EDITORIAL =

Breakback Caribbean

Every year at Carnival time there are the usual series of bacchanals and dramas and this year there were no exceptions, this February 2006, in Trinidad & Tobago. Whether it was the fundraiser premiere of the Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain”, Peter Minshall’s safe sex presentation at the Savannah’s Grand Stage; or sardine packed community parties where the bar services were limited and uncomfortable (all inclusive or other). All in all, Carnival celebrations and events conducted in and around that time have come and gone. Some more successful than others, yet what we are left with (memory serving) are either pleasant or unpleasant thoughts; or a combination of both. I guess you had to be there. It is our greatest hope that there were few personal regrets - and if there were, go and get HIV tested. Keep your promise - Know your position.

Though MSMNPA was not able to provide its Carnival prevention package at CHROME, we were still able in a breathless manner - to still deliver a variety of materials (with exception to a range of T-Shirt sizes) to our MSM Community and get the TRUE-TRUE MESSAGE OUT, with the assistance of the T&T NACC and Rainbow Inc.

BIG MAS / SMALL MAS aside, onto real business!

MSMNPA strongly advises in advance, to all Civil Society Organisational Partners and readers of FRee FORUM, that the content and graphics for this PRIDE ’06 edition is MSM Specific and is completely different to any of our previous editions.

HIV and AIDS education is our primary initiative and in all fairness to our primary regional and national targeted communities, we have taken the opportunity to provide articles and features on some topics that were requested via personal emails, one-one-one conversations and annual newsletter’s assessment.

In earlier HIV and AIDS initiatives in Trinidad conducted by MSM advocates Stanforde and Sealey, it was understood that there are many factors that drive the rates of infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) communities, besides sexual activity and anxiety. Some of these factors relate directly to environment, poverty, education, unemployment, unstable family life, verbal and or physical abuse, drug abuse and or addiction and self hate, to name a few.

Strategies need to conduct psychosocial self and skills building activities to build-on individuals’ self-esteem and empowerment by advocating and promoting in-community interest, awareness, well being and mobilization.

It is internationally recognised in developed countries that homophobia, stigma and discrimination contribute to the spread of HIV. Fear of being stigmatized often prevents gay and MSM men from seeking HIV testing, counselling and treatment, with the result that they are less likely to adopt measures to protect themselves and others from the virus.[1]

It is our intention that this edition politely rests aside all of the HIV and AIDS ‘preaching’ and focus on what is also a necessary part of an associated Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support service, in an honest manner with progressive intentions.

 

Press Release 2006 - “Time to Stop Homophobic Crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean” - Dr. Mirta Roses, Director, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)

 

 

SLIGHT FEVER OF A 20-TEAR OLD (TOUCH OF FEVER). JAPAN Review: This film became a surprising hit in Japan despite its gay themes as young women lined up for hours to watch it. Tatsuro is a young man who keeps whatever emotions he may be feeling buried deep inside himself. He's not close to his family, despite attempts by his father to be part of his son's life. He lives by himself in an apartment while he finishes college. To pay for all this, he has taken a job as a hustler, turning tricks. You never know if Tatsuro is gay or straight because to him sex is sex and the partner involved is almost incidental. This is a very subtle film that looks at what lies beneath the surface. The emotions we keep hidden away and are afraid to show to the world or the emotions that we can't hide and that are all too clear to anyone who bothers to look.