George valley will eventually smoke your empty pipes and fill your empty bellies, Mr. Fumble.

    Why not stop with the ‘anti-bulling’ talk and try to woo the British away from places like Thailand and North Africa to a more morally embracing and engagingly diverse modern society. Check your news, man and get with the programme.

  7. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Miller:

    As far as I know I am not Minister of Tourism, although Tourism should be every body business. But because the bulling British come do I have to bend over backwards and forwards like the same Minister of Tourism and sell my back side for pieces of silver? I say let crapaud smoke we pipe then!!

  8. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @Simple Simon | May 22, 2014 at 12:02 AM |

    How true! You make me laugh.
    We wonder what the likes of GP, Bushie and Lemuel do when it comes to their womenfolk having an ‘issue of blood’.
    Do they quarantine them for nine days as demanded in the book of Leviticus?
    Maybe you can send them a few eunuchs as bed wenches while their women are seeing ‘red’.

    These people are just a pack of old men living in the past and attending Sunday School when it comes to understanding the human condition called life. We shouldn’t be surprised if they are also supporters of female genital mutilation needed to dampen the sexual lust of women.

  9. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    @Balaam’s domkey

    Sorry to disappoint you but I can’t seem to find the testicles most days and de Doc say that I anaemic so de iron doan wuck too well eider. So, woe is me.

    ROFLMAO@ u donkey.

  10. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Lemuel | May 22, 2014 at 2:56 PM |

    I bet you weren’t spinning that shit when beer belly Jeremy and his British entourage were on your little island. You were only too glad for the pounds sterling to prop up your dwindling forex.
    Let’s see how you make it to December.

  11. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Miller:
    Please, there is more to you than this puerility!! Have the last word. Or may be I need to say something off about the BLP to get you all balanced again!!

  12. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Lemuel

    What an odd fellow you are – you criticize me for saying I would deny Bain his opinions. I have NEVER done that. In fact until this morning I was saying he should not be sacked. The problem with having opinions is that you’re more often than not held accountable for them. This is what has happened to Bain. We may see him as a martyr or a sort of Lear character. Either way, and whatever our differences, I wish him well.

  13. ac Avatar
    ac

    so bain was sacked a square peg in a round hole,,,boy talking about clueless a man of his intelligence would be so encouraged to be a political punching bag for the evangelical political christian right taking on an issue where angels dare not thread,,,,,,,,,,,martyr,,,,,,,i rather say stupid,,,,,

  14. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    “In a [2013] speech in London, Sir Shridath Ramphal, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, laid out his views opposing the criminalization of homosexuality, wherever it occurs. Sir Shridath quoted another stalwart of anti-discrimination, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has said that the violence and criminal sanctions suffered by LGBTI people across the world are intended to make them “doubt that they too are children of God,” which he calls “nearly the ultimate blasphemy.” Sir Shridath went further, equating opposition to the persecution of LGBTI people with the campaign to end slavery in the 19th century and the anti-apartheid struggle of the 20th century. “The abolitionists were pilloried, but they prevailed,” he said. “The abomination was not their campaign, as the plantation owners complained, but the evil of slavery itself.”
    Sir Shridath Ramphal, who played a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid, is an unapologetic advocate of decriminalization. He recognizes criminal sanctions for what they are, a colonial legacy that never had a part in the indigenous cultures on which they were imposed and that should have been repealed long ago.”
    I am on the “anti-slavery side” as well.

  15. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Lemuel | May 22, 2014 at 5:39 PM |

    Sorry mate, but I was a tad engaged otherwise in a place you will never want to be.

    But if you are seeking for ‘balance’ then you ought to take serious note of what was written @ St George’s Dragon | May 22, 2014 at 8:04 PM.
    We are in the same intellectual and moral corner as Sir Shridath and Bishop Tutu.
    Where are you? Still living in the Christian Dark Ages’ of burning women accusing them of being witches and intelligent men because they believed the earth revolves around the Sun?

  16. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ millertheanunnaki | May 23, 2014 at 2:20 PM |

    Should read: the earth does not revolve around the Sun but the sun around the Earth?

    @ Lemuel:
    We are willing to bet, Lemuel, that you still believe the Earth is the centre of the solar system, if not the Universe.

