Blow to gay ad - TVJ rejects J-FLAG’s PSA

J-FLAG says rejection of PSA unfortunate

BY NADINE WILSON Observer staff reporter wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

THE push by the gay lobby — Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) — to air a public service announcement (PSA) encouraging families to embrace homosexual members may not see the light of day.

The PSA, which features former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe Christine Straw and her gay brother Matthew Straw encouraging Jamaicans to show love to their family members and friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, was launched last month. J-FLAG was hoping to have the PSA aired on national TV this month.

However, Television Jamaica (TVJ), one of the island's major television stations, says it will not be carrying the PSA at this time, citing concerns about the structure of the announcement, among other things.

In the meantime, it remained unclear if CVM, the other major television station, would consider carrying the pro-gay advert, which would be a first in Jamaica where buggery is a criminal offence.

"No comment" was the response from the CVM Group's vice-president for marketing and sales Ronnie Sutherland.

Gary Allen, managing director of TVJ's parent company — the RJR Communications Group — told the Observer yesterday that after considering the request, it was decided that the PSA would not be carried at this time.

"They are presenting the particular ad as a public service announcement and in our business a public service announcement has specific meaning; it is not necessarily something that you would pay for. But even where you pay for PSAs the station would retain the right to determine if this is something that it would like to be identified with, because then normally we would say that it is done in association or it is supported by the particular station," Allen said. The station, he added, was not consulted or had any input in creating the pro-gay advertisement.

Allen said, too, that the group also took into consideration the reactions of pastors who were quoted in a recently published Sunday Observer article, which saw a number of them taking issue with homosexual lifestyles.

"We considered whether we would air it in the context of public opinion and that there has been significant public opinion to consider, particularly the response of the church to the prospects to the ad being aired which was contained in your newspaper," Allen said.

The article 'Gay TV advert angers clerics' saw pastors maintaining a long-held view that the lifestyle of homosexuals is ungodly and should therefore not be endorsed.

Milton Gregory, executive secretary for Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was quoted as saying that "The ad itself can become repulsive for many people in society."

Other pastors shared similar views. They included associate pastor of the Tower Hill Missionary Church in Kingston and former journalist, Mark Dawes, who suggested that the church needed to be more vocal in denouncing the homosexual lifestyle.

"As innocuous and as innocent as that public service announcement might appear, it is part of a wider plan by militant homosexuals to gradually desensitise Jamaicans to homosexuality, so that homosexual behaviour and practice can become mainstream in Jamaica," he said.

But apart from the structure of the advertisement and public opinion, Allen said the group also did not want to be seen as contravening the laws in promoting an ad advocating for tolerance of homosexual activities, since some aspects of the lifestyle is still illegal in Jamaica.

"There are some homosexual activity that are still against the law in Jamaica and therefore not until the states decide to change that would we feel comfortable running such a campaign...," he said.

Yesterday, a disappointed Dane Lewis, executive director of J-FLAG, confirmed that the group had received a letter dated August 9, 2011 from the RJR Communications Group expressing the reasons for its refusal to air the PSA. He said the LGBT community was disappointed by the news, since the advertisement was intended to promote acceptance and love for members within this group.

"It is unfortunate that this is the stance that is being taken. They (LGBT) have all experienced on some level some kind of discrimination, and so it is time for this kind of message to be shared with the wider public," he said.

He said the group was continuing its discussion with CVM, the other media organisation approached to air the PSA. "We are actually in negotiation, so let's see where those discussions lead. We still intend to have it aired, that is our ultimate desire," he said.

"One station did express that they are willing to broadcast it, if the other was willing to, so we should be able to make some headway shortly," the J-FLAG spokesman said.

He remained optimistic that the advertisement would be aired some day. "Since we are not directly or indirectly promoting anything that is illegal, love is not illegal, we don't see why we shouldn't be able to go forward, so we are going to continue our discussion and hope that we can quickly come to some solution to have it aired," he said.

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COMMENTS (30)

Nejeeper KNG
8/17/2011

If we don’t stand up for something we will settle for anything. My question is, does morals really matter anymore; or is it only appropriate for certain convenient situations. Hypocrisy is the worst kind of turn back blow. The book of life, truth and morality never lies. Let’s be careful and not be morally selective. These issues along with crime have me worried about the future of the children of tomorrow in JA. Whatever language we use to justify immorality will not change the facts.

British Deportee
8/17/2011

But this is serious! Not too long ago, this bare-faced group was barely visible to the naked eyes, but today, with the constant erosion of society’s morals & old-fashioned principles, it has appeared to them that without any resistance, they can set up shop anywhere & peddler their dirty crafts…. And why is Castro here hoisting flags? I’m not making any prediction, but if this Amsterdam-craze gains anymore traction in JA, come next yr, man & man will be exchanging vows somewhere on the Rock.

