Dear Editor,

I hold the view that UWI acted appropriately by removing Prof Bain as director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Resource Training (CHART) Network. He is entitled to his personal views, of course, but there is now a serious conflict of interest which could also be divisive.

How can he lead this organisation if he is of the view that consenting adults who engage in same sex relations should be imprisoned? Why would he even want to work with this organisation, which may involve dealing with persons he feels should not be part of society and should be behind bars simply based on who they love? How effective could his work be with these underlying views? How can he be expected to work towards meeting CHART’s objectives to build human resources aimed at effectively improving the quality and coverage of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, when he is against very basic human rights principles of many of those affected? And, how could he effectively work with other regional and international groups such as US Centre for Disease Control, Global AIDS Program, US Agency for International Development, or UNAIDS? These same international organisations, and more, currently fund the operational activities of the CHART Network.

How can he lead this organisation if he is of the view that consenting adults who engage in same sex relations should be imprisoned? Why would he even want to work with this organisation, which may involve dealing with persons he feels should not be part of society and should be behind bars simply based on who they love? How effective could his work be with these underlying views? How can he be expected to work towards meeting CHART’s objectives to build human resources aimed at effectively improving the quality and coverage of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, when he is against very basic human rights principles of many of those affected? And, how could he effectively work with other regional and international groups such as US Centre for Disease Control, Global AIDS Program, US Agency for International Development, or UNAIDS? These same international organisations, and more, currently fund the operational activities of the CHART Network.

Let’s not be misguided into thinking CHART is funded by the Jamaican Government or Jamaican interest groups. UWI, therefore, acted appropriately. They listened, they investigated, and acted swiftly, making the right decision in the interest of all parties including Prof Bain.

CHART does not operate solely for Jamaica’s benefit; it is a regional body with regional and international interests. UWI did what any First World organisation would’ve done, by immediately relieving Prof Bain of this specific assignment. He is now free to focus on his scientific research and any other interests he may have. He is also free to advocate vocally or politically for the imprisonment of all gays in Jamaica and elsewhere, if this is his calling. He is free to endorse or not endorse any law based on his views, and this includes the antiquated buggery law which remains in some countries like Jamaica — laws which were created hundreds of years ago by some of the very same persons who legalised slavery.

Yes, there is freedom of speech, but it is what you say, when you say it, where and how you say it, which makes the difference. Bain should’ve done the right thing and not accepted this position in the first place. Or, if his views evolved after assuming this position, he should’ve voluntarily removed himself long ago instead of waiting for UWI to act. As the old proverbial saying goes, “you can’t have your cake and still eat, too”. Prof Bain, you just can’t have it both ways.

Pete Delisser

pdelisser1988@yahoo.com