  17. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Miller

    I hope I can pursue you to return to the path of common- sense, and reason. Now, even though I disagree with Lemuel’s views on homosexuality, I can’t help but agree with his reference to the Bible as an absolute authority, and your mockery of it as a mortal Sin. More often than not, many of us commit the fatal mistake of judging the Book / Bible, rather than those persons who are responsible for interpreting it erroneously, as well as mendaciously.

  18. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Dompey | May 23, 2014 at 4:09 PM |

    Go tell that to the Chinese or the Australian Aborigines.
    The Bible also said the world, as we know it, was made in six days. What is your interpretation of’ six days’?
    If you accept that literally then you are a bigger jackass than Zoe the python swallower.

  19. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Miller

    As I’ve stated here unambiguously, on a number of occasions: I do not support the gay and lesbian agenda, but I would defend their right to live their lives in whatever manner they see fit. It is a God given right which some in Christendom interprets as Free-will / Self- ddetermination. Listen! Two consenting adults ought to be able to do as their please with their bodies and no legislative body should impose its prescriptive mandates on them. All of us have to answer to God come Judgment Day; this I believe.

  20. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Miller

    To answer the first part of your question: the Bible can be interpreted: literally, figuratively, symbolically, metaphorically and allegorically.

  21. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Miller

    When you think of the Bible, think of it in the same light as the American Constitution. There are people who interpret the Constitution that are called: Originalist and Literalist as well as the justices who sits on the Supreme Court, who are called liberals, conservatives and moderates. And these people interpret this one Constitution in many different ways.

  22. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Miller

    And finally Miller, what is so bizarre about a world being conceived in six? And why are you limiting God’s ability? When He said in Isaiah 55:8 of the KJV that, ” For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”

  23. Jason Price Avatar
    Jason Price

    Listen! Two consenting adults ought to be able to do as their please with their bodies and no legislative body should impose its prescriptive mandates on them. All of us have to answer to God come Judgment Day; this I believe.

    i think not. iyou belong to a club , you abide by the rules
    I f you belong to a society; you abide by society;s rules
    no gays sodomizing is the law , you abide or consequences follow
    you cant do as you like with your body when it affects others. people who attempt and are caught usually pay a price

  24. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Jason Price

    Jason, you ought to know by now that there are sound and unsound, just as well as unjust laws which governs human society. The racial – apartheid laws in America, were the laws of society, but these laws reduced the African American to a second class citizen.

  25. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    LOL
    Look how has the mighty fallen….
    Dompey here lecturing an Annunaki on basic common sense when it comes to the power of God….Ha haha

    What the hell is a day anyway….?
    When the universe was formed, one of the “things” created was TIME….which DID NOT EXIST before…..and will not exist after this “life on earth” project is completed….
    …technically, therefore, The concept of creating the world in a given “timeframe” is purely intended to convey a spiritual occurrence happening in a completely foreign reality, in a manner that fits our limited understanding.

    Suppose the bible had said ” …when God created the universe, nothing physical existed. Energy was used to create the physical, temporary, universe and additional associated concepts such as “time”, “entropy”, “karma” and other necessary ingredients were designed and established.”
    …that would only confuse people even more…… 🙂
    …so seven days it is…. 🙂

    Where you went Miller? ….damn man….you had ac ’bout here doing dixey….even you may not be able to control her now….but PLEASE try….

  26. ac Avatar
    ac

    bushie why u always talking shite about the non existence of time ,,,,before creation or evolution of the universe,,,,do u not understand that time is one of the pivotal forces in creation or evolution….,,,,,,time has been and will be ,,does not need any force to reproduce, …..and would continue to reproduce itself whether the universe exist or not, even your BBE had to depend on time,,,for a start and an ending,,, ,, formation needs time to develop and to be completed …..this universe could not exist without time,,,,,just like a baby needs time to born,,,every thing that is in formation or has been formed from start to finish is revolves and evolves by time,,,..now i know that might be hard for u to understand ,,,but just in case u believe u have sufficient time to figure it what,,,remember time is the ultimate dictator and waits for no one,,,,,ask BBE,,

  27. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Honest ac,,,,
    That post was NOT intended for you to worry your sweet little (empty) head..let’s skip it and agree to disagree…

    Bushie would need to explain the concept of ENTROPY to you – a concept which REQUIRES that there must have been a BEGINNING of time- and that there is some finite limit to order as we know it…..