2kool .
8/17/2011

@Ramond Clarke..Don't get it twisted my friend. I despise the lifestyle not the person.. And listen to yourself .."Jamaica should be denied all visas, IMF funding, foreign tax payers money and all other assistance". In other words, because of a few, the entire nation should suffer including innocent children who have nothing to do with this saga. See how extreme you guys have become.

tickyticky fish
8/17/2011

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" TVJ stand your ground.

Jeff Orange
8/17/2011

Why are we (Jamaicans) so fixated with Homosexuals? They are about 10% of the population and should be ignored. Look, we have much higher priority issues to deal with as a nation. Why are so (very) few of our young men going on to College/University? Why are our young High School students performing so poorly in CSEC Mathematics? Why is it that so many of our students leaving High School without a single CXC subject? Homosexuals have always been part of our society and will always be!

Monique Perry
8/17/2011

I will not be debating my stance with whom feels they need to do it with me. I stand firmly with my statement, disclaimer or not. I am not promoting Violence against the group.We have tolerate them by respecting their freedom of speech and their right to choose. Simply put we will not compromise our own values and morals.

Rastamen Love to eat Dogs and pork
8/17/2011

"Eveybody has a right to believe what they want to" and with the right lobby group can get things done. so if people believe that sexual gratification through raping children and killing women is right in their own eyes, get a J.F.R.A.P. (Jamaicans for Rapists and Pedophiles) to represent these people, put out adverts and have Pedo Marches and Protests against descrimination from normal Jamaican people, get the J.F.M.U. (Jamaica for Murderers United) involved, "careful, they have rights too..."

Tom Stroke
8/17/2011

Good move RJR. CVM Please do likewise. Clovis, excellent cartoon, man you are the best.

Rastamen Love to eat Dogs and pork
8/17/2011

let them play it in the middle east first, then see what fight they can or cant put up

Caleb Barrett
8/17/2011

There is no hope for Jca if people are so stupid and unkind. First off, homosexuality is NOT illegal and never has been. Buggery is illegal. Heterosexuals or homosexuals can be guilty of buggery, but nobody has yet given a good reason why it should be illegal. It may be a part of your religion, but it certainly isn't a part of mine!
Again, I salute the bravery of Christine and Matthew Straw, and I hope the cowardice and cruelty of TVJ is remembered by the kind and loving among us.

Raymond Clarke
8/17/2011

@2kool: I hope you also believe and fight as passionately about living in a society relatively free of gruesome murders and beheading as you do about this subject. I hope you DESPISE the perpetrators of these crime (example: front page: three men hacked to death Clarendon; ages 17, 22, 35)

Kweli Simba
8/17/2011

Like I said in another post, "this gay matter is going to make the Dudus issue look like a walk in the park". The promotion of love and acceptance for members in the gay group can be done through family counseling without a PSA. The tact of the PSA is intended to soften the stance of Jcans against the illegal act of homo-sexuality. Be advised, these org. will be relentless in forwarding this cause and will marshall the help of other overseas group in doing so. It is a delicate political matter.

Peter Claude
8/17/2011

@Monique Perry Really? Have you ever heard of a disclaimer? How many times have you seen something on TV where the station puts a disclaimer saying that the program does not refect their view? They do it all the time. This is just a sad excuse not to air the. Dont they run ads for both political parties come elections? @Larry Simpson the ad is to promote tolerance for gay people not ecourage anyone to break any law. where did you get that from?

Eagle Eyes
8/17/2011

Do you all know the saying " LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE"? Why don't the pro-homosexuals just do their thing and stop trying to publisize their whatever, and by extention seem to be wishing for ALL to accept their UNGODLY behaviour? I can see PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS as a result of this. Pack this mess up and stay as is. Do they see STRAIGHT people seeking this kind of audience? There must be a reason. Personally, I don't wish to be targetted, in anyway, so dump these PRO ADD for this scourge.

Orville Ferguson
8/17/2011

Ramon Castro, be honest with yourself and stop living in denial. The cause you are supporting is widely objected by most Jamaican. I strongly believe TVJ has taken the right stand to maintain the integrity and ratings of the station. The Prime Minister himself has shown that he is leading a very homophobic country and he has no problem with that. You stated that you haven't catch the gay disease yet, but are you telling the truth? "Birds of feather flock together."

2kool .
8/17/2011

@Ramon Castro - There you go again which is typical of the gay movement. According to them anyone who disagrees with the gay lifestyle is considered homophobic or backwards. calling. Does RJR not have a right to air what it please?
But you are right about the "gay disease". You cannot catch it because it is a chosen lifestyle which makes it even worse. Why should the rest of us who DESPISE it be increasingly subjected to it. Do the rest of us not have rights?