    Such an explanation could do irreparable damage to your tonsils…(with which you seem to think) , so Bushie will agree for us to disagree,,,,

  28. ac Avatar
    ac

    bust tea your problem is seeing time as tangible ,it existence does not need anything ,,it is one of the natures forces that is self productive,,,,,,does not need a BBE,,,, more powerful than bbe,,, the only powerful force on earth that BBE did not create,,,,, why not,,,,ask yourself,,,,,,

  29. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Come to think about it…
    …you even have tonsils ac….?

  30. ac Avatar
    ac

    bush tea no i dont however don/t be ridiculous because u can.t bring verifiable facts to disapprove my points u get ridiculous,,,,,,,your tactics have outgrown their usefulness……so u want talk about entropy,,,,,the theory which states ,,that things compiled in orderly fashion would eventually become disorganized,,,,,,,except time,,, ..however man has developed time measurements,,,,,which we use to organized or daily lives,,,,however man cannot reverse or change time it is one of the laws of nature that is precise and unchangeable,,dictates orchestrate,,, and never gives it in to no one,,summer comes in its season..in spite of man erratic attempts to reschedule time,,,..sunset and sundown never cease to be on time,,,,,the same can be said for the seasons,,,,,,,,,,the weather cycles …..all stay in sync, with time,,,,,,,even birth and death ,,,,time never changes it is an universal law which is as important to our being as the air we breathe,,,,,,,good nite bush tea,,

  31. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Piece “give you Sir ** and his brother who did not wait until she was a widow but was giving her a good rogering in between while he was/is alive…”

    We all know that Sir Kyffin (‘e wasn’t no Sir then, and she wasn’t no Lady LOL!!!!!) ) married his brother’s former wife.

  32. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    And please note that the Lady ain’t no Bajan woman.

    Bajan men don’t dare to try those tricks around Bajan women, nor around certain islandgals…LOL!!!

  33. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Jason

    Now, let me further emphasized the fact that as a Christian man, I do not believe that it is my place to pontificate on the morality associated with the gay and lesbian lifestyle. That job I believe is left to the Creator of the heavens and earth, to judge each and everyone who hasn’t repented for his or her past sins. But on the other hand; I do believe, that society should uphold a standard of morality that infringes not on two consenting individuals right to determining whether to engage in anal copulation or not. The morality that is associated with the gay and lesbian lifestyle, reminds me of the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life wars in the United States of America. Where you have a group of religious moralist, who claimed that the Bible states in clear and concise terms, that life begins from the moment of conception. And a group of secular humanist ,who believes that life begins from the moment of birth. Now, you obviously have balance the morality between these two diametrically opposing viewpoints, in order to see where you stand on this issue. As Christians we’re well aware that our position on the morality associated with the two issues above is absolute and determined. But what about those persons who do not necessarily subscribed to our brand of morality? Are their not entitled through the God given right of free-will / self determination to make decisions which affects they bodies?

  34. Mildred Avatar
    Mildred

    Are we now at s place in life that no one can speak the fact anymore? Are we now forced to live in delusion? Regardless of money and political pressure , both cannot change the evidences that are blatantly steering us in our faces.

  35. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Jason

    On a more founded level, there isn’t any real difference between two gay or lesbian couples worshipping God. And those persons who professed to know God, but yet their are living a lifestyle that is contrary to God’s Divine Plan for Salvation. The Bible tells us, ” That all have sin and fallen short of the glory of God”. And he who is without sin cast the first stone….. Tolerance, open – mindedness and a respect for the dignity of every human being, irrespective of his or her life choices, we ought and must embrace because no one is beyond the reach of God’s Grace.

    Meld red

    Truth is relative to the present state and time. Fifty years ago it was the general thinking of the society, that a woman should have been chained to the kitchen sink and stove. But thanks to the Women Liberation Movement in 60′ and 70′s women in the West and beyond had attained those rights their sought and were seeking.

  36. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Mildred

    Here is few truths about the common thinking of the American society and many other societies throughout the world in time gone by.

    1) Prior to 1830 no university would admitted women.
    2) When the American Constitution was written it gave little or no consideration to the rights of women.
    3) Prior to 1920 women in America could not vote on the national level.
    4) In the early 1980’s in America, it was quite legal for a husband to spank his wife.

    Mildred, this was the general thinking of a society in the past. And that is why I contend that Truth is relative to here and now. Three hundred years ago, it was thought of that the black man was three fifths of a man. This was written into the America Constitution. And it was called the Three Fifths Compromise, which meant that a slave was to be counted as Three Fifths of a white person. A mixture between a white and black person was known as a quadroon.

  37. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Mildred

    I meant that prior to the early 1800’s, it was quite lawful for a husband to spank his wife. Because at that time women were viewed a little above a child.

  38. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    Monday, May 26, 2014

    “The Bain affair cont’d: The Online petition organisers respond to counter- talking points, even as a mass protest is planned for Mona Campus main gate 8:00 – 11:00 am Monday May 26th”

    “First, on Monday May 26, 8:00 – 11:00 am, there is a planned protest event at UWI front Gate, with a dress code, funeral colours, with mouths taped with masking tape with “Freedom of Speech” on the tape.”

    “I strongly recommend similar protests at the gates of other UWI campuses and extramural centres across the region.”

    “I also suggest writing to UWI’s leadership and the news media across the region by old fashioned mail as well as email. (NB: I am not comfortable to learn that apparently my signing the petition triggered an email to the personal email boxes of the VC etc, I did not know that. I plead with the petition organisers to modify if possible. I think the petition should be printed off at a certain time and communicated on paper to the UWI, to the governments of the region and to Caricom, perhaps introduced in parliaments under the petition rules.) ”

    “Also, the email rebuts the counter-points that have been spread in an attempt to make the firing of prof Bain for speaking unwelcome truth to power seem legitimate.”

    “Here are those counter-points, slightly adjusted for readability and with a few clarifying notes on arrow-points in square brackets:”

    >3. Clarifying Contradictions: There is NO legitimate justification for the dismissal

    “Over the past few days we have seen the pathetic ‘flip-flopping’ of those who want to see Professor Bain fired. If you listen closely, not one of their arguments has “stuck.” When they say one thing today, and they are corrected, they say another thing tomorrow. It is becoming increasingly clear that they cannot find any legitimate reason for firing him.”

    First, let us break it down.

    “FACT: There is no mandate or obligation for C.H.A.R.T. or UWI to work to remove the ‘buggery’ provisions….”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still they claim Professor should be dismissed for acting contrary to an imaginary mandate.”

    “C.H.A.R.T. Mandate: “the mission of the CHART Network is to continually strengthen the capacity of national health-care personnel and systems to provide access to quality HIV & AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support services for all Caribbean people.”

    “Peter Espeut: “Consult the official website of the CHART Network and you will see that “the mission of the CHART Network is to continually strengthen the capacity of national health-care personnel and systems to provide access to quality HIV & AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support services for all Caribbean people”. The purpose of CHART is to train health-care workers in Jamaica and across CARICOM to be better able to prevent HIV & AIDS, and to treat people already infected with the virus. So the primary “community which the CHART programme is expected to reach” is CARICOM health-care workers. And those trained CARICOM health-care workers will interact with two different secondary groups: a much larger group – those who DO NOT have the virus (to target them with prevention strategies); and a much smaller group – those who already have HIV/AIDS (to treat their symptoms and their infection). These two groups include every human living within CARICOM, including you who read this.”

    “Therefore, to say that Professor Brendan Bain has “lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community which the CHART programme is expected to reach” has to be put in context. There is no evidence before us that Professor Bain has lost the confidence of CHART’S primary target group – CARICOM health-care workers; and there is no evidence before us that Professor Bain has lost the confidence of the vast majority of Caribbean people (who do not have HIV/AIDS). Has Prof Bain lost the confidence of the HIV/AIDS community with respect to the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, or is there another purpose to the project? Maybe the CHART Network has a hidden agenda.”

    “Affidavit: “Some Public Health practitioners and agencies have hypothesized that decriminalizing the practice of anal intercourse among consenting adults would lead to a reduction in the incidence rate of HIV infections among MSM. To date, published data have not substantiated this hypothesis.”

    “Former Prime Minister Golding: “Professor Bain cannot be expected to render an opinion other than his own. His statement can render him unfit to serve as head of CHART only if its charter or mandate includes the removal of legal impediments to MSM. Its mission statement says no such thing. Its purpose is “to strengthen the capacity of national health-care personnel and systems to provide access to quality HIV & AIDS prevention, care, and treatment and support services for all Caribbean people”. Nothing in Professor Bain’s affidavit can be said to compromise his ability or commitment to fulfil that mandate.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain made no recommendations concerning the retention of any law…”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still they claim he should be dismissed because he argued for the retention of the law.”