Kingston Bailliff
8/17/2011

i guess we should give the X6 killer a warm embrace too? Oh, and let's not stop there; let's go get those who beheaded those innocent ladies and drink champagne with them.
JFLAG...this is just another attempt to infiltrate jamaica's laws. Trying to conquer the tough turf called Jamaica...right? "The Agenda"
Keep it overseas. And Jamaicans should speak out and boycott CVM if them ever try run that ad.
CVM have 9 directors, so it cant reach stalemate. Speak loud CVM.

Raymond Clarke
8/17/2011

It's amusing to read now bigots try to defend being bigots. I suppose parents, brothers and sisters of gays should shun their family members for who they are. Why not go further and have them all killed? To the church: why aren't you so passionate about stopping the beheadings, murders, incest, teenage pregnancy, and illiteracy in Jamaica? Jamaica should be denied all visas, IMF funding, foreign tax payers money and all other assistance until it starts treating all its citizens as citizens.

Meat Head
8/17/2011

I have maintained that one of the reasons that Jamaica is backwards, poor and overrun with crime and corruption is media complicity. Instead of leading the change, some of the cowards running our media organizations would prefer to be led, believing this maximizes their profitability. Nothing could be further from the truth; a less discriminatory, more educated, less crime infested Jamaica would be more economically attractive, lifting all boats. Fortunately, there are social networks.

trytj vhjfjhf
8/17/2011

have we forgotten about god and godly principles in jamaica? please dont ruin it.

Tall Ent.
8/17/2011

I challenge the church to be the ones to spread the message of love for ALL, including gays.
The church needs to make clear its stance on the Godly mandate of brotherly love. 1 John 4:20 "If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?".
The true position of God is not told if the world believes we (the church) would spread a message of hate and not love towards gays.

Kingston Bailliff
8/17/2011

Well done TVJ...right now "nobody cannat cross it"!!!
Mek we see if CVM a uphold slackness or them gonna stay firm on our law and our stance as Jamaicans. Mek we see if the money that good so them prefer to sell out the country's principles...like we politician them.
JFLAG or whoever else...Don't use the word "love" to force filth on Jamaica; stop flirt with the law....flirt with you other gay friends inna unu house! keep it to yourself if thats the way u want to go...thats all.

j BM
8/17/2011

Yup, I'm done watching TVJ. And I'm not gay, have no gay friends and don't consider myself a gay sympathiser. BUT I'm tolerant. And I think TVJs stance is rubbish!

Eric Junior
8/17/2011

COWARD TVJ. I have seen the ad on YouTube and nowhere is it promoting anything illegal. It speaks about loving your brother UNCONDITIONALLY. Gary Allen, I hope you drop all those gangster movies from your programming also. You guys at RJR Group have no problem playing the MURDER MUSIC on your radio stations though. And the line about contacting RJR before producing the PSA is rubbish as if you would consider running it for free. Just a bunch of hypocrites.

cts gardner
8/17/2011

Encouraging and demonstrating familial love and support is not illegal. This will go a long way to stem homelessness, prostitution, and exploitation of young people when they are thrown out to the streets by their families because they are homosexual. That outcome is much worse for the families and Jamaica.
RJR is doing a disservice to Jamaica by undermining commonsense and supporting ignorance.

Monique Perry
8/17/2011

Every one has the right to their own beliefs and tradition. if they feel its not in their best interest or they do not feel this message would represent what they stand for why are you calling them the biggest coward. You simple push to attain your goal else where. NOR did it sate that their is a "gay disease" . I would advise you to reread the article your clearly misunderstanding.

Lionel Gayle
8/17/2011

Gary Allen has made the right move by refusing the J-FLAG ad "at this time." It's a sensitive issue and must be dealt with carefully. Why would J-FLAG make the ad without knowing whether it would be problem-free in getting it on the air? If, as Dane Lewis said, the info. is for "members within this group," then you don't need to broadcast it to all Jamaicans. Circulate it among yourselves. Lewis' militant tone has led me to believe that Mark Dawes is right on the money with J-FLAG's intention.

Larry Simpson
8/17/2011

How can an advert be produced with an intention to be broadcast that will encourage it's citizens to break the law? What would the police do if one of our citizens openly admits that he/she has killed in the past and will do so again if he/she is supplied with the bullets or funding from family members? The law is the law, if we do not want it to be a law them be bold enough to change it but don't encourage citizens to break the law. In the UK it is allowed because it is their law but not in JA.

Ramon Castro
8/17/2011

And the award for BIGGEST COWARD goes to RJR. Receiving the award is Gary Allen. Now that RJR decided not to air the PS Ad, let see if they are going to show movies in which violence (murder) is involved. What is so wrong with calling on the nation to embrace tolerance and understanding? Also, let see if Mr Allen is going to fire his gay and lesbian employees. I worked with gays, hang out with them for years and haven't caught the "gay disease" and I am sure I won't.

Oniel Tobias
8/17/2011

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Blow to gay ad - TVJ rejects J-FLAG’s PSA