    “Jamaica Gleaner clarification: “Bain did not make a recommendation about keeping [Belize’s] anti-gay law…”

    “Dr. Kei Miller: “For the most part the document simply makes the undisputable point that for both biological and social/cultural/behavioural reasons — the HIV virus is passed on to Men who have sex with Men with something that approached efficiency. The figures simply are staggering. Some people have tried to counter Bain’s argument by saying that the sex acts he lists (anal sex, multiple-partners, swallowing, etc) are not unique to homosexual relationships. This strikes me as a disingenuous argument. Prof Bain would almost certainly agree that for heterosexuals who engage regularly in these acts then the risk factor for them to contract HIV also increases dramatically. But there is little point in denying that these acts are far more common in the MSM community. Such a denial would go against the principles of the careful and targeted interventions that we want to do.”

    “Bain’s affidavit does not take or register a stance against gay communities or gay men. It earnestly steers clear from such opinions and tries to stick to the figures. Towards the end of the paper when he seems to make recommendations, none of them include encouraging gay men to give their lives to Christ or to turn away from their evil ways. His affidavit accepts that men will have sex with men and so his recommendations are far more pragmatic – encouraging the use of condoms, lubricant, constant testing, delaying the age that one begins to engage in intercourse, etc.”

    “FACT: Freedom of speech actually does involve the right to not be fired for one’s religious beliefs or scientific opinions…”.

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still certain interest groups have been fighting for ‘human rights’ including the right to freedom of speech, yet still they are unwilling to extend that right to Professor Bain.”

    “Attorney Gordon Robinson: “Freedom of expression took a severe body blow yesterday when the University of the West Indies sacked Brendan Bain.”

    “Medical Association of Jamaica: “as an expert witness, his testimony to the court is a duty to the Court, and, is the opinion of the expert himself… hoping that doctors’ responsibility under the law to the court is not under any form of attack… we respect the rights and opinions of all groups and individuals in our society, and hope that in turn the same respect will be afforded to us in our the professional discharge of our duties.”

    “FACT: All Caribbean people have a right to the scientific information shared by Professor Bain, so that we can be confident that the approach to HIV/AIDS treatment is really in our best interests…”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still certain interest groups want the science contained in the Affidavit to ‘disappear.’

    “No one has actually countered the Affidavit with science, only politics.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain’s Affidavit was a clear, objective discussion of scientific research on HIV/AIDS and MSM’s…

    “CONTRADICTION: some people ignore this fact, yet the objecting groups that have acknowledged this still say he did something that warrants dismissal without providing some other justification.”

    “National AIDS Committee (which supports the dismissal): “no issue with, and has no objection to the actual content of the report of Professor Brendan Bain to the Court in Belize… there is nothing in that report which is contrary to, or offensive to the work of the National AIDS Committee… In his report, Professor Bain highlighted for the court that homosexual men were at higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexual transmitted infections… This is the very position of the National AIDS Committee.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain’s Affidavit was submitted as an Expert Witness, not an ordinary witness, which means he did not argue for or act on behalf of churches or anyone. This is a legal issue which many people do not understand…”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still some people claim that he argued points for the church”

    “Professor Bain’s Sworn Oath at the end of the Affidavit: “I also certify that I have been given no instructions by any party, by any person representing a party, or by any other person with respect to this report. The report represents my own opinions based on my professional experience together with information from research literature related to the matter under consideration. The opinions expressed in the report are mine and should not be attributed to any institution with which I am associated.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain has not lost the confidence of the majority of Caribbean people, who are also citizen stakeholders and targets for the C.H.A.R.T. programme, which is a programme for training HIV/AIDS healthcare workers and not a clinic…”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet the 35 unverified lobby groups act as if they are the only persons that C.H.A.R.T. is supposed to help.”

    “Peter Espeut: “Consult the official website of the CHART Network and you will see that “the mission of the CHART Network is to continually strengthen the capacity of national health-care personnel and systems to provide access to quality HIV & AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support services for all Caribbean people”. The purpose of CHART is to train health-care workers in Jamaica and across CARICOM to be better able to prevent HIV & AIDS, and to treat people already infected with the virus. So the primary “community which the CHART programme is expected to reach” is CARICOM health-care workers. And those trained CARICOM health-care workers will interact with two different secondary groups: a much larger group – those who DO NOT have the virus (to target them with prevention strategies); and a much smaller group – those who already have HIV/AIDS (to treat their symptoms and their infection). These two groups include every human living within CARICOM, including you who read this. Therefore, to say that Professor Brendan Bain has “lost the confidence and support of a significant sector of the community which the CHART programme is expected to reach” has to be put in context. There is no evidence before us that Professor Bain has lost the confidence of CHART’S primary target group – CARICOM health-care workers; and there is no evidence before us that Professor Bain has lost the confidence of the vast majority of Caribbean people (who do not have HIV/AIDS). Has Prof Bain lost the confidence of the HIV/AIDS community with respect to the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, or is there another purpose to the project? Maybe the CHART Network has a hidden agenda.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain’s primary obligation, as a medical expert, was to provide honest and factual information to the Court of law and the information he provided is exactly the sort of information that C.H.A.R.T. should be guided by..”.

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still they claim that the information, which did not oppose any C.H.A.R.T. objective or mandate and made no legal recommendations, was a ‘conflict of interest’.”

    “Medical Association of Jamaica: “The MAJ is disappointed that one of the pioneers in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS is no longer leading CHART. We want to encourage everyone, all stakeholders, to focus on HIV/AIDS and not against each other…as an expert witness, his testimony to the court is a duty to the Court, and, is the opinion of the expert himself… hoping that doctors’ responsibility under the law to the court is not under any form of attack… we respect the rights and opinions of all groups and individuals in our society, and hope that in turn the same respect will be afforded to us in our the professional discharge of our duties.”

    “National AIDS Committee: “no issue with, and has no objection to the actual content of the report of Professor Brendan Bain to the Court in Belize… there is nothing in that report which is contrary to, or offensive to the work of the National AIDS Committee… In his report, Professor Bain highlighted for the court that homosexual men were at higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexual transmitted infections… This is the very position of the National AIDS Committee.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS training that discouraged discrimination by healthcare workers so that all people affected by HIV/AIDS can get treatment…”

    “CONTRADICTION: yet still they claim that Professor Bain discriminated or included discriminatory words in his Affidavit.”

    “Page 2 of his Affidavit says: “In 2003, [Bain] was invited by a United States Government team to lead the Regional Coordinating Unit of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) Initiative…Attitudinal training is a central part of the CHART curriculum, with anti-stigma and anti-discrimination training being paramount.”

    “Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition [–> headed by Gomes, and a signatory to the demand for firing Bain]: “Professor Bain is a good man who has worked in the field of HIV for many years.”

    “National AIDS Committee: “no issue with, and has no objection to the actual content of the report of Professor Brendan Bain to the Court in Belize… there is nothing in that report which is contrary to, or offensive to the work of the National AIDS Committee… In his report, Professor Bain highlighted for the court that homosexual men were at higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexual transmitted infections… This is the very position of the National AIDS Committee.”

    “FACT: Professor Bain only compared the relative risk of MSM’s compared to the general population in Belize, pointing out that the established fact that the risk is higher and pointed out that despite the ‘buggery’ laws in Jamaica, rates have increased. He never said that countries without the buggery law have a “higher” but that they have a “high” rate and he certainly never hinted at a causative link between the two…”

    “CONTRADICTION: Carolyn Gomes erroneously claimed that Prof Bain claimed that retaining the laws has in actuality lowered infection rates.”

    Affidavit: “This report shows that the relative risk of contracting HIV is significantly higher among men who have sex with other men (MSM) in Belize than in the general population. This is also true in several other countries for which data are available, including countries that have repealed the law that criminalizes anal sex and countries where the law still applies.”

    “Carolyn Gomes (incorrectly stated): “Where our colleague Prof. Bain erred was by linking without evidence those high HIV rates to the removal of laws that criminalize homosexuality [–> buggery laws do not criminalise homosexuality, they ban a specific insanitary and damaging sexual act both associated with the spreading of diseases and the corruption of boys] in France, the Netherlands and United States, while ignoring that neither laws nor Jamaica’s notorious hostility to homosexuality have protected us from having one of the highest rates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in the world.”

    “National AIDS Committee: “no issue with, and has no objection to the actual content of the report of Professor Brendan Bain to the Court in Belize… there is nothing in that report which is contrary to, or offensive to the work of the National AIDS Committee… In his report, Professor Bain highlighted for the court that homosexual men were at higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexual transmitted infections… This is the very position of the National AIDS Committee.” >>

  39. ac Avatar
    ac

    thanks Zoe for keeping us up todate,,,however the BU household have had they say so on this issue and seems to be of less importance ,,there has been robust debate on the outcome and a neutral decision was reached regarding the conclusion….MR .BAIN made an error in judgement encouraged by a Christan agenda to deny gays there human rights,,,,whether or not he is reinstated would not remove the negative stigma against gays which he gave in his testimony

  40. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    DAVID
    THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE LOCAL FRONT ON THIS MATTER
    DONT KNOW IF IT IS OPENED TO PUBLIC OR ONLY IF TO BELIEVERS ONY

    You are invited to attend an information session on Monday 26th May at 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. re. the sexual rights agenda and its implications for Christian freedom and Caribbean social stability. The session, entitled: Caribbean Social Stability – An Individual and Corporate Responsibility, is intended to identify effective strategies for presenting and upholding a Biblical perspective on human sexuality to our Caribbean leaders and the general public. It will be held at #16 Sheraton Park.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks GP.

  42. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    ZOE
    THANKS FOR YOUR POST WITH THE LOGICAL PRESENTATION OF THE FACTS AND THE BIASES DISPLAYED BY THE BULLERS AND WICKERS CORPORATION
    IT SHOWS CLEARLY THAT ONE CANNOT DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE

  43. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    AN OPINION FROM A NON IDIOT
    Bruce Golding, Guest Columnist

    The sacking of Prof Brendan Bain illustrates the intimidating power of the gay-rights lobby, as well as external sources of funding on which we have to rely. I am saddened at the treatment, not just to Professor Bain, but to the Caribbean community.

    In his affidavit, Professor Bain rendered a professional opinion that the practice of MSM was harmful and that decriminalising it would not necessarily lead to a reduction in the rate of HIV infections. Other professionals may offer contrary views, and the litigants in this particular case are entitled to present affidavits in support of those views.

    Professor Bain cannot be expected to render an opinion other than his own. His statement can render him unfit to serve as head of CHART only if its charter or mandate includes the removal of legal impediments to MSM. Its mission statement says no such thing. Its purpose is “to strengthen the capacity of national health-care personnel and systems to provide access to quality HIV & AIDS prevention, care, and treatment and support services for all Caribbean people”. Nothing in Professor Bain’s affidavit can be said to compromise his ability or commitment to fulfil that mandate.

    The awesome power of the gay-rights lobby is at work here, there and everywhere. Phil Robertson and the Benham brothers were recently booted from their television shows for making anti-gay comments. The CEO of Mozilla Firefox was forced to resign because of a donation made six years ago to an organisation opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in California.

    power of donors

    But there is also the awesome power of the donors. CHART is funded primarily by overseas agencies: USAID, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Health Resources & Services Administration, Global AIDS Programme and the Global Fund.

    While I was in office, subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle pressure was exerted by some foreign governments and agencies to have the buggery provisions removed from our statutes. I rebuffed these efforts because I felt this involved social, cultural and religious considerations on which Jamaica – and Jamaica alone – would have to deliberate.

    I am not opposed to the repeal of the buggery provisions in our laws because I don’t think that legislation can, or should, try to regulate sexual practices, except in certain circumstances such as in the protection of children. The State has no business barging into any bedroom to molest homosexuals any more than it would fornicators or adulterers.

    Many Jamaicans, including me, are of the view, however, that once those provisions are repealed, the battle cry will be sounded to secure recognition of same-sex unions and eventually same-sex marriages.

    The new libertarian view that has captured the mind of even President Obama is that this is an expression of an individual’s right to choose. It is a dangerous view because it completely severs the moral considerations that inform the norms of a society and the value system within which it operates. The entire society may not be faithful to its value system, but it, nonetheless, recognises its legitimacy and frame of reference. Hence, although adultery and multiple sex partners may be common in Jamaica, no lobby has yet been mounted to legalise polygamy.

    dangerous view

    This new libertarian view of the right to choose is dangerous because once that moral tether is severed, no taboo can then be justified. What, other than moral considerations, would be the basis for retaining the Incest (Punishment) Act and depriving a man and his adult consenting daughter the right to cohabit? Yet the vast majority of Jamaicans would consider that abhorrent. Why? Because it offends our moral values and cultural tradition.

    The Church seems to have reached the point of exhaustion; some have capitulated and even enthroned gay bishops and conducted same-sex marriages; others have retreated into soteriology.

    The gay lobby has successfully positioned its campaign as a human-rights issue. If that is what it is, there is virtually no choice in terms of personal behaviour that cannot be justified on similar grounds. At its core, it is an issue of values. That is where the battle must be pitched and fought and won.

    Bruce Golding is a former prime minister. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.

  44. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    ANOTHER OPINION FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT A CERTIFIED JACKASS

    The Human resource Management Association of Jamaica says it views with alarm reports regarding the termination of the contract of Professor Brendan Bain.

    In a release today the association says it is concerned that the University of the West Indies has used the fact that Professor Bain expressed views which certain groups do not agree with as the basis for his termination.

    It says given the fact that organisations generally have guidelines the board of the association says it would have expected the University to properly outline how Professor Bain breached these guidelines.

    The association also says it is disappointed by what appears to be the conduct of due process in the media and the haste by a respected employer to disregard the contribution of a long serving employee.

  45. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    Bain Supporters Launch Online Petition

    http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=53029

  46. David Avatar
    David

    Another view GP

    PEOPLE & THINGS: Truth and homophobia (I)

    BY PETER WICKHAM | SUN, MAY 25, 2014 – 12:00 AM

    It is a curious irony that last week started with the publication of a simple and highly offensive advertisement from some cowardly organisation that felt compelled to express the opinion that speaking “truth” is not homophobia.

    This same week ended with an announcement by the University of the West Indies that they have terminated the contract of Professor Brendan Bain on account of statements he made in respect of his support for the retention of the “buggery” laws in Belize. There is, of course, a relationship between these two events and this will manifest itself as the two are interrogated over the next two weeks, starting with THE NATION’s paid advertisement of May 18.

    Several of us who consider ourselves thinkers were offended by this advertisement and raised questions about THE NATION’s decision to run the advertisement. I have no concerns about the propriety of running the advertisement, but do think the sponsor should be identified.

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/people-things-truth-and-homophobia-i/

  47. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    @ Robert Ross, To become a Christian is :” to come to the knowledge of the truth” ( I Tim 2:4; 2 Tim. 3:7). By contrast, the great danger which is under attack is* that men will listen only to teachers who “suit their own likings, and will turn from listening to the truth and wander into myths” ( 2 Tim. 4:3, 4). Such men have have “a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words…wrangling among men who are…BEREFT of the truth” ( I Tim. 6:5). The term ‘controversy” (zetesis) in this context denotes not concern to arrive at or to defend the truth, but pre-occupation with pseudo-intellectual theorizing. This kind of controversy keeps truth at arm’s length. It is, therefore, in this connection that we should consider the quotation of the logical antinomy of Epimenides in Titus. 1: 12, 13. The logical puzzle is the status of the assertion that ” all Cretans are liars”, if this is spoken by a Cretan. If the statement is true, then it is falsified by a Cretan’s speaking it truly; while it is is false, to assert it would be untrue.

    Its conclusion in the Pastorals with the added statement ” this testimony is true” suggest not that the author has misunderstood the philosophical point, but that the Cretan antinomy constitutes a valid example of the kind of profitless controversy described above, which makes truth a merely theoretical matter.

    Therefore, Ross, your philosophical bent, in this regard, is self-refferential. self-refuting, and self-contradictory. And that, is absolute truth!

    It is always, either/or, but not both/and!

  48. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    David | May 26, 2014 at 1:08 PM |
    Another view GP

    CLEARLY THIS IDIOT HAS NOT STUDIED THE BIBLE PROPERLY
    I ALWAYS FIND IT AMUSING THAT BIBLE ILLITERATES LOVE TO TRY TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE

  49. David Avatar
    David

    @GP

    What about his Bible translation is incorrect? He reads BU although BT chased him off.

  50. GEORGIE PORGIE Avatar
    GEORGIE PORGIE

    sORRY DAVID
    IM NOT GOING TO WASTE TIME WITH THIS MORON
    HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO

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